Hot chocolate station

There’s nothing better than a steaming mug of hot chocolate to warm up a cold winter evening. Setting up a hot chocolate station is a fun and creative way to bring a little festive magic into your home. Whether it’s for a cosy family movie night or a Christmas party with friends, this simple DIY idea is guaranteed to bring smiles all around.

A New Christmas Tradition

This is a relatively new Christmas tradition for us. Usually, we treat ourselves to a hot chocolate with all the trimmings at the Christmas market, but I decided to be a little bit ‘extra’ and create a special hot chocolate station space for us at home using a selection of items from high street stores like Home Bargains, and it’s become a most requested treat.

The sign itself was made using adhesive vinyl applied to the glass pane and I also popped a sheet of felt inside the glass, which really gives a festive pop of colour. The kitchen is usually too functional, but this little touch brings it to life at Christmas! This could easily be replicated with a chalkboard or printed out if you’re looking for an alternative.

This entire set up cost me less than £20 to put together and I’ve paid £3.50 for a single mug of hot chocolate before at a festive market. I already had cocoa powder and sugar and just added a little of each to these jars which I can top up as we go – This keeps us going all through winter. It’s just the candy canes I have to top up.

What You’ll Need

1. Hot Chocolate Ingredients:
   • A variety of hot chocolate powders or syrups.
   • Milk options, including dairy and non-dairy.
   • Fancy syrups, like caramel, hazelnut, or peppermint, to elevate the flavour.
2. Toppings:
   • Marshmallows (classic and mini).
   • Whipped cream.
   • Chocolate chips, shavings, or curls.
   • Crushed candy canes.
   • Sprinkles and edible glitter.
   • Cinnamon or nutmeg for a festive finishing touch.
3. Accessories:
   • Mugs or disposable cups.
   • Spoons or stirrers (candy canes or wooden sticks work perfectly).
   • Small jars, bowls, or trays to display ingredients.
4. Decorations:
   • Festive signs or labels.
   • A table runner, fairy lights, or seasonal props like mini Christmas trees.

A Breakdown of costs

• IKEA Korken jars x3 small £2
• IKEA Korken jar medium £1.25
• IKEA Vardagen jar £2.50
• Home Bargains sofa tray £2.99
• Home Bargains Elf Mug 99p
• Decals – home made
• Poundland – candy canes £1
• Home Bargains – Jane Asher sprinkles 99p
• B&M – mini Marshmallows 79p
• Asda – frame £2.25

How to Set Up Your Hot Chocolate Station

1. Pick the Perfect Spot
   Choose a flat surface, like a kitchen counter, bar cart, or sideboard, where everything is easily accessible. Use a tray to keep items organised and portable.
2. Organise Ingredients
   Small jars are perfect for holding toppings like marshmallows, sprinkles, and chocolate chips. I buy most of the jars and supplies from high street shops or supermarkets at reasonably low prices, so there’s no need to spend a lot of money. Focus on the special touches your family loves the most. I also use removable vinyl to create labels and decals to decorate the jars. A set of nice glass jars from IKEA has been a game-changer—they’re great for repurposing. In the past, I’ve used chalkboard stickers, and those jars now display all my pasta shapes beautifully in the kitchen.
3. Add a Festive Touch
   Decorate the station with fairy lights, garlands, or a mini chalkboard with a hot chocolate menu. A “Hot Chocolate Bar” sign will make it extra special for kids and guests.
4. Include a Personal Twist
   Add your favourite syrups or finishing touches—like a sprinkle of cinnamon on top for that cosy festive flavour.
5. Make It Flexible
   Keeping the setup on a tray allows you to move it around the house or stash it away in a cupboard when you need extra space for cooking. This is great when hosting friends or family, as you can easily carry the station to the dining room for self-service.

Why We Love It

In our house, the hot chocolate station has become a tradition we look forward to every Christmas. Arlo loves experimenting with toppings (marshmallow mountains are his speciality), and we’ve all found our favourite combinations. For the grown-ups, a splash of Baileys or spiced rum turns a simple hot chocolate into a festive treat!

A Station for Every Season

One of the best things about a hot chocolate station is how easily it can adapt for other celebrations or seasons:

• Autumn: Add pumpkin spice and surround the setup with mini pumpkins and autumn leaves.
• Valentine’s Day: Swap the Christmas decorations for heart-shaped sprinkles and red-and-pink decor.
• Summer: Transform it into an ice cream toppings station with sauces, sprinkles, and cones!

For more of home made festive project inspiration check out my recently updated blog post full of quick and easy Christmas craft ideas.