Genius Ways to DIY Clear Plastic Ornaments... including FREE tags and a super-fun video

I love DIYing during the Christmas season, and I have the BEST ideas to share today. There really is something for everyone in this post. You are going to love my GENIUS ways to DIY clear ornaments, the FREE tags I designed, and the step-by-step video I put together for you.

1) Photo ornaments - Cut two circles, roll them up, and insert them into an ornament, and add a ribbon. For step by step instructions, check out the video here.

2) Warm wishes ornament - The large clear plastic ornaments are perfect for filling with little gifts. I filled mine with socks, toe warmers, and hot chocolate. I added a "Warm Wishes" tag, and it makes an adorable gift. Find the full step-by-step instructions here.

To download the "warm wishes" tag I designed for free: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

3)  Christmas scrunchie ornament - Insert a holiday scrunchie into an ornament, add a piece of ribbon, and tie on a "Christmas Hair Don't Care" tag. To see the step-by-step instructions, check out the video here.

To download the "Christmas Hair" tag I designed for free: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

4) Gumball ornament - Use hot glue to attach an ornament to the top of a red silo cup shot glass, add a pop top, fill with gumballs (or pom poms for a non-food option), and tie a ribbon hanger to the top. For step-by-step instructions, check out the video I made here.

5) Merry and Bright ornament - Fill this "light bulb" ornaments with Christmas M&Ms, add a piece of twine, and attach the "May your days be MERRY & BRIGHT" tag I designed. For step-by-step instructions, check out the video I made here.

To download the "May your days be MERRY & BRIGHT" tags I designed for FREE: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

6) Keepsake ornaments - Fill ornaments with treasures you want to keep. I filled one with sea glass I found while walking the beach with my husband, and I filled other ornaments with the baby hats my boys wore just after they were born.

For a closer look at all of these DIYs, take a look at the YouTube video I made (below)...

All of these plastic ornaments are easy to make, and they are all fantastic. They are great for hanging on your own tree, and they make wonderful gifts too. Which one is your favourite?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

DIY Gifts People Actually WANT — Useful, inexpensive, and fun!!!

I love a good DIY gift, don't you? They are thoughtful, useful, inexpensive and fun! And... they are more budget-friendly than store bought gifts. You are going to love the DIY Christmas Gift Ideas I'm sharing today.

1) Elf Cookies - First bake up a batch of your favourite cookies. I used my favourite recipe for Ginger Molasses cookies. You can find the recipe here. 

Then, add a cardstock hat, googly eyes, button cheeks and a Sharpie mouth. Find the full step by step instructions here.

Seriously... how cute are these little elves???

2) Scrunchie ornament - A clear bulb is a perfect vessel for gifting a Christmas hair scrunchie. Pop off the top of a dollar store ornament, insert a scrunchie and add the cute "Christmas Hair Don't Care" tag I designed. Easy peasy!

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

3) Glowing nativity lamp - These colour changing LED lamps (that I found at Dollarama) are the perfect canvas for Cricut decals. I used nativity decals. Didn't they turn out great? 

For detailed instructions, check out the video I made here.

4) Gingerbread house gift bag - Cut the corners from brown paper gift bag, and use a chalk marker to decorate the bag to look like a gingerbread house. It doesn't need to be fancy. Have fun with it!

5) Reindeer gift bag - Start with a plain paper gift bag. Then, use glue to add googly eyes, and a red paper (or vinyl) nose. Then, draw a mouth with a Sharpie and tape candy cane "antlers" to the top of the bag. Who wouldn't want to receive a gift in this adorable reindeer gift bag?

For a closer look at all these DIY gift ideas, check out the YouTube video below.

Make sure you come back soon. I have a lot more fun Christmas content planned.

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the ideas here...

The BEST Easy, Inexpensive, and USEFUL Gift Ideas... including FREE gift tags

We all have so much clutter in our lives, so it's always nice to receive a "useful" gift this time of year. I love "consumable" gifts, and today, I'm sharing a few of my favourites. I'm also sharing FREE printable gift tags that make the gifts super-cute.

1) Hot chocolate gift (with two tag options) - A personalized mug, adorable mini mason jars full of marshmallows, and hot chocolate pairs perfectly with a "Warm Wishes" or "We Wish You a Cozy Christmas" tags.

Cute, right?!?

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

Wouldn't it be cute boxed up with Christmas PJs and popcorn for a Christmas movie night?

2) Christmas soap (with a "We WASH you a Merry Christmas" tags - It doesn't get easier than this. Just print the tags I designed and attach them to holiday soap. Easy peasy!

To download these tag: click on one of the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

3) Cookies for Santa Mix - A cookie mix makes a fantastic gift. Who doesn't love baking during the holidays, and these are the perfect cookies to leave for Santa. Download the tag below, and find the full recipe here.

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

4) Christmas Morning Pancake Mix - Homemade pancake mix with an adorable tag is perfect for Christmas morning. It's a wonderful gift for teachers, neighbours, family, and friends.

To download this tag: click on one of the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

It would also be a great addition to a Christmas Eve box!

5) Sweet Treats - Homemade goodies or store bought treats make fantastic gifts this time of year. Add the "Have a SWEET Christmas" tag I designed, and your good to go!

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

Want a closer look at all these fantastic gifts? Check out the video below.

What do you think of these ideas? Which one is YOUR favourite? If you still need MORE ideas, you might be interested in the video I made earlier this week. Check it out here.

Make sure you come back soon. I have a lot more fun Christmas content planned. Fa... la... la... la!!!

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Easy, Inexpensive, and USEFUL Dollar Store CHRISTMAS Gifts... including FREE (and adorable) gift tags

I love a budget-friendly gift -- especially when it is cute AND useful. Today, I'm sharing 5 easy & cheap Christmas gift ideas, fun packaging options, and FREE printable tags. You are going to love these!!!

1) Chocolate and Mitten SNOWMAN - This is a great gift for all ages. It's inexpensive and super cute. Check out the step by step instructions here, and download the tag below.

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

2) Baking tool treat - Christmas is synonymous with baking, so this is a great gift. It would be fun to pair it with homemade goodies too. Check out the step by step instructions here, and download the tag below.

To download the "we WHISK you a Merry Christmas" tags: click the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

3) Grinch goodies - I love Christmas movies, and this gift is super-cute for Grinch fans. Check out the step by step instructions here, and download the tag below.

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

4) Socks and toe warmers - This is a fun one for hockey moms, coaches, and people who spend a lot of time outdoors in winter. Check out the step by step instructions here, and download the tag below.

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

5) Hot chocolate gift bag - Consumable gifts are the best for people that don't need more clutter in their lives... and hot chocolate screams "Christmas!" Check out the step by step instructions here, and download the tag below.

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

Aren't these great ideas? Do you have a favourite?

For all the details regarding how I created these gifts, check out the video I made below.

If you like these gifts, let me know. I have more ideas I'd be happy to share.

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

A FINAL Birthday Letter to my Oldest Son on his 18th Birthday

When my boys were little, I decided to write them birthday letters every year on the day they were born. My goal was to create a "snap shot" of their personalities at the different stages of their childhoods. Today, my oldest son turns 18. As he enters adulthood, I am writing my LAST birthday letter to him. It's amazing how quickly time passes! 😭

To my oldest boy,

I literally can't believe that my first baby is an adult. I guess it's true that time flies when you are having fun -- and it has been an absolute joy watching you grow up. I couldn't be more proud of the wonderful human you have become. Being your mother is a blessing I don't take for granted. 💗

Here are a few of the reasons you are fantastic:

• You are smart, kind, and friendly. Dad and I joke that you are the "Mayor of Antigonish" because you are always chatting with people everywhere we go.
• You are a hard worker, and never complain about all the things you have on your plate. You excel academically, you have two jobs, you play competitive hockey, and you still find time to volunteer and have fun with your friends.
• You are a great big brother. The three of you have a lot of fun together, and you set a wonderful example for them.
• You love: pasta, steak, pizza, peanut butter on homemade white rolls, and Reeses peanut butter cups. You also love the Toronto Maple Leafs!
• You graduated from high school this year and "killed" your Valedictorian speech. I was very proud!
• You started university, and are embracing the new experience. I can't wait to see where your new path takes you!

You may be a legal adult, but you will always be my first baby. I love you to the moon and back!

Love,

Mom xox