I know there have been other posts regarding cool ideas for making extra money at the holidays but how about us coming up with a timeline? I have all these ideas but am a bit lost as to how to get started and figure there must be more out there feeling lost too.

So what if we try to get a timeline or schedule on what order we do things and when. For instance, for those of you who have done cookie plates, etc. when is the best time to start advertising the holiday items? Do we make a bunch of samples first and distribute them to local places with our cards? Is it best to do it now or wait until after Halloween...and what about Halloween?

Or do we make a flyer of some sort to show what we offer and how much they are.... I really need to come up with something since I don't have a paying job so I thought I should try to get organized before the holidays are here.

Maybe we could also brainstorm with time-saving things that we do to help with the rush.... for instance, I will take a day and make about 2 dozen pie crusts and freeze them so I can whip out my pies quick. I also buy a huge thing of sandwich bags and pre-meausure all the dry ingredients for my most popular recipes so it saves time later....** note to self: Be sure to label each bag.

Confession time: when I am in a bind and I know I am going to need breads (ie- banana, zuchinni, carrot) I make triple the amount and freeze them for the next month. As long as they are wrapped well, they are just as tasty as when they were first baked. I even do pies in advance if need be. Make the shells, fill em, freeze em, then when I need em, I thaw and then bake.

......are you telling me I could actually make the pies and freeze them? OMG, that would be such a timesaver to buy the apples when they are on sale and freeze them! The only apple pie I make has a homemade taffy/caramel sauce but you pour it over after it is all put together...I can't wait to try this out - Thank you!

You can search using the bar on the right. I really don't know of exact threads ..... I said that because sometimes people don't like 'double' posts and I wanted it to be clear that I wasn't trying to double post.

I do remember some of the highlights:

Cookie trays ( 5 dozen ) for @ $30.00
Cookie bouquets

And I know a couple of months back someone said they were going to tape their business cards to the Halloween candy or vice versa (pure genius) so I ordered address labels (140 for @$3.25 online) with my business name, logo & phone number and thought I could just stick them to the candy... At least you are targeting local people etc. and God knows, parents look very closely at their kids candy!

CakeDiva, did you get what I sent you via email? I've already racked in a order and I just put them out on Friday.

I've been thinking of a holiday flyer! When do you all start promoting these items? My grand opening is next month and I was thinking of having a table with my "seasonal" items on there and sending a flyer in November. What are some of your promotional ideas/timelines? This will be my first year trying to sell these things, I usually just do gifts. This is also my first year licensed so I got bills to pay . I figure I could make some $$ since cake orders are usually slow around Christmas. If you are willing to share your flyer or brochure I would appreciate seeing it. Any thoughts or ideas are welcome.

I've been thinking of a holiday flyer! When do you all start promoting these items? My grand opening is next month and I was thinking of having a table with my "seasonal" items on there and sending a flyer in November. What are some of your promotional ideas/timelines? This will be my first year trying to sell these things, I usually just do gifts. This is also my first year licensed so I got bills to pay . I figure I could make some $$ since cake orders are usually slow around Christmas. If you are willing to share your flyer or brochure I would appreciate seeing it. Any thoughts or ideas are welcome.

The first of October is when I put out my Holiday Menu. The menu is basically for Thanksgiving and Christmas.I sell cakes,pies,cheesecakes and cookies.
Two weeks before Thanksgiving I host a Holiday Open House.(I have a store front)The public is invited to come and sample my entire holiday menu.I usually have about 20 items on it.
This is my second year doing this........last year was a big success.Matter of fact after I made it through Christmas I seriously was ready to close my shop ...............I was over IT and I had had enough!!!!!!But luckly I got over that after about a week!

You're so lucky.... you have a shop!

How do us homebakers manage to do anything like that? We don't have mailboxes around here but I guess we could go door to door with a flyer. Not sure how much to charge for cheesecakes and pies. I just did the math on my caramel apple pie and it costs me ( ingredients only ) $5.75 to make it!! Holy Cow!! And cheesecakes are not cheap either....

I have been praying for summer to finally be over and here it is almost October and I feel like it just came out of nowhere.

CakeDiva I started out as a homebaker doing things for my work and my husbands work,my moms work,my dads who ever would let me.
When I first opened my shop and I was standing around twittling my thumbs(and worried i couldnt pay my bills)I made trays up and brought them to local businesses. Great Advertisment!

I make a deep dish caramel apple pie that I sell for $28 my regular apple pie is $18 My shop is in a small town and people think that price is way to high................ask me if I care HECK NO!!!!! My skin has gotten really TUFF in the past 4 years!!Needless to say I sell more $18 and $28 pies then anything else during the holidays.

3 months to Christmas.................

Johnniekake: thanks for the encouragement! I am sure people in my town would freak over a $28 apple pie too but you and I both know how hard it is to make homemade crust that is actually flaky! Not to mention all the other stuff....

If I sat down and figured my costs I could price them but felt they were too high....even my Mom, who buys all sorts of fancy stuff, gave me the attitude that the prices were too high. I started to get a bit pi$$ed off because if they want a dozen cookies for $4 then go to Save-Mart and buy a bag of Oreos!! Whew.....(deep breathing) so I just need to remember that I am not going to bake for free. If I am not charging enough to make this worth my while financially then what is the point?

I know there are some lucky people out there who can just bake all sorts of stuff for free and don't have to worry about charging but I, unfortunately, am not one of them. I need to be able to make money to support my 'cake-decorating-supplies' habit!

AMEN SISTER!!!!
Girl don't give it away because there is always someone out there that will pay the price!!!!!!

I like to call my mom a FRUGAL woman................but she is the lady that comes in at the holidays to help make all the pies and stuff.....and if i sold one of those pies for any cheaper she would have my head on a platter! She makes all the crusts..peals all the fruit........Momma dont play!!!she thinks I should charge double

Good luck Cakediva!!

P.S. At some point it wont matter what other people think because you will realize that YOU are WORTH every penny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!