Simple Neighbour Gift {Christmas Potpourri with free printable tags}

Just in time for the weekend -- a simple, last minute neighbour gift.  I absolutely love this easy and inexpensive DIY Christmas gift.

For the potpourri container: I started with a red plastic cup, used electrical tape to create a belt, and added a yellow button.

Then, I added a bag of potpourri (one orange, 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, 1 tbsp whole cloves, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 3 cinnamon sticks) and a cute gift tag.

To download the free printable tags: right click on the picture (below), save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Don't forget to make an extra package for yourself.  A pot of this potpourri simmering on the stove is guaranteed to make your house smell like Christmas.

I made a bunch of these packages, and my boys did a great job delivering them to our neighbours. 

Do you love this simple DIY Christmas gift as much as I do?  

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Homemade Christmas Card

I love a homemade Christmas card, and this one is easy to make, and it comes with a little gift for the recipient.  This simple photo card is the "class treat" my nine year old is giving to his friends this year.

This is a fantastic, easy, and inexpensive way to share holiday greetings with friends... and with one hour photo processing, it's a great last minute idea too!

Start by taking a picture of the child with his arm to the side and his hand in a fist.  Then, cut slits (with an X-Acto knife) above and below his fist.

Finish by slipping a treat through the slits.  We added a candy cane ornament, but you could add a real candy cane, glow stick, or Christmas pencil.  They would all be adorable!

I love this personalized homemade Christmas card, don't you?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Polar Express Treat Bag {with free printable}

The Polar Express is one of our favorite Christmas books (and we love the movie too).  So, when I was trying to come up with little gifts for my 7 year old to share with his class this year, I decided to go with this adorable Polar Express treat bag.

Isn't it cute?  I bought gold bells at the dollar store, added ribbons, and attached "Believe" tags.  You can print the tags I designed by right-clicking on the picture (below), saving it to your computer, and printing it like a regular 4X6 photo.

I packaged the bells in bags with little boxes of "train" Smarties, but if you are concerned about sugar or allergies, you could just give out the bells.

What child wouldn't love to receive this adorable bell ornament?  I'm going to leave them on my boys' pillows on the night we have our annual Polar Express minivan adventure (which is one of my favorite Christmas traditions).

Do you love The Polar Express as much as we do?  What are some of your other favorite Christmas movies?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Recycled Crayons for Christmas {gift for classmates}

My boys love to bring treats for their classmates at Christmas, but their school discourages parents from sending in sugary treats.  So... this year I came up with these adorable recycled crayons for my 5 year old to share with his friends.

To make the crayons, I used a silicon mold (that I found at the dollar store), and I followed the tutorial that you can find here.

Then, I put crayons and little notepads in clear cellophane bags, and I tied them up with cute personalized tags.  I think my son's friends are going to love these recycled crayons, don't you?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Snowman Soup

My boys love making little gifts/treats to share with their friends.  A few days ago, they had some friends over, and we all made "snowman soup".

Adorable, right? I am sharing all the fun details over at CBC Parents today, so head on over and check out this fun project.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Stocking Stuffer Coupons {free printable}

Looking for easy and inexpensive stocking stuffer ideas? Check out these adorable {free} printable coupons that I designed. 

Aren't they adorable?  Each coupon entitles the recipient to stay up an extra 15 minutes... by order of Santa.  Print the coupons, cut them out, and add the name of the child.  That's it!

To download your own copy of these coupons: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular photo.

I laminated my stocking stuffer coupons for extra cuteness... but you can skip this step.  Do you have a little one that would enjoy receiving one of the bedtime passes?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Packaging for Homemade Treats

I love baking with my boys this time of year, and we love to share our treats with neighbours and friends.  Check out this darling idea for packaging your homemade goodies.

Isn't it cute?  I took a plain red cup, added a "belt" of electrical tape, and finished with a little button I had leftover from the "Santa belly felt ornaments" I made last year.  I put it all together, added some goodies, and I was done!

I love this adorable, easy and inexpensive way to package homemade treats, don't you?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)