Stocking Stuffer Coupons {free printable}

Looking for easy and inexpensive stocking stuffer ideas? Check out these adorable {free} printable coupons that I designed. 


Aren't they adorable?  Each coupon entitles the recipient to stay up an extra 15 minutes... by order of Santa.  Print the coupons, cut them out, and add the name of the child.  That's it!

To download your own copy of these coupons: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular photo.
I laminated my stocking stuffer coupons for extra cuteness... but you can skip this step.  Do you have a little one that would enjoy receiving one of the bedtime passes?


Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Packaging for Homemade Treats

I love baking with my boys this time of year, and we love to share our treats with neighbours and friends.  Check out this darling idea for packaging your homemade goodies.


Isn't it cute?  I took a plain red cup, added a "belt" of electrical tape, and finished with a little button I had leftover from the "Santa belly felt ornaments" I made last year.  I put it all together, added some goodies, and I was done!


I love this adorable, easy and inexpensive way to package homemade treats, don't you?


Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Neighbour Gift Ideas for Christmas {free tutorials and printable tags}

I love a simple DIY Christmas gift, and today I am sharing some fantastic ideas for neighbours, teachers and friends.  These Christmas neighbour gifts are easy, inexpensive, and lots of fun!


Click on the links for more info (and free printables):

1) For your mistleTOES - Print the free tag, add some bright red nail polish, and you'll have an adorable gift sure to make the recipient smile.  For a more substantial gift, add a gift certificate for a pedicure.  Fun, right?  {Here's the link to the free printable gift tag.}


2) Christmas potpourri - Fill a bag with simple items from the grocery store, print the tag with the instructions, and you'll have a stovetop mixture that will fill your friend's house with the smells of Christmas.  {Here's the link to the potpourri recipe and free printable gift tag.}


3) Goodies in homemade reindeer gift bags - Have the children make these adorable reindeer gift bags, and fill them with homemade goodies or hot chocolate with a "warm wishes" gift tag.  It's a great way to get the kids involved in the gift-giving process.  {Find the full tutorial for the reindeer gift bags here.}


4) Candy bouquet - This gift is fun all year round, and this time of year, it makes a great neighbour or teacher gift.  We made this for my son's teacher, and we included a gift card.  Easy peasy!  {You can find the full tutorial for the candy bouquet here.


5) Holly jolly treats - Add a "Popping by to wish you a holly jolly Christmas" tag to a bag containing popcorn and jolly ranchers for this simple and festive neighbour gift.  {You can find the free printable gift tags here.}


Bonus: White wine with adorable FREE tags (that you can download here).

Do you have a favorite DIY Christmas gift to give?  Or have you gotten one that you absolutely loved?  I'd love to hear about it!

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Elf Challenges {free printable}

Starting to run out of Elf on the Shelf ideas?  Here is a new one... with a "kindness" twist. Don't you just love this "week of Elf on the Shelf Challenges"?


To print this sheet of Elf on the Shelf challenges, right click on the picture above, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.

I hope our "Elfie" brings these cards to my boys this week.  ;-) I love the idea of having our Elf on the Shelf encourage my boys to spread kindness this holiday season.

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Santa Wreath

Sometimes you need to add a little "whimsey" to your holiday decor, and this simple DIY Santa wreath fits the bill perfectly.  It is easy and inexpensive to make and lots of fun!


Want to make your own DIY Santa wreath?

1) Start by cutting a circle from foam core (from the dollar store).  I cut mine about 2 inches thick.  Don't worry about jagged edges because you won't see them when the wreath is completed.

2) Wrap yarn around the foam core securing with hot glue periodically.

3) Make A LOT of white felt roses, and hot glue them to the wreath.  You can find a step-by-step tutorial for making felt roses here.

4) Add a dollar store Santa hat to the top of the wreath.  You can secure it with hot glue or straight pins.  (I also stuffed some tissue paper into the hat to add a little shape to it.)


That's it!  Simple, right?


Doesn't it look cute on my front door?  I think I might switch the Santa hat for a snowman hat when Christmas is over.  What do you think?

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Northpole Communicator {Review and Giveaway} -- CLOSED

Winner - Hilary B. {Thanks to everyone that took the time to enter.}

The boys and I just received two fun Christmas products to review, and I have a set of these products to give away to one lucky US reader.  Even if you aren't living in the US, you are going to want to check out the North Pole Communicator Interactive Microphone and the Polar Explorer Goggles and Adventure Map.



My boys especially love the Northpole Communicator.  Starting on December 1, you can use it to talk (daily) to the North Pole.  

Yesterday morning, my boys were eager to give it a try.  The boys talked to a delightful elf that had them trying to imitate the sounds Santa's reindeer make.  It was adorable!


There is also a fun website where you can find out more info... including how to write to Santa and where you can purchase your own Northpole Communicator.  {Click here to learn more.}

So... are you excited yet?  To win a Northpole Communicator AND Polar Explorer Goggles and Adventure Map, all you need to do is leave me a comment {below} letting me know who would love to communicate with the North Pole in your home.  Don't forget to log in or leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win.


Thanks for taking the time to check out these great products, and good luck with the contest!  You only have a week to enter, so enter ASAP.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)


Disclosure: I received free products in order to be able to complete this review/giveaway.  However, {of course} the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.

Contest Rules:
1) The winner of the contest will be chosen by the Random Number Generator.
2) To enter the contest, you must leave a comment on this post (with contact info). Contest is open to US Residents only.
3) This contest is not being hosted or sanctioned in any way by Facebook.
4) Contest closes on December 8, 2014 at 11:59pm.
5) Prize will be accepted as awarded. 
6) Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond. After 48 hours the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected.

Simple Felt Ornament {Star}

I love to make simple felt ornaments (each year) for our Christmas tree.  They are also great to share with friends.  Here is the simple star ornament I created this year.


To make your own felt ornament:


1)  Collect your supplies.  You'll need a piece of ribbon, a little white button, two circles cut from red felt, and one star cut from green felt.

2)  Stitch the star to one of the felt circles.

3)  Sew a button onto the middle of the star.

4)  Add a ribbon, and stitch the second felt circle to the felt circle containing the star.

That's it!  Don't you just love how easy, inexpensive and cute this little felt ornament is?  I think it would be a great beginner sewing project too.


Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

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