FIVE High End DIYs for Winter... that you can make for a couple of dollars

My house always feels bare and sad after all the Christmas decorations have been put away. That's why I love making a few simple winter decor items to display in my home this time of year. Today, I am sharing 5 budget friendly winter DIYs that are easy, inexpensive, and fun!

1) EASY Winter Wreath made using an 18" dollar store wire wreath frame - I love this wreath because it is soooo easy to make. You literally wrap yarn around a dollar store wire wreath frame, and add a few embellishments to the centre of the wreath. It's that easy! You can find the full step by step instructions here.

2) Cardboard Tri-fold Hot Chocolate Stand - This hot chocolate stand is made from a cheap cardboard tri-fold from the dollar store. It's covered with dollar store contact paper, and embellished with other dollar store items. It's inexpensive, and a lot of fun! Find all the instructions here.

3) Winter Tiered Tray - Tiered trays are perfect for displaying seasonal decor, and it's simple to put one together for winter. I used a few of my neutral coloured Christmas decorations, some dollar store trinkets, a few pine cones and wooden beads. You just need to keep the colour scheme neutral and natural. Check out my tiered tray here.

4) Re-purposed Christmas Decor - I love this simple wreath I made using a neutral coloured Christmas wreath that was marked down after the holidays -- 70% off. I found a silver and white gnome at the dollar store, and I attached it to the centre of the wreath with some hot glue. That's it! It doesn't get much easier than this project. 

You can check out a video about the first four projects here:

5) Pom pom Winter Wreath - I made this wreath several years ago, and it's still one of my favourite DIYs. If you can wrap yarn around your hand, you can make the pom poms for this wreath. Then, the pom poms can be attached to an inexpensive styroform wreath form. Find the full step by step instructions here.

What do you think of these five DIY projects?  Which one is your favourite?

My boys and I are loving the hot chocolate stand right now, but I honestly love all these budget-friendly winter DIYs.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

GENIUS Hot Chocolate Stand... made using a dollar store cardboard tri-fold

I love a good dollar store HACK, and this homemade hot chocolate stand is the perfect DIY for this time of year. Winter is the best time for hot chocolate, and this hot chocolate stand (made of cheap dollar store supplies) is easy to make, inexpensive, and super-cute. Check out the step by step instructions below.

I started with a cheap cardboard tri-fold from the dollar store, and I covered it with patterned contact paper.

Then, I cut square "windows"  in each of the side panels and taped parchment paper to the backs.

I used black electrical tape to add trim and details to the windows.

After the tri-fold was completed, I made a sign for the top. I took a scrap piece of dollar store foam core, and I covered it with contact paper. 

I trimmed the sign with black electrical tape, and added words I cut out with my Cricut. (If you don't have a cricut, you could you dollar store stickers.)

Finally, to attach the sign to the tri-fold, I cut slits in the bottom of the sign, and slid it into place.

Did it turn out cute? I think it is absolutely adorable, and I love that it only cost a few dollars.

Do you think you'll make a hot chocolate stand for your home this winter? It's a wonderful, fun backdrop for mugs and hot chocolate ingredients.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in these fun ideas for hot chocolate bars.

2021 New Year's Eve Celebration with Kids... including 2022 FREE printable tags, activities, and photo props

When it comes to celebrating New Year's Eve, I love making the evening feel special and fun... without spending a lot of money. I always make use of dollar store finds, and simple items I can print myself. Below, I am sharing my favourite New Year's Eve family celebration ideas, and some FREE New Year's Eve printables you can use.

I always put together activity bags that my kids can open every hour as we count down to the new year. It's one of my favourite traditions, and it's a great way to keep the whole evening fun. 

Here are examples of what you can put in the bags:

5pm - Year in Review - Year in review questionnaires provide a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead. 

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

***NOTE: Grab the 2022 version here.***

6pm - Candy Rings - 6pm bags could contain candy rings with punny tags that say, "Ring in the new year!" To download your own tags for free: click on the picture of the tags below, right click, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

7pm - Midnight Kisses - 7pm bags could contain hershey kisses with punny "midnight kisses" tags. To download your own tags for free: click on the picture of the tags below, right click, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

8pm - Popcorn and Karaoke - The 8pm bag could contain popcorn and in invite to sing some karaoke. Playing a board game or having a dance party would be fun too.

9pm - Cookies and Milk - The 9pm bag could contain "milk and cookies" toast to the new year. How cute are these wine glasses (rimmed with sprinkles) and filled with milk? Add your favourite homemade chocolate chip cookies, and you are good to go. Sparkling lemonade and store bought cookies would be good too!

10pm - Sparklers - The 10pm bag can be filled with sparklers with "Bringing some sparkle to 2021" tags. I designed the tags, cut some slits with an x-acto knife, and inserted sparklers. To download your own tags for free: click on the picture of the tags below, right click, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

11pm - Photo Booth with Horns and Hats - The 11pm bag could be filled with items needed to set up a photo booth. It can contain lots of horns and hats for welcoming the new year. 

To download the photo props I designed (for free): click on the picture you are interested in printing (below), right click, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 8x10 photo.

12am - Breakfast for Tomorrow Party Favours - Every party needs a favour, so the 12am bag could contain "Breakfast for tomorrow" party favours. I like using pop tarts, but small boxes of cereal work well too. To download your own tags for free: click on the picture of the tags below, right click, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

Check out how fun it is to fill a table with activity bags and party favours. There are no rules. Fill your bags with whatever you like!

How will you be celebrating New Year's this year? I hope you use some of my ideas and free printable tags and photo props.

Happy New Year!!!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

2021 New Year's Eve Questionnaire

***Update: Grab the 2022 version here.***

New Year's Eve is a time for reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the new one -- not just for adults, but for kids too. With this in mind, each year I put together a Year in Review Questionnaire for my boys to fill out on New Year's Eve. Here is the 2021 version.

It is a pretty simple questionnaire, and you can download the free printable by: right-clicking on the picture (above), saving it to your computer, and printing it like a regular 8X10 photo. I usually print mine at my local office supply store where colour copies are $0.49 each.

I love seeing what my boys come up with each year. Maybe someday I will make a book for each of my boys using all the questionnaires they have filled out over the years.

Happy New Year!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

My Favorite Dollar Store Decorating HACKS for Christmas

Is there anything more satisfying than creating unique holiday decor on a budget? I love finding simple ways to add festive flair to my home, and today I'm share my favourtie dollar store holiday decorating HACKS.

Update something cheap to look high end - The dollar store has many inexpensive decor pieces that can easily be upgraded to look more high end.

For example, I found a cheap dollar store square frame, and I painted it with shiny red spray paint. Then, I added a fun Santa decoration I found at the dollarstore (with hot glue). I finished by using hot glue to attach dollar store greenery and pom poms. Isn't my Santa wreath adorable? You'd never guess it only cost me a couple of dollars to make!

You could also use the frame to make an ornament wreath. Just hang a couple of ornaments from twine, and use hot glue to add a bow and hanger.

Think outside the box - It's always fun to find everyday items at the dollar store and use them in a unique way. 

For example, this year the dollar store had some super-fun Christmas movie themed wrapping paper, so I used it to wrap pictures I already had hanging in my hallway. I love the big impact this simple DIY has! 

I also wrapped my plain white driveway markers with red electrical tape to get a North Pole / candy cane effect. It was a simple way to add a festive flair to the outside of my home.

Use what you have - Sometimes the best way to come up with something great is to use what you already have and add some dollar store items to make it better / different. 

For example, I recently made a Christmas arrangement with branches and boughs from the trees in my yard. Then, I added a dollar store bow and a couple of dollar store stems. I love how it turned out, and it only cost a few dollars!

Make ornaments and decorations from dollar store supplies - The dollar store has countless supplies for making ornaments and decorations. Browse blogs and Pinterest for inspirations, grab some supplies, and get busy.

How cute are these ornaments made from dollar store popsicle sticks and craft paint?

And these "Elf" inspired crafts are made using mostly dollar store supplies. 

You can find all the details for inexpensive "Elf Movie" decor here.

And this adorable Santa ornament is made with a wooden ring from the dollar store. Cute, right?!? You can find the step by step instructions here.

Dollar store decorating doesn't need to look cheap... especially if you pair dollar store items with a little creativity. Do you have a favourite dollar store decorating HACK? I hope I've inspired you to try a couple of mine.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the Christmas DIYs here.

Chocolate CHRISTMAS Crackle Cookies

Who doesn't love a good Christmas cookie recipe? Baking (and eating) cookies is one of my favourite parts of the holiday season. This year, my boys and I are loving these chocolate Christmas crackle cookies. They are simple to make, fudgey in the middle, crispy on the edges... and they look great on a Christmas cookie tray.

To make Chocolate Christmas Crackle Cookies:

 

Gather your ingredients:

•         ½ vegetable oil
•         2 cups granulated sugar
•         4 eggs
•         2 tsp real vanilla
•         2 cups flour
•         1 cup unsweetened cocoa
•         2 tsp baking powder
•         1 tsp salt
•         1 tsp cinnamon
•         Approx. ½ icing sugar for coating

Then:

1.      Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2.      In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla.
3.      In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
4.      Combine the wet and dry ingredients, and chill the dough for 30 minutes.
5.      Roll the dough into 1-inch balls (using a cookie scoop), and then completely coat each ball by rolling it in icing sugar.
6.      Place the balls on a parchment lined cookie sheet (leaving room for spreading), and bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookies should be crispy on the edges and soft in the middle. Cool on the cookie sheet for 3 minutes, and then transfer them to a cooling rack.

I think a cookie chacuterie board is wonderful for holiday entertaining, and these cookies make a great addition to a tray of goodies. 

Check out the cookie board I made for my boys this year. I filled a couple of dishes with chocolates, stacked my chocolate Christmas crackle cookies in the middle, and filled the extra spaces with store bought cookies. Cute, right?

Do you have a favourite cookies? I highly recommend giving these chocolate Christmas crackle cookies a try. If you make them, let me know what you think.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also enjoy the awesome Christmas cookie recipes here.