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)

Genius Ways to DIY Clear Plastic Ornaments... including FREE tags and a super-fun video

I love DIYing during the Christmas season, and I have the BEST ideas to share today. There really is something for everyone in this post. You are going to love my GENIUS ways to DIY clear ornaments, the FREE tags I designed, and the step-by-step video I put together for you.

1) Photo ornaments - Cut two circles, roll them up, and insert them into an ornament, and add a ribbon. For step by step instructions, check out the video here.

2) Warm wishes ornament - The large clear plastic ornaments are perfect for filling with little gifts. I filled mine with socks, toe warmers, and hot chocolate. I added a "Warm Wishes" tag, and it makes an adorable gift. Find the full step-by-step instructions here.

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

3)  Christmas scrunchie ornament - Insert a holiday scrunchie into an ornament, add a piece of ribbon, and tie on a "Christmas Hair Don't Care" tag. To see the step-by-step instructions, check out the video here.

To download the "Christmas Hair" 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.

4) Gumball ornament - Use hot glue to attach an ornament to the top of a red silo cup shot glass, add a pop top, fill with gumballs (or pom poms for a non-food option), and tie a ribbon hanger to the top. For step-by-step instructions, check out the video I made here.

5) Merry and Bright ornament - Fill this "light bulb" ornaments with Christmas M&Ms, add a piece of twine, and attach the "May your days be MERRY & BRIGHT" tag I designed. For step-by-step instructions, check out the video I made here.

To download the "May your days be MERRY & BRIGHT" 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.

6) Keepsake ornaments - Fill ornaments with treasures you want to keep. I filled one with sea glass I found while walking the beach with my husband, and I filled other ornaments with the baby hats my boys wore just after they were born.

For a closer look at all of these DIYs, take a look at the YouTube video I made (below)...

All of these plastic ornaments are easy to make, and they are all fantastic. They are great for hanging on your own tree, and they make wonderful gifts too. Which one is your favourite?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

DIY Gifts People Actually WANT — Useful, inexpensive, and fun!!!

I love a good DIY gift, don't you? They are thoughtful, useful, inexpensive and fun! And... they are more budget-friendly than store bought gifts. You are going to love the DIY Christmas Gift Ideas I'm sharing today.

1) Elf Cookies - First bake up a batch of your favourite cookies. I used my favourite recipe for Ginger Molasses cookies. You can find the recipe here. 

Then, add a cardstock hat, googly eyes, button cheeks and a Sharpie mouth. Find the full step by step instructions here.

Seriously... how cute are these little elves???

2) Scrunchie ornament - A clear bulb is a perfect vessel for gifting a Christmas hair scrunchie. Pop off the top of a dollar store ornament, insert a scrunchie and add the cute "Christmas Hair Don't Care" tag I designed. Easy peasy!

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

3) Glowing nativity lamp - These colour changing LED lamps (that I found at Dollarama) are the perfect canvas for Cricut decals. I used nativity decals. Didn't they turn out great? 

For detailed instructions, check out the video I made here.

4) Gingerbread house gift bag - Cut the corners from brown paper gift bag, and use a chalk marker to decorate the bag to look like a gingerbread house. It doesn't need to be fancy. Have fun with it!

5) Reindeer gift bag - Start with a plain paper gift bag. Then, use glue to add googly eyes, and a red paper (or vinyl) nose. Then, draw a mouth with a Sharpie and tape candy cane "antlers" to the top of the bag. Who wouldn't want to receive a gift in this adorable reindeer gift bag?

For a closer look at all these DIY gift ideas, check out the YouTube video below.

Make sure you come back soon. I have a lot more fun Christmas content planned.

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the ideas here...

2023 Christmas Finds for LESS

When it comes to saving money, prepping EARLY for Christmas is key. I also love to stock up on dollar store finds before they are all sold out. Today, I'm sharing some of my favourite 2023 Christmas dollar store finds.

Check out my list below... or take a closer look by watching the video I made here:

1) These LED lights are great. They come with a remote, so you can change them into any Christmas colour you like. They are fantastic plain, but they are also a great surface for Cricut decals. I'm planning to add a nativity scene to mine.

2) Reindeer are super trendy this year, and these dollar store reindeer ornaments are super-cute. I'm planning to paint mine with black spray paint for a high-end look.

3) These snow globes are cheap and super cute. The DIY possibilities are endless. I bought a bunch, and I have some fun plans for them, so stay tuned. 😉

4) I've been seeing a lot of "bell" décor in high-end stores this year, but it's quite pricey. I have a plan to DIY my own bells using these dollar store supplies. I think it's going to be great! :-)

5) Kleenex boxes look ugly and can take away from the look of Christmas décor. That's why I love this plain white kleenex box cover. Cute, right? You could also DIY these boxes. You could add a monogram... or you could add something with a Christmas theme.

6) Bottle brush trees are versatile and inexpensive. I love these beige ones with a wooden vase. They look great on a tiered tray, and they are fantastic for DIYs.

7) I love lights that add a nice glow to décor. These dollar store lanterns are a great size, look fantastic, and add a festive glow to the holidays.

8) The dollar store has really fun wrapping paper options, but the good ones sell out quickly... so make sure to grab your favourites right away. Here are the ones I bought...

9) You don't have to be a child to have fun with a toy train. I found this one at the dollar store, and it's a great size. I plan to put it around the base of my tree. 

Which of these 2023 Christmas bargains is your favourite? I love getting ready for Christmas early so I can relax when the holiday season arrives. Where do you fall -- team "early" or team "last minute"?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the ideas here...

7 DIY Gifts Made Using DOLLAR STORE Blanks

I love a budget friendly gift, don't you? And when it comes to saving money, the dollar store is your best friend. Today, I'm sharing the BEST dollar store blanks for making DIY gifts!

1) Movie treat caddy - These caddies are great for school and cleaning supplies, but they are even better for holding movie treats. There is a section for popcorn, a drink, and a treat. Cute, right?

2) Personalized drinkware - The dollar store has so many fantastic glasses, water bottles and mugs. They are inexpensive, practical, and perfect for personalizing.

3) Dog/cat treat container - If you have a cat or dog on your list, you can make them an adorable personalized container for their treats. I love the paw print on the top, don't you?

4) Personalized cookie jar - I love the shape of these jars, and they make perfect cookie jar containers. I added the words "Mom's Cookies... hugs accepted as payment" to mine, and I absolutely love how it turned out.

5) Treat bowls - Putting together gift baskets is one of my favourite things to do, and I love using a reusable container. Who wouldn't love to receive this family movie night popcorn bowl filled with goodies?

6) Tray for Santa - I love this tray, don't you? It's made from a dollar store cutting board, handles I salvaged from my kitchen renovation, and a Cricut decal. Santa is going to LOVE it!

7) Custom night light - Dollar store nightlights can be customized for any gift recipient. I made a Santa Cam, but characters or names can be added instead.

For a closer look at all these projects, check out the short video I made (below).

Do you have a favourite?

If you are looking for a thoughtful, unique, and budget-friendly gift idea, you should definitely try one of these DIY gifts.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the Christmas DIYs here.

NEW Budget-friendly Christmas HACKS... including FREEBIES and dollar store DIYs

I absolutely love saving money during the holidays, don't you? Today, I have some fantastic HACKS for you--including freebies and dollar store DIYs. For more info, check out the video at the bottom of this post!

One of my favourite traditions is "The Polar Express" adventure my family goes on every year. I print tickets to the Polar Express, we grab cookies and hot chocolate, and we head to our van to tour around looking at Christmas lights. Then, when we get home, there are gold bells on my boys' pillows. Fun, right?

To grab your free "bell tags" and "Polar Express tickets": Click on the picture below, right-click, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

Another fun HACK is to use dollar store supplies to create a DIY candy dish. I used a dollar store candle stick holder, the bottom of a clay pot, a round glass vase, and a cabinet knob. I spray painted the candle stick holder and clay tray red, glued it all together, and filled it with candy. I think it adds a nice bit of whimsey to the holidays.

This HACK is SUPER-EASY. Grab a dollar store cloche, add a bit of ribbon to the bottom, add an ornament and fake snow, and place it on a dollar store candle stick holder or riser. EASY PEASY!

How beautiful is this dollar store wreath? I wrapped a dollar store wreath form with a dollar store scarf. Then, I added some greenery and fake flowers. What do you think?

For a closer look at (and instructions for) these hacks, check out the YouTube video below.

Let me know what HACKS you like the best, and make sure to "like" my YouTube video and hit "subscribe". It means a lot to me and REALLY helps my channel.

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the Christmas DIYs here.