Mason jar hot cocoa not only looks cute, but these treats make perfect holiday gifts for friends and family if you're on a college-friendly budget.

Gifts should be personal, fitting each special someone's individual taste. Instead of giving them another gift card or hand lotion, DIY this season with one of these unique mason jar hot cocoa recipes.

Did I mention how easy they were to make? No more store hopping or praying for your online orders to arrive on time. Each recipe consists of similar ingredients, with the exception of a few toppings (which also helps out your wallet). One night, I simply set up an assembly line with my jars, ingredients, and decorations in a row and went to work.

Get creative, decorating them however you like with festive ribbon, glitter, and twine. The layering of ingredients is also up to your imagination, as the orders given are pure suggestions.

Don't forget to attach an instructions card (and possibly a chocolate spoon or peppermint stick for stirring).

To serve: Combine ingredients. Add 1/3 of mix to 1 cup of boiling water, stir, let it cool, and enjoy!

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:3
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup non-fat milk powder
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup crushed peppermint
  • Handful mini marshmallows
cake, chocolate
Samantha Fehd
  • Step 1

    Layer ingredients in order (as listed) with a funnel, careful not to mix ingredients.

Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:3
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup non-fat milk powder
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
  • Handful mini marhsmallows
  • 3 Tbsp dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Dash nutmeg
sweet, cream, chocolate
Samantha Fehd
  • Step 1

    In a separate bowl, mix dark brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and 1/4 cup of white sugar until well-combined.

  • Step 2

    Layer milk powder and white sugar first, followed by mini marshmallows, cocoa powder, brown sugar mix, and chocolate chips.

Butterscotch Hot Cocoa

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:3
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup non-fat milk powder
  • 1/4 cup mini butterscotch chips
  • Handful mini marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
chocolate, cream
Samantha Fehd
  • Step 1

    Layer ingredients in order (as listed), careful not to mix ingredients.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Hot Cocoa

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:3
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup non-fat milk powder
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
  • Handful chocolate chip cookie cereal
  • Handful mini marshmallows
coffee, cookie, chocolate
Samantha Fehd
  • Step 1

    Layer milk powder, cocoa, sugar, and salt. Align cookie cereal along the inner walls of jar, and fill with mini marshmallows to hold in place. Top with mini chocolate chips.

Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:3
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup non-fat milk powder
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup mini Reese's peanut butter chips
  • Handful mini marshmallows
chocolate
Samantha Fehd
  • Step 1

    Layer ingredients in order (as listed), careful not to mix ingredients.

Salted Pretzel Hot Cocoa

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:3
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup non-fat milk powder
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Handful roughly chopped salted pretzels
  • 1/4 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
  • Handful mini marshmallows
ice, milk, chocolate, cream
Samantha Fehd
  • Step 1

    Layer ingredients in order (as listed), careful not to mix ingredients.

Praline Hot Cocoa

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:3
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup non-fat milk powder
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 C semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
  • 3 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 3 Tbsp crushed praline chips
  • Handful mini marshmallows
chocolate
Samantha Fehd
  • Step 1

    Layer ingredients in order (as listed) with a funnel, careful not to mix ingredients.