Top 10 Advent Countdown Ideas for Kids... and adults will like them too.

When it comes to Christmas, the days leading up to the big day are my favourite. I adore listening to Christmas carols, baking cookies, watching Christmas movies and counting down to the big day. Advent countdowns come in many forms (from homemade to store bought), and today, I am sharing 10 of my favourite ways to countdown to the Christmas!

**Note: This post contains a few affiliate links. I have 100% chosen these items because I love them, but I want to let you know that if you make a purchase using one of my affiliate links, I may get a small commission on your purchase... at NO additional cost to you. Thank you!**

1) For the Star Wars fan - My boys are huge Star Wars fans, and the LEGO inside this advent calendar is out of this galaxy. (See what I did there?) You can find out more here.

2) For the book and movie lover - This is a favourite way to countdown to the holidays in our house. I wrap our Christmas books and movies and number them 1-24. Then, during the lead up to Christmas, my boys take turns unwrapping the packages. Also... sometimes our Elf on the Shelf does it for us. 😀

3) For the LEGO fan - I absolutely love LEGO, and what is cuter than the LEGO Santa included in this LEGO City advent calendar. This LEGO friends advent calendar is adorable too!

4) For the chocolate and peanut butter fan - This advent calendar is my favourite. How great would it be to start every day in December with a small and delicious sweet treat?

5) For the child who likes surprises - Every time you open a window of this advent house, you get a surprise, including: 9 Kinder Mini Eggs, 9 Kinder Choco-Bons, 3 Kinder Chocolate, 2 Kinder Hollow Santa and 1 Kinder Surprise

6) For the creative child - This crayola Christmas countdown is perfect for a young child who likes to draw and colour. This is a fun one!

7) For the family that likes to keep things simple - Print this FREE calendar and use a marker, stickers or glued-on pom pom to countdown to the big day. Or... just use a chalkboard.

8) For the "old school" family - I made these paper chain countdowns when I was a child, and I made them with my boys when they were small. The time spent together crafting is just as much fun as the countdown. Find the instructions here.

9) For the family that prefers experiences - I love the idea of choosing activities over things. Fill each balloon with a fun activities you can do together (e.g. play a board game, watch a Christmas movie, make a tree ornament, etc...), and pop one balloon every day in December. Fun, right?

10) For the hockey fan - We had this fun calendar last year, and my boys love it. We especially loved the Santa on skates!

How do you countdown to Christmas? I absolutely love all these advent countdown ideas. We usually choose a couple of options because it's so much fun... and it's too hard to choose just one! 😀

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Gift Guide for LEGO Fans

My boys love LEGO... especially my middle son. We've had LEGO parties, planned trips to LEGOland, and purchased many LEGO products. So, when it comes to Christmas, there is always something "LEGO" related on my shopping list. Today, I am sharing 10 fun gift ideas for LEGO fans.

*Note: This post contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of my links, I will get a small commission (at NO extra cost to you). Thanks!

1) LEGO Advent Calendar - There is a LEGO advent calendar style for everyone, but in my house Star Wars LEGO rules! Getting a piece of LEGO every day for 24 days is a fantastic way to countdown to the big day.

2) LEGO Mug - I know it isn't good manners to play with your food, but with this super-fun LEGO mug, it's perfectly OK. I already ordered one of these mugs, and I can't wait for my son to try it out on Christmas morning.

3) LEGO Idea Book - I love the idea of making NEW projects from OLD pieces of LEGO. This fantastic book has over 500 ideas. That should keep the kids busy for a while.

4) LEGO Clean Up Mat - If you have ever stepped on a piece of LEGO, you know the importance of being able to clean up the pieces quickly and easily. This clean up mat is super-clever and the perfect quick clean up solution.

5) Clear Shoe Racks for LEGO Storage - There are tons of ways to store LEGO, but using a clear shoe rack is one of my favourites. The shoe racks take advantage of unused space on the back of a door, and the clear pockets make it easy for kids to organize their LEGO.

6) LEGO tape - This LEGO compatible tape is unique and clever. It's great for craft projects, and kids will love coming up with imaginative uses for it.

7) Classic LEGO Building Bricks - I'm a sucker for the classic LEGO bricks I grew up with. Rather than a "kit" with a specific thing to build, there are brightly coloured bricks which can be used to build endless imaginative creations.

8) LEGO Reactions Book - The STEM fan on your list will love this book. With existing pieces and the ones included with this book, you can design and build moving machines. How cool is that????

9) LEGO Stocking Stuffers - LEGO Crayons (which you can make by melting and cooling old crayons in a LEGO mold) and LEGO minifigures make great LEGO-themed stocking stuffers.

10) LEGO Kits - There are countless kits you can buy, but in my house the Star Wars kits are always the most popular. I am also loving the new Harry Potter kits this year.

Do you have a LEGO fan on your shopping list this Christmas? I hope this LEGO gift guide has given you some ideas and inspiration. Is there something you love that is missing from my list? Let me know what you think in the comments. 

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy) 

HOCKEY Gift Guide 2018... including a giveaway for the hockey player on your list

**Note: This gift guide contains some products that I received for free and a few affiliate links. Please be assured that the opinions in this blog are 100% my own. Also, if you make a purchase using one of my affiliate links, you will not pay any extra, but I may get a small commission on your purchase. Thank you!**

My boys eat, sleep, and breath hockey. If they aren't playing hockey, they are watching it or talking about it. So at Christmas, it's no surprise "hockey" gifts are at the top of everyone's list. Today, I am sharing some of my favourite gifts for the hockey fan in your house. I have something for everyone in the family at every price point... and I have a giveaway at the bottom of this post too!

Here are some great ideas for hockey products that are sure to bring a smile to the face of the hockey player in your house.

Teags & Ry Hats - How cute are these unique hockey hats from Teags & Ry? My boys love them... and they are good quality too. Check out all the wonderful hat options from Teags & Ry here.

Gongshow clothes - My boys love the style and comfort of these high quality hockey clothes, and the hockey skate lace details are awesome. Gongshow has great clothes for kids, but hockey moms and dads will love the Gongshow fashions too. You can check out Gongshow clothing here.

NHL 19 - If your hockey fan loves video games, you probably already have the latest version of this game on your list. My boys LOVE playing this on their PS4, and you can order it here.

Gongshow sauceoff party set - The rink isn't always open, and Gongshow has some great games that can be played off the ice and any time of year. We love our Gongshow sauceoff party set, which you can find here.

Heating pad for cold feet - If you are shopping for someone that spends a lot of time at the rink, chances are they suffer with cold hands and feet... and this heating pad may be the perfect gift for them. You can order it from Amazon here.

Hockey Mom / Dad Survival Kit - If you are someone who likes to DIY, you might want to create your own gift basket for the hockey mom or dad in your life. Don't forget a warm blanket, warm socks, a coffee mug with gift card, and a tasty treat.

Gongshow bags - Everyone needs a good bag for hockey gear, overnight trips, and transporting school books, and Gongshow has some functional and fashionable options. My boys have the hockey bag and the backpack, and they love them... and you can buy them here.

Hockey stocking stuffers - There are many fun options for hockey-themed stocking stuffers, and I have included three of my favourites below.

     1) These sneaker balls are great for stinky hockey bags. 

     2) These custom ornaments (from Personalization Mall) are perfect for the hockey-lovers Christmas tree.

     3) And these cool Gongshow socks are great for chilling out and watching the game. 

Hockey-themed labels and wall decals from Oliver's Labels - Personalized labels and wall decals make wonderful gifts for kids. I've recovered a lot of my boys clothes because of name labels, and how cute is this large jersey wall decal?

Hockey bag and travel coffee mug from Teags & Ry - This duffle bag is the perfect gift for the hockey mom in your life. It's cute, and there is lots of room for all the rink essentials. It's a great overnight bag too! (And don't forget to get mom one of these cute travel mugs. A hot coffee will keep her warm, awake, and ready to cheer!) You can find tons of fantastic Teags & Ry products here.

Hockey picture canvas from Canvas Factory - It's easy to create unique artwork with your favourite hockey picture. Check out the cute canvas picture I made for my youngest son using a picture from a hockey camp he attended this summer. You can order your favourite photo here. 

And... because I love contests during the holidays, I am giving you a chance to WIN a canvas like the one I had made. Great, right? You can enter below. (Note: Contest is open to US and Canadian residents only.) LEAVE a comment in the comments section below (and click the box in the Rafflecopter widget... and don't forget the bonus entries!) 

update: WINNER CHOSEN

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you have a hockey fan on your Christmas list this year? Is there something on my list that you are considering? I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Just send me an email or leave a comment below.

Happy shopping!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

15 Fantastic FAMILY GAMES (everyone will love)

I always enjoy a good family board game, don't you? It's a wonderful way for kids and parents to spend time together. Today, I am sharing a list of 15 fantastic family games that everyone will love (in no particular order). Which ones do you love playing with your family?

Note: This gift guide contains affiliate links (which means that if you make a purchase through this post, I will receive a small commission at NO additional cost to you).

1) Jenga - The rules of this one are simple... take a block from the bottom and put it on top (without making the tower topple over).

2) Skipbo - This card game is portable, and it is one of our family's favourites. It involves a little bit of school, but it is easy enough for children to play.

3) Uno - This is a classic card game that is sure to be a hit with parents and children of all ages. It's portable and fun!

And how cute is this Harry Potter edition?

4) Sorry - This is a classic board game with simple rules. The goal is to be the first person to get your men around the board.

5) Trouble - Who doesn't remember "popping the bubble" of a kid? This classic game has been around forever, anyone can play it, and it's lots of fun!

6) Sequence - This game combines a board game and a card game into a wonderful strategy game. It's recommended for ages 7 - adult... so it's family fun for all ages.

7) Clue - This is a classic mystery game where you try to find out the who committed the crime, where it was committed, and the weapon that was used. My boys love this one!

8) Spot it - Between two cards there is only one match. Spot it fast to win!

9) Battleship - This is a classic game that the whole family will love. Simply sink all your opponents battleships to win.

10) Blokus - The perfect fast-paced strategy game. It's easy to learn and great for families.

11) Yahtzee - This simple dice game is fun for families. Kids love shaking the dice and using the score pads.

12) Monopoly - Buy and sell your way to riches with this classic game that should be party of every board game collection. There are many versions, but I'm partial to the traditional one... though I hear the Monopoly Cheaters Edition is a lot of fun!

13) Wizard - This card game is inexpensive, portable, and fun. It's the ultimate game of bidding and winning tricks. 

14) LCR - This inexpensive dice game is so small you can pop it into your purse. Fun to play anywhere / anytime.

15) Pass the Pig - This game requires strategy, skill and luck. It's basically a dice game, but you are rolling "pigs". Fun, right?

Did your favourite board game make my list? Leave your favourite family board game in the comments. I'm always looking for recommendations and new ideas for family fun!

♥ 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)