This post is brought to you by Ghirardelli. All opinions are my own.
Every year, I love to give small gifts to some of my friends. Since I already have lots of family members to shop for I don’t want to spend a lot of money on gifts, but I want them to know that I’m thinking of them. I usually find something affordable but heartfelt- something that has a personal touch but didn’t take forever to make.
This year more than ever I want to show my loved ones that I care and that I’m thinking of them, even if we can’t be together. But I also don’t have an infinite budget- so I was trying to come up with a cute and creative- but budget-friendly- gift idea for my friends that I could make in bulk and gift to those close friends in my life.
Finally, inspiration struck me when I thought about a favorite Christmas memory from last year! Last December, Zac and I had a fun movie night date with a few friends where the kids all curled up with hot cocoa and cookies and watched Christmas movies. We went over there in our jammies and stayed up late, and for months it was all Zac talked about. While we won’t be able to do that again this year, we wanted to find a way to show our friends that we are thinking of them and wishing we could be together!
So this year, the kids and I are getting in on the gifting together and we’re giving something delicious- Hot Cocoa gift packs!! We decided to give some of our friends a gift that will remind them of our celebration together last year while letting them make new memories with their families this year. The kits are complete with Christmas mugs, homemade Hot Cocoa Stirring Spoons, and the perfect thing to tie it all together- some Ghirardelli chocolate!
When I make gifts that I’ll be giving to lots of people, I make sure to get items that I know everyone will love but that won’t break the bank. Walmart is always my first stop for those items and this year was no different! We ordered our Ghirardelli Bittersweet 60% Cacao Baking Chips as well as some Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares and Ghirardelli Chocolate Caramel Squares from our local Walmart store with our normal grocery pickup and didn’t even have to make a special trip to get them.
Ghirardelli chocolate is super high quality, so I know that everyone on my list will be excited to see it in their gift basket. You can find it for a great price at Walmart though, so it’s absolutely perfect for gifting! {I mean, is it even really Christmas without Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares?!}
Since I always like to include a personal touch to my gifts, we didn’t want to just leave it at the {delicious!} Ghirardelli Squares. So we picked up the Ghirardelli Bittersweet 60% Cacao Baking Chips to make delicious Hot Cocoa Stirring Spoons!
They are super easy to make! Here’s the simple how-to:
Wash and dry your spoons {or use plastic or wooden ones- I used silver so they could be reused} and lay them out onto a cutting board, silicone mat, or flat plate.
Pour baking chips into a microwavable bowl and microwave on 50% power for 1 minute.
Stir and continue microwaving in 15-second increments {always on 50% power} until fully melted, stirring each time.
Working one spoon at a time, dip it into the melted chocolate and fully cover the main part and even the first bit of the handle.
If adding optional toppings, including crushed peppermint, sprinkles, or marshmallows, be sure to add these right away before the chocolate begins to set!
Allow chocolate to harden- give it at least an hour at room temperature or 30 minutes if you can put them in the fridge.
Wrap them up in little lollipop wrappers if you can find them or just add them to a cute holiday mug. Put them in a basket along with a bag of Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares and Ghirardelli Chocolate Caramel Squares and you have yourself a delicious and thoughtful homemade gift!
Ghirardelli puts lots of thought and care into their chocolate from bean to bar, including having top notch sourcing and sustainability practices. That quality and thoughtfulness will be apparent in your gift as well!
The holidays might look a little different this year, but we’re taking this time to connect with loved ones in a new way. We’re dropping off holiday gifts at their doorstep for a fun little surprise, video chatting in front a virtual fireplace, and taking this extra time at home to spend more time together as a family. I know my kids have already spent plenty of quality time together with some hot cocoa!
If you’re looking for a great and thoughtful gift that everyone on your list will enjoy, be sure to pick up your favorite Ghirardelli items with your next grocery pickup or delivery! You can find the Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares, Ghirardelli Chocolate Caramel Squares, and Ghirardelli Bittersweet 60% Cacao Baking Chips!
How are you taking a moment for sweet celebrations this year?
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