Fun, Family, Holiday Activities for Under $25

Fun, Family, Holiday Activities for Under $25 — A Series

Activity: Hot Chocolate Bar

What you need:

• Hot Chocolate

Prices will vary depending on your preferred brand and type of hot chocolate. A simple 8-packet box of Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate mix costs $2-3.

• Marshmallows

A bag of regular mini marshmallows costs around $2, depending on where you shop. Marshmallow loving families may opt for the jumbo puffs, and those on a vegetarian/vegan diet can look for gelatin free options (or make your own!)

• Candy Canes

A 12-pack of the traditional, red-and-white (peppermint) candy canes costs about $3, and you can often find them on sale at local grocery stores. You may opt for candy canes of different colors or flavors, or instead, choose a box of peppermint sticks or other minty candies.

• Chocolate Chips

A bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips will cost about $4. Alternatives might include white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips or Andes chocolate mints.

• Whipped Cream

A spray can of Reddi-wip whipped cream also costs about $4.

• Sauces

A drizzling sauce over cool whipped cream adds something special to a mug of hot chocolate. Fan-fav flavors include dark chocolate, white chocolate and caramel sauce. One bottle of good drizzling sauce can cost around $4.

• Sprinkles

Top off your mug with your choice of sprinkles. A small bottle of the popular rainbow sprinkles will cost $2-3. There are many other options that can bring color and good fun to your Hot Chocolate Bar, including winter and Christmas themed sprinkles.

Other topping options include: Cinnamon sticks, course sea salt, toasted coconut, toffee bits, fruit jams or syrups, espresso powder, chili powder or puppy chow!

Prepare for fun!

1.  Create your Hot Chocolate Bar! Spread it out on the kitchen table and tell the kids to go to town. (Mom, dad or a big sibling can serve as the “official hot milk pourer”)

2.  Turn on a holiday movie, grab a winter themed puzzle, or just sit around the kitchen table together and enjoy the company (and the chocolate!)

3.  Go back for seconds… and thirds…

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Whitney Stohr is a Parent to Parent Coordinator at The Arc of Snohomish County. She is passionate about advocating for medically complex children and children with disabilities and their families. She is a mom and medical caregiver herself, who is energized by working closely with other parent/family caregivers. She lives with her three-year-old son Malachi and husband Jason in Lynnwood. Connect with her online at whitney@arcsno.org.