BY: Kristin Staub, Editor 

During the holiday seasons, the hassle of running from store to store is enough to take the joy out of the “most wonderful time of the year” Trying to find the perfect gift for a picky sibling or tricky family member can really put a damper on Christmas shopping.  Not only is finding the right gift a hassle, doing it without emptying wallets or breaking the bank makes it all the more frustrating. Getting creative and making them is not only cheaper, but fun as well. Handmade gifts are easy to personalize and relatively inexpensive. One easy idea is homemade hot cocoa.

Hot chocolate is perfect to keep the holidays merry and bright, and are an easy gift to give. Hot chocolate is a must have for every Christmas. This delicious beverage is great way to warm up after building a snowman in the chilly winter weather. Its comforting, chocolatey taste also makes it great for curling up with a few friends and watching Christmas classics.

Hot chocolate is a great gift for all ages, and it’s easy to make. To mix it up, mint chocolate chips can be added to put a festive spin on this traditional drink.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar

 1/2 cup unsweetened

cocoa powder

 1 1/2 cups nonfat dry

milk powder

 1 1/2 cups mint-flavored

chocolate chips

 3 tablespoons crushed

peppermint hard candies