{simple} Christmas Class Treats... no baking required

Tomorrow is my boys' last day of school, and they love to bring little Christmas treats for their classmates. This year, my middle son is bringing a fun photo treat, and my youngest is bringing a bag of goodies. Check them out below!

To make the fun photo card/treat, I took a picture of my son holding a fist to the side. Then, I added a Christmas greeting using Picmonkey.com.

Then, I used an x-Acto knife to cut slits above and below my son's fist and inserted a candy cane. (You could also use a pencil or a tree ornament if you prefer a candy free option.) 

I love how cute and personal these treats are, don't you?

My youngest son isn't allowed to bring food to school, so he opted for little tree ornaments in gift bags. I added a fun photo tag that I created in PicMonkey, and the result is super-cute!

Are your kids sharing treats with their friends this year? These options are simple and fun!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Christmas Movies You MUST Watch on NETFLIX this Holiday Season

Who doesn't love cuddling up in front of a decorated tree and watching a wonderful Christmas movie? And this year, Netflix* has some wonderful movies ready to stream any time you want. Today, I am sharing 5 of my favourite holiday movies... and you are definitely going to want to put them on your viewing list this holiday season.

1) Elf - This really is a wonderful movie for the whole family. Will Ferrell is perfectly cast, and the story is sweet and funny. I've already watched it once this year, and I will likely put it on again before the holiday is over.

2) A Christmas Prince - This is a new Christmas movie on Netflix, and it is simple, sappy, and a perfect movie for moms to watch with the tree lights on and a glass of wine in hand.

3) Love Actually - This is definitely a movie for grown ups, but it is a holiday favourite of mine. It's original, funny, and it tugs at the heart strings. If you haven't seen it, you need to watch it!

4) How the Grinch Stole Christmas - This is a classic story, and it is one that parents and children will enjoy watching together. It has a wonderful message, and Jim Carrey is a perfect Grinch!

5) Trolls Holiday Special - This holiday treat is new to Netflix, and my whole family loved it. It's funny, well cast, and the music is fantastic. I highly recommend it!

What's your favourite holiday movie? Did it make my list?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

*Disclosure: I receive special gifts and perks as part of my affiliation with Netflix.... however (as always) the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.

Simple Neighbour Gifts... and free printable tags

I have the greatest neighbours, so I like to give them a small gift at Christmas. This year, I am sharing homemade, fresh potpourri that they can simmer on their stoves. It's simple to make, and it really smells like Christmas. I'm also sharing the free printable tags I designed so you can share this little gift with your friends and neighbours.

I purchased some clear cellowphane bags, and I filled each bag with the following:

• 3-4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange
• 1/2 cup cranberries
• 1 tbsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

I tied the bags with red curling ribbon, and I added a cute "It's Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas" tag.

To download the tag I designed: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Doesn't the potpourri look pretty all packaged up?

These packages are wonderful for giving to neighbours, but they are great for teacher and hostess gifts too.

Do you think you will make these potpourri bags to share with friends and family? A homemade gift from the heart is always special and much appreciated.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (Click here for more easy and inexpensive Christmas ideas and recipes.)

How My Boys Gave Back this Holiday Season (Our 7th Annual Christmas Fundraiser)

Each year, during the holidays, my boys raise money for charity. I have always thought it was important for my boys to "give back" during the holidays, and I am proud of their efforts to organize a "letter writing to Santa" fundraiser. They bake cookies, create craft kits, make reindeer food, and package it all up to sell. This year, they raised $340.00 for Cystic Fibrosis (a disease that their 5 year old cousin is living with). 

My boys baked cookies, put together craft kits, and packaged up reindeer food. They worked really hard, and sold a lot of kits. I think the kids that purchased them had fun too!

I just love the adorable tree ornament that the kids could make with their kits.

I think it is fantastic that my boys were able to do the work, and they were super-proud of the money they raised. It meant a lot to them, and giving back is an important part of our family's holiday celebrations.

How do you find a meaningful way for your kids to give back at Christmas?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)