DIY Hot Chocolate Bar... with FREE printable "Baby It's Covid Outside" sign

Sometimes the simpliest entertaining ideas are the best. Don't you agree? Recently, I bought a few supplies at the dollar store and set up a cute little DIY hot chocolate station in my house. It was SO easy, and my family loves it. Today, I'm sharing all the details, including a FREE sign you are going to love!

I started with three jars, a tray, some bells, twine, mugs, cookies, marshmallows, candy canes, and hot chocolate. (You can use whatever you find in your local dollar store.)

Then, I used the twine to add some bells to the jars, and filled the jars with goodies.

Once the jars were filled, I placed them on a cheap dollar store tray.

To finish things off, I designed a cute little sign to display next to my tray. I popped it in a white dollar store frame, and it looks super-cute.

To download the sign I designed (for free): click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

Doesn't it look adorable when it's all displayed together?

Our family is going to get a lot of enjoyment out of this hot chocolate bar this holiday season. I hope you like it as much as we do!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Christmas Dice Game... a family Christmas gift exchange

Making gift giving into a game is a fun idea for Christmas parties and family gatherings too. This year, my extended family will be playing a “Christmas Dice Game” together on Christmas Eve. Keep reading for all the details on how to play this simple game (and get a free printable instruction sheet).

To play, all participants are asked to bring an inexpensive wrapped. For my family, we are doing a kid's exchange and an adult's exchange. The kids will each bring a $5 gift and the adults will each bring a $10 gift.

The game starts with every person choosing one wrapped gift. (I suggest letting people choose their original gift based on age... from youngest to oldest.) Then, everyone sits in one big circle and takes turns rolling a die and following the instructions for the roll. E.g. A one means “keep your gift”, two means “steal someone’s gift”, three means “everyone pass your gift to the left”, four means “everyone pass your gift to the right”, five means “keep your gift” and six means “steal someone’s gift”. Continue playing until every participant has rolled three times. At the end of the game, whatever gift you end up with is yours to keep! Fun, right?

To download the instructions: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

Have you ever played a game like this? Did you have fun? I can't wait to play with my family on Christmas Eve. If you have any tips for me, let me know.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't miss out on any of the fun... follow me on social media here.

     

Update: Our family played the Christmas Dice Game on Christmas Eve, and it was a huge success. This will definitely become an annual tradition for us.

"Cookies for Santa" Jars... with free printable tags

Today I am sharing a "sweet" Christmas idea... jars of cookies for Santa. I have the best recipe for delicious cookies and adorable (and FREE) printable gift tags. These cookies jars make great gifts, and they are perfect for baking on Christmas Eve.

Isn't this mason jar filled with cookie ingredients adorable?!?

To make this "Cookies for Santa" jar:

1) Start with a clean 1L mason jar.

2) Layer the ingredients below (patting down each layer before adding the next one):

First layer: 1 3/4 cups flour, 3/4 tsp baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon salt
Second layer: 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
Third layer: 1/2 white sugar
Fourth layer: a 200g bag of red and green M&Ms

To make the process easy: use a wide-mouthed funnel to fill the jars, and make a tool to press down the layers. I attached a round piece of cardboard to the end of skewer and covered it all with tin foil.

3) Print off the cookie tag below, cut it to look like a tag, and attach it to the cookie jar with twine or ribbon. 

To download the tag: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print.

To bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Then, beat 3/4 cup softened butter, 1 large egg, and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla in a large mixing bowl until well blended. Add the jar of cookie mix, and stir with a wooden spoon until fully combined. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 9-12 minutes.

Isn't this an adorable Christmas DIY? It's a fantastic Christmas cookie recipe, and it's an easy, inexpensive and adorable homemade gift. If you give it a try, let me know what you think.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Snowy Day SNOWMAN Felt Ornament

Every year I make felt ornaments for my family and close friends. I choose simple designs because I don't have a lot of time, and I like to make quite a few ornaments. This year, I made adorable "snowy day SNOWMEN" felt ornaments... and I absolutely love them!

To make a felt snowman ornament:

1) Cut two felt circles from red felt. (One is the front and one is the back.)

2) Cut a "hanger" from a piece of yarn. Tie a knot in the end.

3) Cut a snowman shape from white felt and an a nose from orange felt. Sew both pieces to the front piece.

4) Cut three pieces of "scarf" from green felt, and sew onto the snowman.

5) Use black fabric paint to draw a mouth and white fabric paint to draw snowflakes falling from the sky. (I actually used "glow in the dark" paint on mine for an added surprise.)

6) Sew the front and back pieces together.

Isn't the finished ornament sweet?

Sharing handmade felt ornaments with the people I love is an important Christmas tradition for me. Do you have a DIY gift that you like to share with family and friends during the holidays?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You can find more ideas for simple felt ornaments here.

DIY Grinch Ornaments and Class Treats... with free printable tags

My boys love taking treats to share with their friends at Christmas, but allergies and nutrition policies mean that sweet treats are prohibited. So, I like to come up with fun trinkets that I can package in a fun and festive way. This year, my two youngest boys went with "Grinch" themed treats. 

I based my treats around my favourite quote from the Grinch movie... "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more."

I found some heart-shaped ornaments, tiny presents, and green balls (that I DIY'ed with some red glitter glue) that fit my grinch theme perfectly!

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

You can just add the tags directly to ornaments, or you can package a few trinkets in clear bags and secure the tags with curling ribbon.

My boys both chose different options, and they equally cute!

Aren't these Grinch treats an adorable Christmas class treat option? I especially love the green balls with the glitter hearts, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in this GRINCH movie night.

Ways to Make Christmas Magical for Kids

Kids won't always remember the gifts they receive, but they will remember the things their family does together every year. I've always enjoyed making Christmas magical for my kids, and today, I am sharing some of my favourite tips, tricks, and ideas. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

1) Polar Express - Every year, my boys and I go on a Polar Express adventure. They go to bed, find tickets on their pillows, and we head out in our van with hot chocolate and cookies to look at Christmas lights. Then, when they arrive home, they find bells from Santa's sleigh on their pillows. You can print FREE Polar Express tickets, and read all about this fun activity, here.

2) Magic Reindeer Food - Every year the boys and I make magic reindeer food. Then, on Christmas Eve, we sprinkle it on the lawn to make sure Santa's reindeer can find our house. You can get the receipt and FREE printable tags for magic reindeer food here.

3) Elf on the Shelf - We adopted our scout elf ("Elfie") many years ago, and he has been bringing magical fun to our family every year. He has done many fun things, which you can read about here, but we absolutely love when he brings Magic Elf Seeds. In the past, he has delivered magic elf seeds that grew into cookie pops AND magic elf seeds that grew into a candy cane garden.

4) Letters and Videos from Santa - Nothing epitomizes the magic of the holidays like the jolly guy in the red suit. So, of course, letters and videos from Santa are always exciting to receive. Our Elf on the Shelf often brings us our letters from Santa, and he lets us know when Santa has sent us special video messages.

5) Magic Santa Key - Several years ago, my boys were concerned about how Santa was going to get into our house without a chimney. Luckily, Santa left us a magic key, and he has never had any difficulties leaving presents. You can get your own FREE Magic Santa Key tag here.

In addition to the above, we also like to focus on the magical power of giving. My boys always buy gifts for each other, and they host a "writing a letter to Santa" fundraiser. How do you make the holidays magical for your family?

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

“Children see magic because they look for it.” 

- Christopher Moore

You can find MORE easy and inexpensive ideas for Christmas fun here.

Simple Neighbour Gifts... and free printable tags

I have the greatest neighbours, so I like to give them a small gift at Christmas. This year, I am sharing homemade, fresh potpourri that they can simmer on their stoves. It's simple to make, and it really smells like Christmas. I'm also sharing the free printable tags I designed so you can share this little gift with your friends and neighbours.

I purchased some clear cellowphane bags, and I filled each bag with the following:

• 3-4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange
• 1/2 cup cranberries
• 1 tbsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

I tied the bags with red curling ribbon, and I added a cute "It's Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas" tag.

To download the tag I designed: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Doesn't the potpourri look pretty all packaged up?

These packages are wonderful for giving to neighbours, but they are great for teacher and hostess gifts too.

Do you think you will make these potpourri bags to share with friends and family? A homemade gift from the heart is always special and much appreciated.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (Click here for more easy and inexpensive Christmas ideas and recipes.)

CHRISTMAS (crafts, recipes and ideas)

Below, you will find a collection of my Christmas posts. There are lots of ideas for easy and inexpensive ways to craft, cook, and celebrate the holidays. Scroll down and click on the links for additional info.

Ultimate Christmas Cookie Collection

Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

Elf on the Shelf ideas

Holiday Bits & Bites (with free printable gift tags)

"Warm Wishes" gift ideas and free tags

"Grinch" Movie Night

Simple Christmas Crafts for Kids

Reindeer Poop Cookies

More Simple Christmas Crafts

Christmas Traditions for Kids

Make-ahead Gingerbread Cookies

Stocking Stuffer Ideas

DIY Neighbour/Hostess Gift Ideas

Hosting a "Writing a Letter to Santa" Party

Santa Claus Parade Checklist

Christmas Eve Traditions

Christmas Tree Traditions

Simple Christmas Decor

Free Downloadable Christmas Print

DIY Monogram Wreath

Santa Belly Felt Ornament

Three Boho DIYs for Christmas

Christmas Stocking Felt Ornament

Christmas Bulb Ideas

Felt Christmas Tree Ornament

Star Felt Ornament

DIY Santa Wreath

Nice (not naughty) Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Magic Elf Dust (free download)

Simple Hostess Gift Idea (with free printable tags)

DIY Skittles Ornaments (with free printable tags)

Elf on the Shelf Igloo

Christmas Tree Crafts

Dollar Store Christmas Wreath

DIY Bottle Brush Tree Wreath

DIY Christmas Socks (with free printable tags)

Simple Reindeer Crafts for Kids

Simple Santa Crafts for Kids

Christmas Eve Basket (with free printable tags)

Elf on the Shelf Kissing Booth (free download)

Snowman Gum (stocking stuffer/secret Santa idea)

40+ Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Felt Lightbulb Ornament

Elf on the Shelf Bake Sale

"Memorial" Christmas Ornaments

20 of THE BEST Christmas Crafts for Kids

Hockey HACKS for the Holidays

Simple Elf Boot Ornament

Class Treat Ideas

DIY Christmas Decor

DIY Jingle Bell Wreath

DIY Grinch Door

M&M Christmas Cookies

Old Fashioned Shortbread Cookies... with homemade buttercream icing

My Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes

"Cookies for Santa" Jars (with free printable tags)

Chocolate Christmas Crackle Cookies

Creative Ways to "Gift" Local Products

Ways to Make Christmas Magical for Kids

Christmas Gift Exchange Game (free download)