NEW High-end HALLOWEEN Decor... made using dollar store supplies

I love creating high-end holiday decor, and I especially love when it is budget-friendly. Today, I have some fantastic Halloween DIYs made using dollar store supplies. I absolutely LOVE the LED cauldron. Take a peek and let me know which one if your favourite.

This wreath could not be easier to make, and it's totally adorable! I used an old grapevine wreath form and a wooden ghost from the dollar store. You can get a closer look (and the instructions) here.

I also made this cat and old-fashioned ghost face using dollar store wooden blanks, and you can see how I made them here. Pretty cute, right?!?!

And here is my FAVOURITE! I love this cauldron made from a dollar store LED light and curling ribbon. It looks fantastic when it is lit up at night. I think it would look great set up on a food table at a Halloween party. You can find the simple "how to" here.

Are you ready to make something fantastic for Halloween? Check out the video I made below to see how easy and inexpensive these gorgeous pieces of decor are to make using dollar store supplies.

Let me know which one of these Halloween DIYs is YOUR favourite. Which wooden piece would you have used for the wreath?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the ideas here...

High End FALL Decor... on a dollar store budget / Clever money saving HACKs

I love adding seasonal decor to my home, and I really love doing it on a budget. I especially enjoy using what I have so I have less clutter in my home. Today I'm sharing a few of my clever money saving HACKs for Fall.

One of my favourite HACKs is to replace the artwork in frames that I already have in my home. For Fall, I designed a fun "hello pumpkin" print that you can download for FREE below. I absolutely love the colours!

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

I also LOVE updating existing decor. For example, I made this simple grapevine wreath for summer. (It's just a grapevine wreath spray painted turquoise and embellished with faux flowers and greenery.)

When I found these adorable pumpkins (for ONLY $2) at my local Dollarama, I knew they'd be perfect for updating this wreath for Fall.

I used the clips to attach them to the wreath, and "voila!". I instantly turned a Summer wreath into a Fall wreath. Clever, right?!?!

Want a closer look at these products... and check out MORE ideas like this? Take a peak at the video below.

What colours do you love for Fall? Do you prefer traditional or untraditional colours (like the ones I used for my print and wreath)?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

10 NEW (Dollar Store) Summer Essentials and HACKS

Summer is here, and your local dollar store is the perfect place to stock up on summer essentials. Today, I'm sharing my favorite dollar store finds for Summer and HACKS you are going to want to try!

Click the links for more details.

1) Personalized summer essentials bag - It's super-convenient to have an "easy to grab" bag full of summer essentials, and the dollar store has everything you need to stock it inexpensively.

2) Compact beach towel - The dollar store beach towels are cheap, colourful, and thin enough to pack it easily.

3) Water bottles - The dollar store has water bottles to fit any style. I love this big one with a straw. It helps me stay hydrated all summer long.

4) Solar lights - I love using solar lights on my patio. They are very low maintenance and provide a great atmosphere all season long. The small string solar lights are perfect for the roof of my gazebo.

5) Personalized detangling brushes - These brushes are perfect for wind-blown, pool, or beach hair. They are inexpensive and fun to personalize with a Cricut decal.

6) Economical (and fun!) movie night treats - Buying your favourite candy and packaging it in dollar store condiment containers is clever. It also looks great and helps with portion control.

7) Campfire essentials - Campfires are a summer essential... so you need to make sure you have lots of campfire treats on hand. I love this dollar store bucket, goodies, and personalized roasting sticks.

8) Storage solutions - To make room for summer, pack away winter clothes and blankets. The dollar store has extra large bags that work perfectly.

9) Citronella candles - The dollar has many options for these candles that help keep the bugs away. My current favorite is this cement version. It's very "on trend".

10) Glow sticks - Glow sticks are a summer staple in our home. They are great for taking for walks in the dark and for playing tag at night. They are also great for providing light... especially at the bottom of a cooler. Functional AND fun!

For a closer look and MORE great ideas... check out the video below.

I hope you head to the dollar store and pick up some of these summer essentials. These products are definitely worth buying and the hacks are definitely worth trying!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the dollar store diys for summer you can find here.

10 dollar store finds and DIYs for CANADA DAY

Do you love holiday decor on a budget? I have TEN dollar store finds and DIYs for Canada Day that are super-cute and budget-friendly. Take a look, and let me know which one is your favourite.

You can see ALL my finds and DIYs (and find out how to get the free Canada Day print I designed) here:

Happy Canada Day!!!!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

FREE Canada Day printable... Oh Canada Lyrics

If you love holiday decor that is easy and inexpensive, you are going to love this free "Oh Canada" print for Canada Day. 

All you need to do is download the free print I designed, and pop it in a dollar store frame.

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

I love this little print, don't you? I think it's really simple and fun!

Happy Canada Day!!!!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Graduation Party Favor Ideas... and free printable tags

I love a good party favor... especially if it's budget-friendly. So, with my son's graduation coming up, I decided to create some inexpensive party favors using dollar store goodies. I came up with five party favor ideas (and free printable tags) that you are going to love!

Here are the items I used to create the party favors.

And here are the tags I designed. 

1) The first tag is great to pair with mint gum or pepperments.

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

2) The second tag can be paired with store-bought or homemade cookies.

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

3) The third tag can be paired with bags of popped popcorn... or these unpopped bags of microwave popcorn.

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

4) The fourth tag can be used with any sweet treat. It works with candy AND chocolate. Just pick your favourite.

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

5) The last tag can be used with doughnuts or doughnut holes. I used store bought old fashioned doughnuts.

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

I love how they all look displayed on the tiered tray I made (in the video you can find here).

You can also get a closer look at how I put all the party favors together below...

PS - If you don't like the gold colored tagged I used, check out the more colorful options below...

Let me know in the comments which of these graduation party favors is YOUR favourite. I don't think I could pick because they are ALL so cute. :-)

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

10 Punny Father's Day Gifts

Who doesn't love a good "Dad Joke"? So, when it comes to Father's Day, "punny gifts" are perfect. Today, I'm sharing 10 punny Father's Day gift ideas that are sure to make the special dad in your life smile.

1) Soda – Let dad sit and relax with an ice-cold soda. Gift him a six pack of his favourite beverage, and add “tie” tags that say “World’s Greatest POP!”. Download the "tie tags" I designed here.

2) Donuts – A bouquet of flowers might not be a dad’s favourite gift, but who wouldn’t love a bouquet of donuts? Grab a box of Timbits, add them to the end of BBQ skewers, gather the bottoms together with an elastic, wrap the bunch up in tissue paper, and secure it all together with a piece of ribbon. Then, to make the gift extra fun, add a tag that says, “I DONUT know what we would do without you!”. Check out the step-by-step instructions for putting together a donut bouquet here.

3) Socks – For a whimsical gift option, consider picking out a pair of socks with a design that fits his personality. Then, add a punny tag that says, “You knock my SOCKS off!”

4) Cookie Kit – Dads that like to bake (and eat) cookies will love receiving a homemade cookie kit for Father’s Day. In a mason jar, assemble all the dry ingredients required to make their favourite cookies. Then, attach a tag that says, “Dad’s emergency ‘STACHE of cookies!” Get my favourite cookie mix recipe, and Download the tags I designed for you here.

5) Painted Rock – Handmade gifts are always appreciated—especially when they are made by children. A child can paint a rock with a punny twist by using paint markers to add the words, “My Dad ROCKS!”

6) Reese’s Pieces – For a father with a sweet tooth, a box of his favourite candy makes a great gift. Reese’s Pieces are perfect when paired with a “We love you to PIECES!” tag. Download your tags for FREE here.

7) Gift Cards – Gift cards are great, but they can often feel impersonal. This problem can be solved if you package it in a creative way. Insert the gift card into the centre of roll of toilet paper. Then, add a tag that says, “Thanks for putting up with my CRAP.” Funny, right? Download the tags I designed (for free) here.

8) S’more Kit – The weather is getting warmer, and campfires are a summer staple for many families. It is the perfect time to wrap up a s’more kit for dad and add a note that says, “I couldn’t love you S’MORE!” Download the tags I designed here.

9) Movie Night – Time together is the best gift of all, and a movie night is fun and easy to play. Try to include a pun or two to make Dad smile. For example, for a viewing of Star Wars, you can make a sign that says, “YODA best Dad!” Don’t forget to serve “You’re the best POP in the world!” popcorn.

10) BBQ – Planning a special BBQ for Father’s Day is a fantastic idea. Gather up all dad’s favourite grilling staples, put them in a basket, and add a tag that says, “Time for a BBQ. It will be GRATE!”

What are you planning to spoil your special guy with this year? I hope you have a very happy Father's Day!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

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