Homemade Gifts for a Group: Peppermint Mocha Ornaments

I found this ornament gift idea last year via OnePrettyThing.  I thought this was a really great idea for a large group of people.  This year, the Teacher's Sunshine Committee at work decided to put together a little thank you for the PTA volunteers, and this is the idea that came to mind.  I told a lot of my pals about this, and they are trying it out for their church groups/bunko groups/kid's teachers/work friends, whatever.  It's an affordable way to do something cute for a large group of people. 

SUPPLIES: 

• Ribbon (15 feet tied about 19 bows, but I had to be a little stingy with my ribbon),
• SOFT candy canes (they sell them at Walmart for less than a dollar, I grabbed some at Hobby Lobby called King Arthur Soft Candy Canes for 2.99...add a 40% off coupon, and you have 18 candy canes to work with.
• Peppermint Extract (I used Wilton's)
• Cocoa Powder (I used Hershey's)
• 2 oz container of instant coffee (one container will make 3 batched of the Mocha Mix).
• Clear ornaments (they are 2 5/8 inch size).  I've seen them at lots of craft stores, but I snagged mine at Hobby Lobby at half off-3 dollars for twelve.

• Small marshmallows...more on this later. 

MOCHA MIX: 

Mix 1/8 t. peppermint extract, 1 c. of cocoa, and 1/3 c. mocha

*Each batch makes about 8 ornaments.  I only put one serving in each of my ornaments b/c I was making so many, the original tutorial has more mix added. 

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER:

1.  After stirring up the mix, I grabbed a Tablespoon to help with measurements, and I popped the lid off the ornament. 

2.  I took a small funnel, and measured out 3 T per ornament (this makes one serving).  I had to use a knife to help push the powder down (and a 1/4 c. measuring cup to hold my ornament in place as I worked).  I did find if you shake the ornament too much, it will coat the inside of the wall, so I kept these housed in the original plastic container before giving them out.  There was one ornament I messed up, and I just dumped the powder back into the bowl, cleaned and dried the ornament, and started over. 

3.  Next I cut down the peppermints to about the height of the ornament.  I was able to use my kitchen scissors, I'm sure a knife would work.  The soft peppermint makes your life a lot easier at this stage.  I cut them down to about 2 inches (under estimate how much to cut or it will fall down into your ornament (which is why one ended up getting powdered as I shook the candy cane out).  The originator of this ideas said it just adds a little color, and in my imagination, it might even add a little flavor. 

4.  Next, I smooshed a marshmallow into the lid.  Another idea from the original site.  There are two small holes, and this prevents the mix from spilling. 

5.  Put the lid back on.  The marshmallow will help hold the candycane in place. 

6.  I then went and rigged up a tag using paint, copy paste, and a bunch of non-computer skills.  I printed these off on some colored overhead I had left over from some picture ornaments I made.  You can buy colored overheads at office supply stores, but you can also print these on a vellum paper, or white paper with a colored border paper....whatever.  These are just little instructions for creating that Mocha.  I have no idea how to attach a word file to a blog, but I'm always up for lessons if anyone can tell me how! 

7.  I added ribbon, and then sent 24 of these guys on their way. 

Linking To:  Sassy Sites Dittle Dattle Keeping it Simple Simpsonized Crafts Giggles, Glitz, And Glam Krafty Kat Tip Junkie