It’s not as easy to get a second job or even a job period now, so what can you do to get some extra cash for Christmas or to pay off some bills?

You could do some surveys or sign up for a point program to earn gift cards and other items that could be used for gifts. While these are very nice and you can earn great products and gift cards. What about making a little money on the side by working for cash by babysitting someone or dog sitting for a few friends.

Sell a few items you have that are useable and new. I have a couple of things I bought as prizes for kids and they were left over. Instead of just tossing them or giving them away I could sell them on eBay.

If you have the skills to copy edit or fix things or even if you serve as a personal shopper for one or several people it may be worth it for a couple hours of work to make $50. If you are bidding for a freelance project, you want to remain competitive and not price yourself too cheap otherwise if you do, then you may have a difficult time increasing your prices for the same customer in the future and you might get too much work for such a low price. If you quote a friend a special price, let the friend know that you gave him/.her a special price because they are a friend and tell them what you standard rates are.

Sign up to do some freelance work – work on a PR campaign for a couple of months or on weekends.

Sell some books, dvds or cds to a resale shop. You may not get a lot, but the amount that you get may be enough to buy you dinner.

Throw a party – arrange a seminar or a class where the attendees will get something out of what you are teaching such as demonstrating how to do something.

Cleaning and organizing more your thing? Offer your services as a cleaner or organizer. For this you may want to see what you are dealing with before you make a quote.

Most of these opportunities will allow you to make some quick cash, generally tax-free.