Howdy Friends! It’s Pinterest Challenge day! And I think today is going to be inspiration domination! There are 15 bloggers sharing their Hot Cocoa Bars from 1 inspiration photo so you can get ideas and put together one of your very own! Let’s start with my Small Space Hot Cocoa Bar but don’t forget to visit each one below.
Small Space Hot Cocoa Bar
Our inspiration photo came from Pen + Paper Flowers. I’d love to walk up to this space and make my own hot chocolate! Wouldn’t you?
I don’t have quite the amount of space for such a fabulous bar but I do have this small area in our breakfast room that I think will work out perfectly. It’s a triangle shaped counter that sits to the right side of the refrigerator. It’s has been the drink corner when we have parties, the snack corner, the cookbook corner, the Mister’s coffee corner, the dog treat corner and the crap corner (that one didn’t last long). But today is my favorite for sure!
My Hot Cocoa bar has all the ingredients you need. Like these Christmas Cocoa Flavors I found at World Market. There are 12 different boxes that sound so delicious. I like that they are individually packaged for optimum freshness. 😉 Although, I’m not sure cocoa goes bad. It never stays around here long enough for me to find out.
Use Height Instead of Width
With my small space, I need to use height since I don’t have width. I’m obviously talking about the counter top and not myself. I have width, just no height. Just ask anyone who’s been bumped by my butt! I’ll never forget the time I was in a crowded Target at Christmas time when a small child turned around quickly, ran his face into my butt and bounced back to fall down. I was laughing so hard I couldn’t even help him up. He didn’t think it was that funny. Oh my soul, I’m still laughing! Sorry kid. Maybe that means my bottom is tight like a rubber band? Ha ha, nope.
Anyway, try and use something like a tiered tray, crates or a plate stand to add height and preserve space.
Corral Your Sweets
Then to corral your sweet goodies like candy canes, chocolate stir sticks, marshmallow snowflakes and snowman faces, keep them all together in a decorative box, bowl or jar. I found this wooden sleigh at the Dollar Spot at Target. It was only $3.00.
I am able to keep a few Christmasy mugs on the shelf below. The gingerbread mugs are from World Market and the Santa mugs that come with a spoon are from Walmart.
I wish I could say I’ve been collecting these adorable vintage cookie cutters for decades. Truth is, Macy and I found them at an estate sale this summer. A humongous bag for $5 bucks! When we saw them, we snatched ’em up so fast. The ladies around us were wondering what all the giddy whispers were about. These are only the Christmas cutters! They don’t need to be here since they aren’t needed for a hot cocoa bar but I thought they looked so cute, I wanted to use them as extra Christmas decor.
Don’t Forget The Sign
Every Hot Cocoa Bar should have a sign. You can find chalkboard ideas on Pinterest or you can purchase a pre-made sign just about anywhere. One of the first things we did when we moved to this house 15 years ago was hang this chalkboard. I use it every week for Bible verses I want to concentrate on. Last week it had Philippians 2:4-16, 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life…
I definitely need to pray and concentrate on that waaaay more than I do. And I definitely want to shine! 🙂
You can make your Hot Cocoa bar as simple or as extravagant as you’d like. I kept mine pretty simple since it’s a small space. Don’t forget the essentials like straws, napkins and a tea towel for any accidents. I can hardly wait to have a Christmas party. Cooler weather would help too. It was 70 degrees today and all I wanted was a Peppermint shake from Chick-fil-a!
If you’d like to see a past Hot Cocoa Bar at the Farmhouse, click here to see that. It also has a Blogger Christmas tour along with it! So grab a cup and settle in – there’s a lot to see!
Next up is my friend Yvonne at StoneGable. I know you’ll love her Hot Chocolate Bar too! After checking hers, click back here to see the rest of the bloggers and their Pinterest Challenge!
Cindy,
This is so fun. Love both sets of mugs. We don’t have a World Market by us yet. Spied some great flavors.
Love the cookie cutters. A few I noticed are the same I grew up using. I remember that deer and he was tricky.
Happy Thanksgiving
Cindy
Author
Thanks Cindy! I remember using them too and making the best sugar cookies ever! The entire table would be covered with brightly covered icing as were my hands and face! Yum. 😉
Your corner is the perfect spot for a hot chocolate bar! I love everything about what you created. Your chalk art is outstanding. I know that I would leave that up all through the Christmas season. The hot chocolate flavor boxes that you found look great on your three tiered stand and the graphics on the box are so cute. Love the mugs that you found and of course the vintage lover in me is smitten with your cookie cutters.
Author
The cocoa boxes are what started the entire post. I found them to be adorable and just the right colors for my bright (not so Christmasy) kitchen wall color. And since the chalkboard took me quite a while, I will definitely keep it up all season. Thank you Paula! Glad you liked it.
HI Cindy! I forgot the sign! Thank you for coordinating this challenge! So much fun!
xo laura
Author
You are welcome Laura. Now go make a sign! 😉
Oh I love it and what a wonderful treat to have different flavors to choose from. Such a great Hot Chocolate Bar set up
Author
Thanks so much Marty! I’ve never been a huge hot drink person but the flavors are luring me in. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Such a cozy little corner for a Christmas-y Hot Chocolate Bar! Oh my those World Market hot chocolates are adorable! I’d love to sip some with you!!! Thanks for organizing this fun challenge, Cindy!
Author
I know, right?! I figured whoever designed those adorable cocoa boxes had to be my age and must be jolly. Glad you liked it! 🙂
What a perfect little space for a cocoa bar. You have it decorated so cute. I love the little boxes of cocoa you found at World Market. I have never been into one of their stores. I don’t think they have any in our area. Thanks for hosting this fun blog hop Cindy. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Author
World Market is a wonderful place to shop. Hope you can get inside one soon. And thank you for the sweet comments on the cocoa bar. I’m looking forward to having some friends over so they can use it!
Thanks for the lovely inspiration Cindy! I’m planning an open house for our neighbors (we’re new in the neighborhood), and a hot cocoa bar will be perfect (along with some cookies, I think)! One question: They’re cute, but why straws at a hot cocoa bar? Maybe cinnamon sticks (for stirring) instead?
Enjoying your blog! Cheers!
Author
Yay – I’m so glad you found some inspiration today! The straws are for sipping. I don’t like getting lipstick on the side of mugs so I choose a straw. I’m weird, I know. Hope you have a wonderful turn out at your neighborly open house. If they know you’re having a hot cocoa bar, I bet they’ll be knocking on your door all day! 🙂
Oh, I didn’t realize you could sip hot drinks with a straw! My daughters tell me it is a thing. (One of them sips her coffee with a straw to prevent coffee-stained teeth.) Still learning . . .! Thank you and cheers!
Author
Woo hoo, I’m a “thing”! LOL. I go back and forth. We hear to use a straw so we don’t get stains on our teeth but if we use the straw we get wrinkles around our lips. We can’t win. 😉
Soooo cute!!! I love hot cocoa….but really try not to drink it very often as my waistline has enough trouble as it is without adding cocoa to the mix! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Author
Thank you Debbie. Haven’t you heard – all calories taken in between Thanksgiving and New Years magically disappear? At least that’s what I’ve heard. Happy Thanksgiving!
Those packages of hot cocoa are adorable! This is the perfect little corner for a Hot Chocolate station. I’m giggling picturing that poor little guy bouncing off your butt; think that’s happened to me before too. And in order to keep that padding…think I need to head to Chick fil a and grab one of those peppermint shakes; just remembered they are AMAZING!
Author
Glad I’m not the only one with a bouncy butt story! LOL. I’ll think of you next time I’m in the super long drive thru lane at Chick-fil-a getting my peppermint shake. Oh yeah, that’s probably tomorrow! 🙂 Thanks Lora!
Oh, I love your small space hot cocoa bar! Looks like LOTS of us chose a small space to share. Love those gingerbread mugs, and the mixes from World Market. Butt, (see what I did there) I especially love your stories! You always make me laugh, girl! Just when I think you’re done, you add even more chuckles. And the Bible verses… I agree. I need to focus on Him more, love Him more, and bring Him more glory! Pinned, and thanks for hosting all of us!
Author
My pleasure Julie. Glad you get a chuckle from what is my life. LOL. Reading the other posts made me decide I want a bigger space. Possibly a bar cart. And forget it being stationary. I’m going to put on a super cute Christmas apron, push that thing around and ask if anyone wants a hot cocoa treat! Oh yeah, it’s happening.
Well… I loved this so much, you are one of my features at TTA this week! And, of course, you made me laugh again!
Author
Thank you Julie, that’s so exciting! I love being featured and I’m always glad when someone leaves with a smile.
How cute Cindy. Lucky you finding all those Christmas cookie cutters. Love the little sleigh. How did I miss that at the Dollar Spot?! Thank you so much for this month’s Pinterest Challenge. I loved it.
Author
Thank you Carol. Was surprised to find the sleigh. Got there on the right day at the right time I suppose. Enjoy the week with your family!
You do shine, and i love your blog no matter what you do, cause you make me smile and wish you were my next door neighbor. This is so cute and i love hot chocolate.
Author
Awe Marlene, you made my day. Okay, my whole month! I’d love being your neighbor and my door would always be open. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving. ❤️
Oh my goodness, Cindy! You always make me giggle throughout your posts. I could just read through your blog all day long. You always have such a great sense of humor. Your hot cocoa corner looks so wonderful!! I need to head over to World Market! We don’t have one nearby, and I’m going to start google mapping based on those packets and cute mugs you found. I love the Santa mugs and chalkboard sign too! Wish I could sip alongside you so I could giggle all night. Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for hosting!
Author
Crissy! I always love reading your comments. We would have a great time together sippin and gigglin. Hope you find a World Market – you’ll love it. My youngest (Addi) just got a job there and I love her discount! 😂.
Your cocoa station is so pretty! I love the cute boxes! I love every detail and the way you used your space.
Author
Thanks bunches Zamira! I’m glad I can make that space work for something so perfect for Christmas time. All I need is some friends to share it with. 😁
So glad I stumbled upon your blog today–I absolutely love the idea of this challenge! So many different interpretations and each beautiful in it’s own way! The jar of vintage cookie cutters is my favorite part, brings back great memories of baking with my mom. If there’s ever any openings for more bloggers for the challenge, I’d love to join! Happy Thanksgiving!
Author
Thank you Pamela, I’m glad you stumbled upon my blog too! The Pinterest Challenge has been so fun each month and I love the same things about it as you do. I do have several others asking as well so email me at the end of the year and we can chat about adding you in then. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and hop on over anytime!
Of course the cute Christmas cookie cutters fit right in, Cindy! 🙂 They look very festive along with the adorable Santa mugs and the cute gingerbread house mugs (love that green!). We had a small area at our first house which had a little area like this and they are wonderful for all kinds of decorating!!! Fun idea!!!
Love how you’ve decorated yours and all the yummy hot chocolates you’ve found. Let Macy know: Great score on the vintage cookie cutters!!! Thanks again for being our fearless leader for the Pinterest Challenge. <3 Now that the house is clean for Thankgiving guests to drop by…
Off for some cocoa and more touring…
Barb 🙂
ps Love the story about the boy… 😉
Author
Poor child, he’s probably still scarred. 😉
Author
Thank you Barbara! I’ll tell Macy since she found them first. When our house is super clean, the kids would always ask if we were having a party. Usually, the answer was yes – LOL. Enjoy the rest of your hop and Happy Thanksgiving.
This is SO cute! Start the car I need to go to World Market STAT. May you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Author
You should come visit me Laura and we can go to World Market together! Glad you like it. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.
Love your hot cocoa bar! And that cookie jar full of vintage cookie cutters is so cool!
Tania
Author
Thank you Tania! The cookie cutters are my fave. Oh wait, it’s the cocoa flavors. Oh wait, maybe it’s the chocolate peppermint sticks! LOL. So glad you hopped over today. Happy Thanksgiving
Loving all those cute hot chocolate boxes. Hot chocolate is a family favorite here. Your chalk art is so adorable!
Author
Well the chalkboard isn’t perfect like so many I see but those chalk pens are so hard to get off that I don’t want to fool with it. It’s really more for my own personal use anyway. We still haven’t tried the hot cocoa. It’s been in the 70’s. Looking forward to the day it’s cold though! Thank you Christy.
I enjoyed this so much. My 87 year old mother passed away 2 years ago 2 days after Christmas. The last thing I did for her the day she passed away was make her a cup of hot chocolate. Since then the Hot Chocolate Bar is one of our family Christmas traditions..I do mine with Marcrest Daisy Dot Pottery that I’ve been collecting since I inherited her Marcrest Cookie Jar. Thanks for all the ideas I can be adding.
Author
I’m so glad Janet. Losing a loved one around the holidays is hard. I lost my dad a few years ago right before Thanksgiving. Making a new tradition whether in their honor or memory is a wonderful idea! I love the Marcrest Daisy Dot pattern. Honestly, I had to Google it but oh-my-stars it’s so cute and how fun to have a collection! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Hope you have lovely Christmas.