In these cold-weather months, nothing is quite as comforting during curl-up-in-a-blanket kinds of days as a delicious, frothy mug of hot chocolate. And setting up your own hot chocolate bar is a great way to make sure that you’re ready to serve family members or guests some warm comfort—with all the fixings—whenever they need it!

Mugs
You can’t have hot chocolate without mugs, so why not get a little creative with your hot chocolate containers? Offer some winter-themed mugs to your guests, or get crafty with a decorate-your-own-mug affair.

Hot chocolate
The main question to ask is: What flavors? The answer: Stick to the basics. Providing milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate varieties is laying the foundation, as they will serve as the base flavors that your guests will personalize to their palates.

Toppings
Just about everyone loves adding a little something extra to their hot chocolate, so be sure to include classic toppings—like marshmallows, syrup, and whipped cream—with your bar. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, though, with toppings like sea salt and orange zest. This focus is on fun, after all!

Food companions
Speaking of fun, to take your hot beverages to another level, offer a few finger foods to dip into the hot chocolate. Biscotti always works well because it holds up well and tastes great, and cookie straws and candy cane stirrers add even more holiday flavor to the mix.

Decorations
Incorporate some simple yet classy printables into your project, such as a hot chocolate bar sign, tent cards for items on your hot chocolate bar, so your guests can clearly identify the toppings and syrups you’re providing, and hot chocolate recipe cards to leave at the bar for your guests to take with them!