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I absolutely love this time of year. There is something about the Holidays that give me this warm, fuzzy, joyful feeling inside. There are so many childhood memories of decorating for Christmas, making Christmas lists, enjoying Holiday treats, and the list goes on and on. As I have gotten older, the things that bring me the most joy about the Holidays have changed. More and more I am realizing it’s watching the reactions of the people I love most when they receive exactly what their heart needed. I love the joy and laughter on my children’s faces when they open their gifts beneath the tree. I love surprising people with Holiday joy in the most unexpected way.

This year, as my kids are able to get more involved, I want to show them the importance of giving. I’ve been thinking of ways to spread Holiday joy to those who are often forgotten and wouldn’t be expecting a thing. That is where my Coca-Cola themed idea came in.

I found these Coca-Cola glass bottles at Sam’s Club and I knew they would be perfect to put a little gift together. The 24 packs of Coca-Cola Glass Bottles are made with real sugar and no high fructose corn syrup and their festive but classic look makes them perfect for Holiday giving. I was inspired by the Coca-Cola Polar Bear to transform these glass bottles into the perfect gift.

 

Here’s what you need:

First, you need to cut your felt into 5in by 3in rectangles to fit around your Coca-Cola glass bottle.

 

Once you have your piece cut, glue it around your Coca-Cola glass bottle.

 

Next, take a black pom pom for the nose, and two googly eyes and attach them to your felt piece.

 

Starting to look like a bear? Next add two white pom poms for the ears. These should be just above the eyes and slightly to the side, just like a bear

 

Then take your red burlap (I used burlap to give it more of a scarf look) and tie it around your Coca-Cola glass bottle. Make sure it is still slightly on the white felt. When you tie your first knot, place a little hot glue there to hold it in place. Then tie a second knot and slide your holiday straw in it.

 

There you have your adorable polar bear Coca-Cola glass bottles.

 

 

 

 

I decided to make a few hot coca gift bags and add some candy canes to give to some special teachers who watch my kiddos at church. I think it’s so important to remember those people who make an impact in their lives. There are so many that are touching their lives already and I wanted to thank them for it so I made these adorable cards to attach to the polar bears. You can download them here. They are also perfect to give to the mail man, your neighbors, and co-workers too!

 

 

I couldn’t stop just there, I had to bring some of the Holiday joy into our own home so I created this yummy recipe and we just can’t get enough! I already shared a batch with some friends and made a second one, it’s just that good!

Ingredients:

1 Cup White Sugar

½ Cup Butter

2 TSP Vanilla Extract

1 ½ Cups Flour

1 ¾ TSP Baking Powder

½ Cup Coca-Cola

Frosting Ingredients:

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

2 TBS Butter Softened

2 TBS Milk

1 TBS Coca-Cola

½ TSP Vanilla

Candy for nose (orange) and eyes (brown or black)

Preheat your oven to 350. Grease or line a cupcake pan.

 

 

Next, combine the sugar and butter in a bowl and mix well. Then add the Vanilla and mix again.

 

 

In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder and mix. Then slowly add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and stir until all combined.

 

 

Next add the Coca-Cola. You can find 4-pack, 2 liter Coke for a special Holiday price of $3.98 at Sam’s Club. Perfect for these Vanilla Coke Cupcakes!

 

 

Once you have all the ingredients combined really well, pour into your cupcake pan. I usually use a 1/3 measuring cup and it’s just right!

 

 

Bake cupcakes in the oven for 20-25 minutes. While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the frosting.

Combine the butter with powdered sugar and mix well.

 

Then add your milk, Coca-Cola, and vanilla stirring until smooth. Let frosting stand and thicken.

Once your cupcakes are done, allow them to cool before frosting. When they are ready to frost use a small spatula to frost. Don’t be afraid to use a thicker layer of frosting to make your cupcakes look like Snowman.

 

 

Then decorate your cupcake to look like a snowman. Do this quickly after applying the frosting so they will set in the frosting. Then place cupcakes in the fridge until the frosting sets and the candy stays in place!

 

 

 

 

These Coca-Cola Snowman Cupcakes are perfect to bring some Holiday joy to the people around you or even to bring it into your own home. How do you spread Holiday joy to the people that matter most to you? I would love to see a creative way you can create a gift by making the Coca-Cola polar bears out of the Coca-Cola glass bottles. Share with me any fun creative ideas you come up with!