10 Easy and Inexpensive SNAIL MAIL Ideas to Try... spread kindness one letter at a time

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in "snail mail", and I'm totally here for it! I love the idea of sending and receiving “physical mail”, don't you? It’s a wonderful way to slow down, connect, and make someone’s day in a “low tech” way.

So...I decided to start a 10 day #SnailMailChallenge. I hope you'll try some (or all) of my ideas. Let’s slow down, unplug, and spread kindness… one letter at a time.

Make sure to check out my short videos to get a closer look at the mail that I sent.

Day 1 - My first idea for making a meaningful connection is to send a heartfelt note. You can mail a letter to a grandparent or a child away at camp or university, write a thank you note to a teacher or coach, or send a short “just because” note to brighten someone’s day.

With a few minutes and the cost of a stamp, you can make a meaningful connection.

Day 2 - Today, I challenge you to send something handmade.

A child can send a drawing to a grandparent, or an adult can make something small enough to slip into a card. Magnets, keychains, bookmarks, friendship bracelet and ornaments are fantastic options. I love this little magnet made from a vacation photo and a little wooden ring from the dollar store

Add a note that says “This was handmade with love… I hope it makes you smile.”, put it all in an envelope, and pop it in the mail.

Day 3 - Today, I challenge you to send a recipe. You can print one from the internet that you think a family member or friend might like OR you can handwrite one of your favourites. 

If you are stuck for an idea, my chocolate chip cookies never disappoint. You can find the recipe here.

Day 4 - Today, I challenge you to send a joke, riddle or funny card. We spend so much time sending random memes to friends and family… why not take a few extra minutes to send something funny by mail instead? It’s guaranteed to make the recipient smile.

Day 5 - Today, I challenge you to send a real physical card.

Instead of sending a birthday, anniversary or thank you text, send a real physical card in the mail. Postcards are fun options too. The extra effort says, “I’m thinking about you… and you are worth spending time on.”

Day 6 - Today, I challenge you to send stickers.

You can make your own stickers, find a fun sheet at the dollar store, or buy one that reminds you of someone special.

Then, just add a note, stick it an envelope, and pop it in the mail.

P.S. (It’s fun to decorate the envelope with stickers too.)

Day 7 - Today I challenge you to send someone a trinket.

You can use something you already have, or you can buy something inexpensive. It’s a great way to tell someone that you love them or to send encouragement to a friend going through a tough time. I sell severalt inexpensive items in my “Cute as a Button Designs” shop… including all the stuff seen in the video below.

Pop a trinket into an envelope with a handwritten note and stick it in the mail. Easy peasy!

Day 8 - Today, I challenge you to send a treat.

You can mail a favourite package of candy, chocolate bar, tea bag, hot chocolate packet, or gift card.

And for an extra bit of whimsy and fun, add some confetti made with a paper punch. How great is it to find a treat in a mailbox instead of a bill?

Day 9 - Today, I challenge you to send a photo.

Digital photos are great, but there is something special about physical photo that you can frame or stick to the front of the fridge. Print one at a local store or pull one from an old album. What’s more fun than sharing than a special memory?

Day 10 - Today, I challenge you to send a “Top 10 Things I Love About You” list. 

You can hand write it or you use PicMonkey.com to design one (like I did). Put it in an envelope, stick a stamp on it, and pop it in the mail. It’s a lovely way to let someone know how much they mean to you.

I hope you enjoyed all ten ideas in my “snail mail” challenge, and that they helped you slow down, unplug, and spread kindness… one letter at a time.

Thanks for watching, subscribing and supporting me! 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

"One Bowl" Peanut Butter Protein Cookies... 10g of protein per cookie

My boys are hockey players that are always trying to add protein to their diets. There are many packaged protein bars you can buy, but they can be really expensive, and don't always taste great. I make these ones for my boys, and they really like them. The exact amount of protein in each cookie will depend on the number of cookies you make and the type of protein you use (but mine have about 10g per cookie). I use the peanut butter flavoured Good Protein, but use what you like!

To make "One Bowl" Peanut Butter PROTEIN COOKIES:

Whisk together the following dry ingredients:

• 2 cups oats
• 1 cup peanut butter protein powder (save 25% off HERE)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Fold in wet ingredients:

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 3 tbsp peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla

Add chocolate chips:

• 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips (I do 3/4 cup)

I make 11 -12 cookies. I scoop them with an ice cream scoop and flatten them down with my hand before baking them in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. (Just keep an eye on them. You want them slightly undercooked in the middle to achieve the best texture.)

Watch this short video for a close up look. Soooo yummy!

Give them a try and let me know what you think.

💗
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (Use my affiliate link here to save 25% your Good Protein order.)

Birthday Letter to my Youngest Son on his 17th Birthday

When my three boys were little, I was too busy to keep up with their baby books, so I started writing them "birthday letters". The idea was to capture "snap shots" of their personalities each year until their 18th birthdays. Today my youngest son turns 17. Time really is a thief.

To my Sweet Boy:

As I watch you and your brothers grow up, your birthdays seem to hit me the hardest. You are my "baby" (my last boy to "do all the things), and I can't believe you are heading into your last year of high school. Time goes by way too quickly.

As I reflect on the past year, I'm reminded of some of the things that make you the most special 17 year old boy on the planet:

• You are growing into a confident young man, and I'm so proud of how far you've come. You shine on the ice, in school, at work, and in your community.
• You have the best laugh. It's genuine, heartfelt, and contagious.
• You love Crispers, multi-grain Wheat Thins, Granola, Froot Roll Ups, Chicken Alfredo, Gabriel's Pizza, sea salt caramel ice cream, Farmer's Wraps, and cake pops. You also love pancakes with real maple syrup... especially the first ones to come out of the pan.
• Hockey continues to be a big part of your life. You train hard, and you are a kind and supportive teammate. Dad and I love to watch you play.
• Your brothers are your best friends... and it makes me so happy. You work together, play together, and "make fun of your mom" together. (The last one isn't my favourite! lol)
• You love getting up early, taking a 10 minute nap after school, learning guitar, being a newly licensed driver, getting good marks, and volunteering with Unified Sports.

Next year you will graduate high school, and as you take another step toward independence and adulthood, you should know that you'll always be my "baby".

I love you to the moon and back!

Mom
xox

Lucky Ducks / #EastCoastMommyKindess Project (2026 Edition)

For the past few summers, I've tried to spread a little bit of "kindness and fun" and encourage others to do the same. (I call it the #EastCoastMommyKindnessProject ) This year, I am hiding little "LUCKY DUCKS" for people to find.

The idea is that I hide the ducks around my town and people find them. And... if they want to contact me, I'll give them the name of their lucky duck. Cute, right? Here's how it works:

To download the tags I designed (for free): click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

***You might also be interested in my 2024 kindness project. Take a look at this short video, and then, grab the FREE printable below. 

To download the tag I designed (for free): click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

***You may also be interested in my 2025 project -- setting up a ROCK LIBRARY.

💗
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (I've had some inquiries about sending ducks to people that need a little duck. For $3, I can totally send a duck for you.)

The cutest mini WOODEN MAGNET Craft... made with dollar store supplies

I love a budget-friendly craft that the whole family can have fun making. This one is great for ALL ages, and the supplies come from your local Dollarama or Dollar Tree.

Check out the step by step instructions for these tiny magnets HERE.

Here's the front...

Here's the back...

And here are a couple examples of the easy designs you can make...

Don't forget to check out the instructions here. I love this little craft, don't you???

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

20 Cheap & Easy Ideas for SUMMER FUN!!! 🌞

You don't have to break the bank to have a lot of fun this summer. Today, I'm sharing 20 cheap, easy, and fun things to do this Summer. Watch the quick video here, or keep reading!

1) Play chocolate bar bingo

2) Camp in the backyard

3) Plant something

4) Send a letter or postcard to someone special

5) Read a book outside

6) Have ice cream for supper

7) Paint rocks

8) Watch a movie outside

9) Bake something

10) Go on a road trip

11) Cook something over a campfire

12) Grill donuts

13) Fly a kite

14) Eat donuts hanging from a string (no hands)

15) Have a picnic with food from a local restaurant or food truck

16) Have a one-on-one date with a family member or friend

17) Have a water fight

18) Have a "kids pick the meals" day

19) Get ice cream in your PJs (drive throughs work well)

20) Go geocaching

I hope you do some of the things on this list. Enjoy!

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also enjoy the campfire treats here.

6 awesome (edible) MOTHER'S DAY gift ideas... and they are budget-friendly too!

If you have a mom that doesn't like clutter, these edible gifts are for you. I absolutely love them all, but the "breakfast in bed" tray is my favourite. Perfect for Mother's Day!

Keep scrolling or check out the video I made here.

1) Chocolate bar "flower" arrangement - You can get all the supplies you need at your local dollar store. Then, attach the bars to skewers and insert them into floral foam inside a pot. Easy peasy, and lots of fun!

2) A donut bouquet - Grab a box of donut holes, wooden skewers and tissue paper. Insert the skewers into the donuts, secure the skewers with an elastic, wrap the bouquet with tissue paper, and secure with a ribbon.

3) A "LOVE" breakfast tray - Make a bacon "L", a donut "O", a heart-shaped "V" (made from toast, french toast, or a pancake), and a fruit "E". So cute... and super easy!

4) A "secret stash" of treats for mom - Grab a dollar store container, fill each compartment with a different treat, and attach the cute label I designed. You can download the labels for free here.

5) A "date" with mom - The best gift is time spent together, so I LOVE this idea. Buy an ice cream gift card, package it in a fun way, and take mom out on a "date". Fun, right?

6) The BEST "breakfast in bed" tray - Grab a drink tray, add mom's favourite beverage, pop in a candle, and include a sweet treat or breakfast sandwich. Easy peasy... and it pairs well with a good book and a warm bath.

As a mom, I love all these ideas. Which one is your favourite?

Happy Mother's Day!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

3 NEW Mother's Day Gift Ideas that are inexpensive and thoughtful

Is there anything better than a budget-friendly and thoughtful Mother's Day gift? If you have a special lady you want to celebrate, check out the 3 fantastic ideas below!

1) The "Breakfast in Bed" moms really want - This version doesn't requires making a mess of the kitchen and creating a pile of dishes. Check it out all the details here.

2) A Dollarama / Dollar Tree vase turned into a thoughtful gift - Is there anything cuter than tiny vases filled with wildflowers picked by little hands. Find all the details for the heart tag here, or grab the free printable dandelion tag here. 

3) A personalized candle - You can easily add a picture or drawing to a candle, and the result is adorable! You can find the simple "how to" here.

Let me know which one you like the best. I think the breakfast in bed in my favourite.

Happy Mother's Day!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the Mother's Day gift ideas here.