I received compensation from BHG at Walmart for my participation in the BHG Live Better Network. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. #BHGLiveBetter
I love to host friends in our home, especially at this time of year, and holiday entertaining can be surprisingly simple. One of my favorite ways to entertain friends is with a themed hot cocoa bar. This peppermint themed hot cocoa bar was so fun {and easy} to throw together and the kids loved it! All you need are a few fun details, pops of red and white, and mugs of steaming cocoa!
White dishes are the perfect base for a themed cocoa bar and mugs are a must. I love the shape and simplicity of these square mugs and, when served on a rectangular platter, they look like a set and the platter can do double duty as a tray. To match the peppermint theme, I added a red vinyl peppermint candy to each of the mugs. Embellishing with vinyl is the perfect way to coordinate dishes to match a theme and it can be peeled off after the party.
I often add a garland to the wall behind our cocoa bar because it’s a really easy way to tie everything together and add some color and a festive touch. This peppermint candy garland was made simply with twine, little red clothespins, and napkins! Can you believe those are just paper napkins? It doesn’t get any easier than that, does it?
Bowls filled with hot cocoa powder or packets of cocoa made it easy for guests to mix up their cocoa and then fix it just the way they like it with add-ins. I set out candy cane kisses and peppermint flavored candies …
… along with piles of marshmallows and candy canes for stirring. It’s so easy to find peppermint flavored goodies to match the theme! I served all the mix-ins in square bowls in varying sizes {they go so well with the square mugs} and used two different sizes of square bowls to create little treat stands. A larger bowl stacks perfectly on top of a smaller bowl turned upside down … and when you’re not using them as stands, the bowls can be used regularly. I love basic dishes that can do double duty!
If you’re already overloading on sugar {wink}, you might as well top it off with a sweet treat. A simple white cake stand is a must have because it’s so versatile {this one is also limited edition so get yours soon!}. I embellished it with vinyl …
… and served red and white cupcakes {storebought, for ease}.
With just a few creative touches and a tiny bit of crafting, you can pull off a really fun holiday themed hot cocoa bar that guests will love!
Want some more themed hot cocoa bar ideas? Check out my Santa themed hot cocoa bar, snowman hot cocoa bar, hot cocoa with friends, a hot cocoa party, and a holiday hot cocoa bar.
And if you want to throw your own hot cocoa party, I’d love to help you out with a $100 Walmart gift card! Enter to win using rafflecopter below!
For more information about BHG at Walmart, be sure to follow BHG Live Better on facebook, twitter, instagram, and pinterest!
Anastasia says
I think even I (entertaining impaired!)can pull this off!
Lauren Furniss says
I love entertaining for the holidays! And this is such a cute idea!!
Terri says
I do love to entertain during the holidays, or any time:). We make a big batch of hot chocolate mix and love to share.
Becky says
I just love your site! I love Christmas time and all that it means …and you inspire me that through all of the “hecticness”, I can still find simple, cheerful, wonderful ways to celebrate the season with others!
Randi Dukes says
Thank you for such a sweet comment. That just made my day!
Debbie @ Refresh Restyle says
Love your peppermint theme, beautiful and delicious!
Debbie
Kristine says
You always have the cutest ideas!
Maribeth says
This is so cute! miss y’all!
Elena says
I love holiday entertaining
Julie Wood says
I love your Peppermint Themed Hot Cocoa Bar. It is so visually appealing. I love hosting Holiday get togethers with my friends and family. It is so much fun to have a Christmas theme and have others over for a day of fun!
Ellen Vogel says
Love the crispness of red and white! Beautiful set up.
Jessica To says
I am not a big entertainer during the holiday season.
steve weber says
Yes! we love to have a full house and to entertain during the holidays!
Nancy (@spiffykerms) says
Love entertaining for the holidays! It’s actually my favourite time of year, so who wouldn’t want friends around? 🙂
Natalie says
I am a huge fan of entertaining during the holidays! I love to search for new decoration and recipe ideas!
Jill says
Hi Randi: Lots of great ideas here! Where did you get the vinyl stickers? Did you print them yourself? What type of printer did you use? So many questions….
Randi Dukes says
I used my cutting machine and a downloadable image to cut the peppermint vinyl. But you could handcut them from vinyl if you found a template online … it’s an easy cut.
Bridgett Wilbur says
I love to entertain all my friends and family for the holidays.
LaTanya T. says
no, I like to go to other people’s house for entertainment
Mami2jcn says
With a newborn, the thought of entertaining really stresses me out! Hopefully I’ll enjoy doing it next year.
Kelly D says
Yes , I like to entertain and prepare a nice meal for my guests.
Janet W. says
Yes, I love to entertain during the holidays! I find it fun and exciting to decorate the house and prepare the big meal!
shelly peterson says
I do like to entertain a little during the holidays. I like to have a little get together with my friends. This hot cocoa bar is neat idea.
carol clark says
Yes mam i do every year i love it i love the season and joy i love it all
Jen Rodrigues says
I love entertaining during the holidays. Its so much fun and I love all the decorations that are involved.
Barbara Montag says
Yes I love to entertain during the holidays – I prefer not too many people.
thank you
Birdiebee says
I love to entertain during the holidays so I can try out all of my newly found recipes on my guests.
Laura J says
Oh we love to have family and friends over for the holidays! So much fun decorating and planning the food!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
This is soooo cute!!! What a fun, simple idea. I love it! I want to throw a party just to use it 🙂
Jessica Beard says
Yes, I like to entertain a little over the holidays.
Jennifer Marie says
I do like entertaining on the holidays. It’s fun getting together with everyone.
Heather Hayes Panjon says
Yes, I Love To Entertain During The Holidays!
Lynn says
Randi, this is DELIGHTFUL!!! Well done and so fun for all ages. You’ve put to shame my past year’s cocoa bars so now I have to up my game!
Thanks for sharing and inspiring!
Lynn
Kim Henrichs says
So fun!! Yes I definitely love entertaining during the holidays!!
Krista says
I do like to entertain during the holidays, especially now that i have a house to do so!
Marie at The Interior Frugalista says
How sweet (sorry, couldn’t resist the pun) is that hot chocolate bar! Pinned to share and maybe to a take on your idea for my annual sleigh ride gathering.
Gina M (Wild Orchid) says
I am not that big on entertaining, but I usually have a least one family gathering at my house. I would much rather be the guest! 😉
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Robin says
love this …the decorations are just adorable – thanks for linking with Monday Funday! ox
Amanda Sakovitz says
I love to entertain during the holiday season.
Thomas Murphy says
I do like to entertain during the holiday season
Valerie says
Love the look of this hot cocoa bar and I can’t believe that garland is made with napkins it looks so good!
Bonnie says
I missed the giveaway but loved your Peppermint Hot Coco Bar. Two things I love during the winter is peppermint with my hot coco. I find you today from The Pin Junkie linky party. And of course pinning this!