‘Tis the season for giving, and what better way to spread some holiday cheer than with a craft that’s as sweet as it is clever?
Emily Sifuentes, an ingenious creator with a knack for delightful DIY projects, has allowed us to share her brilliant idea for thanking the hard-working delivery folks who bring a little bit of Christmas right to our doorsteps.
Emily’s creation is a festive treat stand designed to look like a giant cup of hot chocolate, complete with a candy cane straw and marshmallow accents.
This isn’t just any decor piece; it’s a functional way to offer snacks to delivery drivers from Amazon, UPS, Uber Eats, and more during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
“I wanted to leave out treats for the countless delivery people leaving packages but also wanted one of those hot chocolate cups. Tada!!!!
I combined them. I zip tied the pool noodle to the flower pot. (Drilled two holes for each noodle) I found a tray at dollartree that surprisingly fit perfectly. (12”)
Straw (stripe is made with white duct tape) and marshmallows are made of pool noodles (covered them with white felt) painted the lid and made my message with my cricut. 😁
The straw also dubs as a handy way to lift the lid.”
Emily Sifuentes, Facebook
Emily was kind enough to allow us to feature her fantastic idea, along with the images. You can keep up with her over on Facebook at her Just Another Canvas page where you can follow along for her graphic design and crafts.
How-To Make a Hot Chocolate Mug Treat Bucket for Your Porch
Follow this step by step to create your very own hot chocolate treat bucket for your porch, ready for the mail man, and all your delivery people to grab a little Christmas cheer.
Supplies You’ll Need
- A large flower pot or bucket
- A couple of pool noodles (ideally one black one red)
- Zip ties
- A drill (for making holes)
- A 12-inch tray (Emily found hers at Dollar Tree) or tray that corresponds to the size of the top of your plant pot.
- White duct tape
- White felt
- A Cricut machine (or similar) for messaging
Steps to Make the Hot Cocoa Mug Treat Stand
- Start by drilling two holes in the flower pot for each end of the pool noodle.
- Secure the pool noodle to the pot with zip ties, crafting it into the shape of a mug handle shape.
Here are some pictures showing how Emily attached it to the top and bottom, inside and outside of the plant pot / mug.
Because you’re drilling holes, you’re going to want to use a plastic plant pot not something super heavy like ceramic.
See here how the zip tie is fastened on the inside, after passing through the two holes to secure the pool noodle handle.
- Find a tray that fits the top of the pot (Emily’s was a perfect 12-inch fit) and place it on top. If you want to paint your tray to change the color, acrylic paint should do the job.
- Cut a pool noodle to size to become the straw. Red is a great choice, like Emily used. Drill a hole and zip tie this to attach to the lid, or you could use a hot glue gun.
- Add the white duct tape to the pool noodle to mimic the stripes of a candy cane.
- For the marshmallows, cut smaller pieces of the pool noodle and wrap them in white felt, glue down the felt then attach to the lid as shown in the pictures.
- Use your Cricut to add a heartfelt thank-you message for the lid of your hot chocolate mug treat box. If you don’t have a cricut you could improve with buying letter stickers to spell out your message – the sentiment will be just the same.
- Use the candy cane straw as a clever handle for lifting the lid to reveal the treats inside, and display it prominently near the front door.
Fill the treat box with store bought packaged candy, or make your own treats like these dates bars, the choice is yours.
Sweet Messages to Top Off Your DIY Delivery Driver Treat Stand
Emily’s lid reads “Thank You: Take a Snack or Two (or Three)” – Here are a few more simple ideas for a message.
- “Dear Delivery Heroes, Enjoy a Treat on Us!”
- “Snack Break! Help Yourself to a Little Joy!”
- “Grab a Bite, You’re Doing Great!”
- “Our Porch to Yours: Snacks for the Road!”
- “Bite, Refresh, and Carry On: We Appreciate You!”
- “Packages Delivered, Treats Deserved!”
- “Your Hard Work Hasn’t Gone Unnoticed: Snack Time!”
- “Sweets for the Sweet: Thanks for Delivering!”
- “On the Go? Take a Snack for the Road!”
These heartwarming messages are not just a way to say thanks but also to bring a moment of warmth and appreciation to those who work tirelessly to deliver our holiday cheer.
Creating this craft is a fantastic way to show appreciation for those who work tirelessly during the holidays to deliver our parcels, gifts, and even the occasional meal.
It’s a small gesture that goes a long way, especially during the busiest time of year for these workers.
Plus, it’s a fun activity that adds a bit of whimsy to your porch decor.
Imagine the surprise and smiles you’ll create when a delivery person walks up to your doorstep, weary from their long day, only to be greeted by this charming and thoughtful treat stand.
It’s a personal touch that embodies the spirit of the season—giving, gratitude, and joy.
So, why not take a leaf out of Emily’s book and create your own version of this treat stand?
It’s an affordable, easy, and heartfelt way to give back to those who give us so much during the holiday season. Happy crafting!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.