Polar Express Party: Hot Chocolate Bar

We have 25 talented bloggers gathered together to share with you all the wonderful crafts and recipes you can make this Christmas season, based off of some of the most beloved holiday classic films. Each blogger will lead you to the next, so be sure to finish the hop all the way through to the end for all the Christmas movie goodies!

Let’s Meet The Hosts!

Megan ~ C’mon Get Crafty | Alli ~ An Alli Event | Shirley ~ Intelligent Domestications

Marie ~ DIY Adulation | RaNesha ~ Queen Thrifty | Emily ~ The Crafty Carlson

Stephanie ~ The Tip Toe Fairy | Molly ~ Just a Little Creativity | Michelle ~ Our Crafty Mom

Pam ~ P.S. I Love You Crafts | Sue ~ A Purdy Little House | Katie ~ A Mommy Scene

Vanessa ~ DIY 180 | Nicole ~ For the Love of Food | Victoria ~ Dazzle While Frazzled

Stephanie ~ A Little Moore | Sam ~ Raggedy Bits | Paula ~ Paula Tisch

Courtney ~ Running with Love and Coffee | Dana ~ Emerald and Oak

Kim ~ Made in a Day | Kallee ~ Creative Southern Home | Rachel ~ Smart Mom Smart Ideas

Emily ~ Small Stuff Counts | Evelin ~ Sweet Song Bird Evey’s Creations

As part of the 25 Days of Christmas Blog Hop, we are rounding up creative ideas to celebrate the season all month long based on favorite holiday movies!

One of my favorite Christmas traditions revolves around The Polar Express. I loved reading the book with my mom and sisters growing up and loved the way my mom pronounced “hot chocolate.” We’d make her read the same line several times! The book was written by my favorite children’s author, Chris Van Allsburg, who happens to be from my hometown. When the book was adapted into the movie we all know and love, the premiere took place right here in Grand Rapids, MI.

Watching The Polar Express and drinking hot cocoa go hand in hand. This season, warm up with a movie and your own DIY Hot Chocolate Bar with friends and family. Making a hot chocolate bar is easy and a really affordable way to get in the holiday spirit.

You can keep the mix-ins kid friendly with loads of marshmallows, candies, and sprinkles, or kick it up for an adult soiree by adding Bailey’s, Kahlua, and Peppermint Schnapps.

All you need for a DIY hot cocoa bar is hot chocolate, toppings, mugs, and décor!

Hot Chocolate:Keep it simple with pre-made packets, or try this dairy-free recipe (thanks to my sister Christie!)
1/3 c powdered sugar
1/2 cocoa powder
1 T cornstarch
1/8 t salt
Directions: Mix in food processor until well combined.
2 c vanilla almond milk, warmed on stove.
Mix in 5T of the powder and whisk until blended.
Heat without boiling for 2-3 minutes to thicken.

Toppings: Marshmallows, Whipped Cream, Sprinkles, Chocolate Chips, Caramels, Chocolate Sauce, Crushed Peppermint, York Patties, Hershey’s Kisses, Peppermint Stirrers, to name a few!

Mugs: You can find mine here, and I added small bells with yarn to go with the theme.

Décor: My Mom’s friend just gifted us this beautiful handmade train set for our baby boy. You can see more of his work here. I bought the small bells for place card holders from The Dollar Tree, and you can download the prints here (courtesy: Mountain Modern Life). I printed them at a local print store, and then hole punched them using this round puncher.

Enjoy your holiday season and traditions with family and friends!

Up Next: Head to Made in A Day for a craft and recipe based on the movie Scrooge!