Does your neighborhood have an annual tradition of caroling together? I remember in one friend’s neighborhood the tradition of neighbors gathering together and going to the various homes for carols and cocoa. It was tons of fun. My friends had a pot of fresh, homemade cocoa for the carolers. It is a great event to organize this season with the kids.

Put out a flyer for a “Carols and Cocoa” evening in your neighborhood. Make it the early evening hours (4:30 to 6:30 pm) on a Sunday night perhaps, which may be a bit quieter than other days of the week. Decide who in your family wants to get all bundled up and sing carols with the group. The other members of the family must also play the important part of making the cocoa or other goodies that will be handed out when they come to your house.

Real hot cocoa is the BEST on such an evening. For a traditional recipe for your cocoa, you will need:

1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. hot water
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
4 c. milk
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

      Mix the cocoa, sugar, water, and salt in a saucepan.

      Stir consistently until mixture boils.

      Stir constantly for one minute while it cooks.

      Stir in the milk and heat, without boiling.

      Remove from heat, add the vanilla and stir well.

Have several toppings out to add to your cocoa, including real marshmallows, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, etc. for everyone to top off their concoctions.

Cookies, chocolates, candy canes would all be festive additions. The group will not have a lot of time at your place, so make sure to have it set up in advance of your doorbell ringing, and make sure people can enter easily into your “cocoa” area to get their treats quickly.

It will be a festive and fun night with your neighbors! Enjoy.

Looking to hold a Christmas treasure hunt for your kids this season? Mike, Peppers and Pollywogs own poet, has come up with a set of clues for you to use for your upcoming Christmas treasure hunt.

Christmas Treasure Hunt Clues

1. Round like the O’s in Ho Ho Ho, my green arms hold your first clue near the door.   (Wreath)

2. Just days until Christmas, and I count them down.  Where, can you guess, will the next clue be found?  (Advent Calendar)

3. Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, come find your next clue where animals were fed.  (Nativity Scene)

4. I grow outdoors, but you brought me inside, my well-lit boughs are where your clue resides.  (Christmas Tree)

5. For your next clue, I say wait for no man!  Your next clue holder is often found in the mouth of a snowman!  (Corn Cob Pipe)

6. Hold your head high, or you just might miss it.  If you want your next clue, you’re going to have to kiss it!  (Mistletoe)

7. My belly’s like jelly and my nose like a fruit. Come get your next clue, but don’t mind the soot! (Santa)

8. It takes 8 of us (plus the one with the light) to pull ol’ Santa around the world in 1 night. (Reindeer)

9. I’m red and white with a crooked neck… they said “hide this clue!” so I said, “Sure! What the heck!”  (Candy Cane)

10. Don’t flake on me now, the end is in sight!  Your next clue is near something that paints winter ground white.  (Snowflake)

Happy Holiday Treasure Hunting!