5 Simple CHRISTMAS CRAFTS for all ages

Crafting with family and friends is a great way to spend time together... but you need the right crafts. You need to make something that is fun, festive, and fantastic! Today I have 5 simple Christmas crafts that all ages will enjoy creating. Take a peak, and let me know which one is your favourite. 

I even made you a video so you can check out all the step by step instructions. Check it out below:

1) Chocolate bar snowman - How cute is this little guy? It's so easy to make, and it's a fantastic craft, treat, party favour, gift, and stocking stuffer. It's a clever way to give a gift card too! Check out the step by step instructions here.

2) Elf Cookie - I love this adorable cookie craft. You bake a cookie, wrap it in cellophane, and add all the embellishments. Santa would definitely love to get his hands on this cute cookie. Check out the step by step instructions here.

3) Beaded wreath - Sometimes simple crafts are the best, and this little beaded wreath is adorable. Find all the "how to" details here.

4) Tassel beaded wreath - I think the tassel adds a subtle elegance to this adorable ornament... and tassels are really fun to make. Check out the "easy to follow" instructions here.

5) Yarn hat - I've made these with kids and adults, and they are always a hit. They are fun to make, and they look adorable on a tree. Check out the full tutorial here.

Aren't these 5 simple Christmas crafts adorable? Let me know in the comments... which one is your favourite?

I hope you have fun crafting this holiday season. Merry Christmas!!!!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Top TEN gifts for HOCKEY fans and players (2024 hockey gift guide)

***Disclosure -This gift guide contains some products I own, some items that I received for free and a few affiliate links. Please be assured that the opinions in this blog are 100% my own, and I've only included items I think would make fantastic gifts for hockey fans and players. Also, if you make a purchase using one of my affiliate links, you will not pay any extra, but I may get a small commission on your purchase. Thank you!***

If you regularly read my blog, you know that I am a hockey mom to three hockey-loving boys. Every year, there are several hockey-related items on my Christmas shopping list, so today, I am sharing my top 10 gift ideas for hockey fans and hockey players. There really is something on this list for all ages and budgets.

1) Summer Skates - My boys are huge fans of Summer Skates. They are comfortable, high quality, customizable, easy to clean, and stylish. The front of the sandals are made with REAL HOCKEY SKATE LACES, and you can add your favourite team or player name/number. They are perfect for summer, and we love them for hotel rooms too! (There are also Koozies available that make great stocking stuffers.)

2) Ollie Bots - These cute little wooden robots are made with love and tied together with hockey skate laces. The Ollie Bots project was started by my son's buddy and teammate (Oliver Smith) who sadly passed away at the age of 12 to a rare form of bone cancer. For a $20 donation, you can help raise funds and awareness for Ewing Sarcoma. Find out more here.

3) NHL25 - If your hockey fan loves video games, you probably already have the latest version of this game on your Christmas shopping list. My boys are already big fans, so if you have it on your list, you can order it here.

4) Hockey books - Books always make fantastic gifts, and hockey books are perfect for hockey fans. Home and Away (below) looks like a good one!

5) Hockey socks - Hockey socks make a fun gift or stocking stuffer, and this set is inexpensive and cute! There are other options available too... but you like these ones, you can find them here.

6) Microfibre Sports Towel - Great for sticking in a hockey bag for an after-game shower. I ordered the large one for my my oldest son for Christmas last year. Click here for the link to the one I purchased.

7) Hockey-themed labels and wall decals from Oliver's Labels - Personalized labels and wall decals make wonderful gifts for kids. I've recovered a lot of my boys clothes and sports equipment because of name labels. And, and how cute is this large jersey wall decal? Use my link, and save 10% with code: EastCoastMommy.

8) Handmade hockey gifts - I have a shop in Antigonish, NS where I sell custom handmade hockey gifts. The large items are pick up only, but the smaller items can be shipped. You can check out my shop here.

9) Street hockey balls - If you have kids that play ice hockey, you have kids that play street hockey. :-) So... you are likely always searching for street hockey balls that aren't too hard. These ones are our favourites. You can order them here.

10) Personalized hockey blanket - This is a great gift for a hockey player or a hockey fan. I think it'd be perfect for a "hockey mom" or "hockey nana" too! Get the ordering information here.

How great are all these ideas?!?!? What's your favourite gift for a hockey player/fan? Happy shopping!!!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 NEW EDIBLE GIFT IDEAS made using Dollarama supplies... with FREE gift tags included

I'm back with ALL NEW edible gift ideas. What's better than a USEFUL Christmas gift? Today I'm sharing easy and inexpensive gifts made using dollar store supplies AND I'm sharing FREE gift tags you can use to make the gifts even better. Make sure to check out the video at the end of this post (or on YouTube here) to see all the step by step instructions.

1) Sock wine holder - Adorable Dollarama socks are used to wrap a wine bottle. It doesn't get much better -- or cuter -- than this! Check out the step by step instructions here.

2) DIY baking kit - Grab Dollarama baking supplies, a baking dish, and a free gift tag, and you have a gift that's a treat and an activity. Find the step by step instructions here, and the download the free tag below.

To download the free tag: click on the picture below, right click, save, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

3) Santa's favorite Christmas brownies - This festive jar of brownies is made from a dollar store mix. It's budget-friendly and delicious! Find the full step by step instructions here, and the free downloadable tag below.

To download the free tag: click on the picture below, right-click, save, and print like a regular 4x6 photos.

4) Santa's favorite X-large chocolate chip cookies - This cookie jar makes a fun gift, and they are great for Christmas Eve too. Check out the step by step instructions here, and download the gift tag for FREE below.

To download the free gift tag: click on the picture below, right-click, save, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

And if you are interested in making your cooking mix from scratch, you can find the recipe here.

To download the "cookies for Santa" tags: click on the picture below, right-click, save, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

5) Christmas morning pancake mix - Who doesn't want a little help on Christmas morning? This pancake mix is perfect for busy families during the holidays. Find the recipe here, and download the free tags below.

To download the Christmas morning pancake mix tag: click on the picture below, right-click, save, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

To see all the details of these fantastic edible gift ideas made using Dollarama supplies, check out the video I made here:

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Amazing DIY FOOD GIFTS people will LOVE to receive… and they are made using dollar store supplies

I love a useful gift... and what is better than receiving food over the holidays? Today, I'm sharing 5 fantastic & easy edible gift ideas. Most of the supplies come from the dollar store, and I'm sharing FREE printable tags for you to use.

Here are the gift ideas... and you can download the gift tags for free below:

1) Golden Chocolate Wreath - This is a simple treat to make and the "Have a SWEET Christmas" labels are adorable. Find the instructions here, and download the tags below.

Click on the picture of the tag below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

2) Hot Chocolate Basket - This basket is super-cute, and I'm sharing my two favourite tips for making dollar store baskets look expensive and high end. Find my tips and tricks here, and download the gift tags I designed below.

Click on one of the pictures of below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

3) Wine wrapped up for Christmas - Wine wrapped up with Dollar Store supplies makes a wonderful host/hostess gift. Get a closer look at how I put it together here.

4) Chocolates with a "punny" tag - Wine wrapped up with Dollar Store supplies makes a wonderful host/hostess gift. Get a closer look at how I put it together here, and download the tags I designed for free below.

Click on the picture of the tag below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

5) Candy cane Reindeer Treat - This reindeer made from chocolate filled plastic candy canes is ADORABLE... and it's easy and inexpensive to make. Get a closer look at the step-by-step instructions here.

Pretty cute, right?!?

For a closer look at all the gifts and how I made them, check out the video I made on YouTube here.