The Unlikely Homeschool: Hot Chocolate Stir Sticks {Easy Gift for Kids to Make}

Every year, dozens of men and women with a heart for ministering to children volunteer to teach Sunday School, junior church, and Wednesday night Bible clubs at my church. Because I have five kids of varying ages, I am blessed to get to know nearly all of them. They give of their time. They give of their talent. They give of themselves all year long with very little thanks for all that they do.

At Christmas, I encourage my kids to give back.

They put together small handmade gifts for each of the volunteers that have a direct ministry to them. It's sometimes difficult to come up with gifts that are both budget AND kid friendly. But with 40 THANK YOUs to make and kids as young as two and three needing to make them, the gifts always have to be simple and inexpensive.

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This year's gift was no exception. To end 2015 in gratitude, my kids made hot chocolate (or coffee) peppermint stir sticks.

To make stir sticks, you will need:

disposable spoons (wooden or plastic)
a bag of chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk, dark, or white...doesn't matter)
topping of your choice, crushed (peppermints, Andes mints, nuts, etc.)
wax paper

Directions:

In a microwave safe dish, microwave the chocolate chips for 1 minute. Stir and return to the microwave for an additional minute. Stir. Repeat until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.

While the chocolate is still hot, dip the bowl portion of the spoon down into it. Be sure to completely cover both the bottom and the top of the spoon bowl with melted chocolate.

Place the dipped spoon onto wax paper.

Sprinkle a large pinch of topping (We chose crushed peppermint candies.) over the top of the spoon bowl so that it covers the chocolate.

Place in the refrigerator and allow to chill for 30-40 minutes or until the chocolate is hardened.

Enjoy the chocolate stir stick right away in a mug of steaming cocoa.

OR wrap it up in a cellophane party bag with a handmade gift tag to be used as a gift for a Sunday School teacher, day care worker, coach, or neighborhood friend.