It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Flannel shirts, snowy walks, fireside talks and family gatherings. Using Canvas Corp papers and fabrics, crew Member Alison Osborn, with her Christmas Hot Cocoa Bar, has come up with a way to stay cozy as the temperatures drop. We love when creativity is shared with others and Alison shows us just how to do that with so many sweet ideas in her hot cocoa bar. If you have friends and family coming to your home this holiday season, consider a fun little beverage bar or borrow a few of these ideas and add them to your buffet, tabletop decor or holiday decorations. What a fun theme to get you in the holiday spirit and warm you up at the same time.
“Winter weather, friends together, it’s time for holiday fun!”
December is here and for many of us around the country, ‘tis the season to be freezin’! But I come from hardy stock and I think the best month was saved for last. It’s sparkling snow, crackling fires, and frosty mornings. Since designing for parties and special occasions is one of my favorite things to do, I created a Hot Cocoa Bar. Your family and friends will stay toasty as you warm up their holiday with smiles.
Supplies Used:
- Tags & Ties Skinny – Chalkstock
- 12×12 Burlap Sheet – Red
- 12×12 Canvas Sheet – Red
- 12×12 Burlap Sheet – Chocolate
- Burlap Fringe – Chocolate
- Ticking Fabric – Red 30″ x 36″
- Tan & Ivory Mini Dot Reverse
- Red & Kraft Mini Dot Reverse
- Red & White Ribbon Stripe
- Hunter Green & White Trees
- Chocolate and Kraft Mini Dot
- Cord – Hemp Rope Hank – Red – 45′
Other Materials: Craft paper letters
Tools used: Hot-glue gun, scissors and X-Acto knife
The Sign:
For the Hot Coco Bar sign I used my chalkboard from my Back to School Countdown Calendar. I first started by sketching out the shape of the flag onto a piece of scrap paper. I then cut out the shape and used the template to trace and cut the red canvas flags. I did the same for the lettering by printing out the type from my computer and using the printed letters as templates to trace and cut out the papers. The “COCOA” are craft paper letters that you can purchase at your local craft store. I hot glued the “HOT BAR” letters to the flags and adhered everything to the chalkboard using mounting tape. For extra “aw” I hot glued wired pine trees to a few of the letters.
The Banner:
For the Christmas tree and mitten banner I used cookie cutters as templates to trace and cut out the shapes. I then used natural roping, Bakers twine and mini clothespins to hang. For an additional touch I strung some handmade pom-poms to look like snowballs and made a paper chain to go above the chalkboard sign.
The Cups and containers:
For the various cups and containers I used strips of canvas, burlap and cords to make them look more festive. Here’s a little trick that I’ve used many times, you can hot glue materials to glass and porcelain and it will peel right off. I then used chalkstock tags to hand letter fun saying on. There are many design possibilities with these tags.
Simple everyday bottles, cups and jars are terrific to add into your display, just a touch of burlap and paper and wow they fit right in.
Chalkstock tags are a perfect way to leave a fun message, mark your foods or even for place cards. Real chalk will work, as well as, white paint markers or pens. You might even have each guest write a message on their tag to keep their drinks separate and show off their personal writing style.
Sweet holiday marshmallows add a wonderful touch to your hot beverages. We found the prefect ones at William Sonoma and there were other options online or check your local boutique shop.
The Toppings:
There are so many fun goodies you can add to your cocoa bar, chocolate, white chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter and peppermint chips. I added cinnamon and powdered sugar in shakers. Plus, don’t forget the main topping, marshmallows! And who can have hot cocoa without cookies?! I also included some holiday M&M’s, cinnamon sticks and candy canes. You can use multiple containers–porcelain, wooden or metal. They all go well together to give it that rustic feel. Trays and cake stands are great to use as well. I lined the red tray with Hunter Green & White Trees paper.
The mitten cookies, oh the mitten cookies. They are simply perfect and look great in this setting. Alison said she wanted to even match the cookies to the paper and that she did, how adorable.
These chalkstock place cards are terrific for marking foods on your table or buffet set and the fit so wonderfully.
The Details:
Cocoa bars are fun to design, especially around the holidays. Here are some of my additional details I added to make it feel festive and cozy. I used milk bottles to hold paper straws topped with wired pine trees. I made stir sticks using my snowflake punch and wooden skews. I added trees decorated with strung marshmallows, wooden logs, crates, wooden slices, pinecones, lanterns, craft trees, pine roping and handmade pom-pom snowballs. You can even add some lights. There are so many creative ways to design with Canvas Corp products.
Hope your holidays sparkle with cheer for you and all who gather near!
Merry Christmas!
To see more of Alison’s work follow her on Instagram or Pinterest. You can also sign up to receive our blog newsletter once a week with more great ideas – Canvas Corp Brands Blog Newsletter or check out our Facebook group, Canvas Corp Brands Collective.
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