5 Amazing DIY FOOD GIFTS people will LOVE to receive… and they are made using dollar store supplies

I love a useful gift... and what is better than receiving food over the holidays? Today, I'm sharing 5 fantastic & easy edible gift ideas. Most of the supplies come from the dollar store, and I'm sharing FREE printable tags for you to use.

Here are the gift ideas... and you can download the gift tags for free below:

1) Golden Chocolate Wreath - This is a simple treat to make and the "Have a SWEET Christmas" labels are adorable. Find the instructions here, and download the tags below.

Click on the picture of the tag below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

2) Hot Chocolate Basket - This basket is super-cute, and I'm sharing my two favourite tips for making dollar store baskets look expensive and high end. Find my tips and tricks here, and download the gift tags I designed below.

Click on one of the pictures of below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

3) Wine wrapped up for Christmas - Wine wrapped up with Dollar Store supplies makes a wonderful host/hostess gift. Get a closer look at how I put it together here.

4) Chocolates with a "punny" tag - Wine wrapped up with Dollar Store supplies makes a wonderful host/hostess gift. Get a closer look at how I put it together here, and download the tags I designed for free below.

Click on the picture of the tag below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

5) Candy cane Reindeer Treat - This reindeer made from chocolate filled plastic candy canes is ADORABLE... and it's easy and inexpensive to make. Get a closer look at the step-by-step instructions here.

Pretty cute, right?!?

For a closer look at all the gifts and how I made them, check out the video I made on YouTube here.

The BEST Easy, Inexpensive, and USEFUL Gift Ideas... including FREE gift tags

We all have so much clutter in our lives, so it's always nice to receive a "useful" gift this time of year. I love "consumable" gifts, and today, I'm sharing a few of my favourites. I'm also sharing FREE printable gift tags that make the gifts super-cute.

1) Hot chocolate gift (with two tag options) - A personalized mug, adorable mini mason jars full of marshmallows, and hot chocolate pairs perfectly with a "Warm Wishes" or "We Wish You a Cozy Christmas" tags.

Cute, right?!?

To download one of these tags: click on one of the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Wouldn't it be cute boxed up with Christmas PJs and popcorn for a Christmas movie night?

2) Christmas soap (with a "We WASH you a Merry Christmas" tags - It doesn't get easier than this. Just print the tags I designed and attach them to holiday soap. Easy peasy!

To download these tag: click on one of the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

3) Cookies for Santa Mix - A cookie mix makes a fantastic gift. Who doesn't love baking during the holidays, and these are the perfect cookies to leave for Santa. Download the tag below, and find the full recipe here.

To download these tags: click on one of the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

4) Christmas Morning Pancake Mix - Homemade pancake mix with an adorable tag is perfect for Christmas morning. It's a wonderful gift for teachers, neighbours, family, and friends.

To download this tag: click on one of the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

It would also be a great addition to a Christmas Eve box!

5) Sweet Treats - Homemade goodies or store bought treats make fantastic gifts this time of year. Add the "Have a SWEET Christmas" tag I designed, and your good to go!

To download these tags: click on one of the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Want a closer look at all these fantastic gifts? Check out the video below.

What do you think of these ideas? Which one is YOUR favourite? If you still need MORE ideas, you might be interested in the video I made earlier this week. Check it out here.

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

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

When you can't get together on December 25, why not try hosting "Fake Christmas"?

It isn't always possible to be with loved ones on December 25th, but that doesn't mean you can't celebrate Christmas together. My husband's family is in Ontario, and we live in Nova Scotia, so we always gather for "Fake Christmas" in November. It's a lot of fun, and a special annual event for all of us. Today, I'm sharing how it works -- and I've got some FREEBIES too!

Here are some of the activities we enjoy. It's a good idea to print off the checklist and see how many items you can "check off" during your time together.

To print a copy of the "Fake Christmas" checklist: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

Building gingerbread houses or decorating cookies are both fun.

And exchanging gifts is always enjoyable. We always do a little "gift giving" game. Everyone brings a $5 gift, and we roll the dice to determine which gift each person ends up with.

Here's the chart we use. To download a copy: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 picture.

Don't forget a group family photo.

And, of course, a party favour is always appreciated. This year I used my Cricut to make personalized Christmas tree ornaments. Cute, right?

I absolutely love the idea of celebrating the holidays with family that can't be together on December 25. What do you think of this "Fake Christmas" celebration?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the ideas 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.

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.