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A coffee and hot cocoa bar is one of our favorite things about the cold winter months. Living in MN, the days are short and the winters long. So if there’s any way we can make the season a little brighter, a little sweeter, we do it. For the last couple years, we have very much enjoyed our coffee/hot cocoa bar that I’ve set up.

Every time it looks a little different and the location isn’t always the same. Last winter, it was set up in a corner of the breakfast nook off the kitchen. This year, after my $100 office makeover, I decided to set up the hot cocoa bar in my office. This way, I have easy access to my vintage percolator for french press coffee emergencies spontaneous hot cocoa parties. Snuggled up on the couch with my boys, hot cocoa and books in hand, I look forward to the break in my day. Having the hot cocoa bar there means everything is easily accessible and ready to go – making it a breeze to whip up.

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As is my custom, I did not go out and buy anything for this coffee and hot cocoa bar – even though it’s in a new location this year. I always like to “shop the house” and use things I already have on hand.

Coffee and Hot Cocoa Bar 101

Every coffee and hot cocoa bar needs a few essentials. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

• An area set aside for the yummy goodness – this doesn’t have to be in your kitchen. Mine is set up on an old dresser in my office. Think outside the box.
• Your favorite coffee (this is my favorite)
• Hot cocoa (I put mine into an air tight glass jar)
• Spoons
• Mugs
• Napkins for the inevitable spills
• Mini marshmallows
• Percolator or electric kettle for hot water

A Note on Hot Cocoa:

I know there are so many yummy recipes for homemade hot cocoa all over Pinterest-land – and I’m sure they’re amazing – but please don’t feel like homemade is “essential”. This is supposed to be fun and easy so don’t let the idea that you “have to make homemade hot cocoa” stop you. There’s nothing wrong with purchasing hot cocoa mix and putting it in a pretty jar. It’ll still be absolutely delicious. Just sayin’. 😉

Hot Cocoa Bar – Just for Fun “Extras”

• Serving Tray for corralling mugs
• Paper straws (I’m not a fan, but my boys are obsessed with these)
• Whipped cream in a can – just keeping it real, friends 😉
• Real or faux greenery
• Any decorations you like – you can see what I used in these photos
• Coasters that you made with wood slices or whatever you already have on hand

Since the days are so short in Winter, I like to use tons of white twinkly lights all around my home. Less daylight = more candles and lights. 😉 And I love that the little sparkles of light are enough to make this room warm and cozy, even if no other lights are turned on.

How fun to make coffee and hot cocoa in the warm glow of twinkly lights over giggles and marshmallows!

I hope you’ve found inspiration here to make your own hot cocoa bar. I’d love to know in the comments, are you a hot cocoa, coffee, or tea person? Or all the above? 😀

Raising my mug of hot cocoa (laced with strong coffee) to you…let’s enjoy the cozy vibe that these Winter months bring and makes gallons of hot cocoa.

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