5 Delicious Christmas Cookies to Bake and Share

Baking for friends during the holidays is a great way to show you care. It's also budget friendly. Today, I'm sharing five of my favourite Christmas Cookie Recipes for baking and sharing this holiday season.

1) Soft and Chewy GINGER MOLASSES Cookies - I've been making these cookies with my kids since they were little... and they are always a kit with family and friends.

2) Melt in your mouth SHORTBREAD cookies - These cookies come together quickly with a few ingredients, and they are delicious. They are wonderful plain OR with a bit of buttercream icing.

Recipe for the perfect melt in your mouth shortbread cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups softened butter

2 cups powdered sugar

2 egg yolks

4 cups flour

1 cup cornstarch

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and mix well. Add flour and cornstarch until combined.

Then, refrigerate the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes. 

Roll dough between two sheets of parchment, cut with a cookie cutter, and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 until cookies are lightly brown on the bottom... approximate 10 - 12 minutes.

3)  PEANUT BUTTER reindeer cookies - Bake your favourite peanut butter cookie recipe. Then, after you've taken them out of the oven, add broken pretzel piece antlers, googly eyes, and a red candy nose.

4) Red & Green Christmas M&M Cookies - Your favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe can be a festive treat--just substitute red and green M&Ms for the chocolate chips. You can find my favourite recipe here.

5) Peanut butter CHOCOLATE KISS Cookies - There is nothing better than the combination of chocolate and peanut butter... and these cookies are simple to make and totally delicious. You can find my recipe here.

All of these cookies are perfect for enjoy at Christmas... and for sharing!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

24 Days of Easy and Inexpensive HANDMADE Christmas Gifts

This year, I want to help you give thoughtful and budget-friendly gifts, so I'm sharing 24 days of HANDMADE Christmas gifts. I'll keep adding to this post every day of December, so keep coming back to check what's new. Click on the titles to see the step-by-step instructional videos, get all the DIY details, and grab the free tags.

DAY 1 - COZY CHRISTMAS MOVIE WATCHING KIT

DAY 2 - HOMEMADE SIMMER POT KITS

DAY 3 - DISPOSABLE DISHES AND FREE PUNNY TAGS

DAY 4 - ADORABLE EDIBLE GIFTS FOR ADULTS & KIDS (and FREE printable tags)

DAY 5 - DOLLAR STORE FRAME FILLED WITH TICKETS... FREE GIFT TAGS INCLUDED

DAY 6 - CREATIVELY (AND ADORABLY) WRAPPED CHOCOLATES... WITH WARM WISHES GIFT TAGS INCLUDED

DAY 7 - HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS COOKIE MIX

Day 8 - HANDMADE, PERSONALIZED ORNAMENTS (4 different options)... and a free printable gift tag

Day 9 - HANDMADE SOAPS THAT ARE NOSTALGIC AND BEAUTIFUL... and free printable gift tags

Day 10 - ADORABLE EDIBLE GIFTS THAT KIDS WILL LOVE.

Day 11 - "REINDEER POOP" COOKIES (RECIPE AND FREE PRINTABLE GIFT TAGS INCLUDED)

Day 12 - A FUN WAY TO GIFT WINE (INCLUDING FREE PRINTABLE GIFTS TAGS)

Day 13 - PERSONALIZED SNOWBALL KIT

Day 14 - "WE WHISK YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS" GIFT... WITH FREE PRINTABLE TAGS

Day 15 - PERSONALIZED, INEXPENSIVE DOLLAR STORE BLANKS

Day 16 - A SMALL AND USEUL GIFT. PERECT ON ITS OWN OR PAIRED WITH A GIFT CARD

To download the "Mistletoe Ready" tags I designed (FOR FREE) - Click on the picture of the tags below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Day 17 - FUN WAY TO GIVE A GIFT CARD. It's super-easy to make, and you can find the step by step instructions here.

Day 18 - SHARING PLATE

Day 19 - SIMPLE CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Day 20 - DIY CHRISTMAS GAME

Day 21 - CUSTOM HOT CHOCOLATE BASKET

Day 22 - A CUTE WAY TO DELIVER A LITTLE FESTIVE CHEER

Day 23 - THE BEST HOMEMADE GOODIES TO BAKE AND SHARE

Day 24 - A CREATIVE WAY TO WRAP A GIFT

DIY Gifts that will add MAGIC to Christmas… including free tags / Budget friendly Christmas DIYs made using Dollar Store Supplies 🎄

I believe it's the little moments and thoughtful gifts that make Christmas special. Today, I'm sharing DIY gifts that will add MAGIC to the season. I'm also including FREE downloadable tags that you can use (below).

1) My Cozy Christmas Movie Watching Kits - I love these little kits. They are a perfect way to make an evening at home special... and they are a great party favour for larger celebrations with family and friends. Find out how to make them here.

And you can download the inserts I designed for FREE. Just click on the picture below, right click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

2) Simmer Pot Kits - What's better than a useful gift that is also festive and fun? Check out how easy these kits are to make here, and download the FREE printable tags below.

To download the inserts I designed for FREE: click on the picture below, right click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

3) Christmas Eve Kits - What's more magical that Christmas Eve? And these kits are the perfect way to share the magic. Find out how easy they are to make here.

4) Personalized Christmas Eve Gift Boxes - These Christmas Eve Gift Boxes are the perfect way to gift treats and Christmas PJs. Who would guess that they started as plain white gift boxes from Dollarama? Check out the step by step instructions here.

For a closer look, take a look at the short video I made below.

Wishing you a MAGICAL CHRISTMAS!!!

💗
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easy (and adorable) CHRISTMAS CRAFTS the whole family can do together... using dollar store supplies

Christmas crafting is a great way to spend time with family and friends... away from screens. Today, I'm sharing easy (and adorable) crafts that can be made using dollar store supplies. I even made a step by step video for you, which you can view here.

1) Pipe Cleaner Wreath

2) Jenga Block Snowman Hat

3) Wood Round Santa

For a step by step instructions, check out the YouTube video I made.

Thanks for watching and crafting with me!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Top 10 Gift Ideas for HOCKEY Players and Fans (2025 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, or follow me on any of my social media channels, you know that I'm a hockey mom (and goalie 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) Pacific Rink Pond Pack - My oldest son got this bag for Christmas in 2019, and he still uses it ALL THE TIME. It's perfect when he doesn't need his full gear... like when he heads to the pond, volunteers weekly at para hockey, and refs. It's the perfect alternative to a full-size duffel when you don't need all of your gear. It's a wonderful gift for coaches, refs, and outdoor players... and it comes in a variety of fantastic colours. (The hockey bags are wonderful too!) You can check out all the wonderful options from Pacific Rink here.

2) Summer Skates - I love these sandals in the summer... but they are also perfect for hotel stays during hockey season. You can order: custom logos, NHL players, real laces, special edition options, and custom numbers. They make fantastic gifts, and the company also offers team fundraising options. Take a peek at all the styles, and place your order here.

Here are a couple of our favourites...

Original summer skates... available in 7 different colours.



NHL Player Summer Skates - Of course, as Leafs fans, we have Auston Matthews (and a matching skate lace beverage holder).



3) NHL26 - If your hockey fan loves video games, you probably already have the latest version of this game on your Christmas shopping list. Grab a copy here.

4) Hockey books - Books always make fantastic gifts, and hockey books are perfect for hockey fans. Check out this wonderful option here.

5) Personalized Hockey Ornament - I love a personalized, handmade gift, don't you? I make these high quality tree ornaments (and other hockey gifts) in my online shop here. 

6) Heated Vest - If you know someone that spends a lot of time in rinks, you need to get them one of these vests. My husband has one and absolutely LOVES it. The battery pack isn't too big, and the vest will keep the wearer super-cozy! You can purchase it for LESS than $100 here.

7) Kit Kat hockey stick - This is the perfect stocking stuffer for a hockey player or fan... and who doesn't love Kit Kats? You can buy this super cute (and tasty treat) on Amazon here.

8) Wall decals from Oliver's Labels - Personalized wall decals make wonderful gifts for kids. And, and how cute is this large jersey wall decal? Use my link here, and save 10% with code: EastCoastMommy.

AND if you order before December 3, you can take care of the Black Friday SALE.

9) CAA Membership - Hockey moms and dads are always on the road, so a "gift of safety and savings" is a fantastic idea. You can get roadside assistance AND discounts on hotels, gas, and more here. 

10) Hockey Jewelry - I love this fun jewelry. It makes a fantastic little gift or stocking stuffer for $11 or LESS. Check out all the inexpensive options in my online shop (Cute as a Button Designs) here.

Any one of the these TEN products would make a wonderful gift for the hockey fan or hockey player on your Christmas list. My boys and I have tried most of these items, so if you have any questions, please just let me know!

Happy shopping!!!

💗
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)