Ideas for a Stranger Things season 3 marathon

Posted on July 9, 2019September 12, 2019 by Matt Todd

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Binge watching Stranger Things on Netflix has become a family tradition in our house. We’ve never been able to watch a whole season in one sitting. But we did manage to complete Season 2 in just a couple of days. It’s fun coming up with our own conspiracy theories for Stranger Things. Sometimes we’re right. Sometimes we’re horribly horribly wrong. And that’s OK. Because it’s all in good fun. Mostly.

If I had planned ahead, I would have gone all-out on creating the perfect environment for a Stranger Things viewing marathon. I didn’t plan ahead, though. And we weren’t really that patient enough to wait to put something together, especially since I didn’t really think about putting something together until the Fourth of July. You know, when Netflix released Stranger Things Season 3. Perfect timing. Right?

Christy had read somewhere that the cast suggested that if you aren’t going to watch the whole season in one day, watch the first three together and then watch the remaining episodes all together. They suggested that even if you aren’t planning on watching those final five episodes together, you’re going to want to watch the final five episodes together. Because you won’t be able to stop.

They were right.

We’ve broken the series into three days of viewing. And let me tell you, it was practically impossible to stop watching the second batch of episodes. But we did. And we’re watching the final two episodes soon. We’re in the homestretch. So…maybe you’re one of the few who hasn’t watched it yet. And I guess that’s a pretty small number because Season 3 has broken some kind of Netflix record. Here’s some ideas for you. It’s also probably for us if we decide to watch Season 3 again. Or maybe for whenever Season 4 happens. Because you know they’re going to have to have a Season 4. Right? RIGHT?

Set the atmosphere

Buy some Christmas lights and hang them on your wall.
Wear a shirt from the 80s. If your mom threw out your wardrobe as soon as you moved out, you can always buy something at 80sTees.com.
Maybe get a Stranger Things table cloth. And some Stranger Things napkins. Oh, and go ahead and get some Stranger Things paper plates, too. Because why not?
For additional atmosphere, consider placing some Stranger Things Funko Pop figurines strategically throughout your room. Because they’re awesome. I’m pretty sure I want Will the Wise for my office.

You gotta eat

You’re going to watch eight episodes in a row…or even more than two in a row…you’re going to want to have some sustenance. Where should you go for inspiration? Well…Stranger Things takes place in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. There are several notable Indiana references in the series, including a discussion about Purdue and references to the Indianapolis Star. It only makes sense to try to include some Indiana-inspired cuisine while streaming an exciting show about small town Indiana. Well, let’s just say I tried. Maybe you can do better. I hope you can, honestly.

Tenderloin sliders

I gotta say, I did not get to make this one. But it’s on my list of things to make in the future. Maybe even for the next Stranger Things marathon. What shouts “Indiana” more than tenderloin sandwiches? Well, brain sandwiches, but that’s only in my old stomping grounds so that doesn’t really count. Oh, you think I’m joking? I’m not. I come from the Land of Brain Eaters. You’ve been warned.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah…We Hoosiers love our tenderloin sandwiches. Love them. We make lists about our favorites. And while I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any argument come to fisticuffs about the best breaded tenderloin sandwich (you know….Hoosier Hospitality and all…), we do take our tenderloin sandwiches very seriously.

So it makes sense to have a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich while watching Stranger Things. And it would be cool to have them as sliders. I don’t think that would be blasphemy. Would it? I mean, these sandwiches are supposed to be as big as your head. But sitting on a couch watching a show? Maybe we should try to make one that’s more manageable. I don’t know. I could be wrong.

Either way, if you have the chance, I highly recommend including breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches to your Stranger Things menu. It just makes sense. Here’s a recipe to try. Be careful. Popping grease will be had. I highly recommend using an apron. I’m a big fan of my Red Original Pinstripe Apron, in case you were curious.

Chicken and Eggo waffle sandwiches

Partially for convenience, partially because it’s a great tie-in to Eleven’s favorite frozen breakfast food, we chose to heat up frozen chicken patties and place them between two toasted homestyle waffles. I know. Genius. Right? They were Christy’s idea and they were, like, totally RAD.

I tried eating mine upside down (get it? I kill me again), but I couldn’t tell which direction that would be. The sandwich did taste pretty good dipped in a little bit of maple syrup though.

I still think breaded tenderloin sandwiches are the way to go for a Stranger Things watch party, but these are a super-close second. Totally.

Buttered corn on the cob

I know. I know.

There’s more than corn in Indiana. But come on. An Indiana-inspired feast HAS to have corn on the cob. I think it’s in the Indiana Constitution. OK. It probably isn’t. But it should be.

Besides, look at those totally wicked corn on the cob holders. You want them. I know you do. You can buy them right here.

You’re welcome.

Ice cream cone with Chips Ahoy! cookies

Since it was already shown in the trailer, this doesn’t count as a spoiler. An ice cream shop at the new mall called Scoops Ahoy is a significant location in Season 3 of Stranger Things. We saw it in the first trailer back in March.

https://youtu.be/YEG3bmU_WaI

So having ice cream for dessert while you’re watching Stranger Things only makes sense. And topping your ice cream with mini Chips Ahoy! cookies makes even more sense. If you don’t like doing that for some reason, you could always buy some Baskin Robbins Stranger Things ice cream.

Share your ideas!

That’s all I’ve got. What about you? What will you do for an epic Stranger Things watch party?

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Matt Todd

Howdy. I'm Matt. My wife, Christy, and I have four kids and two dogs, I'm passionate about orphan care. I'm a die-hard fan of the Evansville Aces, the Indiana Hoosiers, and Star Wars. I'm trying to live life by the Todd family motto: "It behooves us to live!"