How to make an inexpensive hot chocolate bar

Merry Christmas! 

I know Christmas was a couple of days ago, but I celebrated it over a couple of days.   As you may have noticed I did not post a Dare to Share party this past Friday because I was spending time with my daughter.  On Saturday I celebrated Christmas with my boyfriend, and as you can see in the picture, he bought me an actual Dollar Tree. We saw it a few days ago while out shopping for Christmas presents. He saw how much I loved it, so he decided to surprise me with it.  While he does not understand my Dollar Tree addiction, he does help enable it.  LOL!! 

Yesterday we did a little after Christmas clearance shopping at Dollar Tree and Walmart.  I have been wanting to put together a hot chocolate bar for a few weeks, and with some of my awesome clearance finds I put together one for just a few dollars. 

I don't really have a space where I can sit my hot chocolate bar long term, so I am using a tray and carry box with handles that can easily be moved.   I already had the buffalo plaid tray, which you can see more about on my buffalo plaid Christmas post from a couple of years ago.  

A couple of weeks ago, we went through the McDonalds drive through and was given this awesome cardboard cup holder.  I like this version so much better than the kind they used to use, and immediately knew I could reuse it in some kind of manner. The cocoa packets fit perfectly in it.  To make it look festive, I added a cup of cocoa vinyl cling from a cute set I bought at the Dollar Tree.  

The pails, mugs and mini paper cups were all on clearance.  Found the Santa pails for .49 each, and a packet of 12 mini cups for .84 at Walmart.  I got 4 hot cocoa themed mugs from the Dollar Tree for .50 each. I only have 3 in the picture but the 4th one already had cocoa in it.  :)  The candy canes and sticks were .50 a box, the sugar cookie and hot chocolate kisses were on sale for $1.49 a bag, the peppermint and chocolate spoons I got at the Dollar Tree. 

I found this super cut ornament for only $1.48.  I had to get it, because I know a really rambunctious puppy who would totally eat all of Santa's cookies.  She eats everything! 

While at Walmart,  I found a box of Lucky Charms hot chocolate.  Since I love Lucky Charms the cereal I decided to try it. While it is basically just regular hot chocolate with Lucky Charms marshmallows, I really liked it.  

If you are out shopping the after Christmas sales, hopefully you will find some great deals too.