15 Winter HACKS You Need to Try!

Winter got you down? If you are finding it hard to deal with short days, cold temperatures and heavy snowfalls, I've got you covered. I'm sharing simple hacks that are guaranteed to make winter a little easier--and a lot more fun!

1) To make shoveling easier, spray your shovel with non-stick cooking spray. The snow won't stick to the shovel. It will slide off easily and the job will get done a lot quicker.

You can also use a broom to sweep off a porch or steps after a light dusting of snow.

2) If your boots or shoes are wet inside, speed up the drying process by stuffing them with newspaper, absorbent microfiber towels, or socks filled with rice. The moisture will get absorbed, and your footwear will dry out much more

3) To remove salt stains, dip a cotton ball in diluted vinegar (1 cup water to 1 tbsp vinegar), rub the stain, and allow to dry.

4) Get outside. Buddle up and take advantage of all winter has to offer.

5) Have a winter campfire. Gather around a warm fire, sing songs, and roast marshmallows and hot dogs.

6) Enjoy a cup of cocoa. And, for a touch of fun... freeze cool whip or canned whipped cream on a tray, cut with a fun-shaped cookie cutter, and pop into a cup of hot chocolate.

7) Make snow ice cream. It's a seasonal favourite in my house, and it's soooo easy to make! Put 8 cups of freshly fallen snow in a big bowl. Then, add 1 can of sweetened condensed milk and 1 tsp of vanilla. Stir until combined and serve immediately.

8) If you don't have a fireplace, turn on your television and search for a "faux fireplace" on YouTube.

9) Light candles or use battery operated candles to create a warm glow. The smell of scented candles will also add to the ambience.

10) Bake something. Fresh baked sweet treats taste delicious, and make your house smell delicious. And, as an added bonus, you can open the oven door when you are finished and get a free blast of heat. 😁

11) Put a hot water bottle or microwavable heating pad in your bed before you get tucked in. No more cold toes at bedtime!

12) Make sprayable snow paint for kids by filling a spray bottle with water and a few drops of food colouring.

13) Get crafty.

14) Throw glow sticks in a warm bath.

15) Have a movie night.

Check out this helpful video for a closer look at some of the hacks!

Winter can be a difficult season, so why not try a few of these hacks to make life easier and more fun!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Winter / Valentine's Day Porch Transformation... using Dollar Store Supplies

I have a really fun DIY for you today! I decorated my porch for winter and Valentine's Day with a few inexpensive dollar store items. Check out the dramatic transformation below!

Here's what I picked up at the dollar store: three heart picks, two strings of hearts, and two packages of glittery clothespins.

Here's a video I made showing how my porch looked BEFORE, what I did to transform it, and how it looked AFTER.

I think the garland around my door looks fantastic with my DIY Winter Wreath. What do you think?

And my Christmas greenery arrangement looks totally transformed.

Cute, right? I'm currently obsessed with how cozy my porch looks. 

Can you believe this wonderful transformation was done with dollar store supplies? I love a budget friendly DIY, don't you?

Winter can be gloomy, but with a few inexpensive supplies, you can really make your home cozy and bright. How do you decorate the outside of YOUR home this time of year?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.

Don't miss out on any of the fun... follow me on social media here.

     

The Perfect SNOW DAY Treat: Chocolate Chip Pecan Snowballs

This is the perfect snow day cookie recipe. These chocolate chip pecan snowballs are crispy on the outside… and the insides melt in your mouth. I even made a video to show you how easy they are to make!

You’ll need: 1 cup salted butter (softened) 3/4 cup powered sugar (plus an additional 1 cup for coating the cookies after they are baked) 1 tsp vanilla 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 3/4 cup chopped pecans (toasted ... on a cookie sheet at 350 for 5 minutes) 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
3/4 cup powered sugar (plus an additional 1 cup for coating the cookies after they are cooked) 1 tsp vanilla 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 3/4 cup chopped pecans (toasted) 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

And here's a video showing you how to put them together...

 

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2) Mix butter and 3/4 cup icing sugar with a hand mixer (on medium for about 1 minute)... just until light and fluffy.

3) Stir in vanilla and almond extract.

4) Add 1 3/4 cups of flour and mix on low (just until incorporated).

5) Stir in pecans and chocolate chips.

6) Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refridgerate for 20-30 minutes.

7) Remove from fridge, and roll dough into 1 tbsp balls. Bake on parchment lined cookie sheet for 15 minutes.

8) As soon as cookies are cool enough to touch (but still warm), roll the cookies in powdered sugar.

9) Allow to cool completely, and sift another layer of powered sugar to the top.

These cookies are soooooo good with a warm mug of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate!!!

If you give them a try, let me know what you think!

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in these easy and inexpensive winter DIYs on my YouTube channel. Don't forget to like the video and hit the subscribe button. It really helps my channel. 😃

Budget-friendly WINTER DECOR diys... simple crafts with a high-end look

When all the Christmas decorations come down, it's nice to have a few simple pieces of winter decor to fill up the blank space. When the temperatures outside are chilly, a few budget-friendly winter DIYs can make a home feel warm and cozy.

DIY WINTER WREATH - What do you think of this gorgeous budget friendly wreath made from dollar store supplies? I used an 18" wreath form, faux fur ribbon, silver skate ornaments, and silver florals. I cut strips of fur ribbon and used hot glue to attach it to the wreath form. Then, I hung the ornaments and used hot glue to attach the florals to the top of the wreath. Check out the video at the bottom of this post to see the step by step instructions.

SIMPLE CUSTOM WINTER SERVING TRAY - With a dollar store vase, tray and trinkets, you can make a gorgeous winter-themed serving tray. Fill the vase with glittery florals (or whatever you like), and use glue to attach the tray to the top. Easy peasy! Check out the video at the bottom of this post to see the step by step instructions.

CUSTOM (and cheap) WINTER ARTWORK - Dollar store ornaments can be repurposed to make adorable winter artwork. Cover the glass of a dollar store frame with contact paper, and use hot glue to attach an ornament to the front. Check out the video at the bottom of this post to see the step by step instructions.

WINTER TERRARIUMS - I love these terrariums, and they are super-easy to make using glassware you likely already own. Add some epsom salts to the bottom of a jar, pop in some bottle brush trees, and insert one of the fun snow characters that you can download for FREE here. Check out the video at the bottom of this post to see the step by step instructions.

For all the details on these fantastic projects, check out the video I made below.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite? I think they are all totally adorable!

These are the perfect DIYs for cold winter days. Happy crafting!!!!

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in these easy and inexpensive winter DIYs on my YouTube channel. Don't forget to like the video and hit the subscribe button. It really helps my channel. :-)

Adorable DIY Winter Terrariums... including FREE printables

Sometimes the simpliest ideas are the best ones, and I am absolutely obsessed with making DIY winter terrariums. They are easy to make, inexpensive, and totally adorable. Today, I'm sharing a few I made, the step by step instructions, and FREE prints for you to download. Let me know which one is your favourite!

To make a DIY terrarium, you'll need: a glass container, epsom salts/glitter, bottle brush trees, and a 4x6 (which you can download for free below).

Then: add epsom salts and glitter to the container, insert a couple of trees, cut out one of the prints I designed (below), and insert it into the epsom salts. That's it!!!!

Check out the THREE versions I made below. Cute, right?!?!

To download one of the super-cute winter characters: click on one of the pictures below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo. 

Make sure you use copy paper or cardstock!

What do you think? Do you have a favorite? I think they are all totally adorable!

This is the perfect DIY for a cold winter day. Happy crafting!!!!

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in these easy and inexpensive winter DIYs on my YouTube channel. Don't forget to like the video and hit the subscribe button. It really helps my channel. :-)

TOP 10 Winter Activities for the WHOLE Family to Enjoy

When the snow starts to fall and the temperatures start to drop, I tend to look ahead to spring and start counting down to summer. However, although I love the lazy days of summer, I remind myself that there is lots of winter fun to be had. Today, I'm sharing 10 winter activities for the whole family to enjoy.

1) Get Crafty - Some days require a fun indoor activity, and crafts are always fun. Younger kids can make paper snowflake garlands and spare sock snowmen. Older kids and adults can make a fun wreath for the front door. Or perhaps everyone could try a family paint night. Crafting is a fun way to get creative and relieve stress... and it's a lot of fun.

2) Get outside and play - Bundle up and get outside and enjoy all the traditional winter activities. Build a snowman, go skating, play hockey, hit the slopes, build a fort, or grab some sleds. Playing in the snow (during the day... and at night) is fun for all ages.

3) Set up a hot chocolate bar - There is nothing better in cold weather than a warm drink. Set up a dollar store hot chocolate stand, a simple hot chocolate bar, or serve the treat outside with a portable hot chocolate basket. There are so many ways to enjoy this delicious treat.

4) Have a new product tasting party - This is a simple way to spend an afternoon at home. Choose some fun new products at the grocery store and have a tasting party. Check out the "how to" here, or check out this quick little video.

5) Make snow ice cream - This is one of my family's favourite winter activities, and if you have never made snow ice cream, you need to put it on your "to do" list. It's easy, delicious, and fun. Find the full instructions here.

6) Build a fort in the living room or have an indoor picnic - Sometimes the only thing you need on a cold winter day is a blanket and a little imagination.

7) Have a movie night - Nothing says "cozy" more than cuddling up to watch a movie. Consider setting up a little concession stand to add to the fun. You could also choose a movie with a winter theme, like "Cool Runnings", "Jack Frost" or "Frozen".

8) Have an indoor snowball fight - If it's too cold and wet to be outside, try an indoor snowball fight. Make pom poms to throw, or try the fun cottonball throwers here.

9) Bake something - Baking with kids is both educational and fun... and there is nothing like the smell of freshly baked cookies on a cold winter day. You can find the recipe for our favourite chocolate chip cookies here.

10) Have a campfire - Fires aren't just for summer, so get outside and gather around the fire pit. I love the idea of cooking hot dogs over the fire for supper... and don't forget to make s'mores for dessert!

What's your family's favourite winter activity? I absolutely love all these ideas, don't you? 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.