How to Host a Holly Jolly Hot Cocoa Party
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You can host a fun and festive holiday party without worrying about gift exchanges or meal planning when you throw a hot cocoa party. This fun and festive event is easy to set up, plus it can be customized for adults or kids. It’s a great way to warm up from cold winter weather and spend time with friends and family during the holiday season.
What is a Hot Cocoa Party?
A hot cocoa party is a simple gathering where guests can build their own version of a classic hot cocoa beverage, customized with different flavors and toppings. You can add to the theme by having contests for the most creative use of toppings or the most toppings added to a mug for even more fun. There are no rules for how to host a hot chocolate party, so it’s easy to plan and set up. You’ll just need a hot cocoa bar setup and a bit of creativity. Whether you want to host a few friends for a quiet night or you want to invite the whole neighborhood over, there are lots of ways to make a hot chocolate party a hit for the holiday season.
Decorating for a Hot Cocoa Party
You don’t have to go all out with decorations, particularly if you already have a Christmas tree or other holiday décor set up. The main focus should be the hot cocoa bar, which will hold all the toppings and carafes of hot cocoa. There are lots of great hot cocoa bar decorating kits available, so it’s easy to find the one that meets your needs. Some have disposable cups and labels for toppings, while others feature banners and bar signs to truly set a festive scene. Mason jars with fun holiday ribbons are perfect for storing and displaying all the fixings for your hot cocoa bar. You’ll also want to think about how you’ll serve the hot chocolate. You might want to consider purchasing mugs for each guest they can take home as a party favor, but disposable cups also work for this type of party. Don’t forget to have carafes on hand for the hot milk and hot water or pre-made hot cocoa.
Hot Cocoa Bar Toppings
The toppings are the star of any hot cocoa party, so make sure you have a wide variety for guests to pick from. Marshmallows, peppermint spoons, candy canes, peppermint bark, chocolate chips, sprinkles, shaved chocolate, and whipped cream are all great toppings to start out with. You can also get creative with combining salty and sweet flavors. Consider salted caramels, pretzels, or peanuts for unique choices. A selection of sauces, such as these Ghirardelli sauces, including chocolate, white chocolate, and caramel flavors, adds the perfect finishing touch to hot cocoa drinks. Other toppings might include:
Crushed Oreo cookies
Cinnamon sticks
Flavored whipped cream
Hershey’s Kisses
Breakfast cereal (Cocoa Pebbles or even Cheerios!)
The key is to have a wide assortment of toppings to choose from so all your party guests can get creative with their concoctions.
Hot Cocoa Party Entertainment
Once everyone has made their hot cocoa, you’ll want to give everyone something to do throughout the rest of the party. Holiday music karaoke, Christmas scavenger hunts, and holiday bingo are all great options. If you’re hosting a kids’ hot cocoa party, you can set up a craft activity or play “pin the nose on the reindeer.” Turn your hot cocoa party into a Moms’ Night Out by pairing it with a Hallmark Christmas movie marathon! The possibilities are truly endless, so don’t be afraid to mix and match activities to come up with the perfect party for you and your closest friends and family.
Hot Cocoa Party Favors
Instead of doing a gift exchange, consider giving everyone a small party favor to commemorate the occasion. Hot cocoa bombs everyone can take home are perfect for giving away at a hot cocoa party. If you chose to buy everyone their own mug as discussed above, that serves as a great favor. Christmas crackers, gourmet candy bars, and ugly sweater tree ornaments are also fun favors that won’t break the bank. Stickers or Santa hats make great favors for kids, or you can simply put together small bags of candy. No matter what you give to your guests, the hot cocoa party you throw is sure to be remembered for years to come.
The fun of a hot cocoa party is that it can be celebrated with friends of all different backgrounds, no matter which holidays they celebrate in December. It’s a great reason to gather friends and family together and spend quality time while enjoying delicious treats and having extra holiday fun! Check out some of our other posts for even more party planning inspiration!
