Hot Chocolate Cones

It's always a nice touch to give gifts to your children's teachers for the holidays.  When I counted up all the teachers and aides that the girls have between them for preschool and Sunday school, I was faced with providing presents for 14 people.  It can be pretty tough to stay both meaningful and economical for 14 gifts.  Once again, Disney's Family Fun magazine came to the rescue with their recipe for Hot Chocolate Cones.  (I've seen this idea from a number of other sources, as well.)

I purchased cone-shaped cellophane bags from Party City, ten for a dollar, as well as a jumbo cannister of hot chocolate, two bags of mini-chocolate chips, and a bag of mini-marshmallows from Target.  The magazine suggested topping off the Hot Chocolate Cone with a red gumdrop, but we used a red Gummi Bear instead. 

All I had to do was pour the hot chocolate into one of the cones, closing it off with a rubber band or twist tie.  I then trimmed the cellophane above the tie, and dropped that bag into another one.  I poured mini-chocolate chips right on top, and then mini-marshmallows on top of that.  Then I topped it off with a red Gummi Bear, and twist tied the second bag closed. 

Now their teachers will have everything they need for a few warm, delicious mugs of hot chocolate this winter!

I will probably be tying a reindeer thumbprint or jingle bell tag with a ribbon to the top. 

Kids who are four or five can definitely help with the gift preparations, and I think that a child of eight or nine would be able to put these together all by themselves.  They make a great gift for teachers, friends, or stocking stuffers!

Happy Holidays!