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You guys! It’s my Santa’s Hot Chocolate Cookbook Gift Box!
How cute is this gift box? And how fun? It’s my recipe for Santa’s Hot Chocolate in a gift box with my cookbook all snuggled inside. As you guys all know, I’m very excited for this holiday season. This has been a year filled with highs and lows. Most notably marked by my grandmother’s passing and the release of my first cookbook. Spending this next month simply enjoying the moment and the magic this season brings is something I am very much looking forward to.
I mentioned in last Sunday’s Favorite’s Post that I’d be sharing some more holiday inspired content and today’s gift box is the first of several fun craft/holiday ideas I’ll be sharing on the Sundays leading up to Christmas.
The idea for a gift box came to me a while back and I’ve been dying to put it together since. I was flipping through the cookbook and landed on the recipe for Santa’s Hot Chocolate. If you own the book then you know that this is the recipe with the photo of my little sister, Asher, cozying up to a steaming mug of hot cocoa. When I came across the photo I was sad, because even though I took that photo less than a year ago, Asher has grown so much. But then a thought popped into my head and as soon as it did I was excited again.
My thought was this very box you see here. So many of you have mentioned to me that you’ve purchased the cookbook as holiday gifts for friends and family. I thought this would be such a cute way to make the gift of the Cookbook even more special. In this box I’ve included the dry mix for the Santa’s Hot Chocolate along with a few extras…because hey, it’s Christmas so why not make it extra special!
The best part is that not only is this a relatively affordable gift, it’s also easy, and extremely thoughtful. I personally would take a thoughtful gift like this over anything picked up at the store. A gift with a homemade touch is always the most meaningful in my opinion.
This gift is perfect for anyone who loves cooking or just a delicious cup of hot chocolate. Meaning your mom, your best friend, your boss and almost anyone in between.
Here is what’s in my box:
1. A box! I used one that I had around the house, but you’ll want your box to be sturdy and big enough to fit the cookbook, which is 8.3 x 10.3 inches. Something cute and festive is best!
2. The Half Baked Harvest Cookbook! You can buy the book here on Amazon, Anthropologie, or any of the other retailers listed here. I’d wait until tomorrow to purchase the book, as both Amazon and Anthropologie will be having Cyber Monday sales!
3. Hot Cocoa Mix! I used the Santa’s Hot Chocolate recipe from the cookbook. Just combine the dry ingredients in a small plastic gift bag, and seal it up. Then all the gift receiver has to do is pour the mix into hot milk.
4. A small jar of good vanilla extract! My recipe for Santa’s Hot Chocolate calls for one tablespoon vanilla extract. It is a key ingredient in this hot chocolate, so I knew it needed to be included in the gift box. I sealed the vanilla in a small glass jar I had lying around my house, but I also LOVEÂ these. They would be so cute
5. Marshmallows! I have a recipe for homemade marshmallows in the book that I included in my box, but store-bought marshmallows work great too!
6. Chocolate Bars! Yes, chocolate bars. The recipe for Santa’s Hot Chocolate is topped with a brownie, and while it takes this cocoa over the top, it also makes it delicious. Plus, this is Santa’s Hot Chocolate, so it needs to be extra sweet! However, including a brownie in these boxes would mean you need to gift them pretty much immediately. The compromise here? A quality chocolate bar!
7. A small Candle. The only reason I Included this is because I am obsessed with candles, and they make the perfect cute addition to this box. This one (in spiced cider) is my current favorite.
8. A Hot Chocolate Mug! I used some old mugs from last year, but this mug and this mug are my current favorites.
9. A simple Recipe Card. I included a simple recipe card on how to make the perfect cup of cocoa.
10. Tissue Paper and or Crinkle Craft Paper. To layer on the bottom of the box and keep everything nice and snug.
Here is How To Assemble:
1. Layer the tissue paper (and or crinkle paper) in the bottom of your box. Add the cookbook and recipe card. Stuff the cocoa mix inside the mug and add it to the box. Arrange the vanilla, marshmallows, brownies, candle, and chocolate bar around the mug. Add a little more crinkle or tissue paper. Seal the box and wrap it up!
2. DONE.
Below is the recipe card IÂ included in my box:
what a great gift basket
Thank you!
I just made one of these for my granddaughter’s dance troupe to auction off at their Nutcracker performance. It’s sure to be a hit! Thank you for the inspiration!
I hope everyone loves this! Thank you Kathleen!
Love it!
Thank you Mary!
Such a beautiful gift idea. LOVE your cookbook too! Can you share where you found the sweet ornament? TY 🙂
It’s actually a candle1! Link to it in the post, but it is from anthropologie. 🙂 Thank you!
https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/retro-ornament-candle?category=SHOPBYBRAND&color=025
Where did you get that adorable ornament?
Sorry, which one? Probably Anthropologie. 🙂
i”m in love with this gift box – seriously the cutest holiday gift!
Just something I think most people would enjoy! Thank you Laura!
Hey Tieghan,
These gift boxes are such a sweet idea and I think I might have to make one for my sister. Have you done any more photo shoots with Asher? Maybe you could bake some bread or desserts together and listen to some holiday music. It is a bit sad that life seems to go by so quickly but also really exciting and enduring. I hope you’re able to have a restful and reflective week, and take in the cozy vibes of the holidays. 🙂 Im looking forward to seeing your other gift box ideas and hope you’re staying warm! (Also, how is the studio barn coming along? ? I’m so excited for you and proud of how hard you work.)
Hi! Yes, you should make one for her, I am sure she will enjoy it! Baking bread and desserts with Asher sounds so fun and I think I am going to do just that! I hope you have a great week Kristin! Thank you!
PS. The barn is coming along great, so excited to show you!!
Hey Tieghan,
Yes! I’m excited to make a gift box for my sister. I hope you and Asher are able to squeeze in some time together. I’m looking forward to seeing how the studio barn is coming along and hopefully all will go well. 🙂
I absolutely love this! What a beautiful idea!
Awh I am so glad! Thank you Cherie!
A very beautiful idea and a fantabulous gift for the lucky recipient! I just recommended your HBH Cookbook to a friend, she will love it too! Thank-you for this lovely post.
That is so amazing! Thank you Ellen!
1 bottle vanilla extract? Do you mean 1 tablespoon? I think on the recipe card it should list 1 TB so people don’t dump the entire bottle in.:)
You’re right! The recipe card is lovely, but it hasa typo…
HI! I actually just meant the 1 bottle I included in my box since it’s only 1 tablespoon worth of vanilla in the bottle. So sorry if that is confusing. I will adjust the instructions. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope this gift is a hit! Thanks! 🙂
Love this so much!
Thank you!
Omg, wow how cute! This is just the best idea ever Tieghan! I’m definitely going to have to give this to someone this Christmas!
Great! I hope they love it Tori! Thank you!
I love this idea! I have your cookbook and couldn’t be happier to share it with others. I think the hot cocoa mix in a mug is the perfect gift to give to teachers this year for Christmas.
For your hot cocoa, my friends and I don’t drink coffee. What could I use in place of the instant coffee granules? Or is okay to leave it out?
Thank you so much, Catherine! It’s okay to just leave the coffee out. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope this gift is a hit! Thanks! 🙂
LOVE this idea! I always prefer adding a personal homemade touch to gifts and this is perfect for my cookbook gifts this year. 🙂
Yes! Thanks Caroline!
Tieghan – this is amazing! I have not bought a cookbook in ages. I feel it is easier to simply google these days. But I have been following you on instagram for a little while and I am completely blown away by your creativity and recipes and beautiful photography. I will be gifting myself with your cookbook! :).
That is so great! I hope you love the cookbook and the recipes on the blog! Thank you Jodi!
this is sooooooo cute!!!!
Thank you!