Easy and Inexpensive Christmas Card {Quick Tip Tuesday #30}

Christmas cards can be expensive... especially custom cards.  However, you can easily put together an adorable option for less than $.15 a card.

The secret is to design a card that can be printed as a normal 4X6 photo.  I used Picmonkey.com to come up with this little card.  Cute, right?

It was easy, inexpensive, and fast (1 hour developing makes it perfect for last minute cards).  Do you send out Christmas cards?  I just love getting Christmas cards in the mail, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easy Elf on the Shelf Idea {Quick Tip Tuesday #29}

Our Elf on the Shelf is soooo good to us.  He knows that we have special Christmas activities that we do every year, and sometimes he helps us get them done.  For example, last week he brought us a gingerbread house kit.

Fun, right?  The boys were super excited to see it sitting next to "Elfie" when they got up in the morning, and I was thrilled I didn't have to go out and get one.  ;-)

Do you make gingerbread houses with your little ones?  Maybe you should tell your Elf on the Shelf that you need one.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easy and Fun Elf on the Shelf Idea

Here's a quick tip for all you Elf on the Shelf owners.  Our "Elfie" likes to bring us little gifts from the north pole.  Last week he brought us an elf ornament.

It's easy and inexpensive, but it's lots of fun.  My boys were super-excited when they saw what Elfie brought us. 

Does your Elf on the Shelf like to bring you little gifts?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #27 - Pool Noodle Wreath Form

This isn't an idea that I came up with (as it is all over Pinterest); however, it is so clever that I knew I needed it to be part of Quick Tip Tuesday.

I LOVE this idea because it is super-easy and inexpensive. Basically, you use duct tape to secure the ends of a pool noodle together.

I stick a craft stick into the openings on the ends to make it stronger, and I use lots of duct tape.  Once I didn't use enough duct tape, and it came apart.... not good!

Also, if you want a different size/ diameter, you can also use pipe covers (which you can find at your local building supply store).

To make a wreath, just wrap the form with yarn, burlap or fabric.  Then, add whatever embellishments you like.  The dollar store has tons of inexpensive options.

Have you ever made a wreath from a pool noodle?  I'd love to see it!

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #26 - Simple Reindeer Ornament

During the hectic holiday season, sometimes it's helpful to have a "quick craft" on hand to keep the kids busy.  Here's a simple reindeer ornament the kids will love to make.

Little ones can make it in four easy steps.

1)  Glue three popsicle sticks into a triangle.
2)  Glue on googly eyes and a pom pom nose.
3)  Twist two pipe cleaners into antlers.
4)  Add a ribbon hanger.

So cute and simple, right?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easiest Way to Cook Squash

With my family's busy schedules, I am always looking for shortcuts when it comes to making meals.  So today, I am sharing my secret for the easiest squash ever.

Here's what I do:

1)  I use a sharp knife to cut a buttercup squash into quarters, and then I carefully cut off the peeling.  

2)  I cut the quarters into smaller pieces and place them in a microwave safe dish.

3)  I cover the dish and use the sensor setting on my microwave to cook it.  (In my microwave, it cooks at 75% for about 12 minutes.)

4)  When it is finished, I drain out all the excess water, add a little butter, and mash it.

I often cut it up ahead of time, and keep it in the fridge.  Then, at dinner time, I just need to pop it into the microwave.  I just love squash, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

DIY Book Nook

I believe that books should always be visible and accessible to children, and this is why you will find books in almost every room of my house.  In an effort to be a little more organized, this weekend, I created a simple DIY "book nook" for my boys.

It was really easy to put together.  I bought some unfinished spice racks from IKEA and painted them white.  Then, I added a framed photo of a page out of one of our favorite books.  (I also added a quote to our picture using Picmonkey.com.  It says, "The more that you read, the more things you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. - by Dr. Seuss.")  Cute, right?

I love how all the books are "on display", and the boys are thrilled with how easy it is to find their favorites.

Do you have a "quick tip" for displaying books in your home?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #20 - Fruit Fly Trap

Fruit flies drive me crazy, so when I get them, I want them gone FAST!  Today, I thought I would share what works for me.

First, I remove any food sources.  Then, I set a trap.  I put red wine vinegar in a glass, cover it with plastic wrap, and poke a few small holes in the top.  The flies get it, but they never get out.  :-)

Do you have a great way of getting rid of fruit flies?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

{simple} Freezie Holder

Don't you just love an easy solution to a common problem?  Today, I am sharing a simple tip to help little ones that can't hold onto a "freezie" because "it is too cold".  Check out this DIY "freezie" holder.

Just give your little one a stretchy (one size fits all) glove from the dollar store, and you'll never hear "it is too cold to hold" again.

Easy Peasy!  

Clever, right?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more GREAT ideas for summer here.

Quick Tip Tuesday #18 - Cleaning out Cupboards

This week's tip is inspired by one of my kitchen cupboards that had become totally unusable.  Don't we all have a cupboard that drives us crazy every time we open it?  Last week, I tackled my most disorganized cupboard, and today I am sharing some helpful hints with you.

Here is how you can organize a cupboard in three easy steps:

Step 1 - Empty the cupboard, and give it a good cleaning.

Warning... it's going to get worse before it gets better.  lol

Step 2 - Purge.  Get rid of things you no longer use, and consider relocating items you don't use very often.  (e.g. I moved some of my rarely used cake pans into my garage.)

Step 3 - Organize.  Think about how you use the items, and organize them accordingly.  (e.g. I put my platters in the back, and I put my lunch containers close to the front.

I feel great now that this cupboard is usable again.  On to the next one!  :-)

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #17 - Ready-to-go bags

I hate being late, and I am always rushing to get the kids to their lessons and sports activities on time.  One of the ways I keep myself organized is to always have "the bag" (for each activity) ready to go.

For example, I have a swimming bag with the boys towels, bathing suits, and bathing caps.  When they get home from their lessons, I wash everything, and as soon as it is clean, I stick it all back in the bag.  This way... I always know where everything is, and it is always ready to go when we are.

Who doesn't love one less thing to worry about?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Make Packing Lunches Easier

Now that we are back to school, I thought I would share one of my favorite lunch making tips. I buy lunch staples in bulk when they are on sale, take them out of their packages, and put them in plastic containers from the dollar store.

This tip helps save money, makes lunch items quicker to access, and frees up space in the cupboard.  

I also have lots of fruit, yogurt, and cheese strings "ready to go" in my fridge, and individually wrapped homemade treats in my freezer.

Do you have a tip to help make packing lunches easier?  It is one of my most dreaded tasks, and I can use all the help I can get. Thanks!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #15 - Backpack Hooks

Do you have kids that drop their backpacks on the floor when they come in the door after school?  I was tired of tripping over the kids' bags, so I came up with a simple solution.

I bought some over-the-door hooks, and hung them up next to my "make shift mudroom" in the garage.  Now, we go through their backpacks right after school, and then the bags go up on the hooks... ready for the next morning.

I love how easy and effective this solution is, don't you? 

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Tip for Beginner Readers

This tip is a simple one that actually came from my school teacher aunt.  When kids are learning to read, and pointing at the words as they go, give them a "witch finger" (a Halloween prop from the dollar store).  I know it sounds crazy, but my younger boys think it is great.

It is an easy way to keep little ones focussed on reading.  Isn't it a fantastically simple idea?

Do you have a great tip for beginner readers?  I'd love to hear it.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #13 - Labels for Kids

This is the time of year that many moms order name labels for back to school.  So today's "Quick Tip Tuesday" is a simple {but helpful} idea -- when you have multiple children, order labels that have all the children's names on them or just use their last name.

Then, when clothes (or other items) get passed down from one child to another, no "re-labelling" is required.

Clever, right?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (If you are interested in supporting me and this blog, I would love for you to considering ordering labels from me... here.  Thank you!)

DIY Summer Gift {World's Greatest Bubbles Kit}

Who doesn't love a homemade gift, and this one is sure to bring a smile to the face of the lucky recipient.  Who wouldn't love a "World's Greatest Bubbles" Kit?  

All you need is a bottle of {light} corn syrup and a bottle of good quality dish soap.  (I like "Dawn".)  Tie it up with some ribbon and a recipe for bubbles (12 cups water, 1 cup light corn syrup and 2 cups dishwashing liquid), and you're done!

It's a great gift for a neighbour or friend, and it would make a great loot bag for a summer party.  You could also add some bubble wands and a bubble dispenser for a fun and unique birthday gift.

Do you know someone who loves bubbles?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #11 - Simple Summer Craft - Butterfly

A few of weeks ago, I posted a Simple Fish Craft, and it has gotten a lot of views.  So, here's another easy craft for kids that requires minimal supplies and minimal adult supervision.

To make this butterfly craft:

1) Draw a simple butterfly shape, and have the child cut it out and color it.
2) Cut out some holes in the wings or use a shaped-punch.
3) Glue some tissue paper to the back of the butterfly to cover the holes.
4) Optional -- Use a popsicle stick to make the body and add a couple of googly eyes to the top of the popsicle stick.  (Or... as pictured here... if you are three, you can just glue a bunch of googly eyes onto the wings like my son did. lol)

That's it!  A simple butterfly craft that looks great when the sun shines through the wings.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #9 - Kid's Birthday Party Tip - and free LEGO printable

Today's Quick Tip... as children are arriving at a birthday party, give them a coloring sheet or simple craft to keep them busy until all the guests arrive.  {For example, at my boys' Lego party, all the guests were asked to design their own Lego person.}

Do your little ones love Lego?  Check out this cute printable "design your own Lego man" I drew.  Cute, right?  You can download a pdf version {for free} here.

Do you have a great activity that you use to entertain kids until all the party guests arrive?  I'd love to hear it.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #7 - Pinwheels in the Garden

The boys and I planted a little garden in the spring, and last week the birds pecked at all my ripe strawberries.  I asked some of my readers for suggestions, and the simplest answer came from a lovely lady named Kristin.  {Thanks, Kristin!}

I put some silver and red pinwheels in my garden, and it seems to be working!  It really is keeping the birds away from my delicious ripe strawberries.  

I have my fingers crossed that it will continue to work.  Do you have a foolproof way to keep pesky birds out of your garden?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easy Homemade Cards

Today's tip is all about getting children involved in gift giving by having them make their own cards.

I always have a bunch of blank cards and envelopes around, so when there is an occasion to do so, I have the kids make their own birthday and thank you cards.

It is a simple exercise, but I think it is important for children to learn about giving and gratitude, and this is a simple way for them to do it.  Just give them a blank card, some stickers, and some crayons, and watch them create meaningful cards for teachers, family, and friends.

Don't you think a handmade card is more special than one that comes from a store?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)