Now to Christmas — Real Jobs for Real Moms
by Coleen Sykora
Send a talking Snowman Card.
Holiday expenses are already starting to crop up. You need a way to earn the dollars to cover them. Let's look at some possibilities that work, whether you are living in a home on the road or in a stationary one.
There are a lot of fun businesses that are great holiday moneymakers — creating and selling fabulous crafts, catering gourmet holiday parties, and running a gift finding service for local celebrities.
Reality check — it is November. Christmas is only weeks away. There's no way you can get those businesses off the ground and profitable before this Christmas.
What follows are some practical and doable suggestions — tried and true ways to increase your income during the next couple of months.
Wrapping booth — set up at craft shows, flea markets, or open houses hosted by other moms (such as your Avonâ, Tupperwareâ, or Discovery Toysâ dealer). Busy shoppers will gladly pay you to wrap their purchases; not only will the task be done, but the gifts will be concealed.
Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, or an elf — don a suit and assist Santa by entertaining waiting children, comforting those who need a motherly voice, or handing out treats. Work in a beauty shop, reading to children while mom has her hair cut; stand in a car dealership parking lot and wave to passing motorists; or help a photographer comb hair and elicit smiles.
Cashiers and stockers — retail stores hire additional workers for regular shifts, peak hours, and to cover their extended holiday hours. The employee discount that often comes with retail jobs can amount to huge savings on your gift purchases.
Bell ringers — charitable organizations hire those folks who stand outside of stores collecting donations; typically, they are not volunteers.
Christmas tree sales — according to Laura Bilger of the National Christmas Tree Association, one of the biggest problems in the industry is finding temporary workers. Managing a tree lot is hard work and usually a two-person job, with long hours – and excellent pay. Tree farms also need short-term office assistants, sales lot assistants, and numerous other workers. To find a tree farm check out the NCTA website www.christree.org/newsite.
Letters from Santa — handwrite personalized letters, on cheery holiday paper, in a child-friendly tone. For a special touch, arrange to have them mailed from North Pole, AK.
Childcare or elderly care — in your home or in theirs. Or, work for other businesses, providing care during the company party, during the extended hours their employees are now working, or as a short-term employee of an established care center.
Floral shops and nurseries — assemble centerpieces, make wreaths, and decorate trees. Or, deliver them to customers.
Temporary staffing agencies — have open positions for professionals, office personnel, service workers, and day laborers. Some specialize in one type of worker, such as placing only health care workers or only service workers. Others cover a broad spectrum of industries and types of jobs.
Your favorite store or business — ask them if they need help. Stopping by in person is more likely to result in a job than telephoning or e-mailing them. Being flexible about what work you do also greatly increases your chances of being hired.
©2000 Coleen Sykora
About the author: Coleen Sykora is the editor of Workers On Wheels with her husband, Bob Nilles. This is their eighth year of full-time Rving. Together, they combine work and travel. Coleen’s magazine, WOW also has articles written by other working RVers, employers who hire mobile workers, and resource people knowledgeable in the lifestyle. Any questions and comments are always welcome, e-mail Coleen at moms@workersonwheels.com and check out her website and magazine, Workers On Wheels
More resources:
Families On the Road — The Families on the Road print newsletter, and web site, are intended as resources for families who RV fulltime or for extended periods with their children, or are contemplating such an adventure.
