Christmas House Decorations: Cocoa Bar, Faux Cakes & More

Thanks for joining me today as I decorate our kitchen for Christmas. Christmas house decorations are always fun to display. And my Christmas decor style for 2023 is coming along nicely.

How to make a hot cocoa bar

Hang your hot cocoa bar sign

First things first, you need to hang a hot cocoa bar sign. I found this one last year at Hobby Lobby. It's such a fun piece. I love that deep red with the contrasting white. Plus, the little scroll design is the perfect focal point.

Add a basket tray

Next, I'm going to add this basket tray. This will anchor my cocoa station, and I've had it for several years now.

Layer a dish towel

Layering a dish towel is an important part of the process. The one I’m using matches another one on the other side of my kitchen, so it kind of pulls it all together.

Incorporate a cake stand

Then, I'm incorporating a basic ceramic cake stand into my design. I found this one in the Target Dollar Spot a few years ago.

Include a canister

I'm also going to add this cute little canister. I love the red top. Once again, it is from Target Dollar Spot.

Use a plastic stand

So now that I have my hot cocoa here I want to add another canister, but I need it elevated just a little bit. I've had this plastic stand forever, so I'm going to hide it under the dish towel.

Add a second canister

Now that I have the plastic stand in place, I can add my second canister, which has marshmallows in it.

Place the third canister

Next, I can add a canister with candy canes, which will be at a different height.

Position a coffee mug tree

I can now add my coffee mug tree and to it, I'll be adding these cute reindeer coffee mugs and these adorable gingerbread coffee mugs.

How to style shelves for Christmas

Now that the hot cocoa bar is complete, I can focus on decorating the two shelves above it. To do so, I use glassware, bowls, Christmas mugs, house decor, and a little Christmas tree.

How to style peg racks for Christmas

To the peg racks below the shelves, I’m adding a couple of towels, another cute gingerbread mitt, and the same gingerbread coffee mugs that I added to the other side of the room.

How to style a countertop for Christmas

Now as you can see, I have a little bit of empty space on the countertop. And while I could leave it like it is, I want to fill it just a bit.

So I have two of these plates that match the coffee mugs that I added over on the hot cocoa bar. I'm just going to lay those right there at an angle.

Then, I'm just going to place this white lamp that I have and adhere this cute little gingerbread fella to the lampshade just to give it a pop of color.

I also have more of this beaded garland that can wrap around the base.

Lastly, I have a couple of Santa mugs left over.

Now I'm going to take this broken pick that I have, break it up even further, and take little pieces and just tuck them in the gaps.

How to style a barn door for Christmas

First, I'm going to hang these plates on either side of the barn doors.

Next, I'm going to hang two of these gingerbread men from the barn doors.

I also ended up hanging this little bag after hot-gluing on another gingerbread fella and adding some festive polka dot ribbon.

How to style an island for Christmas

Making our way over to the island, I'm opting for one big centerpiece that involves an oversized basket tray. I found this several years ago at Home Goods, and I've gone ahead and layered some red and white buffalo fabric right on top.

The next thing I'm going to add is this cute tree. I love this container with the little polka dots. To kind of echo that, I've added these ornaments. They remind me of ping pong balls, but I like how they tie in with the polka dot pattern on the container.

Next, I'm going to add this scalloped edge cake stand.

Then, I’m placing this adorable oversized gingerbread house on the cake stand and wrapping this wreath around it.

I'm going to add this tiny little plate.

It will serve as a base for this adorable Santa. My dad gave this to me many, many years ago and he is my absolute favorite.

Lastly, I'm just going to place some cookie cutters right next to Santa.

To the side of the island, I'm bringing back the colander that usually stays there, a really cute gingerbread dish towel, a plain white dish towel, and layered in front of it, a plaid oven mitt.

How to make a DIY faux cake

Tools and materials:

• Craft paint
• Foam paint brush
• Spackle
• Round styrofoam cake form

1. Using the foam brush, paint the styrofoam cake form with your craft paint.

2. Let it dry completely.

3. Add a layer of icing or spackle. Do this by spreading it on carefully with a butter knife starting at the top and working your way down. Just refrain from using the serrated edge.

4. Let it dry.