Reindeer Hot Chocolate — The quintessential edible gift that brings joy and warmth to the holiday season! Learn how to effortlessly assemble these charming cones, complete with hot chocolate mix, delicious chocolate chips, and fluffy marshmallows, all decorated to resemble a festive Reindeer (specifically, the beloved Rudolph). These delightful treats are guaranteed to bring a smile to any child’s face and make perfect gifts for neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family alike.

Beyond these adorable Reindeer Hot Chocolate cones, explore our collection of highly popular Christmas treats, including these festive Christmas Oreo Truffles, delightful Christmas Donuts (cleverly designed to mimic Rudolph!), or the ever-popular Christmas Oreo Pops. Each offers a unique way to spread holiday cheer.

Reindeer Hot Chocolate: Your Go-To DIY Holiday Gift

The holiday season is synonymous with warmth, joy, and the spirit of giving. While store-bought gifts have their place, there’s an undeniable magic in a handmade present, especially one that combines deliciousness with adorable aesthetics. This year, we’re thrilled to introduce you to a gift idea that perfectly encapsulates this festive spirit: Reindeer Hot Chocolate cones.

A few years back, we shared our popular Christmas Mason Jar gifts, which quickly became a December favorite. Among them, the Reindeer Jar consistently stole the spotlight on social media, proving just how much people adore a gift that’s both edible and incredibly cute. Building on that beloved concept, we’ve innovated to bring you an even simpler, more enchanting version.

These Reindeer Hot Chocolate cones are an absolute joy to assemble and make for an outstanding, budget-friendly gift that everyone will love. This year, I even enlisted my children to help with the creative process. My boys enthusiastically crafted several batches to share with their friends (and, of course, a couple were “reserved” for their own enjoyment!). My daughter, true to form, found immense delight in taste-testing the marshmallows, which is a win in itself! This project isn’t just about the end product; it’s about creating cherished memories and fostering holiday spirit together.

Essential Ingredients for Your Reindeer Hot Chocolate Kits

Creating these charming Reindeer Hot Chocolate packets requires just a few key components. For your convenience, we’ve included affiliate links below, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, helping support our content creation. Thank you for your support!

• Cone-Shaped Cellophane Bags: These unique bags are crucial for achieving the reindeer shape. Their pointed bottom naturally forms the reindeer’s snout, while the wider top allows for ample space to fill with your delicious cocoa ingredients. Look for sturdy, clear bags that can hold a generous amount of mix.
• Premium Hot Chocolate Mix: Choose your absolute favorite brand! Whether it’s a rich dark chocolate, creamy milk chocolate, or a classic cocoa, the quality of your mix will significantly impact the final beverage. A crucial tip: opt for mixes without dehydrated marshmallows, as we’ll be adding fresh, fluffy ones separately for a superior taste and texture.
• Delicious Chocolate Chips: Personalize your hot chocolate with your preferred flavor: semi-sweet, milk, or decadent dark chocolate chips. Mini chocolate chips are often favored for their even distribution and quick melting, but regular-sized chips work wonderfully too. For an extra touch of gourmet, consider chopping up a high-quality baking bar to include.
• Soft Mini Marshmallows: The softer the marshmallows, the better! These create that irresistible cloud-like topping for your hot cocoa. Don’t be shy about gently feeling the bags at the store to ensure you’re getting the freshest, squishiest marshmallows possible. They’re key to a perfect cup!

Crafting Your Reindeer Characters: Decoration Supplies

Bringing your Reindeer Hot Chocolate cones to life with personality and charm is the most exciting part! These simple decorative elements will transform your cocoa bags into adorable Rudolphs or classic reindeers.

• Googly Eyes: These instantly add character! Grab whatever size you prefer, but we find smaller googly eyes tend to look more proportional and cute on the cone-shaped bags. They give your reindeer a playful, lively expression.
• Red or Brown Pom Poms for Noses: For the iconic Rudolph, a vibrant one-inch red pom pom is essential for that famous shining nose. If you prefer a more traditional reindeer look, a brown pom pom works just as well. The soft, fluffy texture adds a lovely dimension.
• Pipe Cleaners for Antlers: These versatile craft supplies are perfect for creating unique antlers. Red pipe cleaners will add a festive pop of color, making your reindeer stand out. Alternatively, brown pipe cleaners offer a more realistic antler appearance, allowing for a classic reindeer design. Experiment with curling or shaping them to create distinct antler styles.
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks: Your trusty hot glue gun is the best tool for securely attaching the googly eyes and pom-pom noses to the cellophane bags. It provides a quick, strong bond, ensuring your reindeer stay intact until gifted. Always use glue sticks specifically designed for hot glue guns.

Pro Tips for Perfect Reindeer Hot Chocolate Gifts

To ensure your Reindeer Hot Chocolate cones turn out perfectly and make the best impression, keep these helpful tips in mind during assembly:

• Simplify Filling with a Tall Cup and Piping Bag: To make the process of dropping in ingredients much simpler and mess-free, place a piping bag (or even a large Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off) into a tall cup. Then, simply place your cone-shaped cellophane bag inside the piping bag. This creates a stable funnel, preventing spills and making layering a breeze.
• Maintain Clean, Distinct Layers: After adding the hot cocoa mix, it’s common for some powder to cling to the inside of the bag. To keep your layers looking clear and distinct, gently wipe down the inside of the bag with a clean paper towel or napkin before adding the next ingredient. A kitchen funnel can also be incredibly helpful in preventing any stray powder from scattering.
• Exercise Caution with Hot Glue: When using your hot glue gun to attach the eyes and nose, be mindful of the temperature. If the hot glue is excessively hot, it could potentially melt or distort the delicate cellophane bag. Apply small dots of glue quickly and carefully, allowing them to cool slightly before firmly pressing the decorations into place.
• Prepare in Batches for Efficiency: If you’re planning to make multiple Reindeer Hot Chocolate gifts, consider setting up an assembly line. Lay out all your bags, then add the hot chocolate mix to all of them, then the chocolate chips, and finally the marshmallows. This batch-processing method is much more efficient and helps maintain consistency across all your gifts.
• Get Creative with Antler Shapes: While a simple twist of the pipe cleaner works, don’t hesitate to get creative with your antler designs. You can curl the ends, make small loops, or even twist two pipe cleaners together for more robust antlers. This adds a unique touch to each reindeer.
• Seal Your Bags Properly: After filling and before decorating, ensure the top of the cone bag is twisted tightly and secured. You can use a twist tie, a small piece of ribbon, or even the pipe cleaner itself to seal the bag, preventing any spillage and keeping the contents fresh.

Creative Variations & Personalization Ideas

While the classic Reindeer Hot Chocolate is adorable, there are many ways to add your own personal touch and enhance these delightful gifts:

• Different Hot Chocolate Flavors: Beyond standard milk or dark chocolate, explore gourmet hot cocoa mixes. Think peppermint hot chocolate, spiced chai cocoa, or even white chocolate variations. A salted caramel hot chocolate mix could be a unique and delicious surprise!
• Add-Ins Beyond Chips:
  • Candy Cane Bits: Crush some peppermint candy canes and layer them in for a festive minty flavor.
  • Sprinkles: A tiny layer of holiday-themed sprinkles (stars, snowflakes, nonpareils) can add a pop of color and fun.
  • Cinnamon Sticks: A small, decorative cinnamon stick tucked alongside the other ingredients offers aroma and can be used for stirring.
  • Miniature Chocolate Candies: M&M’s or other small chocolate candies can add extra color and a chewy texture.
• Alternative Decorations:
  • Hand-drawn Faces: If you’re artistic, you can use food-safe markers to draw more expressive faces directly onto the bags.
  • Fabric or Felt Accents: Cut small felt ears or scarves to glue onto the bags for a more textural, crafty look.
  • Glitter Pipe Cleaners: For extra sparkle, use glittery pipe cleaners for the antlers.
• Packaging and Presentation:
  • Gift Tags: Attach a personalized gift tag with a sweet message and simple instructions for making the hot chocolate.
  • Ribbons: Use festive ribbons in various colors and patterns to tie around the twisted top of the bag.
  • Gift Baskets: Bundle several Reindeer Hot Chocolates together in a small basket with a festive mug or a cookie for a more substantial gift.
• Themed Gifts: Pair your Reindeer Hot Chocolate with a classic Christmas movie DVD or a cozy blanket for a “movie night in” themed gift.

More Inspiring Holiday Treat & Gift Ideas:

If you’re looking for more delightful ideas to make and share this festive season, these popular recipes and gift ideas are sure to inspire:

• Easy Christmas Gifts: Discover a variety of simple, heartfelt gift ideas, complete with free printable bag toppers for a professional finish.
• Christmas Crack: Also known as saltine cracker toffee, this highly addictive treat is incredibly easy to make and perfect for holiday parties or gifting.
• Peppermint Cookies: These festive cookies require only three ingredients, making them a quick and delicious option for holiday baking.
• Christmas Popcorn: A sweet and savory snack perfect for movie nights or as a small gift. Alternatively, try this equally easy Christmas Snack Mix.
• Christmas Brownies: Prepare a delicious double chocolate brownie mix in a charming Mason jar, ready for baking, and complete with a free printable tag.

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5 from 1 vote

Reindeer Hot Chocolate

By Chelsea Lords

Reindeer Hot Chocolate makes the cutest holiday gift! Fill a cone bag with hot chocolate mix, chocolate chips, and marshmallows, then decorate it to look like Rudolph. It’s a fun way to bring smiles to kids, neighbors, friends, and more!

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 1 Reindeer Hot Chocolate (make as many as you’d like!)

Video Information

Equipment

• Cone-shaped cellophane bags (see note 1)

Ingredients

• Hot chocolate mix (use your favorite!)
• Mini chocolate chips
• Miniature marshmallows
• Pipe cleaners (for decoration, see note 1)
• Googly eyes (for decoration)
• Pom-poms (for decoration)

Instructions

1. Open a cellophane bag and arrange it in a tall cup for easy assembly. Gently add the hot chocolate mix. Use a paper towel or napkin to wipe down the sides from powder to keep the layers clean-looking and distinct. Drop in mini chocolate chips (as many as you’d like) and then miniature marshmallows (again, as many as you’d like for a fluffy top).
2. Twist the top of the bag tightly and secure a pipe cleaner around it. Fold and shape the pipe cleaner to resemble reindeer antlers, or curl it for a whimsical decorative effect. Use a hot glue gun to attach the chosen pom-pom for the nose and the googly eyes to the front of the bag, completing your reindeer’s face.
3. Your Reindeer Hot Chocolate gift is now ready to be given out or enjoyed! To prepare the hot chocolate, simply add the contents of one bag to 1 cup of hot water or milk, stir until dissolved, and savor your festive drink.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Decorating Supplies: For consistency and convenience, I typically use these cone-shaped cellophane bags, these googly eyes, 1-inch red pom-poms, and red pipe cleaners. For a traditional reindeer look, brown pom-poms and brown pipe cleaners can be used for more realistic antlers. Remember to use a hot glue gun for secure attachment of the eyes and nose.

Nutrition Note: The provided nutrition information is an approximation. Variations in brands and quantities of hot chocolate mix, chocolate chips, and marshmallows will affect the final nutritional values. It’s best used as a general guide.

Storage: When properly sealed in their original packaging, these delightful Reindeer Hot Chocolate gifts can be stored for up to 6 months, ensuring they stay fresh for holiday gifting.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 606 kcal | Carbohydrates: 105g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 764mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 86g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

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Conclusion: Spread Holiday Cheer with Reindeer Hot Chocolate

As the holiday season draws near, the desire to give thoughtful, heartwarming gifts grows stronger. These Reindeer Hot Chocolate cones offer the perfect blend of festive charm, deliciousness, and personalized effort. They are not just gifts; they are small packages of joy, ready to bring warmth and smiles to anyone who receives them. Whether you’re making them with your children for their classmates, crafting them for your colleagues, or preparing a batch for beloved family and friends, these Rudolph-inspired treats are a simple yet profound way to show you care. Embrace the magic of handmade holidays and let these adorable Reindeer Hot Chocolates be your signature gift this year. Happy crafting, and happy holidays!