It’s after the holidays. The long, cold, dark days of January have set in. So, it’s time to have some fun and celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day!

This delicious treat started with the Ancient Mayans, who drank a chocolate drink made from crushed cocoa seeds mixed with water and chili peppers.

Sometime in the 1500s, the explorer, Hernán Cortés, brought some cocoa beans for making hot chocolate to Europe.

In 1876, Daniel Peter, a Swiss Chocolatier, upgraded this creation by creating the first milk chocolate. He combined powdered milk with chocolate giving the world an edible treat!

And Swiss Miss brought us into the present in 1961 when it started selling the first powdered hot chocolate drink that could be mixed with water instead of milk.

Ways to celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day 

That’s easy! Celebrate this chocolate goodness by just drinking it! The traditional powdered form or indulge in specialty peppermint, raspberry, or cinnamon varieties. Go fancy and add marshmallows and whipped cream, or make your own! Then, top it off with sprinkles for color!

Why you should celebrate the day

It’s the perfect winter drink to beat back the blahs in the middle of “eternal winter.” But, aside from that reason, staying warm and cozy with a mug of your favorite hot chocolate is one of the best winter traditions! Plus, it tastes good too!

It’s good for you

Did you know chocolate is good for you? It contains many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In addition, drinking hot chocolate increases the circulation in your skin.

It helps make you happy

Drinking hot chocolate makes the chemical compounds in the drink signal our brains to release endorphins. This, in turn, helps our feelings of well-being and calm. So you could say that there’s happiness in every cup!

If you need a reason to drink hot chocolate, there are many! So, celebrate this excellent, hot, happy drink with your family on January 31st and as often as necessary to bring harmony to your household.

For more ideas on fun, check out these homeschooling resources at Rainbow Resource Center!