| What if you could make more money than you | | | | FLEECE BLANKETS |
| spend this holiday season? Sounds like a pretty | | | | I don't know about you, but I love fleece blankets. |
| good idea, you say? If you'd like to be on the | | | | I was really excited when I found out I could |
| making money end during the holidays, now is the | | | | make these awesome "Snuggly" blankets without |
| time to start preparing. Below I'm going to give | | | | having to sew a stitch. Cinda Louden has been |
| you several money-making ideas. Pick the one or | | | | making these types of blankets for a while now |
| two that interest you the most and have fun! | | | | and explains, "These blankets are made out of |
| SANTA LETTERS | | | | Polar Fleece material. They are soft, warm, cozy, |
| Making a child feel special during the holidays is | | | | durable, and wonderfully 'Snuggly.' There's no |
| something I think most adults strive for. And | | | | sewing or needlework involved; all you do is cut |
| when a child gets a letter from Santa, the guy | | | | and tie. Making Snugglies is a great way to start |
| they look up to and respect...that child is going to | | | | and create a business, make a little extra cash, or |
| feel like a million bucks. Selling to parents, | | | | just make them for gifts. It's all up to you!" |
| grandparents, daycares and preschools are a | | | | ONLINE AUCTIONS |
| great way to get business. And once one child | | | | The hype of eBay has not gone away, but has |
| starts telling their friends that THEY got a letter | | | | only grown. When among a group of people, I can |
| from Santa. News will start to spread. These | | | | usually find someone who has either bought or |
| children will turn into little walking advertisements | | | | sold something in an online auction. Colleen Wallace |
| for you. If you really enjoy this business during | | | | has made it her business to sell merchandise |
| the holidays, you can run this type of business all | | | | online. "The holiday season is the best time of |
| year long with letters from the Easter Bunny, | | | | year for me. People are always looking for unique |
| Cupid, the Great Pumpkin...just to name a few. | | | | and interesting gifts to give their loved ones. |
| CRAFTS | | | | What better place to find something different |
| It doesn't matter if you're into woodworking, | | | | than the online auctions," says Colleen. Start |
| sewing, painting, pottery, or creating handmade | | | | thinking about what you might have that you |
| paper. More than ever, people enjoy giving that | | | | could sell online. Colleen has found that the items |
| one-of-a-kind special gift. You can sell your wares | | | | that sell well are those that can be used for |
| via the Net, at holiday bazaars or craft shows, or | | | | stocking stuffers, are limited editions, or are |
| even consignment style. Once you become | | | | signed items. |
| known for your crafts, word-of-mouth will keep | | | | BAKING |
| you very busy. | | | | Then there are the people who cannot stop |
| A HOLIDAY GRATITUDE SERVICE | | | | baking during the holidays. Are you the type of |
| Here's a way businesses can say 'Thank you 'to | | | | person who finds that at the close of the season, |
| the community. It's also a way to help plump up | | | | all of your neighbors' and friends refrigerators and |
| the retailers business in December. Talk with your | | | | cookie jars are bursting at the seams because |
| local business about what they'd like to contribute | | | | baking is just your thing? Believe it or not, this is |
| to your holiday kit that you will be offering to local | | | | not the favorite activity of everyone. |
| residents. It could be a free gift, a discount, | | | | Stacy Robinson has found that A Holiday Home |
| coupons etc. It's a win win situation for everyone. | | | | Boutique is a fun way to network with others |
| The community receives some discounts and the | | | | who provide a holiday-related product or service. |
| businesses get more business. This type of | | | | Each vendor displays her product or information |
| service can also be run all throughout the year by | | | | about her service, and friends and neighbors are |
| offering newcomer packets to those who have | | | | invited to come to shop and share fellowship. |
| just moved into the neighborhood, new baby and | | | | "As a cake decorator, I sell gingerbread houses, |
| new pet packets etc. You could have a lot of fun | | | | as well as display and serve a holiday-themed |
| with this one. | | | | decorated cake - which the hostesses love |
| RUBBER STAMPING | | | | because this becomes part of the refreshments! |
| One idea is to create your own line of holiday | | | | Visitors to the boutique get a chance to taste and |
| cards with rubber stamps. Melissa Duquette has | | | | see my cakes, and I take orders for holiday |
| found this to be a profitable business. She | | | | party cakes. I also display a few 'dummy cakes' |
| explains, "The card season is upon us and | | | | to showcase my designs for birthdays, weddings, |
| everyone will soon be searching for the perfect | | | | etc." |
| holiday card to send to family and friends. This is | | | | The niche market that has been Stacy's holiday |
| your opportunity to break out into business and | | | | bread and butter since 1991 is selling gingerbread |
| create unique hand-stamped holiday cards. Or why | | | | houses to real estate agents. She leaves a |
| not offer a class teaching this great hobby? | | | | gingerbread house with order information in large |
| Rubber stamping can be worked into so many | | | | real estate offices for a few days. She also |
| different businesses." I've been to a | | | | offers free delivery to the real estate office, or |
| rubber-stamping party where we were able to | | | | delivery for a fee to their home-buying |
| create our own cards. I had a great time hanging | | | | customers and other colleagues, such as |
| out with my friends and making my own unique | | | | mortgage brokers, closing attorneys, etc. |
| cards. If you are into rubber stamping, seriously | | | | PLAN IT RIGHT |
| consider having a rubber stamping card party. You | | | | These are just a few ideas you can use to make |
| would supply everything needed, and could charge | | | | a little extra cash this holiday season. Use your |
| either a flat fee or charge per card made. | | | | imagination. Remember, people are more than |
| T-SHIRTS | | | | willing to spend money for that special gift and |
| Kim Moya runs a T-shirt business and finds this a | | | | holiday service. Why can't you be the one who |
| way to make extra cash during the holidays. She | | | | pockets that money? This is such a great time of |
| says you can create inexpensive holiday | | | | year to make your business work. Being your |
| sweatshirts, and long- and short-sleeved T-shirts. | | | | own boss has never sounded better, now has it? |
| And she doesn't stop at T-shirts, but also includes | | | | Start thinking now if you want this to be seasonal |
| tote bags, felt and cloth ornaments, advent and | | | | work, or if you want to continue your business |
| traditional calendars, aprons and many other items | | | | into the new year. All of the business ideas I listed |
| that you can purchase wholesale and sell at retail | | | | above can be run throughout the year. This could |
| prices! | | | | be the start of something very profitable! |