Time To ChiIL Out in Chi, IL On Stephen's Gourmet Hot Cocoa Blog Tour!
Here at ChiIL Mama we discovered Stephen's Gourmet Hot Cocoa by chance, right around this time last year at our local grocery. We were so impressed we returned and bought loads of different flavors as stocking stuffers for everyone on our holiday gift list! That's why we jumped at the chance to partner up with Stephen's Gourmet Hot Cocoa this season via the Mom It Forward Blogger Network, on a sponsored post and giveaway. We have been compensated for our participation in the Stephen's Gourmet Hot Cocoa Blog Tour campaign. As always, all opinions are our own.
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Here in Chicago, IL, we tend to have long, cold snowy winters and cocoa is a time honored seasonal favorite for all ages. No matter where you spend winter, Stephen’s Gourmet Cocoa is a cozy way to warm up and wind down.
1. Play With Pretend Snow
Live in a no snow zone or facing a forecast free of the white stuff? Grab a box of soap flakes and create some snow angels, snowball fights and frostbite free fun! Even though you won't technically "need" to warm up, nothing tops off a game of pretend like a real chocolaty treat. We recommend Stephen’s Gourmet CandyCane or Mint Truffle Hot Cocoa.
2. Fort Fun
Cozy up with a couch cushion, pillow, chair and blanket fort and hibernate. Even the teens and adults love reliving this childhood fav. It's a great place to read, play games or binge watch episodes. You may not want to come out till spring! Take turns serving trays of Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa.
3. Gather Round The Fire
Nothing says cozy like a hearth fire. We love to gaze at the flames, read stories aloud, and sing songs together. If you don't have a fireplace, think about making a winter fire pit or fire ring outdoors. If that's not possible you can still make S'mores on the stove top, with a fondue pot, or with a freestanding S'mores maker. Fire fun is the perfect pairing with Stephen’s Gourmet S'mores Hot Cocoa.
4. Imaginary Airplane Ride
Can't afford to leave town and sick of your endless "staycation". Little kids LOVE to take an imaginary airplane ride. Create your jet from a cardboard box and a fan for effect, or go minimalist with pairs of chairs lined up and create an activity pocket on the back of each one, full of fun travel games. You can get detailed with passports, games, food and crafts from different countries, and of course "in flight drink service" featuring trays of Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa.
5. Puppy Love
Cold weather's the perfect time to spend extra hours enjoying your pets. Romp in the snow with your pups, cuddle your kittens, gather your Guinea Pigs or borrow your friends' fur babies for a snuggle. After you've had you fill of furry friends, Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa is a dog gone good way to warm up.
6. Marooned
Place a large blanket on the floor and pretend it's your life raft or your island. Bring snacks, activities and plenty of Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa. Then take the challenge and see how long you can stay "marooned" together and not leave the blanket!
7. Family Game Night
Families today are so tech connected it's hard sometimes to ditch the screen time and play together. We make a point of finding fun board games, card games, and low tech fun. Even when our game nights begin with grumbling they usually wind up with loads of laughter and new memories created.
8. Show Business
Make up a talent show or reenact a favorite movie using toys and objects around the house. Film it and play it back with popcorn and Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa. My kids filmed their own hilarious version of Harry Potter a few years back and it's become a lasting family favorite!
9. I scream for Ice Cream
Or should I say "Snow Cream"? If you've got fresh white stuff coming down, put a bowl outside to gather it, top it off with hot fudge, caramel, fresh fruit or a topping of your choice, and enjoy! Got brain freeze? Follow it up with Stephen’s Gourmet Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa, the most delicious snow melter ever.
10. Deck the Halls
Decorating for the holidays is great multigenerational fun. No matter what you celebrate, enjoy being together and celebrate family. If Santa's heading your way, don't forget to leave him a mug of steaming Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa, a plate of cookies, a thank you note, and some carrots for those hard workin' reindeer!
Why Try Stephen’s Gourmet Cocoa?
Every cup of cocoa you drink has to live up to the first one you had as a kid. Now that’s a tough job! Other cocoas might come close, but Stephen’s will set your new cocoa standard! Our cocoa is rich, creamy and quite simply the tastiest you’ve ever had. We are continually introducing new and unique flavors, as well as cocoa innovations like our Single-cups for Keurig®-style coffee makers. Stephens also offers a special selection of delicious ciders, whose traditional (and not-so-traditional) flavors make the perfect drink for any holiday.
Here are 10 of our favorite ways to hibernate indoors through the bitter dark, cold months, and all pair well with Stephen’s Gourmet Cocoa.
1. Play With Pretend Snow
Live in a no snow zone or facing a forecast free of the white stuff? Grab a box of soap flakes and create some snow angels, snowball fights and frostbite free fun! Even though you won't technically "need" to warm up, nothing tops off a game of pretend like a real chocolaty treat. We recommend Stephen’s Gourmet CandyCane or Mint Truffle Hot Cocoa.
2. Fort Fun
Cozy up with a couch cushion, pillow, chair and blanket fort and hibernate. Even the teens and adults love reliving this childhood fav. It's a great place to read, play games or binge watch episodes. You may not want to come out till spring! Take turns serving trays of Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa.
Nothing says cozy like a hearth fire. We love to gaze at the flames, read stories aloud, and sing songs together. If you don't have a fireplace, think about making a winter fire pit or fire ring outdoors. If that's not possible you can still make S'mores on the stove top, with a fondue pot, or with a freestanding S'mores maker. Fire fun is the perfect pairing with Stephen’s Gourmet S'mores Hot Cocoa.
4. Imaginary Airplane Ride
Can't afford to leave town and sick of your endless "staycation". Little kids LOVE to take an imaginary airplane ride. Create your jet from a cardboard box and a fan for effect, or go minimalist with pairs of chairs lined up and create an activity pocket on the back of each one, full of fun travel games. You can get detailed with passports, games, food and crafts from different countries, and of course "in flight drink service" featuring trays of Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa.
5. Puppy Love
Cold weather's the perfect time to spend extra hours enjoying your pets. Romp in the snow with your pups, cuddle your kittens, gather your Guinea Pigs or borrow your friends' fur babies for a snuggle. After you've had you fill of furry friends, Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa is a dog gone good way to warm up.
6. Marooned
Place a large blanket on the floor and pretend it's your life raft or your island. Bring snacks, activities and plenty of Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa. Then take the challenge and see how long you can stay "marooned" together and not leave the blanket!
7. Family Game Night
Families today are so tech connected it's hard sometimes to ditch the screen time and play together. We make a point of finding fun board games, card games, and low tech fun. Even when our game nights begin with grumbling they usually wind up with loads of laughter and new memories created.
8. Show Business
Make up a talent show or reenact a favorite movie using toys and objects around the house. Film it and play it back with popcorn and Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa. My kids filmed their own hilarious version of Harry Potter a few years back and it's become a lasting family favorite!
Or should I say "Snow Cream"? If you've got fresh white stuff coming down, put a bowl outside to gather it, top it off with hot fudge, caramel, fresh fruit or a topping of your choice, and enjoy! Got brain freeze? Follow it up with Stephen’s Gourmet Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa, the most delicious snow melter ever.
10. Deck the Halls
Decorating for the holidays is great multigenerational fun. No matter what you celebrate, enjoy being together and celebrate family. If Santa's heading your way, don't forget to leave him a mug of steaming Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa, a plate of cookies, a thank you note, and some carrots for those hard workin' reindeer!
Why Try Stephen’s Gourmet Cocoa?
Every cup of cocoa you drink has to live up to the first one you had as a kid. Now that’s a tough job! Other cocoas might come close, but Stephen’s will set your new cocoa standard! Our cocoa is rich, creamy and quite simply the tastiest you’ve ever had. We are continually introducing new and unique flavors, as well as cocoa innovations like our Single-cups for Keurig®-style coffee makers. Stephens also offers a special selection of delicious ciders, whose traditional (and not-so-traditional) flavors make the perfect drink for any holiday.
Stephen’s Gourmet Cocoa helps make your holiday season memorable. Use it for the following:
• Stephen’s Cocoa makes a perfect neighbor, office or teacher gift.
• With so many unique and fun cocoa flavors, Stephen’s Cocoa is the perfect treat to serve at holiday parties, post sledding or snowman, or any time you need a delicious way to warm up.
• Stephen’s cocoa can make any of your holiday recipes more delicious.
Some of Stephen’s Gourmet signature cocoa flavors include:
Salted Caramel
CandyCane
Mint Truffle
Dark Chocolate
S’mores
Get Social:
Got some creative ways to warm up, wind down and enjoy Stephen's Gourmet Cocoa? Like and follow their social media accounts and tag them when you post!
- Facebook: @StephensGourmet
- Twitter: @StephensCocoa
- Pinterest: stephensgourmet
- Hashtag: #StephensCocoa
Once again, it's our great pleasure to partner up with Stephen's Gourmet Hot Cocoa this season via the Mom It Forward Blogger Network, on a sponsored post and giveaway. We have been compensated for our participation in this campaign. As always, all opinions are our own.
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