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.

5 Ways to Save Money on CHRISTMAS DECOR by DIYing Things you Already have in your Home

Who doesn't love saving money? And what better way to save money during the holiday season than using stuff you already have to decorate your home? Check out these 5 budget friendly DIYs!

1) Use glass vases/jars/containers/bowls - Everyone has a glass vessels in their home, and they are easy to transform into Christmas decor. I added Epson salts and glitter to this jar, and then I added bottle brush trees, mini lights, and a fun ornament. Cute, right?

2) Use greenery - We had a lot of fallen branches and trees in our back yard, and I harvested what I needed to make an arrangement. I added a few dollar store picks, and inserted everything in a pot of soil I had leftover from my Fall mom. I can't believe this gorgeous arrangement only cost me a few dollars!

3) Raid the recycling bin - How cute are these fake cookies? I cut house shapes from an old cardboard boxese, and I added "icing" with a white chalk marker. They look cute on a plate, but they also look nice strung up on a piece of twine.

4) Use existing artwork in your home - My walls are filled with artwork, so it's fun to add a Christmas spin to them. You can wrap them like presents, or change out the artwork to something with a Christmas theme. You can grab some free "Movie Quotes" that I designed here.

For a closer look (and more step by step instructions, check out the video below.

I love this these ideas, don't you? Let me know your favourite in the comments. 

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the Christmas DIYs here.

FREE Holiday Prints for Christmas Movie Lovers (Elf, It's a Wonderful Life, The Polar Express, and The Santa Clause)

Last week, I shared a fun, FREE "Elf Movie" print, and so many people loved it that I decided to design a few more to share. I love that these are large pieces of artwork that you can print at a local copy store for about $1. Then, you can use dollar store frames... or frames you already have in your home. It doesn't get more budget-friendly than these FREE holiday prints for Christmas movie lovers!

Here's the one for "It's a Wonderful Life":

Here's the one for "Elf":

Here's one for "The Polar Express": 

And here's one for "The Santa Claus":

Aren't these great? I have all of my in dollar store frames, and my plan is to hang three on my wall, and change out the frames with new prints with the change of holidays / seasons.

To download your 11x14" prints FOR FREE: click on the photo you want (below), right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular photo.

What's your favourite Christmas movie? 

I just love budget-friendly holiday decor, don't you?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the Christmas DIYs here.

FREE Holiday Print (for ELF Movie fans!)

I recently found a large frame at the Dollar Store, and I knew I wanted to use it to create a large decor piece for the holidays. I am thrilled with how the print I designed turned out, and YOU can download your own copy FOR FREE below.

To download a copy of this "ELF" inspired print: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 11x14 print.

I printed mine at my local copy store for less than $1, and it looks great in my dollar store frame. It's a fantastic piece of Christmas artwork for only a few dollars!!!

Take a closer peek at my print (and a few of my other NEW dollar store DIYs and finds) here:

What do you think? Are you planning to download a copy of this Elf Movie print? I hope you like it as much as I do!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the Christmas DIYs here.

My Favorite Dollar Store Decorating HACKS for Christmas

Is there anything more satisfying than creating unique holiday decor on a budget? I love finding simple ways to add festive flair to my home, and today I'm share my favourtie dollar store holiday decorating HACKS.

Update something cheap to look high end - The dollar store has many inexpensive decor pieces that can easily be upgraded to look more high end.

For example, I found a cheap dollar store square frame, and I painted it with shiny red spray paint. Then, I added a fun Santa decoration I found at the dollarstore (with hot glue). I finished by using hot glue to attach dollar store greenery and pom poms. Isn't my Santa wreath adorable? You'd never guess it only cost me a couple of dollars to make!

You could also use the frame to make an ornament wreath. Just hang a couple of ornaments from twine, and use hot glue to add a bow and hanger.

Think outside the box - It's always fun to find everyday items at the dollar store and use them in a unique way. 

For example, this year the dollar store had some super-fun Christmas movie themed wrapping paper, so I used it to wrap pictures I already had hanging in my hallway. I love the big impact this simple DIY has! 

I also wrapped my plain white driveway markers with red electrical tape to get a North Pole / candy cane effect. It was a simple way to add a festive flair to the outside of my home.

Use what you have - Sometimes the best way to come up with something great is to use what you already have and add some dollar store items to make it better / different. 

For example, I recently made a Christmas arrangement with branches and boughs from the trees in my yard. Then, I added a dollar store bow and a couple of dollar store stems. I love how it turned out, and it only cost a few dollars!

Make ornaments and decorations from dollar store supplies - The dollar store has countless supplies for making ornaments and decorations. Browse blogs and Pinterest for inspirations, grab some supplies, and get busy.

How cute are these ornaments made from dollar store popsicle sticks and craft paint?

And these "Elf" inspired crafts are made using mostly dollar store supplies. 

You can find all the details for inexpensive "Elf Movie" decor here.

And this adorable Santa ornament is made with a wooden ring from the dollar store. Cute, right?!? You can find the step by step instructions here.

Dollar store decorating doesn't need to look cheap... especially if you pair dollar store items with a little creativity. Do you have a favourite dollar store decorating HACK? I hope I've inspired you to try a couple of mine.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the Christmas DIYs here.

Chocolate CHRISTMAS Crackle Cookies

Who doesn't love a good Christmas cookie recipe? Baking (and eating) cookies is one of my favourite parts of the holiday season. This year, my boys and I are loving these chocolate Christmas crackle cookies. They are simple to make, fudgey in the middle, crispy on the edges... and they look great on a Christmas cookie tray.

To make Chocolate Christmas Crackle Cookies:

 

Gather your ingredients:

•         ½ vegetable oil
•         2 cups granulated sugar
•         4 eggs
•         2 tsp real vanilla
•         2 cups flour
•         1 cup unsweetened cocoa
•         2 tsp baking powder
•         1 tsp salt
•         1 tsp cinnamon
•         Approx. ½ icing sugar for coating

Then:

1.      Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2.      In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla.
3.      In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
4.      Combine the wet and dry ingredients, and chill the dough for 30 minutes.
5.      Roll the dough into 1-inch balls (using a cookie scoop), and then completely coat each ball by rolling it in icing sugar.
6.      Place the balls on a parchment lined cookie sheet (leaving room for spreading), and bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookies should be crispy on the edges and soft in the middle. Cool on the cookie sheet for 3 minutes, and then transfer them to a cooling rack.

I think a cookie chacuterie board is wonderful for holiday entertaining, and these cookies make a great addition to a tray of goodies. 

Check out the cookie board I made for my boys this year. I filled a couple of dishes with chocolates, stacked my chocolate Christmas crackle cookies in the middle, and filled the extra spaces with store bought cookies. Cute, right?

Do you have a favourite cookies? I highly recommend giving these chocolate Christmas crackle cookies a try. If you make them, let me know what you think.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also enjoy the awesome Christmas cookie recipes here.

5 Easy Ways to "Gift" Local Products this Year

Disclosure: I received compensation from Perennia for including the Antigonish Farmer's Market products in this post; however, be assured that the opinions expressed in this blog are 100% my own.

Is there anything better than supporting locally made products? I love to browse my community farmer's market each week, and I'm never disappointed with the products I purchase. This year, why not consider the wonderful products available in your communtity as gifts for your family and friends? Below, I'm sharing a few EASY ways to "gift" local products this Christmas.

1) Give the gift of a meal - I love the idea of spending time with family and friends while enjoying a meal together, and farmer's markets make it easy to get all the fresh ingredients you need. My local market, the Antigonish Farmer's Market, even has complete meal kits you can purchase. Check out the fantastic dinner kit they are selling here.

Each Holiday Meal Box contains:

– Pork or Beef roast from Forever Green Farm & Gardens or Westerwind Farm

– Bee Sting Honey Mustard or Bee Sting BBQ Sauce from Cornect Family Farm 

– Bag of carrots from Lochaber Growers

– Bag of potatoes from Forever Green Farm & Gardens

– Large onion from Casey’s Vegetables 

– 6-pack of biscuits from Nanny’s Country Kitchen

– Pecan tarts from Swick’s Bakery

2) Give the gift of time together - People are very busy this time of year, so a quick "meet up" for appetizers and drinks is a wonderful idea. Treat your friends and family to great conversation and locally sourced drinks and appetizers. Check out the fantastic appetizer box available to order from the Antigonish Farmer's Market here.

Each Holiday Appetizer Box contains:

– $20 Liquor Gift Certificate from Steinhart Distillery or Candid Brewing or Coldstream clear Distillery

– 2 Pepperoni Sticks from Forever Green Farm & Gardens

– Dunmaglass cheese from Knoydart Farm

– Peppercorn cheese from  Knoydart Farm

– Bread Chips from Martins Fine Bakery

– Hummus from Martins Fine Bakery

3) Give the gift of self care - I love thoughtful gifts, and there are many wonderful "self care" options available locally. The Antigonish Farmer's Market has a wonderful holiday box here.

The Holiday Gift Box contains:

– Bath bombs from TresBien Naturals Bath & Body

– Picture from Melinda by the Sea

– Earrings from Simply Lovely

– 2-pack of cleansing cloths & cloth bookmarks from Liss & Landi

I also love the idea of pairing quality handmade items with inexpensive trinkets. I packaged the content of my holiday gift box with a dollar store throw and "mindfulness" notepad, and I think it looks great!

4) Use fun gift tags - Small gifts can be made extra special by adding a punny gift tag. I found these adorable honey-based sauces at my farmer's market, and I made a cute tag for them. It says, "Merry Christmas to my SWEET & SAUCY friend". Cute, right?

I also made tags that say, "Spreading Christmas Cheer one jar at a time." These tags would work with any jar of goodies made locally.

To download the tags I designed: click on the tags below, right-click, save them to your computer, and print them like regular 4x6 photos.

5) Share your talents - I love the idea of sharing special talents with family and friends during the holidays. It's a wonderful way to make a gift extra special. 

For example, if you are crafty, you could make a special beer mug and pair it with a few cans of local ale. And if you are good in the kitchen, you could also add your favourite homemade granola or trail mix.

You could also update a dollar store cutting board with a ribbon (and maybe a monogram) to pair with local ingredients for a charcuterie board.

*** BONUS ***

If you don't know exactly what to give, gift certificates are always great... especially if you give them in a creative way. Check out the fun idea below!

Cut a paper towel roll to fit inside a jar, place it in the jar, fill the outside with Christmas candy, and stick a gift certificate in the centre. The Antigonish farmers market has several great options here.

Then, add some twine and cute dollar store ornament, and you are good to go!

I think these are all fantastic ways to "gift" local products this Christmas. Which of my ideas is your favourite?

I hope I've inspired you to shop locally this year. I know I'm loving all the wonderful Nova Scotia products the Antigonish Farmer's Market has to offer.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)