One of my favorite childhood movies came to life this Halloween after spotting a $5.99 “Beware” plate on the bottom shelf of HomeGoods. Until this moment, I was unsure of what my theme this year would be and then I heard Corey Feldman’s voice in my head saying, “YE INTRUDERS BEWARE.”

Fond memories of watching movies with my childhood friends then became the inspiration piece for an 80’s, Goonies-themed tablescape! What started as an idea suggestion box on my Instagram, quickly turned into a nostalgic movie night with my family and an over-the-top Halloween table in my dining room.

To create these themed holiday moments, like last year’s Hocus Pocus table, I always start with a note pad and write down everything about the movie I can think of. I then make those items come to life using thematic dishware, seasonal decor, festive desserts and a few movie specific references.

I styled this table on four yards of inexpensive skeleton fabric that I found at a craft store and asked a handyman friend if he could build a table mast out of scrap wood. I then stapled black and white cheese cloth to the mast and draped fish netting over the tablecloth. Black placemats, galvanized chargers and the DANGER/POISON plates made the perfect place setting for Sugar Drop’s chocolate dipped, sugar sprinkled, fondant skull apples. For napkins, I created my own using a children’s pack of pirate bandanas , that cost less than $1 each to make, and added a jeweled, skull napkin ring for a bit of Goonies glam!

For serving pieces, I like to think outside of the box and created a cookie tray using a toy treasure chest. I put a child’s shoe box inside, covered that with fish net and displayed Sips to Sugar’s Goonies themed skull key, treasure map and pirate cookies on top. A marble-striped cake stand added height and dimension to the table and became the perfect spot for Sugar Drop’s hand-poured, chocolate skull Goonies cake. Their “Rocky Road,” salted caramel “Mega Marshmallows” were hand dipped in chocolate and topped with gold coins to add just the right touch of movie magic.

What Goonies theme table would be complete without Sloth and One-Eyed Willie? Using some inexpensive Amazon costumes, I outfitted two skeletons with signature Goonies looks and pirate accessories to honor those signature characters . I then sprinkled gold coins, a vintage map and movie figurines throughout. More than 35 years later, this classic adventure movie lives on in our home….because “GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE!”