That long stretch after Christmas and before the first signs of warmer weather can feel dreary and blah, but a party can be a bright spot in winter and something fun to plan and look forward to! A party always makes things better! I love the idea of a hot chocolate bar, which takes something super simple and easy and kicks it up a notch! The first thing you need are mugs of course. You may have some cute matching cups in your cabinet, but if you’re like me they are mostly mismatched and have some version of #1 mom…so I made a trip to Tuesday Morning and found a few simple ones that I really like. The ones on the top have a cool, almost wood look to them. I used this tiered two tone metal tray stand to display them along with pinecones, which brings a clean winter feel.
Next up, hot chocolate. I used Swiss Miss K-Cup pods to keep things quick and easy. I love that guests, even young guests can serve themselves. No boiling water on the stove, no microwave, no messy packets. Just keep your Keurig water level up and your party will run smoothly. Placing them on a cupcake stand makes for a cute and functional display.
Now it’s time for the fun extras! This is where you can bring your creativity. Kids (and adults) love toppings so why should hot chocolate be any different? If you like your hot chocolate extra chocolatey, and really who doesn’t, mini chocolate chips are a perfect addition to your hot chocolate bar. They melt nicely and really bring a richness to your cup.
Toffee chips will add another great flavor and dimension to hot chocolate. I love Heath bars so this was an easy choice. Andes mint candies, especially if your hot chocolate bar is part of a Christmas celebration, and caramel bits are also yummy choices. For an adult get together, add Baileys and RumChata to your bar! Your guests will love this warm, tasty cocktail!
Finally, what cup of hot chocolate is complete without marshmallows? They look pretty in a footed bowl. Just add a generous sized scoop to allow guests to pile them on!
Your guests will need something to stir up their creation. I found these sweet chocolate and marshmallow spoons when I was shopping at Tuesday Morning and couldn’t resist! Pretty silver spoons work as well!
Hot chocolate needs a delicate cookie to got with it. I love to search the specialty food aisles at HomeGoods and I found these yummy cookies. I love that they are dark chocolate and not super sweet. They are very crisp and have a nice sprinkle of sugar. The perfect compliment to our rich hot chocolate.
I love the colors of the hot chocolate bar! The shades of brown mixed with white are perfect for a party full of chocolate and marshmallows! The colors also compliment the winter weather outside, with a warm cozy feel. The hot chocolate bar is a perfect addition to any winter get together. Add the popcorn bar from a previous post and you have created a fun movie night your guests will love! Your party will definitely keep the winter blues away!
