15 Winter HACKS You Need to Try!

Winter got you down? If you are finding it hard to deal with short days, cold temperatures and heavy snowfalls, I've got you covered. I'm sharing simple hacks that are guaranteed to make winter a little easier--and a lot more fun!

1) To make shoveling easier, spray your shovel with non-stick cooking spray. The snow won't stick to the shovel. It will slide off easily and the job will get done a lot quicker.

You can also use a broom to sweep off a porch or steps after a light dusting of snow.

2) If your boots or shoes are wet inside, speed up the drying process by stuffing them with newspaper, absorbent microfiber towels, or socks filled with rice. The moisture will get absorbed, and your footwear will dry out much more

3) To remove salt stains, dip a cotton ball in diluted vinegar (1 cup water to 1 tbsp vinegar), rub the stain, and allow to dry.

4) Get outside. Buddle up and take advantage of all winter has to offer.

5) Have a winter campfire. Gather around a warm fire, sing songs, and roast marshmallows and hot dogs.

6) Enjoy a cup of cocoa. And, for a touch of fun... freeze cool whip or canned whipped cream on a tray, cut with a fun-shaped cookie cutter, and pop into a cup of hot chocolate.

7) Make snow ice cream. It's a seasonal favourite in my house, and it's soooo easy to make! Put 8 cups of freshly fallen snow in a big bowl. Then, add 1 can of sweetened condensed milk and 1 tsp of vanilla. Stir until combined and serve immediately.

8) If you don't have a fireplace, turn on your television and search for a "faux fireplace" on YouTube.

9) Light candles or use battery operated candles to create a warm glow. The smell of scented candles will also add to the ambience.

10) Bake something. Fresh baked sweet treats taste delicious, and make your house smell delicious. And, as an added bonus, you can open the oven door when you are finished and get a free blast of heat. 😁

11) Put a hot water bottle or microwavable heating pad in your bed before you get tucked in. No more cold toes at bedtime!

12) Make sprayable snow paint for kids by filling a spray bottle with water and a few drops of food colouring.

13) Get crafty.

14) Throw glow sticks in a warm bath.

15) Have a movie night.

Check out this helpful video for a closer look at some of the hacks!

Winter can be a difficult season, so why not try a few of these hacks to make life easier and more fun!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Hockey Tape Organizer

I love a good dollar store HACK... especially one that is simple and helps me organize my chaotic life. With three boys in hockey, I often have hockey tape all over my house, and no one can ever find it when they need it. So recently, I headed to the dollar store and came up with a solution for my hockey tape tape problem... a wire paper towel holder.

Don't you love finding a simple solution to a simple problem? This paper towel holder makes a perfect hockey tape organizer.

My boys will love being able to quickly find the hockey tape they need, and I will love having it organized all in one place. And if you are looking for more clever dollar store organization ideas, you can check out a few more here.

Fun, right? Do you have a clever dollar store organization idea that works well for you? I'd love to have you share it in the comments.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Using a CHEAP Bookcase to Get Organized

As a mom with a small house, three growing boys, and a lot of stuff... I am always looking for easy (and cheap) ways to bring a little order to my chaos. Last week, I was looking at the "piles" of "stuff" all over my older boys' room, and I knew I needed to find a way to organize their things. Today, I am sharing my tips for getting organized... with the help of a $30 bookcase.

My two older boys (who are 9 and 10) share a room, where they like to pile their stuff on top of any free surface. I needed to find a way to organize their stuff in a way that they could access it, and easily put their items away in a logical place.

The starting point for my project was a little blue table in their room that they have outgrown. I removed the table from their room, and I replaced it with a $30 three-shelf bookcase.

This little shelf looks a lot neater, and all of my boys' belongings are definitely more organized!

I was even able to remove a lot of the items from the top of their dresser and find places for their books and treasures on the bookcase.

This is what their dresser looks like now. Much better, right?

I am loving how much tidier my boys' room looks now. Not bad for $30!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Healthy lunchables

Making lunches is one of my most dreaded tasks, and I know I am not the only parent that feels this way. So, when I find something that makes packing lunches a little easier for me, I want to share the idea with as many people as I can. Today, I am showing you how to make healthier (and more environmentally friendly) "lunchables" that kids will love and parents can feel good about.

The key to these simple lunchables are these cute little Lock & Lock round containers. I love them because they are a perfect size, and kids find them easy to open and close.

Then, you just fill the containers with whatever you want. I like to use preservative free pepperoni or lunch meats, multi grain crackers or pretzels, cheese, and fresh fruit or raw veggies... but you can use your child's favourites (or whatever you have in your fridge/cupboard).

I think this is a fun option for lunches, and it would be easy to have your child help fill these containers with healthy options. What would you put in your homemade "lunchable"?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)


Disclosure: The link to the lunch container highlighted in this post is an affiliate link. If you purchase this container using this link in this post, I will receive a referral payment. Thanks for supporting my blog and all the free content I provide!

Stay in Touch Kit

Recently, my son had one of his friends move away, and he was pretty sad about it. I thought it would help if he gave him a little "going away" gift that would help them to stay in touch. So, I came up with this simple "stay in touch kit".

The bag contained writing paper, envelopes (already addressed to my son), and stamps. The front of the bag contained the following note:

I hope you enjoy this "stay in touch kit".  I have included some paper, envelopes and stamps.  I hope you write to me, and I will write back.  I am going to miss you, but this way, we can stay in touch.  I can't wait to hear about your new school and your hockey team.

This "stay in touch kit" really helped my son feel better about his friend leaving, and he is anxiously awaiting his first letter. I think it is a fantastic DIY gift for kids to give, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easy Toothbrush Organization

My kids' bathroom has been a disaster for a long time.  They have electric toothbrushes that don't fit in traditional toothbrush holders, and they all like different kinds of toothpaste.  I have been trying to find a way to organize our supplies, and recently, I came across a fantastic solution from "Musings from a Stay at Home Mom".  Today, I am sharing my version of her project -- a dollar store toothbrush storage solution.

For the record... here is the before picture of my bathroom.  I have no drawers in the bathroom, so I used the side of the cabinet door under my sink.

All you need for this project is a pair of scissors, some lightweight plastic cups from the dollar store, and velcro strips that are sticky on the back.

Then:

1)  You'll want to clean the back of cabinet door really well, and allow it to dry completely.

2)  Cut the velcro strips to the length of the cups.

3)  Attach the "hook" side to the cabinet door.

4)  Attach the "loop" side to the cups.

5)  Attach the cups to the door.  (Tip... Leave a little it of space above the cup so that the weight of the cup isn't constantly pulling on the top of the velcro strip.)

That's it!  I love how simple this solution is and the fact that I can easily remove the cups for cleaning.

Now my boys have a place for their toothbrushes, and my sink looks like this...

What do you think about this toothbrush storage solution?  Do you think it would work in your house?  Now I just have to find a way to keep them from splattering toothpaste every time they brush their teeth.  Any ideas?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

"Quick Grab" Hat and Mitten Baskets

One of my biggest challenges is getting my family out the door (on time) each morning.  In the winter, the search for hats and mitts makes mornings even more difficult in our house. But, last weekend, I came up with a solution... "Quick Grab" hat and mitten baskets.

I have a small house, and I don't have a mud room, so I only have a limited amount of space to work with.  I decided to use the small wall beside the door that connects my garage to my house.  This is where my boys put on their boots, so it is the perfect place for them to put on their hats and mitts.

I purchased cheap baskets at the dollar store, and my husband attached them to the wall with some washers and screws.  (I like that the baskets have holes in them because the hats and mitts are often slightly wet.)

Each of my boys has their own basket for their hat and mitts, but the baskets could be used for other things too.  I am thinking about adding a basket for phones and car keys.

Don't you just love how easy and inexpensive this solution is?  Do you have an idea for making the morning rush a little easier?  I'd love to hear it.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easy and Inexpensive Christmas Card {Quick Tip Tuesday #30}

Christmas cards can be expensive... especially custom cards.  However, you can easily put together an adorable option for less than $.15 a card.

The secret is to design a card that can be printed as a normal 4X6 photo.  I used Picmonkey.com to come up with this little card.  Cute, right?

It was easy, inexpensive, and fast (1 hour developing makes it perfect for last minute cards).  Do you send out Christmas cards?  I just love getting Christmas cards in the mail, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #27 - Pool Noodle Wreath Form

This isn't an idea that I came up with (as it is all over Pinterest); however, it is so clever that I knew I needed it to be part of Quick Tip Tuesday.

I LOVE this idea because it is super-easy and inexpensive. Basically, you use duct tape to secure the ends of a pool noodle together.

I stick a craft stick into the openings on the ends to make it stronger, and I use lots of duct tape.  Once I didn't use enough duct tape, and it came apart.... not good!

Also, if you want a different size/ diameter, you can also use pipe covers (which you can find at your local building supply store).

To make a wreath, just wrap the form with yarn, burlap or fabric.  Then, add whatever embellishments you like.  The dollar store has tons of inexpensive options.

Have you ever made a wreath from a pool noodle?  I'd love to see it!

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easiest Way to Cook Squash

With my family's busy schedules, I am always looking for shortcuts when it comes to making meals.  So today, I am sharing my secret for the easiest squash ever.

Here's what I do:

1)  I use a sharp knife to cut a buttercup squash into quarters, and then I carefully cut off the peeling.  

2)  I cut the quarters into smaller pieces and place them in a microwave safe dish.

3)  I cover the dish and use the sensor setting on my microwave to cook it.  (In my microwave, it cooks at 75% for about 12 minutes.)

4)  When it is finished, I drain out all the excess water, add a little butter, and mash it.

I often cut it up ahead of time, and keep it in the fridge.  Then, at dinner time, I just need to pop it into the microwave.  I just love squash, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easy Family Picture Arrangements

In June, we had some family pictures taken, and I have been planning on framing them for a few months.  This weekend, I finally put them up, and I thought I would share my tips for hanging groups of family photos.

Here's what I do:

1)  I collect a bunch of pictures and picture frames that work well together. 
2)  I arrange my pictures on the floor until I get an arrangement I like.
3)  I make paper templates for the pictures, and arrange them on the wall.
4)  I do some final measurements, and hang the pictures.

I just love surrounding myself with pictures of my family, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #20 - Fruit Fly Trap

Fruit flies drive me crazy, so when I get them, I want them gone FAST!  Today, I thought I would share what works for me.

First, I remove any food sources.  Then, I set a trap.  I put red wine vinegar in a glass, cover it with plastic wrap, and poke a few small holes in the top.  The flies get it, but they never get out.  :-)

Do you have a great way of getting rid of fruit flies?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

{simple} Freezie Holder

Don't you just love an easy solution to a common problem?  Today, I am sharing a simple tip to help little ones that can't hold onto a "freezie" because "it is too cold".  Check out this DIY "freezie" holder.

Just give your little one a stretchy (one size fits all) glove from the dollar store, and you'll never hear "it is too cold to hold" again.

Easy Peasy!  

Clever, right?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more GREAT ideas for summer here.

Tip for Beginner Readers

This tip is a simple one that actually came from my school teacher aunt.  When kids are learning to read, and pointing at the words as they go, give them a "witch finger" (a Halloween prop from the dollar store).  I know it sounds crazy, but my younger boys think it is great.

It is an easy way to keep little ones focussed on reading.  Isn't it a fantastically simple idea?

Do you have a great tip for beginner readers?  I'd love to hear it.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)