Hot Cocoa Gift Jars

Materials

• Wide mouth quart jars with lids, one per student
• Hot cocoa mix (about 1½ cups per jar)
• Variety of toppings: mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, red and green M&Ms™, crushed candy cane pieces, or whole candy canes to be crushed
• Bowls or containers and spoons/scoops for each topping
• Curling gift ribbon or narrow fabric ribbon (red, green, or white)
• Scissors
• Construction paper or Christmas gift stickers
• Hole punch
• Markers
• Optional: If students are crushing candy canes, bring small plastic bags and a heavy object such as a large can or rolling pin.
• Optional: For students to make their own hot cocoa in class, bring hot water, cups, and spoons.

Instructions

Purchase crushed candy cane pieces or unwrap and crush candy canes in a large plastic bag. If desired, place one large candy cane in a small plastic bag for each student to crush using a heavy can or rolling pin.

Set out toppings in bowls/containers with spoons/scoops in each. Give a jar to each student. Have students layer items in their jars starting with 1½ cups of cocoa mix. Place lid on jar and tie one or more colors of ribbon around the top. Use scissors for curling the gift ribbon.

Have students use construction paper to make a gift tag or use Christmas gift stickers by sticking one to construction paper and cutting around it. Sign the tag, then punch a hole and tie it to the ribbon.

Optional: bring hot water, cups, and spoons for students to make their own hot cocoa in class using the hot cocoa mix and any leftover toppings from the gift jar supplies. Have a teacher pour the hot water for the students.

Discussion

Making these hot cocoa gift jars took some preparation, didn’t it? I had to gather all the supplies then you had to layer everything and put it all together. The result is a pretty great gift!

As you take these jars home and give them to someone, I hope you’ll remember all the preparation God made to send Jesus, the perfect gift.