Unique and Budget-friendly DIY Graduation Candy Bar... with free signage and tags

I love a good party DIY... and what's better than a DIY Candy Bar. Today, I'm sharing my tips and tricks for putting together a fantastic candy bar on a budget. I'm even including FREE printable signage and tags.

Take a peek at the video (below) for all the information you need to put together your own impressive and budget-friendly candy bar. Then, come back here and download the free signage and tags.

To download this sign I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 5x7 photo.

To download this sign I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 5x7 photo.

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

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

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

4 NEW Graduation DIYs... made using dollar store supplies

If you want to take your graduation celebration to the next level, you are going to want to pay attention to a few unique and memorable details. Today, I'm sharing 4 NEW graduation DIYs that are awesome, easy, inexpensive and fun! (And make sure to check out the video at the end of this post for all the step-by-step instructions.)

This tiered tray could not be easier to make, and it is perfect for a graduation. And no one will ever know it's made from dollar store plates and candle holders. Find the step by step instructions here.

Isn't this the perfect tray for a dessert table? I might even add a "You're a smart cookie" sign beside it. I love a good pun! 😀

Capturing memories through photos is an important part of any milestone celebration. I love the idea of creating a custom hashtag for guests to use on social media. Make sharing easy with this FREE downloadable sign. Grab your here.

Another fun photo idea is creating a simple "selfie frame". This one is made from a dollar store piece of foam core and dollar store stickers. It's easy, inexpensive, and fun! Find the instructions here.

And check out my handsome graduate...

Displaying photo memories is another wonderful idea. I glued dollar store frames together to make this awesome centrepiece. You can fill it with balloons or flowers. It's also fun to add a "Congratulations" cake topper. Check out the adorable pictures of my graduate below... and see the step-by-step instructions here.

Inspired to create one or more of these graduation DIYs? Check out the step-by-step instructions in the video below...

Do you have a graduation to plan? Are you planning to try any of these graduation DIYS? I think these ideas are perfect for a preschool, junior high, high school, college, or university graduation.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Chocolate, peanut butter CAKE MIX cookies

Who doesn't love a good cookie... and a good short cut? These CAKE MIX cookies are perfect for when you have a chocolate craving, but don't have a lot of time. You can mix up a batch (in one bowl) in less than five minutes. It doesn't get much easier!

To make chocolate, peanut butter cake mix cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, in a large bowl, mix together the following:

1 box of cake mix

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/4 vegetable oil

1/3 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup peanut butter chips

Mix together, and then scoop 1 tbsp balls onto a silpat (or parchment paper) lined cookie sheet. I like to use a cookie scoop.

Note: If you find the dough too sticky, you can refrigerate it, or add 1-2 tbsp of flour.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes. Don't overbake. They should be cooked, but still soft in the middle.

For a closer look at how easy it is to make these cookies, take a look at the video I made.

I hope you enjoy these cookies. Let me know in the comments if you are a fan of combining chocolate and peanut butter.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

FREE Graduation "Hashtag" Sign

If you want an easy way to capture graduation memories, make sure everyone shares their photos with the same hashtag. I love the idea of setting out a sign as a remember, and I'm sharing the one I designed for free.

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

Then, add your hashtag and pop it in a frame. Here's what mine looks like in a dollar store frame. Cute, right?

I'm currently planning my oldest son's graduation, so I'll have more fun ideas and downloads soon. Make sure you follow me on all my social media channels so you don't miss anything!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Fantastic SUMMER Freebies and DIYs (boho chic... and budget-friendly)

Who doesn't love gorgeous (and budget-friendly) home decor? It's so great to refresh decor with a change in seasons, and I have some great options for summer. I have SEVEN free prints you can download, and 3 differently DIYs. (Scroll to the bottom of this post for the step-by-step DIY video.)

I love these boho chic pictures. You can download them for free here, and pop them into dollar store frames (like I did).

And how cute is this DIY wall hanging? You can find the step-by-step instructions to make tassels and this wall hanging here.

You can also add picture with tiny clothespins. Cute, right?!?

And once you are addicted to making tassels 😀, you can use them to make this super-cheerful garland.

For a closer look at all these summer freebies and DIYs, check out the YouTube video below.

I hope you like these summer decor ideas. I have more summer content coming soon, so stay tuned!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the summer DIYs here.

Simple SPRING DIYs made using dollar store supplies / High-end Spring decor on a budget

Aren't simple ideas the best ones? Today, I'm sharing fantastic dollar store DIYs for Spring -- they are easy, inexpensive, and super-cute! (And there is a short step-by-step video at the end of this post, so make sure to check it out. 🙂)

How adorable is this rustic Spring wreath? It looks high end, the materials are super-cheap, and it's soooo easy to make. Wrap a wreath form in twine, wrap more twine around the middle, and insert dollar store florals. Easy peasy!

This umbrella wreath is another great DIY for Spring. Simple take a dollar store children's umbrella, pop in some dollar store flowers, and tie with a ribbon. That's it!

This porch hanger is cute too. The tin bucket came from the dollar store, and I added words with my Cricut. Then, I popped in some floral foam and inserted fake flowers. It was simple to make, and it would be a cheerful addition to any porch.

This riser looks high-end, but it only cost a couple of dollars to make. It's just a dollar store plastic bowl glued to a dollar store plastic plate. I love a 30 second DIY that looks like it came from a high-end store!

Alternatively, you can use the same technique to DIY a tiered tray for Spring. Glue a large plate, a candle stick holder, and a small plate together. I got all the supplies for this one at Dollarama.

For a closer look at these DIYs, check out the video I made (below).

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the budget-friendly Spring decor ideas here.

FREE Summer Prints (so cute!)

Who doesn't love a freebie? And these summer prints are "boho style", and the colours are very on-trend. I have SEVEN great options, so check them out below.

To download the prints I designed: click on one of the photos below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 11x14 photo.

Pro tip: I print mine at my local copy store (on cardstock) for less than $2 each.

You can just print one, or you can print a group like I did. Can you believe I got these frames on my local dollar store? I love to switch out the pictures for different holidays and seasons.

I hope you like these free summer prints. I have more summer content coming soon, so stay tuned!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the summer DIYs here.