HOCKEY Gift Guide 2018... including a giveaway for the hockey player on your list

**Note: This gift guide contains some products that I received for free and a few affiliate links. Please be assured that the opinions in this blog are 100% my own. Also, if you make a purchase using one of my affiliate links, you will not pay any extra, but I may get a small commission on your purchase. Thank you!**

My boys eat, sleep, and breath hockey. If they aren't playing hockey, they are watching it or talking about it. So at Christmas, it's no surprise "hockey" gifts are at the top of everyone's list. Today, I am sharing some of my favourite gifts for the hockey fan in your house. I have something for everyone in the family at every price point... and I have a giveaway at the bottom of this post too!

Here are some great ideas for hockey products that are sure to bring a smile to the face of the hockey player in your house.

Teags & Ry Hats - How cute are these unique hockey hats from Teags & Ry? My boys love them... and they are good quality too. Check out all the wonderful hat options from Teags & Ry here.

Gongshow clothes - My boys love the style and comfort of these high quality hockey clothes, and the hockey skate lace details are awesome. Gongshow has great clothes for kids, but hockey moms and dads will love the Gongshow fashions too. You can check out Gongshow clothing here.

NHL 19 - If your hockey fan loves video games, you probably already have the latest version of this game on your list. My boys LOVE playing this on their PS4, and you can order it here.

Gongshow sauceoff party set - The rink isn't always open, and Gongshow has some great games that can be played off the ice and any time of year. We love our Gongshow sauceoff party set, which you can find here.

Heating pad for cold feet - If you are shopping for someone that spends a lot of time at the rink, chances are they suffer with cold hands and feet... and this heating pad may be the perfect gift for them. You can order it from Amazon here.

Hockey Mom / Dad Survival Kit - If you are someone who likes to DIY, you might want to create your own gift basket for the hockey mom or dad in your life. Don't forget a warm blanket, warm socks, a coffee mug with gift card, and a tasty treat.

Gongshow bags - Everyone needs a good bag for hockey gear, overnight trips, and transporting school books, and Gongshow has some functional and fashionable options. My boys have the hockey bag and the backpack, and they love them... and you can buy them here.

Hockey stocking stuffers - There are many fun options for hockey-themed stocking stuffers, and I have included three of my favourites below.

     1) These sneaker balls are great for stinky hockey bags. 

     2) These custom ornaments (from Personalization Mall) are perfect for the hockey-lovers Christmas tree.

     3) And these cool Gongshow socks are great for chilling out and watching the game. 

Hockey-themed labels and wall decals from Oliver's Labels - Personalized labels and wall decals make wonderful gifts for kids. I've recovered a lot of my boys clothes because of name labels, and how cute is this large jersey wall decal?

Hockey bag and travel coffee mug from Teags & Ry - This duffle bag is the perfect gift for the hockey mom in your life. It's cute, and there is lots of room for all the rink essentials. It's a great overnight bag too! (And don't forget to get mom one of these cute travel mugs. A hot coffee will keep her warm, awake, and ready to cheer!) You can find tons of fantastic Teags & Ry products here.

Hockey picture canvas from Canvas Factory - It's easy to create unique artwork with your favourite hockey picture. Check out the cute canvas picture I made for my youngest son using a picture from a hockey camp he attended this summer. You can order your favourite photo here. 

And... because I love contests during the holidays, I am giving you a chance to WIN a canvas like the one I had made. Great, right? You can enter below. (Note: Contest is open to US and Canadian residents only.) LEAVE a comment in the comments section below (and click the box in the Rafflecopter widget... and don't forget the bonus entries!) 

update: WINNER CHOSEN

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you have a hockey fan on your Christmas list this year? Is there something on my list that you are considering? I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Just send me an email or leave a comment below.

Happy shopping!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

"HAND"ful of Candy... Halloween treats with free printable sign

Sometimes simple ideas are the best, and the Halloween treat bag I am sharing with you today could not be easier to make. You are going to love this easy and inexpensive Halloween treat idea that is perfect to make for your kids, friends, neighbours, and trick-or-treaters. I'm also sharing a cute piece of DIY Halloween decor that you can download for FREE!

To make these 'HAND'y treat bags, you'll need some plastic or latex gloves and a bunch of candy. Something to stick in the fingers is key. Rockets work well.

Then, you just fill the glove with treats and tie the top closed with a piece of curling ribbon. That's it!

To add a bit of extra fun, I designed this "punny" sign to sit beside my treat bags. You can download it for free, and print it really inexpensively at your local copy store. To download this 'HAND'y sign: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

Doesn't the sign look cute in an inexpensive dollar store frame? It really makes the bags of treats look extra special.

The Halloween treats are simple enough to make for your kids and/or trick-or-treaters, but they would be great for a Halloween party too. Who doesn't love a simple and fun DIY? 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You can find MORE easy and inexpensive Halloween ideas here.)

Halloween Teacher Treat Ideas

If you have a SPOOKtacular teacher in your life, you should get him/her a fun and unique Halloween treat. A simple treat with a "punny" tag is perfect. Today, I am sharing two easy and inexpensive ways to thank your favourite teacher for always giving you a helping hand... and I'm including free printable gift tags too!

This year, I found this adorable witch hand candle holder at the dollar store for only $4! I love the green hands and the purple nail polish, don't you? It's adorable with the addition of a flameless candle.

I added these adorable "Thanks for always being there to give me a helping hand." tags. You can download the tags I designed for free by: clicking on the picture below, right-clicking, saving it to your computer, and printing it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Doesn't it look cute all wrapped up with cellophane and curling ribbon?

You can also use the tags to give a few edible goodies to your favourite educator. Fill a plastic or latex glove with candies, mini chocolate bars and trinkets, and add the tag to create a 'HAND'ful of treats. See what I did there?

What yummy and/or fun treats will you be sharing with your child's teacher this Halloween? I love these simple ideas, and they would be a great thank you gift for any helpful person in your life.

Happy Halloween!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You can find MORE easy and inexpensive ideas for Halloween here.)

15 Fantastic FAMILY GAMES (everyone will love)

I always enjoy a good family board game, don't you? It's a wonderful way for kids and parents to spend time together. Today, I am sharing a list of 15 fantastic family games that everyone will love (in no particular order). Which ones do you love playing with your family?

Note: This gift guide contains affiliate links (which means that if you make a purchase through this post, I will receive a small commission at NO additional cost to you).

1) Jenga - The rules of this one are simple... take a block from the bottom and put it on top (without making the tower topple over).

2) Skipbo - This card game is portable, and it is one of our family's favourites. It involves a little bit of school, but it is easy enough for children to play.

3) Uno - This is a classic card game that is sure to be a hit with parents and children of all ages. It's portable and fun!

And how cute is this Harry Potter edition?

4) Sorry - This is a classic board game with simple rules. The goal is to be the first person to get your men around the board.

5) Trouble - Who doesn't remember "popping the bubble" of a kid? This classic game has been around forever, anyone can play it, and it's lots of fun!

6) Sequence - This game combines a board game and a card game into a wonderful strategy game. It's recommended for ages 7 - adult... so it's family fun for all ages.

7) Clue - This is a classic mystery game where you try to find out the who committed the crime, where it was committed, and the weapon that was used. My boys love this one!

8) Spot it - Between two cards there is only one match. Spot it fast to win!

9) Battleship - This is a classic game that the whole family will love. Simply sink all your opponents battleships to win.

10) Blokus - The perfect fast-paced strategy game. It's easy to learn and great for families.

11) Yahtzee - This simple dice game is fun for families. Kids love shaking the dice and using the score pads.

12) Monopoly - Buy and sell your way to riches with this classic game that should be party of every board game collection. There are many versions, but I'm partial to the traditional one... though I hear the Monopoly Cheaters Edition is a lot of fun!

13) Wizard - This card game is inexpensive, portable, and fun. It's the ultimate game of bidding and winning tricks. 

14) LCR - This inexpensive dice game is so small you can pop it into your purse. Fun to play anywhere / anytime.

15) Pass the Pig - This game requires strategy, skill and luck. It's basically a dice game, but you are rolling "pigs". Fun, right?

Did your favourite board game make my list? Leave your favourite family board game in the comments. I'm always looking for recommendations and new ideas for family fun!

♥ 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Halloween Class Treat (Playdough)... with free printable tags

"Treats" and "Halloween" go hand in hand... but when it comes to classroom treats, it's important to consider allergies and school nutrition policies. When I send treats to school, I always try to ensure that none of my boys' friends will be left out, so opt for easy and inexpensive "non food" options. This year, my youngest son is bringing Halloween playdough for his friends, and I'm sharing my adorable packaging idea (and free printable gift tags) below.

I found these inexpensive containers of playdough (in Halloween colours) on Amazon, and I added "Have a DOUGH-lightful Halloween!" tags.

To download the tags I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

When the playdough containers are packaged in little bags with the tags and curling ribbon, they are adorable!

It really is easy to package up enough for a whole class... and it's cheap too!

With this simple Halloween treat, I don't have to worry about any dietary restrictions or allergies, and I know the kids will love it. "No sugar" doesn't need to mean "no fun"! My 9 year old is excited to share these Halloween goodies with his friends.

Happy Halloween!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
PS - You can find MANY more easy and inexpensive Halloween ideas here.

Allergy-safe Halloween Class treats {funny glasses}... with free printable gift tags

My kids love bringing Halloween treats to share with their classmates, but their schools are starting to get super-strict when it comes to allergies and sugar. So, in an effort to make sure no one is left out, we try to come up with fun "non food" Halloween treats. This year, my middle son decided to share some silly glasses with his friends.

On a trip to Walmart, we found these hilarious glasses for less than $0.50 each. I picked up a bunch and designed some fun tags to accompany them.

Our tags say, "EYE hope you have a SPECtacular Halloween!" Pretty punny, right?

To download the adorable tags I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

My 11 year old is super-pumped to share these Halloween treats with his friends, and I love that they are sugar free and allergy safe.

Will you be sharing Halloween class treats this year? Will you be opting for homemade goodies or a non-food option? I've seen a lot of dollar store glasses that would work well with these tags too. If you decide to use this idea, let me know how they turn out.

Happy Halloween!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)