At first I was a little sad about not putting up a huge Christmas tree this year but then I realized that if I just put up our little 3 foot Christmas tree that we already had that I’d have a little extra decorating money left over to buy some pretty decorations for the new apartment!
Oh and you know…that is exactly what I did! haha I’m trying to NOT feel buyers remorse (even thought I do after I buy ANYTHING) but I’m pretty pleased with how everything came together!
I got a huge green tree branch like wreath for the giant 5 pane picture window that we have that goes from the office to the kitchen. I bought a huge red bow and tied it to the top of the wreath and draped it down the middle of the wreath. All we have left for that is to get a little extension cord because the wreath has lights woven into it and once we get an extension cord we’ll be able to light it up!
I was just going to tuck the cord into the wreath and leave it as is but Thomas looked at me like I had lost my marbles when I suggested it. He’s been all about the lights this year! The LED icicle lights that I hung around the kitchen…he wants them on all the time. 🙂
Next, I got about 6 feet worth of garland that had some berries and pine cones woven throughout and Thomas wrapped it around the pantry part of our kitchen and we sat my little red gas lantern in the middle.
It’s kind of hard to explain but I’ll take pictures of it this weekend and post them for you. Our ceilings in the kitchen are like 18 feet high so the pantry doesn’t go all the way up. There is a little ledge where it stops and that’s where we put the garland.
But ohhhhh my favorite decoration that I’ve put up it the green pine wreath that’s “hanging by a red bow” on my brick living room wall next to our living room window.
It was too dark to take pictures of it when we hung it up but I’ve just got to get some photos of it during the day. The red bow and the green pine branch wreath against the exposed brick just make me one happy girl!
Sorry, I got off the subject of Peppermint Crockpot Hot Chocolate but you have no idea how excited I was to get those decorations up. I mean you would have thought I was a 5 year old on Christmas morning. haha.
So, Peppermint Crockpot Hot Chocolate, have you had Crockpot Hot Chocolate? It’s kind of rich and extra smooth, plus the peppermint is my favorite touch to this simple drink.
I’ve seen this at birthday parties (well ones in the winter), cookie exchange parties and Christmas parties. I took my god-daughters, Alyssa and Kendra, to a little Christmas party with Santa and Mrs Clause a few weekends ago and guess what was being served….Crockpot Hot Chocolate! haha
You throw everything into the crockpot and let it heat up for about 2 hours before you’re ready to serve it. Just provide some cups, mini marshmallows and a ladle for a hassle free addition to any holiday soirée!
Of course, you don’t have to add the peppermint flavor to this. You can leave out the extra flavor or you can change it up for your favorite.
Also, if you’re making this for home and you’re done having hot chocolate for the night, just pour the rest of it into a pitcher and store it in the fridge covered with plastic wrap and heat it up individual servings in the microwave or stove top when you want a bit of hot chocolate for the evening.
How perfect would this be for Christmas Eve!?!
Peppermint Crockpot Hot Chocolate8 cups whole milk
2 cups milk chocolate chips (or semi sweet)
1 cup peppermint white chocolate creamer
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon chocolate extract (or just two tablespoons of vanilla)
Pour everything into a slow cooker, cook on low for 2 hours, whisking occasionally.
Makes about 14-16 cups of hot chocolate
What a great idea for making a big batch of hot chocolate. When the
kids have friends over I can’t keep up how much hot chocolate they
want. Love the idea of adding peppermint to it sounds amazing!
Can’t wait to see the photos of your pretty decorations!! Nothing wrong with a 3 foot tree- I used one for YEARS 🙂 Love this hot chocolate and the peppermint touch to it 🙂
I love all your decoration ideas. I saw that photo of the wreath hanging and it looked so pretty! And now is right about when I need a cup of this hot cocoa to just chill out!
This sounds festive and comforting
I love this so much! I love that its peppermint and that you made it in the slow cooker! I can’t wait to see pictures of your decorations too! I love Christmas!
This would be perfect to come home to after a cold night out!
Crockpot! This is one kitchen appliance that I still haven’t got. Maybe I will leave a hint to my husband that this is what I need for Christmas this year. Let’s see if he’ll get my hint. Speaking of hot chocolate, I love hot chocolate. This is actually the first time I heard of crockpot hot chocolate recipe. Once I get the crockpot, I will definitely try the recipe.
I saw this on Pinterest and fell in love with it, I adore the taste of chocolate and peppermint. This is the most amazing combo for the holidays, and I am sure I will make one so I can enjoy it by the fireplace on Christmas Eve.
I love using the crockpot for so many things. We actually own multiples so we can have different items going at once. I have not tried hot chocolate in one, but I suspect the boys would love it.
Your decorations sound lovely! And this hot cocoa is speaking to me — peppermint hot cocoa is my favorite!
I never thought of making hot chocolate in the crockpot and now I have to! I love the idea of adding peppermint to it. I know what I’m making this weekend!
My favorite winter drinks are hot chocolate and eggnog. I came across a recipe for homemade eggnog the other day. Now I have this recipe for hot chocolate. My winter is set!
Your apartment sounds so festive! With all the decorations and exposed brick, I’d probably just want to sit with a mug of this cocoa and look at the lights all night long. Sounds so pretty!
Those mugs are adorable! And this hot choclate looks fabulous. Am I allowed to add Bailey’s?
I’ve been in such a mood for a hot cup of cocoa filled with marshmallows, and now I see this. I KNEW I should have bought those marshmallows at the store today. I have everything in the kitchen to make this recipe, but the marshmallows.
I’ve never tried my hot chocolate with peppermint but this definitely gives me a reason to. It looks great and those mugs are absolutely adorable!
These cups are adorable and this hot chocolate sounds absolutely epic! I would have never thought to do hot chocolate in a crockpot. This is amazing and sounds lovely!
This sounds delicious and is a perfect option for holiday parties (better than a punch bowl!) or if you’re whipping up supper and want to surprise the kids afterwards. I love that you used peppermint candies instead of extract – we always have too many of those candies kicking around after the holidays!
@jennifertammy:disqus it’s such a great thing to have ready for these cold evenings! I didn’t use the peppermint candies or extract to make the hot chocolate, I used Peppermint White Chocolate Coffee Creamer haha 😉 The Peppermint candies are just to be used afterwards like the marshmallows 🙂
Peppermint is my absolute favorite winter flavor. This peppermint hot cocoa sounds awesome. Stumbling and pinning!