12.16.2011

ELLE ENTERTAINS: Hot Cocoa Bar

Merry Blogmas! It's Day 16! One of my resolutions for NEXT year (so far that's the only resolution I've come up with) is to actually finish a blog draft or two a week (of 750). Well, one of them, from 2010 (eep!) was for this party. And this weekend IT IS ON! This is a fabulous idea for those that love to entertain but would like an inexpensive party. I was originally going to do this in the winter, but why not now? Check out my inspiration boards:

Decor:
Since my house is already decorated for Christmas (with a Hanukkah vase for good measure), I'm not doing anything special (yet another reason to have this party--decorations are done!).
Panoramic of my teeny apt in the midst of decorating 2 week ago. 
I'm indecisive (LIBRA!); note clear and white lights.

The Bar:
I wanted to show three different options for the bar set ups. Since I will have regular and alcohol hot cocoa, I will have two different areas.


The Glasses:
I got my glasses at the Dollar Store--no joke. And I love the idea of the clear glass ornaments for cocoa! Cute!

The Drinks:

  • The traditional hot cocoa will be in a Crock Pot--it will make serving/hosting easier. 
  • As for the bar-bar, I hate it when someone/hostess gets stuck playing Bartender. I'll have recipes/suggestions written out so guests can fix what they'd like. The bottom two pictures are mine--I just made the Spiked Marshmallow Cocoa to try it out for the party (success!), and the Mint Mocha is from a post last year. Check out my Dollar Tree glass and my Goodwill Santa mug!
The Stir Ins:
If I don't go the clear ornament route (I might fill them with dry mix as parting gifts instead), I love these stir ins.

Snacks:
Perhaps a beignet or donut hole would make a nice snack. What do you think? All pics via Pinterest or my phone!

What holiday parties are you attending this year? Or throwing?
Want another cheap entertaining idea? Here's my Chocolate and Wine Party!



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75 comments:

  1. This looks so amazing and inspiring! I need to makeover my own bar asap!

    xx Ivana

    Stop by sometimes :)
    Macarons and Pearls

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  2. The clear glass ornaments as glasses sis such a cute, clever idea! And loving the set up of the bar :)

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  3. wow that's some fabulous ideas! I love the whole concept, as I am obsessed with cocoa!
    x
    Kristina

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  4. I absolutely love this idea. Easy, fun, and perfect for this time of year.

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  5. This is too cute!! Must swing by the Dollar Store and track down those glasses!

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  6. Looks beautiful and fun!! I love the dollar store! I find such great stuff there!

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  7. WOW! you are so creative!!! i wish you lived close to me so you can decor and do cute stuff on my birthdays or other activities :) the candy canes with chocolate look SO YUMMIE!!!

    xx
    teresa
    www.trend-ish.com

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  8. I so wish I lived near you so I could snag an invite to parties like this - it looks amazing!

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.com

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  9. FuN! Yes, I'm doing these for a friends bridal shower in February! :)

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  10. I love all of these ideas, especially the cocoa in the ornament. The chocolate covered marshmallow are also an easy and fun treat for a holiday party!

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  11. Omg yum! You always have the best ideas. Let's call RDow and Ian and throw a cozy wine and chocolate party. Merry Christmas to us! hahaha

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  12. Love the ornaments as glasses.
    This looks like it will be so fun!

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  13. I LOVE those ornament glasses. And they get even more adorable with the addition of the striped straws! Dollar store?!

    Jenn
    The Suburb Experiment

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  14. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! Love this Blogmas post!

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  15. Oh wow this is totally my cup of tea (or cocoa ;)) LOVE this idea!

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  16. I now totally want to throw a hot chocolate party! Love the idea to put them in clear ornaments - too cute!!!! XOXO

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  17. Oh my word - your party is going to be PHENOMENAL. Wow. I want to come, haha!

    http://bethesong.blogspot.com

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  18. Oh my- everything looks so so delicious! What a great hostess you are :)
    www.saysskippy.blogspot.com

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  19. oh my!! Love this! We host a dessert party every year...but my nephew has a peanut allergy so it really limits what we can make.

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  20. I want this party! Or just to go to that party and drink spiked hot cocoa all day long :)

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  21. such a great ideas, I have to try one.Thanks for sharing.
    have a great weekend.
    http://aprettylife13.blogspot.com/

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  22. Awww, want everything! Lovely tips dear, thanks for sharing them with us!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog btw, I´m following you now :)

    www.superclementina.blogspot.com

    xx

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  23. love hot cocoa and bars. the perfect post for me.

    xoxo navy & orange

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  24. wow looks very impressive! I wish I was going!! The ornaments as glasses... so clever, i love it!

    XOXO

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  25. Really cute! Wanna see pics of the final product!!! :)

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  26. I love the clear glasses as well! What a fun idea! :)
    -Jenny

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  27. Hi dear, I LoVe the idea of a cocoa bar! I am certainly going to try this, maybe add a bit of a coffee bar too. Thanks for the great idea!

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  28. ahh so fun! i love the dipped mallows! you're inspiring me to do some baking/goodie making this weekend!

    xo

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  29. Lovely post! Great inspiring blog!

    xo
    Linda from http://www.moonon.com/

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  30. A fabulous party you have planned! I love the idea of two different bar areas. Gorgeous inspiration xx

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  31. This is so much fun!!! I want to go to a hot chocolate party!

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  32. what a great holiday party idea! i must suggest this to my friends, it would be so sweet ;)

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  33. Umm yum!!! That's a great idea! I'd love to host one of those! So creative Elle!

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  34. this is an excellent idea! i would love to either host or attend a party like this! :D

    p.s. i've found a lot of cute glasses and mugs from dollar tree as well! ;)

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
    $100 Shopbop Gift Card Giveaway

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  35. i love hot chocolate. i've been having some just about every morning here lately.(: love the clear glasses! it's amazing what good stuff you can find at the dollar store, no?!
    memory
    southernpinky.blogspot.com

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  36. Just about two weeks ago, I had a 'hot choco mix' party, and had some berries and pastries like churros to go with. Your party idea for clear ornaments sounds fun! xoxo
    http://hellofridaybypaik.blogspot.com/

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  37. omg amazingggggggnessss

    xx.M

    www.bellesandrebelles.blogspot.com

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  38. This is very festive. It really shows the holiday spirit. I want to try stir ins. I've never had it before.

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  39. I love your idea of hot coco in a clear glass and they were only a dollar how cool is that.

    P.s. I never would have thought to put coco in a crock pot what a great idea.

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  40. Love your ideas!!! Can't wait to use them when I throw a party!

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  41. Oh my goodness this is so fab! I LOVE the ornaments with the straws for the cocoa! Such a cool idea :)
    Emma xx
    http://www.gawgusthings.com
    @gawgusthings
    PS Have a great time!!!!

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  42. Oh wow! Those glasses are beautiful! What fun ideas for a holiday party - if I lived any closer I might crash ;-)

    I hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season.

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  43. GAH that's like my dream personified if I had a matching bacon bar as well.

    Did you try a hot toddy or something?

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  44. This looks SO FUN and cute! I love love this whole post. Hope it went well :)

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  45. Elle I had no idea you are such an amazing entertainer? I love those glasses as well and couldn't believe they were only $1 and I also love your mixers :)

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  46. Love all the gorgeous party inspiration!
    I just stumbled across your blog & so glad I did! I have signed up as your latest follower. I look forward to popping back for some more inspiration!
    x
    Melissah

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  47. Okay, this is the coolest party EVER. I'm horrible about entertaining (as in, I never do it), but I MUST do this. Thank you for sharing this fantastic idea!!

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  48. that looks amazing... thanks for your sweet words about my graduation... incredibly I'm thinking about getting another degree... ha!!!

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  49. OMG, the clear ornaments as glasses is SUPER cute!

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  50. Oh my goodness! You really get into the whole Christmas time thing huh? =) But I LOVE that. Here in NZ we dont celebrate it nearly as thoughtfully =)

    Cant believe those glasses came from a dollar store too! THat circular low vase/bottle-esque thing looks all sorts of adorable haha. Looking forward to a write up POST Christmas ;)

    Eeli xx

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  51. Really awesome post ;)) Perfect for this day..
    I'm Marilyn<--your newest follower with smiles..Really great blog you have here and I'm looking forward to reading and indulging in more around.. Hope you can stop in sometime. http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com ..WIshing you a blessed Sunday..

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  52. Lots of inspiration and goodies here - yum! :-)

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  53. I love EVERYTHING about this party theme! So much fun. And so much deliciousness.

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  54. Ok, those clear glasses that you got at the Dollar Store are genius. I love this idea. So clever, Trevor!

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  55. OMG, best idea, ever. Jut thinking about it makes me happy. I need to do this. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  56. YUM~~ cocoa bar looks SO cute! Everything looks amazing and delicious!

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  57. Looks so beautiful and such great ideas! Thank you for sharing :) xo akiko
    Style Imported

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  58. How cute are all of these party ideas. I love the hot cocoa bar.

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  59. Oooh, beignets!! I'll be home in New Orleans for Christmas and we always go out for beignets on Christmas night. I can't wait!

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  60. Wow! What a good idea, looks so yummy!

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  61. I'm a hot chocolate lover, so this post was right up my alley. Love the different ideas.
    http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

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  62. this is such a cute party idea and you had the cutest displays! i love the dollar-store glasses you used! I may have to try this one out next year!


    following you!

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