Creating a Magical Christmas on a BUDGET: Useful DIY Gift Ideas UNDER $5... with free printable gift tags

This year, I am doing a NEW Christmas video series to help people plan a magical and meaningful Christmas on a BUDGET. Today, I'm sharing my latest projects -- USEFUL DIY Gift Ideas under $5. The holidays don't need to break the bank. All you need is a trip to the dollar store and the FREE tags I designed (below).

1) Custom candles (with warm wishes tags) -- You can pick up an inexpensive candle and make it look expensive by customizing it. I used my Cricut to add words to mine, but you could also use paint, stickers, or class markers. Then, pop it in a cellophane bag, and add the tag I designed (below).

To download the "warm wishes" tags -- Click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

2) Paper plates & napkins (with "Christmas WISHES for less dirty DISHES" tags) -- Heading to someone's house and need a little hostess gift? This is a budget-friendly and thoughtful idea. Grab some festive paper plates and napkins, tie with twine, and add the tags I designed. I love the "Christmas WISHES for less dirty DISHES" tags. You can download them for free below.

To download the "Christmas WISHES for less dirty DISHES" tags -- Click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print on a regular 8.8"x11" sheet of paper.

3) Gingerbread kit (with "A Christmas TREAT for someone SWEET!" tags) -- I love gifting activities, don't you? What is better than a gift that encourages family and friends to do something together? I found this Oreo Christmas House kit at my local Dollarama for under $5, and I think it makes an adorable gift with the tags I designed (which you can download below).

To download the "A Christmas TREAT for someone SWEET" tags -- Click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

For a closer look at all these wonderful gift ideas, check out the YouTube video I made below.

Thanks for DIYing with me!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

FREE tags for "sweet treat" Christmas gifts

I love a useful gift... and it's even better if it's packaged in a thoughtful way. Today, I'm sharing a fun way to package cookies, and I'm sharing FREE downloadable gift tags.

Disclosure - I was given these cookies for free in exchange for product promotion... but I can guarantee that the opinions in this blog are 100% my own. I LOVE these cookies. :-)

I designed three different tags, and they all can be paired with any sweet treat. You can use homemade or store-bought cookies.

A useful gift with a thoughtful punny tag is perfect for the holidays!!!

To download and print the FREE tags I designed: click on the tag you want to print below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 4x6 photo. (Note: there are two tags on each sheet.)

You can also get a closer look at the treats I made in the video I made here.

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Thanks for watching!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Kindness Challenge -- instructions and a free printable download 😊 / #EastCoastMommyKindnessProject

There is a lot of negativity in the world, but you can always find kindness if you look for it. Today, I'm sharing a fun way to spread a bit of joy to your friends and your community. Take a look at this short video here for the details, and then, grab the FREE printable below. Fun, right???

*** Make sure to tag #EastCoastMommyKindnessProject so I can see what you did. 😊

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

If you have any trouble, just leave your email address in the comments below, and I'll send you one.

I hope you have as much fun with this as I did.

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS... you may also be interested in setting up a ROCK LIBRARY. It's such a fun idea!!!

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.)

2025 Graduation Party Favors -- with FREE printable tags

***UPDATED with 2025 tags***

I love a good party favor... especially if it's budget-friendly. So, when my son graduated last year, 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! (And for a closer look, take a look at the video I made here.)

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

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

To download these tags: 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 these tags: 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 these tags: 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 these tags: 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 these tags: 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 favorite. I think they are all pretty cute!

♥
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.