Money is tight in a lot of families right now. Everywhere, women are trying to think of ideas to make money to help bring in a little extra income. You don't want to fall for a scam but you do want something that is easy to do and still have time for your kids. There are a lot of legitimate businesses available, although it can oftentimes be hard to find them.



Starting a Santa letter business may be just what you're looking for.

What is a Santa Letter Business?

Every year, children all over the globe write letters to Santa and don't get a response. Your Santa Letter business could change all of that. A mom, dad or grandparent pays a fee and the child receives a custom-written letter -- written just for them by Santa. You earn money and spread smiles to children at the same time. Not too shabby.

How much do I have to Invest in Equipment and Supplies?

There isn't a lot of equipment needed to start your Santa Letter Business. All you need is a computer, some Christmas stationery, a printer and some way to collect orders (a website or post office box).

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed at This Business?

You'll want to be comfortable on the computer, have good reading and typing skills, and have a good command of the English language. Beyond that, just love children.

How Much Should I Charge?

Parents want their children to be happy and to encourage the magic of Christmas as long as they can. It's not unusual for Santa letter businesses to charge as much as $10 per letter. Of course, you may be able to find them cheaper online, but the quality of the letter leaves much to be desired. Deliver great quality and command a better price.

Think about what you would be willing to spend to have a personalized letter sent to your child from "Santa" and that will give you a good starting point for the price. Factor in your costs - stationary, postage, and printer ink - then add a little to the price of the letter to help pay for those items. (How about including an autographed photo of Santa for a few extra dollars to earn more per customer.)

Use Creative Marketing Ideas.

Don't wait too long to start advertising your new business. In fact, if you haven't started by the first week of November, you may have waited too late. Sell letters from Santa on auction sites. You can also create order forms that can be given to schools and preschools to send home to parents. Consider creating a website. It can be a simple one page site with your contact information and an order form. Send out postcards to people in your hometown, or put up fliers in local businesses. Set up your computer in a booth at a Christmas craft show and have letters made on the spot for parents and grandparents to take with them.

These are just a few ways to spread the word about your Santa Letter Business. The other fantastic thing about this type of business is that it oftentimes teaches just enough skills to open doors to more online business opportunities.