Simple DIY Retro Candy Bar... with FREE sign to download

I love a good party... and I truly believe that the small DIY details are what make a celebration special... and memorable. Last weekend, I had a 50th birthday party celebration for my sister, and created a "retro candy bar" for her. It was easy, inexpensive and fun. Today, I'm sharing the details and a FREE sign for you to download.

All I did was: buy a bunch of retro candy, put it in dollar store containers, and added a sign that I popped in a dollar store frame. It turned out sooooo cute, and the birthday girl and party gets LOVED it!

Check out all the details (and learn how to make your own sign) in the short video I made here:

To download the template I talked about in the video: Click on the picture below, right-click, save it, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

Here are a few more pictures from our party...

If you have any questions after watching the video, let me know. I think my DIY retro candy bar turned out super cute, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

EASY Bathroom update for LESS $350 / Outdated to Modern in ONE Day

Recently, I updated my bathroom, and I'm so happy with the result. It looks totally different, and it cost me LESS than $350. I'm absolutely in love with the results. Check out how I took my bathroom from drab to fab in ONE day... on a budget!

Here's a breakdown of what I spent:

Want to see how I transformed my bathroom? See all the details in the video I made here:

Doesn't it look so much better?

Let me know what you think. Do you like the DIY towel ring I made using a $1.50 piece of wood from Dollarama?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

The Perfect Canada Day Craft / Beaver Paper Bag Puppet

I love holiday crafts, and this one is perfect for Canada Day. All you need is a paper lunch bag, crayons, cardstock, glue, and googly eyes. This beaver paper bag puppet is just TOO ADORABLE!

To make this puppet:

1) Draw all the beaver parts pictured above, or get the template I designed here.

2) Colour and cut out all the parts.

3) Use glue to attach all the parts. Make sure you attach the parts in the folds so that it looks good when you insert your hand into the puppet. Take a peek at the video here to see what the puppet looks like when it's finished.

Happy Canada Day!!!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the fantastic Canada Day ideas here.

8 FREE Last Day of School Downloads

Recently, I made a video sharing my favourite easy and inexpensive Last Day of School Celebration Ideas. I think you are going to love them ALL! Below, you will find a video with all the ideas and all the free downloads included in the video.

🌞🌞🌞Here's the video...

And here are the FREE downloads mentioned in this video:

 

1) Adventure Awaits picture

To download: click on the picture below, save to your computer or phone, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

2) Camping and Road Trip TIC TAC TOE games

To download: click on the picture below, save to your computer or phone, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

To download: click on the picture below, save to your computer or phone, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

3) Summer Adventure Checklist

To download: click on the picture below, save to your computer or phone, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

4) Sip Sip Hooray / Straw treat gift tags

To download: click on the picture below, save to your computer or phone, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

5) “Have a BALL” gift tag

To download: click on the picture below, save to your computer or phone, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

6) “Sweet treat” gift tag

To download: click on the picture below, save to your computer or phone, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

7) Freezie gift tag

To download: click on the picture below, save to your computer or phone, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

8) Cookie teacher tags and recipe

To download: click on the picture below, save to your computer or phone, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

And you can get the cookie mix recipe here.

I hope you like these ideas and they help you have a fantastic last day of school. Cheers to a great summer!!!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

2024 Graduation Party Favors -- with FREE printable tags

***2023 post UPDATED with 2024 tags***

I love a good party favor... especially if it's budget-friendly. So, when my son graduated last year, I decided to create some inexpensive party favors using dollar store goodies. I came up with five party favor ideas (and free printable tags) that you are going to love! (And for a closer look, take a look at the video I made herehere.)

Here are the items I used to create the party favors.

1) The first tag is great to pair with mint gum or peppermints.

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

2) The second tag can be paired with store-bought or homemade cookies.

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

3) The third tag can be paired with bags of popped popcorn... or these unpopped bags of microwave popcorn.

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

4) The fourth tag can be used with any sweet treat. It works with candy AND chocolate. Just pick your favourite.

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

5) The last tag can be used with doughnuts or doughnut holes. I used store bought old fashioned doughnuts.

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

I love how they all look displayed on the tiered tray I made (in the video you can find here).

You can also get a closer look at how I put all the party favors together below...

PS - If you don't like the gold colored tagged I used, check out the more colorful options below...

Let me know in the comments which of these graduation party favors is YOUR favorite. I think they are all pretty cute!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

DOLLARAMA Groceries — Deals, Dupes, my Family’s Favourites, and the items you NEED to try!!!

As a mom with three teenage boys, I need to be very mindful when it comes to buying groceries. One of my strategies is to shop at a variety of stores to make sure I get the best value for my money. I also like to find cheaper "dupes" that still taste delicious. Today, I'm sharing a few of my favorite Dollarama grocery deals, dupes, favourites, and hacks.

You can find all the details in this fun video I made for you.

After you watch the video, let me know if you have any deals / products I should check out. I love recommendations from my readers. 😊

Happy shopping!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

10 Summer Adventures for the Family... and a printable checklist

When it comes to summer fun, it's always great to have inspiration and a plan. Today, I'm sharing both! You can pick one or two items off of my summer adventure checklist, or you can tackle all ten.

To download a copy of the list: click on the picture above, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photograph.

And... here are the details...

1) Eat ice cream – Make homemade ice cream, have ice cream for supper, or try a NEW ice cream stand.

2) Do something good – Run a lemonade stand or yard sale for charity, visit the grocery store and buy things to donate to a food bank, or participating in a few random acts of kindness.

3) Buy a meal from a food truck and eat outside – Grab burgers, fries, fish, or pizza, and have a picnic in the park.

4) Visit a beach – Go for a swim, play catch on the shore, collect sea glass and shells, fly a kite, or go on a scavenger hunt.

5) Cook on a campfire – Avoid dinner dishes by roasting hot dogs over an open fire. Then, cook campfire treats for dessert.

6) Plan a theme day –Some options include: “spend gift cards day”, “play board games day”, and “kids pick the meals day”.

7) Have an outdoor movie night – Watch a movie under the stars with blankets, pillows and treats.

8) Plan a parent / child date – Parents pick the time frame and budget, and the kids pick the activity.

9) Get creative – Make a craft, bake something, decorate a cake, try a new recipe, or film a video. The only limit is your imagination.

10) Explore – Go on a hike, hunt for waterfalls, swim somewhere new, or go a road trip.

Which of these summer adventures are you going to go on with your family? Let me know in the comments below.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)