Simple Neighbour Gifts... and free printable tags

I have the greatest neighbours, so I like to give them a small gift at Christmas. This year, I am sharing homemade, fresh potpourri that they can simmer on their stoves. It's simple to make, and it really smells like Christmas. I'm also sharing the free printable tags I designed so you can share this little gift with your friends and neighbours.

I purchased some clear cellowphane bags, and I filled each bag with the following:

• 3-4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange
• 1/2 cup cranberries
• 1 tbsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

I tied the bags with red curling ribbon, and I added a cute "It's Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas" tag.

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

Doesn't the potpourri look pretty all packaged up?

These packages are wonderful for giving to neighbours, but they are great for teacher and hostess gifts too.

Do you think you will make these potpourri bags to share with friends and family? A homemade gift from the heart is always special and much appreciated.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (Click here for more easy and inexpensive Christmas ideas and recipes.)

How My Boys Gave Back this Holiday Season (Our 7th Annual Christmas Fundraiser)

Each year, during the holidays, my boys raise money for charity. I have always thought it was important for my boys to "give back" during the holidays, and I am proud of their efforts to organize a "letter writing to Santa" fundraiser. They bake cookies, create craft kits, make reindeer food, and package it all up to sell. This year, they raised $340.00 for Cystic Fibrosis (a disease that their 5 year old cousin is living with). 

My boys baked cookies, put together craft kits, and packaged up reindeer food. They worked really hard, and sold a lot of kits. I think the kids that purchased them had fun too!

I just love the adorable tree ornament that the kids could make with their kits.

I think it is fantastic that my boys were able to do the work, and they were super-proud of the money they raised. It meant a lot to them, and giving back is an important part of our family's holiday celebrations.

How do you find a meaningful way for your kids to give back at Christmas?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Warm Wishes Gift Ideas... and free printable tags

I love a thoughtful and well packaged gift, don't you? Today, I am sharing a gift that contains elements that are handmade, practical, and fun. I especially love these ideas for teachers! Keep reading to see my "warm wishes" gift ideas and free printable tags.

Of course, when you think about "warm wishes", you can't help but think about hot chocolate, and chocolate spoons are the perfect companion to this popular hot beverage. And the good news is... chocolate spoons are adorable and could not be easier to make. The kids can even do it!

Start with baker's chocolate and wood spoons (or plastic if you can't find wood ones). Melt the chocolate in the microwave (according to package directions), dip the spoons, sprinkle with sugar or candy (if desired), and place on wax paper until the chocolate hardens. 

I wrapped my spoons with candy wrappers and added names with alphabet stamps. Cute, right?

I included my spoons in a "warm wishes" package that included a beautiful blanket scarf, some hot chocolate, and a coffee gift card.

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

I also packed the spoon in a cozy sweater mug with hot chocolate, a coffee gift card, and the world's largest chocolate.

Don't you just love these "warm wishes" gift ideas? You can tailor them to any budget, and they make wonderful gifts for anyone on your list.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Felt Christmas Ornaments

Felt is a wonderful, easy, and inexpensive material to use for making Christmas ornaments. It lays flat, it is easy to cut, and you don't need to worry about fraying edges. If you are a "beginner" when it comes to sewing, you are going to love the simple felt Christmas ornaments I am sharing today. They are perfect projects for kids learning to sew too!

These colourful lightbulb ornaments are sure to brighten your tree. Find the full step-by-step instructions here.

These simple stockings are super cute and super easy to make. Find the full step-by-step instructions here. 

This round "santa belly" ornament incorporates a traditional round ornament shape, and the gold button adds a festive flair. Find the full step-by-step tutorial here. 

This simple and elegant felt angel ornament is adorable, and you can find the full step by step tutorial here.

If you can draw basic shapes, you can make this adorable felt tree ornament. Find the full step-by-step instructions here. 

The traditional colours of Christmas (red and green) are used to create this simple star ornament. Find the full step-by-step instructions here.

This adorable "snowy day" felt snowman makes me smile. It's adorable, and the fabric paint details make it simple to create. Find the step-by-step instructions here.

This whimsical elf boot ornament is made with a festive and fun patterned piece of felt. It's unique, and easy to make. Find the full step-by-step instructions here.

Memorial ornaments (that use a piece of the deceased clothing) are a special way to pay tribute to a loved one during the holiday season. Find the step-by-step instructions here. 

I made these bird ornaments in memory of my grandfather, and I made these teacup ornaments in memory of my grandmother.

Adorable felt gnome - Celebrate being "gnome" for the holidays with the trendy and super cute ornament here.

I love all of these felt ornaments, but the memorial ornament holds a special place in my heart. Do you have a favourite?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You can find more easy and inexpensive Christmas ideas here.

{simple} Felt Elf Boot Ornament

Every year I make simple felt ornaments to send to my family and friends. I always come up with an easy design, so I can mail the ornaments with Christmas cards. This year, I made adorable elf boot ornaments, and today I'm sharing the step-by-step instructions.

To make a simple felt elf boot ornament:

1) Cut two elf boot shapes from patterned felt and two "stocking tops" from green felt. Then, cut a piece of white yarn to use as a hanger.

2) Sew the yarn to the top of one of the "boot" pieces.

3) Stitch the front and back of the boots together.

4) Sew the green tops to the boots.

The result is an adorable and whimsical tree ornament.

I made a bunch of them, and sent them out with my Christmas cards. Cute, right?

It's a lot of work to make so many ornaments each year, but it is one of my favourite traditions. I hope my friends and family enjoy their fun "elf boot" ornaments this year... and I hope you make one for your tree!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Hockey HACKS for the Holidays

I'm a mom of three hockey-obsessed boys (one in Novice, one in Atom, and one in PeeWee). My boys eat, sleep, and breath the sport they love, and (of course) hockey is a big part of our Christmas celebrations. So, today I thought I would share some of our favourite HOCKEY HACKS for the holidays.

We have a Christmas tree made of hockey sticks. Seriously, how cute is this? I took a bunch of old hockey sticks, and I used (what else?) hockey tape to attach them at the top. Then, I added a Santa hat and some lights. It's a little tacky, but my boys love it, and it looks great at night!

And we always find fun and unique hockey gifts under our tree. You can find some of our favourite gift ideas for hockey players here.

We even incorporate hockey into our favourite Christmas Carols.... and you can download this one for free. Right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.

We really love the version that our Elf on the Shelf printed and framed for us. 

Are you a hockey mom? Is hockey a big part of your holiday celebrations? Maybe I'll see you at the rink! ;-)

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Memorial Ornaments

In October, I lost my beloved grandfather, and my boys lost their great grandfather. He was very special to my whole family, and with Christmas coming, I wanted to find a way to incorporate his memory into our celebrations. So, I thought I would make the members of my family "memorial ornaments".

I took a blanket that belonged to my grandfather, and I used it to make the wings on bird ornaments. I sewed felt pieces together, added the heart-shaped wing, and used fabric paint to make an eye.

I love how this little ornament turned out, don't you? I can't wait to hang it on my tree each year.

I'm mailing the rest of them out (to my family members) with my Christmas cards.

With each card, I sent a little note that said, "The wing of this bird is made from Grampie's blanket. I hope you hang it proudly on your Christmas tree, and that it reminds you of his kindness and loving heart.

It was a lot of work to sew all these ornaments, but I hope that they will bring a little comfort to those I love during this difficult holiday season. And, perhaps one of my readers will be inspired to make memorial ornaments in memory of someone they loved as much as I loved my Grampie.

UPDATE: In 2018, my Grampie's lovely war bride passed away... so in 2019, I made ornaments in her memory for my family members. She was a English lady who loved a cup of tea, so I made this felt ornament (using her favourite quilt to make a heart in the centre of the tea cup). She was the centre of our loving family, so I thought it was fitting. RIP Nanny. ♥

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You can make them for animals too. I made this one for my sister when she lost her beloved cat. It's obviously not made from clothing, but I think the heart button symbolizes her love for her kitty.)

PPS (If you aren't crafty, you can order them from my shop here.)