Christmas is coming up, and many of us are feeling the pinch of the economy. I know several people who are trying to make money on the side to make the holidays a little more comfortable.

One pretty common way is by buying and selling things such as collectibles and antiques. My mom and I collect books and dolls, and both of us are selling some of the ones we don’t want anymore. Selling gold jewelry for cash is also a possibility — you can often find great pieces at garage sales, thrift stores, and on Craigslist, which you can then resell for a profit on eBay or as scrap gold.

Cleaning and chores are always a good way to make money. For instance, you might offer to shovel your neighbors’ walks for them, or you could take on some house cleaning. Another way you could make money is to babysit, especially as holiday plans keep parents busy. Dog sitting and dog walking are other possibilities. Think of what skills you have and what you could offer to do for other people — there are plenty of tasks that folks don’t like to do, especially when they get busy around the holidays.

Writing is another good way to earn some extra money. If you have skill or training as a writer, you may be able to find some freelance work that will give you a nice income just in time for the holidays. Likewise, if you are a talented amateur photographer, you could offer to do holiday family photos for friends or neighbors — for a small fee, of course.

What other small business ideas can you think of to raise some money this holiday season?

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