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)

Super-cute Dollar Store Decor / Adorable FINDS and easy DIYs

Yesterday, I was browsing the aisles of my local Dollarama... and I found a couple of items that were perfect for DIYing! In the video I made (below) I show you what I found, how I DIYed them, and a super-cute way to style them. You are going to LOVE these!

Check out the adorable mushroom DIY, deck lanterns, and bathroom upgrade here:

Pretty cute, right? Don't forget to like the video and subscribe to my YouTube channel. I have some really fun things planned for summer.

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

3 NEW DIY GIFTS made using Dollar Store supplies / FREE gift tags included

I love a useful gift, don't you? Today I am sharing THREE new DIY GIFTS that are made using supplies I found at Dollarama. I'm also including a video with the simple "how to" instructions and FREE printable gift tags.

1) "If you give a teacher a cookie..." GIFT -- Dollarama has soooo many cute mugs, or you can make one with your Cricut like I did. You can fill the mug with coffee, gift cards, store bought cookies or homemade cookies. Then, just add the adorable tag I designed. Easy peasy!!!

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

2) Super-cute DANDELION VASE -- Dollarama has super-cute tiny vases, and they are perfect for little flowers picked by tiny hands. Great for a mom, dad or teacher. Just add the adorable tag I designed (below), and it's perfect for "gifting". 

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

3) "In case of Emergency" GIFT FRAME -- Dollar store frames and shadow boxes are easy to turn into super-cute gifts with a the addition of gift cards and/or treats. I added a Cricut decal that says "In Case of EMERGENCY Break Glass". If you don't have a Cricut machine, you could use alphabet stickers.

You can check out all the step by step instructions in the video I made (below).

What do you think of these budget-friendly gift ideas? Let me know which one is your favourite!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

A Simple (and fun!) DIY Graduation Gift Idea... with free printable gift tag

I love a DIY gift, don't you? This DIY graduation gift idea is a great option. It's pretty fun, and you can download the tag I designed (for FREE) below. I also put together a short DIY video for you here.

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

Enjoy your free printable, and congratulations to your graduate!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You might also like the graduation ideas below.)

5 Fantastic DIY Gifts for DADs/ Father’s Day Crafts / Dollarama DIY

Handmade gifts are perfect for Father's Day -- they are thoughtful and budget-friendly. Today, I'm sharing FIVE fantastic DIY gifts that dads are guaranteed to LOVE! Most of the supplies came from my local Dollarama, so you'll be able to find everything you need at your local dollar store.

Check out the video (with all the step by step instructions) here:

1) Wood slice key chain - Wood slices from the dollar store can be easily customized and turned into a super-cute, customized key chain. Find the full instructions here.

2) Dad's "pocket stuff" tray - A personalized tray is a great place for dad to drop his keys, loose change, and phone. Help dad get organized with this adorable "pocket stuff" tray. Find the step-by-step instructions here.

3) Paper heart "stuffed with treats" - A fun paper-stitched heart is a great way to gift goodies to dad. It's simple to make, and you can find the simple instructions here.

4) Dad's SNACK 'STACHE jar - Dads love a good "pun", so this jar (filled with his favourite snacks) is a great gift for Father's Day. Find the full instructions here. 

5) Handmade card - I love a card with a handwritten (and heartfelt) message inside. Find out how to make this cute shirt tie here.

Let me know which of these DIYs is your favourite. I think they are all pretty adorable. 

Happy Father's Day!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Budget-friendly basement BATHROOM UPDATE / From drab to fab for $450!!

I love an inexpensive refresh, and for less than $450, I totally updated (and upgraded) the bathroom in my basement. I hope you LOVE my budget-friendly bathroom reno and money saving tips. 

And, you can find links to the products I used below. (Note: some are affiliate links, so if you purchase any of the items, I'll get a small commission at no charge to you.) 

Amazon light fixture - https://amzn.to/4lIjw2h 

Amazon mirror - https://amzn.to/42ZVQyN 

Taps - https://kent.ca/en/larkin-2-handle-lavatory-faucet-1199482 

Amazon shower curtain - https://amzn.to/4jMJtf3 

Amazon black mat - https://amzn.to/4jMJtf3 

Amazon black toilet paper holder - https://amzn.to/44406hQ 

Amazon black towels & facecloths - https://amzn.to/4ixeItu 

Dollar store décor (frames and baskets and accessories)

Dollarama photo enlargement - local photo developing store

Basket for back of toilet - TEMU

Artwork - TEMU

Black garbage can - TEMU 

Check out the video I made (below) to see all my reno details.

Let me know what you think!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Last Minute Easter Decor

With Easter just round the corner, I squeezed in one last holiday DIY. I made an adorable Easter Bunny Garland, and it was soooooooo easy.

Isn't it adorable? You can see how I made it in the short video I made here.

What do you think? I'm really working on growing my YouTube channel, so make sure you subscribe and ring the notification bell to make sure that you don't miss out on all the fun things I have planned.

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

NEW bunny wreath you can DIY using dollar store supplies / Dollarama DIY/ Easter Wreath

The great thing about DIY is that you can customize your decor to your style and taste... using inexpensive supplies. Today, I'm sharing a gorgeous Easter wreath I made using Dollarama supplies. Check out the result (and the instructions) below.

Here's what I started with...

And here's what I created:

Cute, right?!?

Want to make one of your own? 

Check out the video below for the step-by-step instructions.

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Unique and Budget-friendly DIY Graduation Candy Bar... with free signage and tags

***Updated with signs for 2025***

I love a good party DIY... and what's better than a DIY Candy Bar. Today, I'm sharing my tips and tricks for putting together a fantastic candy bar on a budget. I'm even including FREE printable signage and tags.

Take a peek at the video (below) for all the information you need to put together your own impressive and budget-friendly candy bar. Then, come back here and download the free signage and tags.

To download the 5x7 "Graduation is SWEET! Enjoy a Treat" sign I designed (below): click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 5x7 photo.

To download the 8x10 "A SWEET Ending to a New Beginning" sign I designed (below): click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

To download the 8x10 "Graduation is SWEET Enjoy a Treat!" sign I designed (below): click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

To download the tags I designed to label the jars of candy: click on the pictures below, right-click, save them to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photos.

NEW budget-friendly (and useful!) DIY Valentine’s Day gifts & FREE Printables

I love a useful gift, don't you? There is nothing worse than spending money on things that are going to end up in the garbage (or addi clutter to a home). Today, I am sharing ALL NEW budget-friendly (and useful) DIY Valentine's Day gift ideas -- made from dollar store supplies! AND... I'm including printable tags you can download for FREE.

1) "I hope you get LUCKY" lotto ticket picture frame - A dollar store frame is the perfect way to share lottery tickets, and you can download the free gift tag I designed below. For a closer look at how I put this together, check out the video I made here.

To download the tags I designed for FREE: click on the picture below, right-click, save it, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

2) Dollar store picture frame "to do" list - A dollar store frame, a custom backing, and a fun way to display a dry erase pen come together to make a fun and practical Valentine's Day gift. Get a closer look at how I made this in the video I made here.

3) "I love our friendCHIP" tags to add to cookies - These tags are great paired with store-bought (or homemade) cookies. And who doesn't love a yummy treat??? Download the tags below, and see how I used them in the video I made here.

To download the tags I designed for FREE: click on the picture below, right-click, save it, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

4) Personalized picture Valentine's - These are so easy to make with dollar store suckers, glow sticks or pencils. Check out how I made them here.

Are you interested in a closer look at any of these budget-friendly (and useful!) DIY Valentine's Day gifts? 

Check out the video I made below...

Let me know your favourite Valentine's Day gift in the comments below. And, let me know if you'd like more ideas like this!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)