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. IvanaDecember 16, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    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. Audrey AllureDecember 16, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    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. KKDecember 16, 2011 at 2:33 AM

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

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  4. EDecember 16, 2011 at 3:23 AM

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

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  5. AshleyDecember 16, 2011 at 8:01 AM

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

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  6. Alicia xoxxoDecember 16, 2011 at 8:15 AM

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

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  7. TeresaDecember 16, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    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. Danielle (elleinadspir)December 16, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    Such a fun idea!!

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  9. Courtney ErinDecember 16, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    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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  10. Hannah {Culture Connoisseur}December 16, 2011 at 9:23 AM

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

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  11. DanielaDecember 16, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    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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  12. JaclynDecember 16, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    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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  13. sburton1130December 16, 2011 at 11:08 AM

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

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  14. The Suburb ExperimentDecember 16, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    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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  15. AmandaDecember 16, 2011 at 11:45 AM

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

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  16. AlexaDecember 16, 2011 at 11:46 AM

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

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  17. Stephanie @ Blonde HighlightsDecember 16, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    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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  18. DreeDecember 16, 2011 at 1:35 PM

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

    http://bethesong.blogspot.com

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  19. skippysaysDecember 16, 2011 at 2:21 PM

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

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  20. The Olive Tree BlogDecember 16, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    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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  21. roothDecember 16, 2011 at 2:33 PM

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

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  22. Aurelia December 16, 2011 at 2:53 PM

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

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  23. PaulaDecember 16, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    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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  24. Kate @ DaffodilsDecember 16, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    I love this idea! Its so cute!

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  25. navy and orangeDecember 16, 2011 at 4:05 PM

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

    xoxo navy & orange

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  26. love jenny xoxoDecember 16, 2011 at 4:53 PM

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

    XOXO

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  27. AnnieDecember 16, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    This looks amazing!! How fun!

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  28. kDecember 16, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    this is such a fun idea!

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  29. ffDecember 16, 2011 at 5:38 PM

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

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  30. UnknownDecember 16, 2011 at 6:13 PM

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

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  31. SamDecember 16, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    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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  32. ashley nicole catherineDecember 16, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    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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  33. LINDADecember 16, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    Lovely post! Great inspiring blog!

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

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  34. Rachel {little bits of lovely}December 16, 2011 at 7:20 PM

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

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  35. StephanieDecember 16, 2011 at 8:45 PM

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

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  36. AlyssaDecember 16, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    LOVE the bar! Yum!

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  37. honey my heartDecember 17, 2011 at 12:31 AM

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

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  38. SusanDecember 17, 2011 at 1:20 AM

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

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  39. nouchalineDecember 17, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    oh YUM!

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  40. MimiDecember 17, 2011 at 5:37 AM

    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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  41. Pola KateluDecember 17, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    COOL! :)

    www.polakatelu.com | @polakatelu

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  42. memoryDecember 17, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    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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  43. Why Girls Are WeirdDecember 17, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Shut up! That looks amazing!

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  44. JamieDecember 17, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    Wow. Amazing.

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  45. Tickled Pink MandyDecember 17, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    This looks great!! :)

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  46. Kathy December 17, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    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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  47. MDecember 17, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    omg amazingggggggnessss

    xx.M

    www.bellesandrebelles.blogspot.com

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  48. ArrDecember 17, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    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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  49. UnknownDecember 17, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    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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  50. ♥ tiffanyDecember 17, 2011 at 2:37 PM

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

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  51. Gawgus things...December 17, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    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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  52. Elisa @ Crazy, Amazing LifeDecember 17, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    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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  53. Jaime @ laviejaimeDecember 17, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    awesome and yummy idea!

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  54. L.December 17, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    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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  55. JackieDecember 17, 2011 at 5:42 PM

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

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  56. Bravoe RunwayDecember 17, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    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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  57. Melissah from ScrapbookDecember 17, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    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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  58. Shea LennonDecember 17, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    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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  59. Punctuation MarkDecember 18, 2011 at 1:15 AM

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

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  60. natasha {schue love}December 18, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    OMG, the clear ornaments as glasses is SUPER cute!

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  61. AnonymousDecember 18, 2011 at 4:00 AM

    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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  62. MarilynDecember 18, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    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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  63. tinajoDecember 18, 2011 at 10:15 AM

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

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  64. AnonymousDecember 18, 2011 at 11:34 AM

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

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  65. yiqin;December 18, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    omg love rhe photos <3

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  66. JohannaDecember 18, 2011 at 1:46 PM

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

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  67. InteriorGroupieDecember 18, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    fantastic. this looks amazing!

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  68. ValDecember 18, 2011 at 4:18 PM

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

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  69. BeckyDecember 18, 2011 at 4:22 PM

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

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  70. AkikoDecember 18, 2011 at 5:26 PM

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

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  71. signature mixDecember 19, 2011 at 8:44 AM

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

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  72. TiffanyDecember 19, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    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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  73. jamieofalltradesDecember 19, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Wow! What a good idea, looks so yummy!

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  74. A Very Sweet BlogDecember 19, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    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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  75. krissy rockDecember 20, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    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!


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