24 Days of Easy and Inexpensive HANDMADE Christmas Gifts

This year, I want to help you give thoughtful and budget-friendly gifts, so I'm sharing 24 days of HANDMADE Christmas gifts. I'll keep adding to this post every day of December, so keep coming back to check what's new. Click on the titles to see the step-by-step instructional videos, get all the DIY details, and grab the free tags.

DAY 1 - COZY CHRISTMAS MOVIE WATCHING KIT

DAY 2 - HOMEMADE SIMMER POT KITS

DAY 3 - DISPOSABLE DISHES AND FREE PUNNY TAGS

DAY 4 - ADORABLE EDIBLE GIFTS FOR ADULTS & KIDS (and FREE printable tags)

DAY 5 - DOLLAR STORE FRAME FILLED WITH TICKETS... FREE GIFT TAGS INCLUDED

DAY 6 - CREATIVELY (AND ADORABLY) WRAPPED CHOCOLATES... WITH WARM WISHES GIFT TAGS INCLUDED

DAY 7 - HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS COOKIE MIX

Day 8 - HANDMADE, PERSONALIZED ORNAMENTS (4 different options)... and a free printable gift tag

Day 9 - HANDMADE SOAPS THAT ARE NOSTALGIC AND BEAUTIFUL... and free printable gift tags

Day 10 - ADORABLE EDIBLE GIFTS THAT KIDS WILL LOVE.

Day 11 - "REINDEER POOP" COOKIES (RECIPE AND FREE PRINTABLE GIFT TAGS INCLUDED)

Day 12 - A FUN WAY TO GIFT WINE (INCLUDING FREE PRINTABLE GIFTS TAGS)

Day 13 - PERSONALIZED SNOWBALL KIT

Day 14 - "WE WHISK YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS" GIFT... WITH FREE PRINTABLE TAGS

Day 15 - PERSONALIZED, INEXPENSIVE DOLLAR STORE BLANKS

Day 16 - A SMALL AND USEUL GIFT. PERECT ON ITS OWN OR PAIRED WITH A GIFT CARD

To download the "Mistletoe Ready" tags I designed (FOR FREE) - Click on the picture of the tags below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Day 17 - FUN WAY TO GIVE A GIFT CARD. It's super-easy to make, and you can find the step by step instructions here.

Day 18 - SHARING PLATE

Day 19 - SIMPLE CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Day 20 - DIY CHRISTMAS GAME

Day 21 - CUSTOM HOT CHOCOLATE BASKET

Day 22 - A CUTE WAY TO DELIVER A LITTLE FESTIVE CHEER

Day 23 - THE BEST HOMEMADE GOODIES TO BAKE AND SHARE

Day 24 - A CREATIVE WAY TO WRAP A GIFT

Creating a Magical Christmas on a Budget: Gorgeous DIY Decor for $5 or LESS

This Christmas, I'm all about enjoying the holidays and not stressing about money. To help you do the same... I created a YouTube video series called "Creating a magical Christmas on a BUDGET". This week, I'm featuring DIY Decor Ideas that you can make for $5 or LESS.

1) Felt Bow Garland - Soooo easy to make... and very inexpensive. My garland only used TWO pieces of felt. You can see the step by step tutorial here.

2) Large Nativity Candle - A large Christmas candle can be expensive, but you can make my version for only $5. You can see the step by step tutorial here.

3) Custom (budget) Christmas Artwork - I love this custom artwork because it's inexpensive and TOTALLY customizable. You can see the step by step tutorial here.

4) Dried Oranges - I love old fashioned, vintage decor... and dried oranges are easy to make and really versatile. You can use them to decorate ornaments, vases, garlands, wreaths, and more. You can also string them and use them as tree ornaments. You can see the step by step tutorial here.

To get a closer look at all these DIYS (and MORE), you can watch the video I made here.

Simple Halloween Decor... with "Pops of Pink" / Dollar Store Crafts and DIYs

I love the idea of taking inexpensive supplies, getting creative, and making them beautiful. So today, I have some easy and inexpensive Halloween DIYs to share. As a mom of three boys, I'm partial to a "pop of pink", so I think these projects are super cute! (However, you can use whatever colours you like.) Take a peek below, and let me know what you think! 😁

1) Tiny ghost shelf sitters - Why are tiny things so cute? I'm not sure... but these little framed ghosts are adorable. Grab some wooden blocks from the dollar store, and get crafty. Find the step by step instructions here.

2) Rock ghosties - Rocks are a fantastic FREE canvas... and they are adorable when they are crafted into little ghosts. You can see how easy they are to make here. (And you can access the Cricut decal design here.)

3) Funny wood round sign - Can you believe I made this adorable sign with a $2 wood round from Dollarama? I'm absolutely obsessed with how cute this is! You can find the full instructions here. (And you can access the Cricut decal design here.)

Ready to make all these adorable crafts? Have a look at the YouTube video I made (below).

Let me know (in the comments) which one of these pieces of decor is your favourite. Are you a fan of pink, or do you prefer more traditional Halloween colours?

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

7 Simple (and adorable) FALL crafts for Kids / Dollar Store Crafts

In a world where kids spend too much time in front of screens, I love when kids get the opportunity to craft and get creative. Seasonal crafts that use a variety of materials are perfect for keep kids engaged. Today I am sharing 7 adorable FALL crafts for kids. They are easy to make, and the supplies won't be difficult to find. Check them out below.

Click on the titles for all the DIY details and instructions.

1) Yarn wrapped popsicle frame

2) Tumbling tower block apple shelf sitter

3) Pumpkin magnet

4) Paper bag scarecrow puppet (with template)

5) Yarn tassel keychain/bag tag

6) Scarecrow cookie (with recipe for the BEST Fall cookie)

7) Paper doll scarecrow (with template)

For a closer look at all 7 FALL CRAFTS, check out the YouTube video I made below.

Let me know in the comments, which craft is YOUR favourite? I hope you have fun making them!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Sweet and Simple Summer Crafts (for all ages)

These crafts are perfect for all ages. The supplies are easy to find (mostly from the dollar store and the recycling bin), the crafts are simple, and the results are super-cute! If you want an afternoon of crafting at home, these crafts are perfect. They are also wonderful for craft classes and parties.

For the instructions for these adorable (and fun to make) crafts, check out the video I made here.

Fun, right?!?

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

☀️Super cute (and classy) SUMMER DIYs… made using dollar store supplies / Dollarama DIYs

I am so excited to share my latest SUMMER DIYs with you today. They are easy and inexpensive to make, and they are sooooo nice! No one will ever guess that they are make with dollar store supplies.

1) Solar Powered Fountain - The base of this solar fountain is made from Dollarama planters. Can you believe it??? You can get an "up close" look and find the "step by step instructions" here.

2) Simple S'more Station - I love a themed tiered tray, and this one is perfect for summer. Take a look at how I made it using Dollarama supplies here.

Pretty cute, right? Make sure you check out the video I made below.

Have a great summer, and don't forget to check back here (or on YouTube) for more easy, inexpensive and fun ideas.

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

8 Fantastic GRADUATION Party DIYs... free 2025 printables included

Little handmade details make a celebration budget-friendly, memorable, and fun. Today I am sharing 8 fantastic graduation party DIYs (and free printables) that are guaranteed to help you plan the BEST graduation party!

Check out the video I made here...

1) Graduation Hat Wreath - This sweet wall hanging is made from a piece of Dollar Store FOAM BOARD! Cute, right? Check out the step by step instructions here.

2) Custom Disposable Glasses - The best part about DIY is that you can customize items to get exactly what you want --- and you save money. See how I made a bunch of disposable graduation glasses for just a few dollars here.

3) Photo Frame Centrepiece - Dollar store frames can easily be put together with hot glue to make this adorable, personalized centrepiece. Get the step-by-step instructions here.

4) Inexpensive Graduation Photo Prop - Dollar store foam board is cheap and great for making giant photo frames. See how easy it was to make this here.

5) Photo Sharing Sign - A simple way to see all the fun photos from Prom and Grad festivities is to add a common hashtag when posting. You can download the sign I designed for free below.

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

6) Graduation tiered tray - To make this inexpensive dollar store tray, all you need are: dollar store plates, dollar store candle holders, a button, and embroidery thread (to make a tassel). Find the step by step instructions here.

7) Inexpensive (and Simple) Graduation Candy Bar - A candy bar with "punny signs" is super fun for a graduation get together. Get the instructions and FREE tags for 2025 here.

8) Punny Party Favours - It's always fun to have something guests can take with them when they leave. I love a good party favour, don't you? Get the instructions and FREE tags for 2025 here.

I hope you like these ideas... and let me know which one is your favourite.

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You can find a great way to preserve graduation memories here.)