7 Ways to Make Extra Money for Christmas

In 2005, research shows that Americans spent an average of $942 purchasing gifts for the holiday season. This Christmas, that amount is expected to top over $1000. Many of us head into the holidays with plans to "downsize" Christmas and get back to the true meaning of the season: spending time with family and friends, honoring our religious beliefs, and substituting "time" for "presents."

But even with plans to keep costs to a minimum, all the little things about Christmas can really add up! Christmas trees, wrapping paper, tape, stocking stuffers, gifts for your neighbors, and mailing Christmas cards can increase your spending budget quite a bit.

As a result, you may be searching for ways to make extra money this Christmas season. Here, you'll found seven opportunities you can start today to help fund a credit card-free holiday!

• Make and sell crafts. If you're handy with a glue gun or a whiz in the kitchen, the holidays are a great time to sell your wares. Consider making Christmas wreaths or gingerbread houses to sell. Everyone will love your homemade decorations.
• Offer to clean house for your time-strapped friends or family. With parties, shopping trips and travel plans keeping people busy, your friends and family will love the idea of coming home to a clean house.
• Sell Santa letters. Many people make a terrific extra income from sending Santa letters this time of year. Promote your business to neighbors, friends, family, co-workers, and your children's schools. For a twist on the idea, send out letters from Rudolph or Santa's elves.
• Start a business putting up Christmas lights. Lots of people enjoy the look of lights on their house, but may not have the time or ability to put the lights up themselves. Offer to remove the lights after the holidays for a small fee.
• If you're good with a digital camera, visit upscale neighborhoods in your area and take pictures of the beautifully decorated houses. Print the picture on nice card stock, then sell the cards to the homeowner.
• Start a pet sitting business. With many people traveling for the holidays, now is an excellent time to offer services like dog walking, feeding, and trips to the groomer for pet owners.
• Go through your home and find stuff to sell on eBay and Amazon.com. Both sites will be extra busy with shoppers and you may be surprised what people will buy to give as gifts, or keep for themselves.

With a little bit of creativity and ingenuity, it doesn't take much to make extra Christmas money. And now that you're moving into the new year in the black, it's time to start planning ahead for next December!

Visit her site for more ways to make extra money for Christmas and year-round.

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