Garret

The holiday season is a time of fun, cheer, joy and spending for many people or at least thats what retailers and many small businesses are depending on. If youve been thinking of bringing in extra income during the holiday season - opportunities await you!

The most important thing to remember about creating a short-term business idea for the holidays is early planning. Normally, July is the time-frame that individuals who have holiday businesses start preparing. This will give plenty of time for getting products shipped and implementing your marketing strategy. However, there are several money making ideas that can be planned for in the September time-frame, but any later and youll have to wait to start a holiday business next year!

Below, please find 4 holiday business Ideas that might work for you!

1. Letters From Santa

Children and adults alike love getting a surprise letter from that favorite man with the white beard! This is a favorite for many moms to purchase for their little ones during the season. Create 4-5 template letter themes that can be customized based on the childs likes, dislikes and Christmas wish list. Great holiday paper stock can be purchased at your local office supply store.

Target Customers: Parents with children between the ages of 3-10

Marketing Ideas: Choose a special charity that services women and/or children and commit to giving $1 for every order to that charity. This encourages parents to also support the cause. Set up booths at holiday craft fairs, malls and other holiday events.

Potential Profit: Most letters are prices between $5-$7 and include an activity or small token gift for the child such as holiday coloring pages. It also helps to donate a $1 to a worthy charity or cause. Supplies including holiday paper, postage and envelope, holiday and coloring sheets should run you approximately $75 per 100 letters.

So, 100 letters would yield between $500-$700 gross profit.

2. Holiday Mailing Service

If youre good at administrative work and implementation this is for you! Individuals and small businesses alike have a difficult time of getting those greeting cards out on time. Your mailing package could include:

Data entry of greeting card list

Holiday card selections

Post Card Greeting w/recipe

Assembly and mailing of cards

Target Customers: Real Estate Agents, Mortgage Brokers, Insurance Agents, Consultants, Accountants and other independent agents.

Marketing Idea: Develop an attractive holiday post card using industry specific photos and add a short holiday recipe. Your marketing text could read, Have postcards made just like this one for your customers for the holidays using our holiday mailing service. Call us today!

Profit Potential: Your basic package should start at no less than $150 (actual cards and postage not included), which could be preparing and mailing greeting cards or post cards for up to 200 people. Additional profit is made from you purchasing greeting cards at a wholesale price and marking up retail.

3. Custom Holiday Cards

If youre a graphics designer or like designing greeting cards this is for you! Create at least 5-8 holiday card designs & themes.

Marketing Idea: Develop a sales flyer with pictures and prices of your designed cards on the flyer. Now youre read to start marketing to family, friends, small businesses and independent agents etc.

Profit Potential: 100 customer card packages sold at $25 per package (15-20 greeting cards) will yield a $2500 gross profit. Supplies are estimated at less than $350.

4. Holiday Catering Service

Do you love baking desserts and preparing holiday foods? This could be a great money making time of the year for you! Specialize in offering holiday trays and desserts for offices and small parties of 50 and under. Keep your holiday food and dessert selection simple and package and price your trays based on number of people served.

Marketing Idea: Bake and cook food samples and schedule to deliver sample items to offices with secretaries and office managers. Its sure to be a hit. Do it early enough and you will also get individual customers from offices as well!

Profit Potential: 50 dessert trays (trays could consist of brownies, cookies, breads, homemade cakes and pastries serving at least 25) at $45 each could yield $2250. Supplies are estimated at less than $500

Trina Newby is President and Founder of Women About Biz, a powerful membership-based network for Businesswomen. Let us show you how to grow your business at Women About Biz