DIY Christmas Coffee and Hot Chocolate Bar

I have been wanting to set up a holiday coffee and hot chocolate station for years now, and have finally gotten around to actually doing it. And with the amount of coffee and hot cocoa we drink at our house, I don’t know how we have survived without it! It’s such a fun and easy way to bring in a little extra Christmas cheer with tastes and smells of the most wonderful season of the year! Let’s get to it. DIY Christmas Coffee and Hot Chocolate Bar.

DIY Christmas Coffee and Hot Chocolate Bar

First Things First:

So, how do you set up a Christmas Coffee and/or hot chocolate bar? Check out the supplies from my list below.

Supplies Needed:

Designated Area/Buffet Table
Coffee Maker
Coffee or Hot Chocolate Mixes
Coffee/Hot Chocolate Mugs
Flavored Syrups – Peppermint Bark & Christmas Cookie
Marshmallows or Toppers
Treats – Peppermint Chocolate Wafers & Pretzel Sticks
Bowls, Plates, Napkins, Towels
Tray Stations
Christmas Sign and Holiday Decor

DIY Christmas Coffee and Hot Chocolate Bar

Second:

So, what is the difference between a Christmas and a regular coffee/hot chocolate station?

The main differences between a regular coffee/hot chocolate bar and a Christmas coffee/hot choc bar are the additions of:

peppermint-flavored treats, hot cocoa mixes, and flavored syrups
Christmas decorations and holiday colors

You can use the supplies listed for a small setup for you own home, or just add onto them – for a larger get together or party.

Either way, it is sure to bring J-O-Y to your Christmas Season!

Ok, let’s get to the DIY Christmas Coffee and Hot Chocolate Bar Setup.

DIY Christmas Coffee and Hot Chocolate Bar

#1: Designated Area/Buffet Table

The first you will want to do is set up a designated area or buffet/console table, etc. that can hold all of your goodies.

We already have a small coffee bar set up in our kitchen, so this was an easy decision.

You can always just put out a card table and use it too – just use whatever you have on hand.

TIP: Make sure you have ample walking room around it – or good flow. You don’t want your area or table getting bumped, knocking down all of your hard work 😉

#2: Coffee Maker

Of course you will need a coffee maker for you coffee or microwave for hot cocoa.

I know you are aware of this, but I just had to make sure and mention it – haha!

We do a little of both at our house.

We use our Keurig for both coffee and hot chocolate, but our girls really do love the microwave mixes also.

#3: Coffee or Hot Chocolate Mixes

And yes, the next obvious supplies are the K-pods or mixes. These are a must.

Don’t be afraid to use Christmas items you already own to make your display more Christmas-sy.

I love this little sleigh with white fur piping.

It just brings in a playful feeling to the coffee station, and is the perfect size for the coffee pods.

You can put the individual hot chocolate mixes into the mugs also, so friends/family can just grab-n-go.

#4: Coffee/Hot Chocolate Mugs

Christmas mugs are really becoming more and more popular over the last couple of years too.

Choose a variety for all of the different personalities in your house.

You can always give them as gifts each year – to keep the cocoa bar fresh and fun!

These “tinsel in a tangle” mugs are new this year (perfect for 2020), and the owl mugs (for my girls) are from a couple of years ago.

The red polk-a-dot one was a gift from a friend – too cute!

So, they all have a memory attached which makes them even more special.

#5: Flavored Syrups

These Christmas-flavored syrups are a great way to add in some holiday tastes to plain coffee or hot chocolate.

Try:

salted caramel mocha,
peppermint bark, or
Christmas cookie flavors to name a few.

I love that the ones I found at Home Goods (Jordan’s Skinny Syrups) are also skinny – so they have zero fat or calories – Yes, Please!!

#6: Marshmallows or Toppers

Having hot chocolate without marshmallows – just doesn’t feel right!!! LOL!!

Make sure to have some on hand to sprinkle on top, or use these marshmallow toppers.

They can be added to both coffee and hot cocoa drinks, and are sure to be a hit.

P.S. They are NOT skinny…..and I’m totally ok with that 😉

#7: Treats

And don’t forget about serving a couple of sweet treats along with your Christmas coffee and hot chocolate drinks.

Choose something like chocolate peppermint cream filled wafers or peppermint white fudge dipped pretzel rods.

Plus, they are just so pretty you can leave them out as holiday decorations. Win-Win!

#8: Bowls, Plates, Napkins, Towels

Using festive paper goods and linens is another great way to add in Christmas sentiments and holiday cheer.

Try something similar like these cute “Joy” bowls or Christmas baking cups for holding snacks, treats, and sweeteners.

Keep towels and napkins on hand for those accidental spills and drips – because we all know they WILL happen!

#9: Tray Stations

If you have some trays, a cake stand, or a 3-tier holder, go ahead and pull those out also.

The coffee/hot cocoa bar goodies are much easier to see if they are put into groupings or stations.

This is especially helpful if having a girls’ night in party, or if you’re hosting a small gathering.

Plus, the height from the cake stand or 3-tier holder just adds different levels to make the entire coffee bar look better.

Bonus: These 3-tier holders also swivel, which makes grabbing things so much easier.

#10: Christmas Sign and Holiday Decor

Add a Christmas sign or other holiday decorations, just to give your station the finishing touch.

TIP: I found my Holiday sign at Home Goods, but you can always make your own too.

It would be a fun way to spend quality time together as a family (unless you’ve already had enough time together -LOL)!!

TIP: Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box – like even using Christmas ornaments to spruce up your drink station.

I found my hot chocolate Christmas ornaments at Home Goods for my girls (a couple of years ago), and they fit perfectly with my color scheme.

No matter if you’re hosting a hot cocoa bar party for friends or simply setting up a coffee station for you and your family, just do something that makes you smile!

‘Tis the season to be Merry!!