Fond Memories Turned into Christmas Traditions

GraniteCityGossip.com December 1, 2025

The Christmas season arrived this year with a fresh blanket of snow. This is also the time of year where cherished memories of the past have evolved into family traditions that have been handed down from the generations before them.

A simple gathering of sisters, mothers and daughters, nieces and daughters- in- law to bake the family’s favorite Christmas cookies, has now turned into a yearly baking and decorating marathon full of laughter and stories that rewards each participant a bounty of Christmas cookies for the season.

Whether your holiday traditions include elaborate Gingerbread house building, or an easy and quick version using graham crackers and home-made icing, food coloring and glaze, it’s not the finished product, it’s the process of love and laughter you experience while making these memories.

An easy recipe that is sure to satisfy every chocolate lover in your family, can become a holiday tradition that everyone looks forward to. Enjoy the Christmas season, make new memories and begin your own family traditions, and don’t forget to make the Hot Chocolate!

1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
6 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups of milk chocolate chips (can also use half semi-sweet)

We doubled this for a large party and used a 6.5-quart crock pot which was filled almost to the very top.
Instructions

Stir together the whipping cream, milk, vanilla, and chocolate chips in a 5-quart crock pot (if doubling, use a 6–7-quart slow cooker/crock pot).

Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally with whisk, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Once it is heated through and chocolate is melted, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting.

Stir again before serving. (If you have trouble getting the chocolate to melt, turn to high temporarily). Garnish individual cups of hot chocolate with whipped cream or marshmallows. Enjoy!