12 Merry Ways to Make Money This Christmas

Most people break the bank each year during the Christmas time. But, it doesn't have to be that way. Instead of spending of all your hard earned cash this season, consider one of the ideas listed below for earning money this Christmas.

1. Personalized Santa Letters

Purchase some festive Christmas stationery. If you have nice enough handwriting, use a Calligraphy pen and hand write the letters for an extra special touch. Or, you may choose to create computer-generated letters. Did you know that you can even get them postmarked from the North Pole? Address your letters and adhere necessary postage. Then, place the letters in a larger, properly stamped, First-Class Mail or Priority Mail envelope and mail to:

North Pole Christmas Cancellation
Postmaster
5400 Mail Trail
Fairbanks, AK 99709-9998

Be sure to send the letters early enough to get to the recipients before Christmas.

2. Start a Gift Wrapping Service

Creating beautifully packaged presents is very easy to do but time consuming. Most people simply don't have much time to spend wrapping gifts. If you enjoy dressing up pretty packages, why don't you get paid for it? Create eye-catching flyers and post them in your neighborhood, at the office, at your church, etc.

3. Sell Your Homemade Baked Goods

Do you have a signature item that you have perfected? Maybe it is your perfect apple pie or irresistibly delicious melt-in-your mouth fudge. Whatever it is, wrap it up in a beautiful package, tie with a ribbon and sell it! A good place to sell your handmade creations is Etsy, the online store for all things handmade.

4. Sell Your Handmade Cards and Gift Tags

Handmade cards are much better than the over priced, mass-produced cards. Craft stores are loaded with adorable embellishments and decorations to enhance your masterpieces. Sell them on Etsy, or try a local craft show.

5. Become a Reseller

Take advantage of the awesome deals on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and post holiday sales and re-sell those items on eBay or Craigslist.

6. Moonlight

Retailers need all the help they can get around the holidays. Find a store you love (make sure you get a good employee discount) and put in an application for seasonal help. Don't worry if you don't have much extra time, as long as you can work some nights and weekends, they usually can use your help. Also check catering companies and banquet halls as they also usually need help this time of year.

7. Hang Christmas Lights

Once the season is over, you could offer to take the lights down for them as well.

8. Sell Beautifully Handmade Christmas Ornaments

Put your creations up for sale on Etsy.com, the online store for all things handmade.

9. Write about Christmas

Earn money by writing articles on holiday topics. The ideas are endless. Do you know the insider's tips on how to get the best holiday bargains? Are you hip to the best gifts for a tech lover? Write an article about it and make money by publishing it on Associated Content or Bukisa.

10. Babysit

Many parents need someone to watch their children while they do their holiday shopping. Ask neighbors, co-workers, and friends if they need a babysitter so they can get their shopping done and/or attend holiday parties. Post flyers at your local church or community center.

11. Shovel snow

Get some exercise and make a few bucks at the same time by offering to shovel snow for your neighbors.

12. Make Money Selling Your Christmas Photos - If you are savvy with a digital camera, take lots of festive holiday photos and sell them. Website owners are always looking for high quality photos to add to their sites. You can register for free with several stock photo sites and make money from your photos. Two of the most popular sites are www.istockphoto.com and www.shutterstock.com. There are many other sites that will also pay you for quality photographs. Just do an Internet search for the term "stock photography" and you will find several companies to choose from.

See, there are so many opportunities to make money this and every holiday season. All it requires is some hard work and creativity. Good Luck!