A time to give

So, it's that time of the year again.

This year I decided not to do my usual last minute mad-dash of trying to figure out what to give my kids' teachers the night before. I decided to actually be ahead of the curve this time.
Actually, this new-found preparedness began with the secret santa at work. I mindlessly filled out the form, thinking, how cool it would be to get presents from someone I didn't know. At the time, it barely occurred to me that I would have to reciprocate (insert comments about my self-absorption here...) When the lightbulb finally went off, I started to think. Since my secret santa recipient likes hot cocoa, I set out to make a gift mug filled with hot-cocoa, marshmallows and the works. What I I ended up with was even better.

I used cone bags, instead of the usual mugs, to package the mix. I really got excited when I realized that I could use my newest toy, silhouette machine, to cut the tags. I tied some ribbon around it, and finished it off with a tag and some bling! I got really into packaging the stuff, and for once I was on-time!

This makes a great gift for coworkers, teachers, mailpeople, babysitters, and anyone else you'd like to appreciate! It's also a great stocking stuffer.

Here's the recipe for the Hot Chocolate Cones. This makes about 6 cones.

Hot Cocoa Mix:

Ingredients

• 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Measure all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk them until they are evenly blended.

2. Store the mix in a tightly covered container at room temperature until you're ready to package it. Makes about 4 cups of mix.

To package each cone:

Ingredients (For Each Cone:

• 1/2 cup cocoa mix
• 2 (6- by 12-inch) cone-shaped cellophane bags (available at party stores)
• 2 clear rubber bands (I used twist ties)
• Scissors

• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup mini marshmallows
• 1 Peppermint Candy Canes

Instructions:

1. Pour the cocoa mix into one of the bags. Close the bag with a clear rubber band, then trim the end of the bag 1 inch above the band.

2. Place the cocoa-filled bag into the second bag and flatten its top so the end doesn't stick up.

3. Layer the chocolate chips and the marshmallows, then stick 1 candy cane in the center. Fasten the bag around the candy cane with one twist tie. Secure the bag with the other rubber band.

Optional:

1. Tie a piece of ribbon around the cone to cover up the twist tie.

2. Address a decorative gift tag and hang from the ribbon.

Happy Gift Giving!