Five Ways to Make Extra Christmas Cash

Christmas can be stressful for many reasons. Extra errands, extra get togethers, and extra financial expenditures can add up to wiped out bank accounts. While many families turn to credit cards to get them through the financial crush, there are other options.

1. Part Time Job
While it may seem counter intuitive to add a job, or maybe a second job to your schedule during the holidays, flexing your retail skills can have two benefits. First, most retailers are looking for extra help around the holidays and are willing to hire part timers who may not want to work for more than a few months. Secondly, many retailers offer employee discounts, so not only can you earn extra money for Christmas, you can also save on the presents you buy.

2. Holiday Housecleaning
For those who have to work, shop and plan get togethers, time to clean the house is probably nothing more than a Christmas wish. If you have the time, there will be people willing to pay you to do their cleaning for them. Check with local cleaning services to get an idea of reasonable charges for a one time service. (You can pretend to be a potential customer, for the sake of research.)

For potential clientele, start with people you know. A certain amount of trust is needed to allow someone else to clean your house top to bottom, so don't expect strangers to jump at the offer. Friends and family, however, may be happy to let you earn some Christmas cash by sweeping under their furniture and knocking the cobwebs out of their corners.

3. Holiday Babysitter
If housecleaning, even for pay, is not your area of interest, babysitting may be the better alternative. Offer to watch your family and friends' little ones while they hit the after Thanksgiving sales.

This method can also work as an exchange of babysitting services. While you may not earn money this way, you could save money on your own babysiting expenses, or because you'll be able to conenctrate on the sales without your little ones screaming in your ear.

4. Personal Shopper
It may be many women's dream come true: shopping while spending other people's money, and making money at the same time.

Holiday shopping is treacherous not only for the amounts of money spent, but also for the full body contact often required to get the great deal. Some people may be happy to pay someone else to complete their shopping list and deal with the holiday shopping crowds.

5. Gift Wrapping
If a person manages the cleaning, the shopping, and dealing with the kids, it's likely they may crash when it comes to wrapping all those great gifts. If you have a knack for perfectly wrapping the perfect gift, then it's possible you can earn money wrapping someone else's presents. This allows you to express your creative side and to practice wrapping presents so you can wrap all those gifts you buy with your extra Chrismtmas money.

The holidays get more expensive every year, and more and more people turn to their credit cards as the answer. With a few inquiries to family and friends and a little creative thinking, you can find ways to earn some extra Christmas cash.