Creating a Magical Christmas on a BUDGET: Useful DIY Gift Ideas UNDER $5... with free printable gift tags

This year, I am doing a NEW Christmas video series to help people plan a magical and meaningful Christmas on a BUDGET. Today, I'm sharing my latest projects -- USEFUL DIY Gift Ideas under $5. The holidays don't need to break the bank. All you need is a trip to the dollar store and the FREE tags I designed (below).

1) Custom candles (with warm wishes tags) -- You can pick up an inexpensive candle and make it look expensive by customizing it. I used my Cricut to add words to mine, but you could also use paint, stickers, or class markers. Then, pop it in a cellophane bag, and add the tag I designed (below).

To download the "warm wishes" tags -- Click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

2) Paper plates & napkins (with "Christmas WISHES for less dirty DISHES" tags) -- Heading to someone's house and need a little hostess gift? This is a budget-friendly and thoughtful idea. Grab some festive paper plates and napkins, tie with twine, and add the tags I designed. I love the "Christmas WISHES for less dirty DISHES" tags. You can download them for free below.

To download the "Christmas WISHES for less dirty DISHES" tags -- Click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print on a regular 8.8"x11" sheet of paper.

3) Gingerbread kit (with "A Christmas TREAT for someone SWEET!" tags) -- I love gifting activities, don't you? What is better than a gift that encourages family and friends to do something together? I found this Oreo Christmas House kit at my local Dollarama for under $5, and I think it makes an adorable gift with the tags I designed (which you can download below).

To download the "A Christmas TREAT for someone SWEET" tags -- Click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

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

Thanks for DIYing with me!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Creating a Magical Christmas on a Budget / Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Dupe 🌲

Yesterday, I launched my NEW Christmas video series. My goal is to help people create a magical Christmas with their family and friends... on a BUDGET. My first project is an adorable Charlie Brown Tree made 100% from dollar store supplies. It's sooooo cute... and much cheaper than store bought versions. Check out all the details below.

When I did a google search for Charlie Brown trees, here is a sample of what popped up.

I was able to DIY mine for ONLY $5!!!

I think it's pretty cute, don't you?

For a list of the supplies and all the instructions, check out the video I made here / below.

If you like this project, make sure you pop on over to YouTube and subscribe to my channel. My NEW Christmas video series is going to be fun!

Thanks for DIYing with me!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

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...