This Reader Created an Extravagant Hot Cocoa Bar w/ Halloween & Valentine’s Day Clearance

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More Happy Friday

hot cocoa bar

Need a warm, cozy drink to celebrate the holidays?

We all love hot chocolate during the winter months; the more toppings you jazz it up with, the better it tastes! This week’s Happy Friday reader Kay created an impressive Christmas-themed hot cocoa bar for the holidays at the best price!

hot cocoa candies

Dear H2S, here’s my hip and frugal project to share with you from last year (that I’m doing again this year!). I love drinking special non-alcoholic beverages, which leaves me with a lot of punches, hot cocoa recipes, and projects to try. Last year, I set up my first hot cocoa bar. I’m usually the (non-alcoholic) bartender at family parties since I love drinking.

non alcoholic rum flavors

At my family’s request, I set up a hot cocoa bar for the New Year’s party. I stuck with a Christmas theme since we missed celebrating Christmas together. Plus, this way I was able to get Christmas supplies on clearance!

christmas bar ingredients

This is most of what I used:

  1. Matching serving-ware I already had, including a 2-tier stand and utensil caddy from Walmart clearance
  2.  Glassware I already had
  3. Christmas decor I already had, including the Santa gnome I made at church
  4. 10 bags of chocolate balls at Dollar Tree 50% off
  5. Peppermint marshmallows, Hershey baking pieces, sprinkles, and chocolate cocktails, all on clearance for 75% off
  6. Chocolates that were gifted to us
  7. Miniature candy bars left over from Halloween
  8. Cupcake risers that I spray painted white, purchased at a past Target Valentine’s clearance 90% off

hot chocolate christmas bar

My family really enjoyed the hot cocoa bar and asked me to leave it up for 3 days (of course, with whipped cream and chocolate syrup refrigerated).

holiday sprinkles and toppings

Hope these tips help someone with their Christmas/New Year hot cocoa bar this year. In the interim, I’m gonna see if I can find hot cocoa decor on Christmas clearance at the stores soon. 

hot chocolate

Kay, this is a hot chocolate bar anyone would fall in love with us! Using the Christmas clearance during your family New Year’s celebration was super clever, and it looks like it paid off!

HAPPY FRIDAY! 🎉

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique tip to share?! 🎙 Fill out our Happy Friday form! Every Friday, we post one submission by a Hip2Save reader (view past submissions) that gives us a glimpse into their frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. For the best odds of having your submission picked, check out our Happy Friday tips post!

If yours is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon eGift card! 🛍

Check out our Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board!

Join The Discussion

onlinements 10

  1. Lori

    Looks amazing!!

  2. CJ

    Awesome, Kay. But really??? Leave it up for three days???? I vote for ALL WINTER!!!! 🤣😋🤤🍫☕️

  3. garry_save

    Wow!! You have done an unbelievable job! 🎄 ☕️

  4. kadysiga

    Love it!☕

  5. markiesluv

    SOOOO YUMMY!! Really great job!

  6. acgold

    Wow! Wonderful!

  7. Shae

    I LOVE this idea, but have a question…I don’t drink hot choc (due to choc allergies) but most of my family love it, but I’ve never heard of putting mini candy bars or mini choc chips in it. Does it melt ok or end up being a chunky glob at the bottom?

    • Claudette (Hip Sidekick)

      Hey Shae!! It will melt and stay at the bottom unless you stir it. Hope that’s helpful!!🥰

  8. everest716

    Amazing job! I love this!!!!!

    • Claudette (Hip Sidekick)

      Thanks!! Glad you like this idea!!!❣️

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