DIY Hot Cocoa Gift Basket (What to Put Inside + Easy Holiday Ideas)

Hot chocolate is highly underrated. It’s one of those simple things that can make an ordinary day feel special, especially around the holidays.

If you’re searching for gift ideas, what better way to brighten someone’s day than with hot chocolate?

A hot cocoa gift basket is fun, festive, and consumable — basically the ideal gift. Putting together a basket with a few cocoa goodies is a creative way to make someone feel appreciated, and it’s surprisingly easy and affordable.

Today, I’m sharing how to make your own hot cocoa gift basket at home, including tips for what to put inside and festive ideas to dress it up.

So let’s dive in!

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Supplies for a Hot Cocoa Gift Basket

First, let’s talk about what’s needed for a hot cocoa gift basket. There are a few basics — a gift basket and something to make hot cocoa with — but what makes a basket memorable?

Gift Basket & Decorative Wrapping 

Start with a gift basket that’s large and sturdy enough to hold your hot chocolate and whatever goodies you include.

You may also want some decorative wrapping, such as cellophane and ribbon.

Confession: cellophane is the bane of my existence. It’s so pretty, but such a pain to work with. It’s always tearing, and I can never get it to look the way I want.

Same with ribbon. It always looks a certain way in my head, but after I tie the bow… it usually just looks sad.

Fortunately, I found a shortcut for making gift baskets look elevated: this great kit on Amazon.

The kit includes baskets, cellophane bags, and pull bows. I was really pleased with the quality of the baskets and the cellophane. The pull bows worked, but they were a little disappointing.

I ended up ordering a separate pack of red pull bows and loved them. They’re incredibly easy to assemble — you literally just pull the two strings at one end, and the bow looks perfect.

The gift basket kit comes in a pack of six, which is great for batching gifts around the holidays. Other kits in smaller quantities are available on Amazon; just read the reviews first because the quality varies a lot.

I used this shredded white-and-gold paper to stuff the gift basket.

Hot Cocoa Mix

Next, you’ll need some hot cocoa mix! For a special touch, use homemade.

Check out my easy classic hot cocoa mix recipe if you want to make your own.

Or add a mix from your favorite brand. Ghirardelli is my favorite store-bought option — you can include a canister or packets, whatever you prefer.

Note: If you include homemade mix, be sure to add an instruction tag so people know how to prepare it.

Mugs or Disposable Cups

While not strictly necessary, mugs are such a fun addition. You can customize them based on the occasion and/or the person receiving the gift, and they make the whole basket feel more complete and personalized.

I usually include 1-2 mugs per basket, since more can be hard to fit. I found this cute set of Christmas mugs on Amazon. Target also has a great selection and very affordable prices.

That said, mugs are something people tend to accumulate, and some might not want more.

A practical alternative is disposable drinking cups, and you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics if you choose cute ones! I found these holiday-themed disposable cups at Target.

Other Additions

Once you have a basket, mix, and mugs, you’ve got almost everything you need. But a few small add-ons can really fill out your basket and make it feel special.

Here are some of my favorite ideas. Even just one or two can make a big difference, but add as many as will comfortably fit!

Specialty Marshmallows

Specialty marshmallows are adorable and perfect for hot cocoa. I found these snowflake ones at Target, but you can also order custom marshmallows if you want to take it up a level. Etsy offers a wide range of fun options.

Candy Canes/Hot Cocoa Stirrers

Candy canes are a classic pairing for hot chocolate, and are convenient and affordable. You can also include other types of hot cocoa stirrers, such as these from Target.

Chocolates or Sweets

Chocolates or sweets make great fillers since they’re consumable goodies that pair well with cocoa.

My personal favorite for the holidays: Ghirardelli peppermint bark squares. Lindt truffles or your go-to chocolates would be great too. 

For an elevated touch, consider biscotti or Christmas cookies (homemade if you want to go all out).

Cozy Items

Since cocoa is cozy, you can also throw in one or two cozy items, such as socks or mittens. If you have lots of room in your basket, a blanket would be a fun and snuggly addition.

Mini Alcoholic Add-Ons

For an adult upgrade, you can add mini bottles of alcohol. Bailey’s or Kahlua are classics for spiking hot chocolate.

Feel free to get creative and personalize your basket with anything unique to the gift recipient!

How to Assemble a Hot Cocoa Gift Basket

Once you’ve got your supplies, it’s time to assemble your gift basket!

1. Add Filling to Your Basket

Start by adding some sort of filling to your basket. I used shredded paper, but tissue paper or fabric works, too.

Filling helps elevate everything and ensures your items are visible. It also cushions any breakable pieces during transport and keeps things from shifting around.

2. Position Your Largest Items

Next, place your largest items. This is typically your hot cocoa mix and mugs or disposable cups. You may need to try a couple of different layouts to get everything positioned the way you like. 

3. Fill Gaps with Smaller Items

Once the large items are in place, fill in the gaps with your smaller additions.

As a general rule, position taller items, like cocoa stirrers and candy canes, toward the back, and place the shorter items near the front. This helps everything stay visible.

4. Add Decorative Wrapping

Finally, add decorative wrapping if you want it! I loved the cellophane bags that came in my kit. Simply place the basket inside the bag, gather the excess, and tie it off with a bow.

You’ll likely need another person to help with the wrapping. Once that’s done, all that’s left is to give your basket away and make someone’s day.

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A DIY hot chocolate basket is easy to pull together, and it makes such a fun, festive gift. If you’re looking for holiday gift ideas, consider putting one together for someone you love.