Dollar Store Christmas Wreath Alternative

I always have a long list of holiday projects in my head, and I love when I complete a project and it turns out better than I imagined. A few weeks ago, I decided that I wanted to make an expensive (and easy) square wreath for my front door. Today, I am sharing the full tutorial and instructions for the Christmas wreath alternative that I crafted from a dollar store picture frame.

To make the wreath, you'll need: a photo frame, spray paint, wired ribbon, dollar store ornaments, twine, a glue gun, and felt floor protectors.

Then:

1) Remove the glass and backing from the frame, and paint the frame with spray paint that works for the material you are painting. (My frame was plastic, so I used a red paint that was suitable for painting plastic.)

2) Use hot glue to attach a bow to the frame. (I made my bow using wired ribbon that I purchased at the dollar store.)

3) Add felt floor protectors to the back of the frame to protect the door that you will be hanging the wreath on.

4) Attach dollar store ornaments (hanging from twine) to the frame using hot glue.

5) Use hot glue to attach a hanger made from twine.

I am absolutely thrilled with the way this unique wreath turned out, and it looks fantastic hanging on my front door.

Doesn't it look festive and fun?

What do you have hanging on your front door for Christmas? I highly recommend giving this simple DIY square wreath a try. It's easy, inexpensive, fun, and totally unique.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Christmas Tree Crafts (that kids will love)

The holiday season is always busy, so it's always nice to have some SIMPLE Christmas crafts to keep the kids entertained. The six Christmas tree crafts I am sharing today are perfect for Preschoolers, but older kids will love them too.

Making ornaments is a fun activity for children, and this popsicle stick tree ornament is glittery and cute. To craft this sweet little tree: paint popsicle sticks green and allow them to dry completely. Then, glue the sticks together, glue on a stump, and allow the glue to dry. Finish the ornament by adding a string hanger and decorating the tree with gem stickers.

This geometric tree is a fun way to explore shapes and colours with little ones. Create a tree by gluing colourful shapes onto a piece of cardstock. Cute, right?

This sticker tree is simple to make, and it is a great way to work on fine motor skills with kids. Draw a tree shape on a piece of paper, have the child colour the tree, and decorate the tree with stickers.

This Cheerios tree is another simple way to craft and work on fine motor skills with kids. Draw a tree, have the kids colour the tree, and decorate the tree with glue and Cheerios.

This toilet roll tree is fun because it can stand on its own. Draw a tree on card stock, cut it out, colour it, and decorate it with stickers. Then, cut slits in a piece of a toilet roll, and insert the tree.

The counting tree is a simple way to practice cutting and gluing. Cut the strips, glue them on, and decorate with stickers.

I love all six of these Christmas Tree crafts for the holidays, don't you? Do you have a favourite? The good news is that you don't have to choose. All these crafts are easy and require basic supplies, so it is totally doable to make them all with your kids this year. Happy crafting!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Bonus: Here's a fun Christmas tree craft for older kids. You can find the instructions for this felt Christmas tree ornament here.

Scrap Ribbon Ornament

Simple homemade ornaments add a lot to the coziness of Christmas. I love the idea of having the kids make their own ornaments to display at home or give as gifts. Today I am sharing a simple handmade scrap ribbon ornament that is perfect for older children to make and share.

To make this adorable scrap ribbon ornament:

1) Start with a twig. We found this one on the ground in our back yard.
2) Use hot glue to attach a piece of yarn or twine to the top of the twig. 
3) Cut and tie strips of scrap ribbon to the twig.

Tips: Cut the strips the same length, tie them to the twig, and THEN cut the ribbons. Also... stiff ribbons work better.

I love this simple and rustic scrap ribbon ornament, don't you? It's the perfect use for all the scrap ribbon you have lying around the house.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

I love Christmas baking, and my boys always enjoy when I make them special holiday cookies. Recently, I picked up some candy eyeballs at the grocery store, and I knew I could turn them into something festive and fun. I made a few modifications to my favorite peanut butter cookie recipe, and today I am sharing the recipe for my delicious and adorable peanut butter reindeer cookies.

To make these sweet cookies, you'll need the following ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (softened)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
red Smarties
candy eyes
pretzels

Then:

1) In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter, peanut butter, white sugar, and brown sugar.
2) Add baking soda and baking powder, and beat until combined.
3) Add egg and vanilla, and beat again.
4) Stir in flour.
5) Roll spoonfuls of dough into balls, place on a cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated oven (at 375 degrees) for 7-10 minutes.
6) While the cookies are still warm, insert candy eyes, red Smarties, and broken pretzels to create reindeer faces.
7) Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

You can download and print the recipe card by: right-clicking on the picture below, saving it to your computer, and printing it.

Wouldn't these be fun cookies to bake and leave for Santa? Kids will love rolling the dough into balls and inserting the candy and pretzels to make the faces.

Do you have a favorite Christmas cookie recipe? I have a couple festive recipes I love (including my make-ahead gingerbread cookies and my simple cut-out butter cookies), but these peanut butter reindeer cookies are definitely being added to my annual holiday baking list!

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

DIY Skittles Ornament... with free printable tags

I adore cute DIY Christmas ornaments, and these adorable DIY Skittles ornaments are easy and inexpensive to make. I made one for each of my boys, and they love them! They make a cute Christmas ornament, stocking stuffer, Christmas movie night treat, or DIY gift. Below, I am sharing the "how to" details and the FREE printable tags.

To make these sweet DIY Skittles ornaments:

1) Purchase inexpensive plastic ornaments (and make sure the top opening is big enough to allow you to pour Skittles into it).
2) Pour Skittles into the ornament.
3) Use ribbon to attach the "Merry and Bright" tag to the ornament.

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

This would be a fun and simple craft to do with kids too... though I am pretty sure some of the candies would go missing in the process. ;-)

Do you have candy-loving kids or friends that would enjoy receiving these "Merry and Bright" Skittles ornaments? I think sharing these sweet, easy and inexpensive ornaments is a fantastic way to share some Christmas cheer this holiday season.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Elf on the Shelf Igloo and Scarf

Is your Elf on the Shelf looking for something to do? Try showing him this picture, and maybe he'll build himself an Igloo from an old milk jug and some cotton balls. Fun, right? I'm also sharing some simple instructions for an Elf on the Shelf scarf that you can make from a scrap piece of felt... in less than 20 seconds.

To make the milk jug igloo:

1) Wash an empty milk jug out with soap and water, and dry it completely.
2) Use an X-acto knife to cut an opening in the jug.
3) Use hot glue to attach cotton balls to the jug. Apply the glue to the jug rather than the cotton balls. Trust me... it will work much better.

I think this Elf on the Shelf Igloo is adorable. My youngest even asked if we could keep it after Elfie leaves.

And, if your Elf is going to be spending time in an igloo, you'll need to make him an Elf scarf to keep warm. All you need to do is cut a strip of felt, and cut fringes in each end. It literally takes less than 20 seconds!

Do you think your kids would like to find their Elf on the Shelf in his/her own personal igloo? It's a pretty easy recycling project, and a fun place for an Elf to hide.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Holiday Hostess Gift (with free printable tags)

Christmas always comes with party invites from friends and colleagues, and no one wants to be a guest that arrives empty handed. So, today I sharing a simple gift that is guaranteed to be well received. I'm also including three options for FREE printable tags that you can print and attach to your holiday hostess gift.

I love the idea of attaching a fun tag to your favorite bottle of white wine that says, "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas." Cute, right?

This red and white tag is simple and traditional.

To download the red and white tag: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

This blue and white tag is a little different, but equally charming.

To download the blue and white tag: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

This chevron tag is a little more modern and less traditional than the other two tags. You can leave it full size, or you can cut it into a square like I did.

To download the chevron tag: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Don't you love these adorable holiday hostess gift options? I hope you download the free tags I designed and attach them to your favorite bottle of white wine. Enjoy!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)