As I was out shopping today, I saw workers in one of the stores putting up Christmas trees in their home decorating department. My first reaction was to feel disgusted that Christmas merchandising seems to happen earlier every year. Seriously people, it is not even officially fall yet. My second reaction was that if I were someone who wanted to operate a seasonal business around the holidays, now would be the right time to start planning and preparing for it.
The holidays can take up a lot of time and energy for many people. If you have the time, energy, and talent to spare you can make some money doing things like baking or crafting during the holiday season. If the thought of a little extra holiday cash makes you feel merry and bright, read on.
Baking can be a real boon during the holidays because everyone loves home made cookies, pies, and desserts. Whether you make pies for Thanksgiving, cookies for Christmas, or other seasonal specialties like candy or cakes your creations will be gobbled up by customers who do not have the time to bake them themselves. Now is a good time to test drive some recipes and perhaps even have a tasting for your family and friends. Make a list of your products and prices, and publicize, publicize, publicize. Keep track of orders on a calendar so that you know what you must bake for whom on which day, and so that you can keep yourself from getting overloaded.
Whether you make Christmas themed crafts, jewelry, knits, woodcrafts, or other hand made items, the season for selling is fast approaching. Stock up on supplies and begin making items that you think will sell. You can market them locally through word of mouth and craft fairs, or go global with an Etsy shop. Either way, hand made items are special and people enjoy giving them as gifts to the ones they love.
Photo by alcinoe on morguefile.com.