Courtney Warren is a Texas-based interior designer whose work has been featured in Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Apartment Therapy, and Today.com. She is a frequent consultant on Fox 4 TV’s Good Day program in Dallas, was ranked in the top 3 percent of interior designers in the US by Houzz.com, and starred in the Dallas episode of TLC’sFour Houses. She delights in helping overwhelmed clients create beautiful spaces—and will never turn down a warm chocolate chip cookie or Diet Dr Pepper.
I love getting to share my ideas with others! This hot chocolate bar on Fox Good Day was especially fun and delicious!
Did you catch my Fox 4 visit December 4 featuring cocoa bar ideas?
http://www.fox4news.com/good-day/set-up-a-hot-chocolate-bar-for-your-next-holiday-party
There’s nothing that says “holiday cheer” quite like a cozy hot chocolate bar. It’s festive, it’s fun, and best of all—it’s simple to set up. Whether you’re hosting family, friends, or just want to create a little magic at home, this is one tradition that everyone will love.
I like to keep three jars at the ready: one filled with classic Hershey’s cocoa mix, another brimming with mini marshmallows, and a third stocked with candy canes. These basics give you everything you need for a perfect cup—chocolatey, sweet, and even a little peppermint twist if you want it.
From there, you can get creative. Think of your hot chocolate bar as a toppings station. Add bowls of chocolate chips, caramel squares, or crushed cookies. Whipped cream is always a crowd-pleaser, and don’t forget sprinkles for the kids (or the kids at heart). If you want to lean into the gourmet side, try offering flavored syrups—hazelnut, vanilla, or even peppermint mocha.
Presentation matters too! Arrange your jars and bowls on a tray or tiered stand for easy access. A strand of twinkle lights, a festive sign, or a sprig of greenery can take the whole setup from everyday to magical in minutes.
One of the best parts about a hot chocolate bar is how interactive it is. Guests love building their perfect cup, kids feel like it’s a big treat, and you don’t have to lift a finger once it’s set up. Pair it with a holiday movie night, a cookie swap, or just a quiet evening by the tree, and you’ve got instant holiday memories.
Trust me—once you set up a hot chocolate bar, it will become the tradition everyone looks forward to year after year.
• Mexican fireball hot chocolate, from What’s Cooking, America?
https://whatscookingamerica.net/Beverage/Fireball-Mexican-HotChocolate.htm
(You can eliminate the alcohol and just use the red hots for a kid-friendly version.)
• White peppermint hot chocolate, from Gimme Some Oven
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/peppermint-white-hot-chocolate-recipe/
• For kids: Hot chocolate on a stick, from Make and Takes
https://www.makeandtakes.com/hot-chocolate-on-a-stick
• Hot chocolate float with ice cream, from Crazy for Crust
And as always, I offer a complimentary, no-strings-attached phone call consultation. Just click on Let’s Talk to email me. We can book a time to talk and start making design fun!