Hot Cocoa Bar

Squeeeaaaallll! The nights are getting cooler!

Fall is my FAVOURITE season because it’s warm enough during the days to go outside and enjoy the weather, and cool enough at night to snuggle under a cozy throw with a book and hot drink.

I LOVE FALL!

This little DIY hot cocoa bar is an easy project that is more about the contents than the build itself, so I’ll cut the work process short.

Directions on how to make an easy ottoman tray can be found at this link. The only changes I made to the plans were to resize it so that I could line it with this gorgeous copper-look metal sheeting from M-D Building Products.

I cut the metal sheet / copper sheet using tin snips and lined the bottom of the tray and the sides separately before attaching everything together.

I adhered the metal with gorilla glue and tacked the copper in place with small finishing nails before clamping tightly.

Once the glue was completely set I put my DIY hot cocoa bar together with some glue and screws.

I finished my DIY hot cocoa bar in a dark walnut stain – let that dry completely – and then painted over it with an off-white latex paint – the same technique as with my wooden horses.

From there it was just a matter of a light sanding to achieve a more rustic look and then a coat of wax to buff and protect the finish.

A warm reflective base and an aged and antique-looking edge.

All of the accessories for my DIY hot cocoa bar were picked up at the dollar store, so this project is really budget friendly – AND so tummy tempting!

Gather together some mini-marshmallows, some sprinkles and then flavours like cinnamon, peppermint (candy canes) and caramels and you have a treat that memories are made of.

I know, it’s not really about the tray itself – but it is a pretty fancy-looking display all alone, with the copper reflecting the light in warm, Fall tones.

I should have included teaspoons, a saucer and some whip cream into the above image – but I was too excited to photograph and then dig in.

Sure this is a decor piece with function – but it gives a “feeling” when you see it. Warm, sweet, rich, but also the overall homey ambiance of togetherness, snuggling and family.

I’m feeling like a hot cocoa would hit the spot right this moment actually.

Memories people – DIY the hot cocoa bar and create lifelong memories of warm moments and seasonal treats.

Thank you M-D Building Products for the copper (venetian bronze) sheet that was a special detail to my DIY hot cocoa bar.

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