{New Christmas Tradition} Hot Cocoa Bar

Creating new tradition during the holidays is a favorite of mine.  In a discussion that  took place during Mama Scout's 10 Day Holiday E-Lab, another mother had mentioned that each year her family sets up a Hot Cocoa Bar the day after Thanksgiving and keeps it out for the duration of the season.  How fun! I just had to try it out this year.  For the past week, I've been collecting different ideas and treats to add to our very first Hot Cocoa Bar and now it's finally up and ready! Yum!

I decided to set our little bar up on the kitchen counter, so it would be within our reach whenever the mood strikes for hot cocoa.  A few of the items are stored in the refrigerator, but most can set out at all times.  I found a cute little cookie jar to keep our hot cocoa packets in, added a few mugs to the bar, and filled a tray up with candies, syrups, spices, and marshmallows, and we were set!

The first must-have item for a hot cocoa bar is marshmallows!  I added regular and peppermint to ours.  Whipped cream and candy canes are also a perfect addition.

Spices and syrups were next.  Our cocoa bar consists of 

Caramel Syrup, Sea Salt, Cinnamon, Colored Sprinkles, and Dark Chocolate Syrup.

Finally, it was time to add an extra special touch!  I've been wanting to try the Chocolate Spoons that Ness at One Perfect Day created a while back.  They are so simple to make and you can use any type of candy or chocolate that you wish.  Grady had such fun helping us make these!

Here's a list of the chocolates and candies that we added to our spoons:

~ milk chocolate

~ white chocolate

~ melted peanut butter chips

~ mini M&M's

~ colored sprinkles

~ toffee chips

~ peppermint chips

~ extra peanut butter chips

Of course, once it was said and done, we each had to help ourselves to a steaming cup of cocoa after dinner this evening!

Do you enjoy hot cocoa? What would you add to your Hot Cocoa Bar for the holidays?

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