2023 Christmas Finds for LESS

When it comes to saving money, prepping EARLY for Christmas is key. I also love to stock up on dollar store finds before they are all sold out. Today, I'm sharing some of my favourite 2023 Christmas dollar store finds.





Check out my list below... or take a closer look by watching the video I made here:



1) These LED lights are great. They come with a remote, so you can change them into any Christmas colour you like. They are fantastic plain, but they are also a great surface for Cricut decals. I'm planning to add a nativity scene to mine.



2) Reindeer are super trendy this year, and these dollar store reindeer ornaments are super-cute. I'm planning to paint mine with black spray paint for a high-end look.



3) These snow globes are cheap and super cute. The DIY possibilities are endless. I bought a bunch, and I have some fun plans for them, so stay tuned. 😉



4) I've been seeing a lot of "bell" décor in high-end stores this year, but it's quite pricey. I have a plan to DIY my own bells using these dollar store supplies. I think it's going to be great! :-)



5) Kleenex boxes look ugly and can take away from the look of Christmas décor. That's why I love this plain white kleenex box cover. Cute, right? You could also DIY these boxes. You could add a monogram... or you could add something with a Christmas theme.




6) Bottle brush trees are versatile and inexpensive. I love these beige ones with a wooden vase. They look great on a tiered tray, and they are fantastic for DIYs.



7) I love lights that add a nice glow to décor. These dollar store lanterns are a great size, look fantastic, and add a festive glow to the holidays.



8) The dollar store has really fun wrapping paper options, but the good ones sell out quickly... so make sure to grab your favourites right away. Here are the ones I bought...



9) You don't have to be a child to have fun with a toy train. I found this one at the dollar store, and it's a great size. I plan to put it around the base of my tree. 



Which of these 2023 Christmas bargains is your favourite? I love getting ready for Christmas early so I can relax when the holiday season arrives. Where do you fall -- team "early" or team "last minute"?


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)


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

The BEST Halloween Cookie Recipe... including a quick step-by-step video

This no-bake cookie recipe is a family favourite. I make it at Easter and add mini eggs, and at Christmas I make them and call them "reindeer poop". Today, I'm sharing my Halloween version. You are going to LOVE these simple and delicious Halloween cookies.



The recipe is at the end of this post, but you might want to check out this quick step-by-step video first.




To make these Halloween monster cookies:

1)  Mix together the following dry ingredients, and set aside:
  • 3 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 1/4 tsp salt
2)  Put the following ingredients in a saucepan, and bring to a boil:
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
3)  Remove from heat, and stir in dry ingredients.

4)  Before the mixture starts to dry out, drop the mixture from heaping teaspoons onto wax paper, and add candy eyes to each cookie.  Allow to cool completely.



They look adorable on a plain, white tray.




But I put mine on the tray I made in the video here.




You really should make this cookies. I guarantee you are going to think they are SPOOK-tacular. :-)


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)


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

Turn inexpensive items into CUTE & CLEVER HALLOWEEN Goodies / 15 GENIUS Halloween Treat Ideas

I absolutely love the ideas I'm sharing today. Treats really are the best part of Halloween, and today I have 15 treat ideas that are simply genius! I also have a fun video for you and FREE downloadable tags. Keep reading to check out all the fun.



1) Chocolate bar mummies - This is such an adorable and simple idea. Wrap chocolate bars in streamers, and add googly eyes. Full instructions here.




2) Halloween glasses with punny tags - These are great for kids when allergies are a concern. And the tag I designed is free to download. Find the tag below, and more detailed instructions here.


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



3) Glow sticks with a sweet tag - This is a perfect (and useful) Halloween treat. It's a lovely little light for Halloween night. Download the tag for free below... and get a clower look at how I put it together here.


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




4) Tic Tac Toe Treat - This free board makes a great Halloween treat. Just print it and pair it with buttons or coloured candies. See how it works here.


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



5) Play dough with a punny tag - Pop the playdough in a bag, tie with a ribbon, and add the tag I designed. Grab the free tag below, and find the "how to" here.


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



6) Sucker ghosts - I made these as a child, and I'm sharing my version here. They are simple to make... and so stinkin' cute!




7) "Eat, drink, and be scary" straws - This is a simple DIY. Download the tag below, and tie it to a reusable straw. That's it, but if you need a closer look at how I did it, you can check out the video here.


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



8) BOO-bles - Bubbles with a punny tag become BOO-bles. :-) Download the tag for free below.


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



9) Halloween cookie decorating kit - This is a fun gift AND a fun activity. Package the following in a mason jar: cookies, icing (in a condiment container), and sprinkles (in a condiment container). Then, add the tag I designed (below).



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



10) Fangs - I found this fang whistle at the dollar store, but any "fang" trinket would work. Just pair it with the FANG-tastic tag I designed (which you can download for free below).


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



11) Disposible gloves filled with candy - This is such a fun packaging idea. I even included a fun sign you can download for free below.



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



12) Photos with trinkets - I love a personalized treat, and these are adorable. Take a photo of a child with their arm extended. Then, cut a slit above and below their fist. Finish by inserting a pencil or small toy. Cute, right?!?! (Note: I used a dollar store tablecloth as a backdrop for the pictures.)




13) Graham cracker bandaids - Cut a graham cracker in half, add white icing, and finish with a smear of red gel icing. These bandaid cookies would be adorable to serve to family and friends.



14) Vampire donuts - Take store bought donuts up a notch. Use icing as glue to attach candy eyes, and insert dollar store vampire teeth into the centre of the donut. Serving a tray of these at a Halloween party is guaranteed to impress.



15) Halloween bark - These treat looks impressive, but it's super-simple to make. Melt white baking chocolate according the package directions, spread it out over a piece of wax paper, and top it with whatever candy pieces you have on hand. Allow it to cool, break it in pieces, and serve it to family and friends. Easy peasy!



For a closer look at all 15 Halloween Treat ideas, check out the video I made...


What do you think of these treat ideas? Which one is your favourite? I hope you give one or two of them a try this year. Happy Halloween!


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)


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

NEW High-end HALLOWEEN Decor... made using dollar store supplies

I love creating high-end holiday decor, and I especially love when it is budget-friendly. Today, I have some fantastic Halloween DIYs made using dollar store supplies. I absolutely LOVE the LED cauldron. Take a peek and let me know which one if your favourite.




This wreath could not be easier to make, and it's totally adorable! I used an old grapevine wreath form and a wooden ghost from the dollar store. You can get a closer look (and the instructions) here.




I also made this cat and old-fashioned ghost face using dollar store wooden blanks, and you can see how I made them here. Pretty cute, right?!?!




And here is my FAVOURITE! I love this cauldron made from a dollar store LED light and curling ribbon. It looks fantastic when it is lit up at night. I think it would look great set up on a food table at a Halloween party. You can find the simple "how to" here.



Are you ready to make something fantastic for Halloween? Check out the video I made below to see how easy and inexpensive these gorgeous pieces of decor are to make using dollar store supplies.




Let me know which one of these Halloween DIYs is YOUR favourite. Which wooden piece would you have used for the wreath?


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)


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

Don't miss any of the fun....