Ways To Make Extra Money This Christmas

Christmas is finally upon us. While most are probably on consumerist mode, a lot of people worry about money— and rightly so. We end up buying more, and saving less.

But for entrepreneurs at heart, this is also the season for business opportunities. Here are some ideas:

Bake and sell homemade products. Take advantage of the increase in demand for pasalubongs, pot luck gatherings and Christmas parties by selling your homemade products. Learn to make Christmas-themed cupcakes. If you live near business centers or public Christmas displays, why not sell bibingka, a Filipino Yuletide favorite?

Have a garage sale. Some of your old things may be good as gifts for other people. You are not only freeing up space in your house, you also become a gift source for other people.

Sell homemade crafts. Sell them where foot traffic is good, or to your neighbors and friends.

Host events. If you think you can handle a crowd pretty well up on stage, why not ask your friends, your friends’ friends—everyone else in your contact list if they need a host for their parties.

Organize parties. Not everyone has the time to carefully organize their own events, so volunteer and get creative. You also get to meet a lot of people and go to different places.

Join bazaars. If you have your own products that you usually sell any other time of the year, then try joining night bazaars. Malls usually close around 11 p.m. but some night bazaars are open way past midnight. This can be a great experience for you.

*Originally published by the Manila Bulletin. C-4, Sunday, December 14, 2014. Written by Ruben Anlacan, Jr. (President, BusinessCoach, Inc.) All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or copied without express written permission of the copyright holders.