Christmas is the happiest time of year for me. I have many fond memories of finding the best spots on the tree for our beloved Christmas ornaments with my family, teaching the kids how to ice skate, picking out the perfect presents for loved ones, getting cozy with warm blankets and watching our favorite Christmas movies, and driving up to the mountains to the snow and playing as long as our bodies can handle.
Some of the most meaningful experiences during Christmas time are those that involve helping and serving others. This year I wanted my kids to experience the joy that comes from doing something nice for someone else. I came up with the idea of giving a hot cocoa gift basket to a few families who we thought would enjoy them.
Instead of just giving the hot cocoa basket to others, we thought it would be more fun to put it on their doorsteps, ring their doorbells, then run and hide and watch their reactions when they saw their surprise. My kids were SO excited to get started!
Today I’ll share with you how easy it is to create a hot cocoa gift basket to give away, plus I created some free printables that will make it even easier.
Hot Cocoa Gift Basket Ideas
Here are some ideas on what to fill your basket with:
- Basket + paper shred
- Hot cocoa (can use packets or the powder mix in a jar)
- Clear plastic treat bags + ribbon
- Free printable tags
- Candy canes
- Peppermints
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate chips
- Small candies, treats, cookies, etc.
Putting Together the Hot Cocoa Gift Basket
Step 1. Fill up the basket with shredded paper. You can buy it or make your own by putting blank paper through a shredder. If you don’t have much filler you can also use newspaper underneath, then cover the newspaper with the shredded paper.
Step 2. Add hot cocoa toppings to small clear plastic bags. I used the cone shape bags, but any shape will work. Some tasty topping ideas are peppermints, marshmallows, and chocolate chips. You can also include any other small candies, treats, or cookies to go with the hot cocoa.
Step 3. Print out the free printables I created.
Download the FREE printable tags
There’s tags in a few different sizes for the toppings and hot cocoa, and another tag to attach to the basket. Print, cut, and punch a hole in the top. Tie a ribbon around each plastic bag, then attach a tag to each one.
Step 4. Now comes the fun part- putting it all together! If you’re giving mugs, add those to the back of the basket. I placed hot cocoa packets inside each mug with a tag on each one, but you could also include a jar of hot cocoa instead of the packets if you wanted to.
Add the bags full of toppings and treats, then add a big bow with the biggest tag to the front of the basket.
Isn’t it pretty? I LOVE how our baskets turned out!
One of the best ways to worship Christ and show our love this holiday season is to follow Christ’s example and do as He would do. He is the light of the world, and we can celebrate His birth this Christmas by being a light to the world, just as He was.
There are so many ways to do kind things for others, and it doesn’t have to be hard!
I love the calendar here that shows each day in December leading up to Christmas. On each day it shares something that Christ did, along with a video, scriptures, and ideas for serving others that day, just as He did. Feel free to download the calendar and find ways to help others this season. You can also search #LIGHTtheWORLD on social media to see what others are doing this Christmas season to show kindness and love to others.
We chose a few families and individuals who we thought would really enjoy the hot cocoa gift baskets that we put together. Later this week we’ll be delivering the baskets- the kids are so excited!
What’s your favorite way to give to others this holiday season? Be sure to visit mormon.org for lots of ideas to help you find your own way to serve.
Merry Christmas!
