If you’re looking for a cute and practical holiday gift craft, these Snowman Hot Chocolate Jars are perfect for classrooms, preschool, playdates, and easy gifting at home. They use simple supplies, require very little prep, and are budget-friendly if you’re making gifts in bulk. In this post, you’ll get step-by-step instructions, helpful supply tips, and fun variations kids can personalize. Three stacked mini mason jars transform into an adorable snowman filled with cocoa mix and treats—fun to make, display, and share.
Pair this craft with our Popsicle Stick Snowman Hat Ornament or our Popsicle Stick Snowmen!
Snowman Hot Chocolate
These Snowman Hot Chocolate Jars make gift-giving simple and meaningful without adding extra stress to the holiday season. They look impressive and festive on their own, yet they’re inexpensive to assemble and easy to customize for teachers, neighbors, classmates, and family. Kids love helping decorate the jars, and the finished snowmen are almost too cute to open—they feel thoughtful, handmade, and useful all at once.
Why You’ll Love This Craft
This simple holiday activity keeps kids engaged without the mess or stress of complicated materials.
- Makes a heartfelt gift – The finished snowman jars look store-bought but still feel handmade and personal.
- Easy on the budget – Mini mason jars and cocoa mix are inexpensive, especially when making gifts in bulk.
- Low prep for adults – Just set out supplies and let kids decorate; no tricky steps or special tools required.
- Fun for all ages – Preschoolers through big kids can help fill jars, add details, and personalize the snowman.
- Hands-on skill building – Scooping, stacking, tying ribbons, and placing buttons support fine motor practice.
- Perfect for group settings – Ideal for classrooms, Scouts, holiday parties, or family crafting nights.
Watch the Video Tutorial
See exactly how to assemble and decorate your Snowman Hot Chocolate Jars with our step-by-step video.
Craft Supplies for Snowman Hot Chocolate
You only need a handful of simple supplies to turn mini mason jars into adorable snowman gifts.
- 4-ounce mini mason jars (3)
- White mason jar lids (3)
- Hot chocolate – Make your own 3-Ingredient Hot Chocolate Mix!
- Peppermint candies
- Mini marshmallows
- Black buttons (4)
- Carrot button (1)
- Pom poms
- Pipe cleaners
- Flannel fabric
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue or Glue Dots
Snowman Hot Chocolate Jars DIY
Follow these step-by-step directions to fill, stack, and decorate the jars so your snowman turns out cute, sturdy, and ready for gifting.
STEP 1: Gather and prepare the materials. Wash the mason jars and lids in hot, soapy water, then rinse and allow them to dry completely. Make sure everything is fully dry before moving on so the ingredients inside stay fresh.
STEP 2: Fill the jars. Place the hot chocolate mix, mini marshmallows, and peppermint candies into each jar. Make sure each jar is filled and ready for stacking.
STEP 3: Decorate the jars. Start by adding the snowman’s face to the jar with the mini marshmallows. Then attach the buttons to the jar filled with hot chocolate or peppermint candies. We used Glue Dots to secure the buttons, making it quick and easy to decorate.
STEP 4: Stack and accessorize the snowman. Use large Glue Dots to carefully stack the jars on top of each other so they stay securely in place. Make earmuffs by attaching pom-poms to a pipe cleaner, then place them on the snowman’s head. Cut a small piece of flannel to create a scarf and wrap it around the snowman’s neck for a cozy finishing touch.
Take It Further
Once you’ve made your Hot Cocoa Snowman, there are plenty of ways to add extra fun or personalize them:
- Add a gift tag – Write a holiday message or the recipient’s name on a small tag tied to the snowman’s scarf.
- Change the accessories – Swap the flannel scarf for ribbon or the earmuffs for a hat.
- Include extra treats – Add small candies, chocolate chips, or mini marshmallow shapes inside the jars.
- Decorate for different holidays – Use this idea for birthdays, winter-themed, or Valentine’s Day parties by changing the colors of the accessories.
More DIY Holiday Gift Ideas
Looking for more handmade holiday gifts? These easy DIY ideas are perfect for classrooms, playdates, and thoughtful Christmas presents from kids to family and friends.
- DIY Beard Balm – A fun, easy gift for men that kids can help make, keeping beards soft, healthy, and looking sharp.
- Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix – A cozy, easy-to-make gift that kids can help assemble, perfect for sharing warm holiday treats with friends and family.
- Homemade Vanilla Extract – A simple, thoughtful gift kids can help make, perfect for baking enthusiasts and adding a homemade touch to holiday treats.
Save This Craft
Save this ideas on Pinterest using the image below!
Want even more?
Make sure to follow on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for more easy crafts, activities, recipes, and parenting tips. And don’t forget to subscribe to our emails.