Christmas is a time when the bank balance dwindles and the credit card bills soar. But what can you do at this time of year if you don’t have any spare cash and need to make a few pounds or dollars? Here are a few simple suggestions:
Christmas Contests
There are loads of competitions and contests for anything from barbecues to beauty products. Why not pay a visit to loquax.co.uk and take a look at the Christmas competitions. Lots of fun and you may even win something.
Sell Stuff on Ebay
Take a look in your loft, your garage and your shed to find old, unused items that you might sell online. For example, you may still have your children’s outgrown clothes and toys, children’s toys, retro computer games or old vinyl records. Take some pictures, write some good descriptions, get the stuff up on eBay and turn your rubbish into cash. This is a great way to make some useful cash while clearing out unwanted items.
Baby Sitting
Christmas is the party season and many parents are desperate for reliable and trustworthy people to baby-sit while they attend their company Christmas party. Why not post some notices in your local shops, drop leaflets through people’s doors or simply spread the word around your neighbourhood.
Pet-Sitting and Dog Walking
Many people like to go away to visit friends and family at Christmas and often can't take their pets with them. Cats often need little more than feeding and little attention if left for a couple of days so why not offer this service to the cat owners in your vicinity. You might also like to provide dog-walking service for those who are too full of mince pies and Christmas pudding.
Gift-Wrapping and Storage
I am probably the world’s worst gift wrapper. I would glady pay cash for someone to wrap my Christmas gifts neatly so why not offer this service to your neighbours? You may also offer to store Christmas gifts until the big day, avoiding the chance that inquisitive children will spoil their surprise.
Grocery and Christmas Shopping Service
Not everybody can get into town or visit their local shops to get what they want for Christmas. This could be a valuable service for the elderly or house-bound in your area.
Offer Services to Busy Businesses
There are lots of businesses that become enormously busy at this time of year. Shops, restaurants, delivery firms, the post office. All will need additional, seasonal staff.
Make Stuff to Sell
You might be able to sell home made cookies through a local store. Why not make a test batch and take them along for a trial. Alternatively, arts and crafts are always well liked at this time of year. Personalised Christmas stockings embroidered with a child’s name, table centre-pieces for the Christmas dinner table or unique Christmas decorations are all likely to be popular at this time of year.
Home Tuition
Christmas is a time of year when people have a little time on their hands. There are still many people who need a little help using their computers. If you have the patience you may find that offering a hand-holding service for those who are frightened of computers could be popular.
Car and Van Valet Service
Christmas is a time of year when people don’t want to be washing and cleaning their cars or company vans. Armed with a few cleaning tools you could offer a valet service to get those automobiles looking bright and fresh for 2009.
Whatever you plan to do advertising and promoting your service is important. You may find that notices placed in your local grocery store, post office, community centre or church, along with some friendly leaflets delivered door to door, will generate the business that you need.
If you are thinking of getting a new car or van in 2009 I recommend that you consider car leasing or van leasing as leasing can give you some significant savings.