Every year I think I’m going to put money aside for the holidays and then the holidays roll around I have some change in peanut butter jar. Good intentions shot to hell.
So if the holidays are quickly approaching, and you’re looking at a few dusty pennies, here are some tips that might help:
1. Sell your stuff on eBay or Craig’s List. Not certain you have anything to sell? How about books? Bundle similar books (like old cookbooks, science fiction, how to’s, etc.) and you may get a tidy sum. Have some clothes in very good shape? Bundle them by size and usage. Make sure you search eBay to see if these kinds of items are selling (search for “vintage cook books”, click on “advanced search,” and then check “completed sales” to see what these types of items are selling for.)
2. Make things to sell that aren’t normally found in stores, (advertise in local papers, church bulletins, Craig’s List, ebay) e.g.:
- Personalized herb gardens (start growing now.)
- Personalized fleece blankets. Super easy to make and something people can place orders for. Great for college kids, tweens, and little ones.
- Custom shadow boxes. (buy the shadow box and you design the display)
3. Sometimes the easiest way to make money is to simply capture some of what you are spending. For example, decrease your spending by 20%. When you go to the grocery store take cash–20% less that what you normally spend. Spend only this amount and capture the savings immediately to go into your Christmas or holiday fund.
4. Have a neighborhood kids’ party. (This is a good money-maker for teens, too.) Charge $10-$20 per child (depending on your neighborhood), entertain the kids while mom and dad take a break, get shopping done, etc.
5. Become a gopher. Especially during the hurried holidays you can sell your services to go-for this, go-for that. Whether it’s taking a car in for an oil change, picking up drycleaning, or taking Fido for grooming. Church bulletins are a good place to advertise.
6. Start an evening dessert delivery service. Offer homemade cakes, pies, cookies, etc. Costs involved will include printing flyers and distributing them. If it takes off this could be a good service to bring in your friends to share in the extra dough. Be sure and check with your ordinance/health requirements.
7. Sell yourself in the form of gift certificates. Let’s say you are a terrific handyman. Put an ad in church or local papers that you are selling handyman (or woman) gift certificates ($100 for three hours, …). Make sure the person purchasing gets something out of it like a free hour’s service for him/herself. This works with lessons, decorating, personal chef, dog walking…you name it.
8. Decorate! Lots of people love decorations for the holidays but hate the work or can’t do it anymore. Offer a decorating service that includes taking it all down. Advertise in local papers and church bulletins.
9. Be a specialized shopper. Perhaps a busy businessman wants to give his wife a signed Agatha Christie, or a wife is looking for just the right vintage baseball card. If you have the investigative bent (and love the internet) you could provide a true service. Advertise in business and local papers.
10. If you’re good with a hammer and saw build kids’ playhouses. These are hot items right now and can retail in the thousands. If you sell just two or three for several hundred each you could have a ho-ho holiday indeed! (Hint: make sure they disassemble for easy delivery!)
NOW HERE’S ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES:
Choose the World You See, and See the World You Choose.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO LEAVE COMMENTS. THANK YOU.
