SwagBucks

Perhaps the easiest, and most well known of these sites is SwagBucks.  By simply utilizing SwagBucks for some of their regular online searches,  members randomly win “bucks”.   Generally, members earn from 1-3 “bucks” per day,  which can be cashed in for various prizes.  The best prize deal on SwagBucks is the $5 Amazon gift card (costs 45 “bucks”).  Where “bucks” can start to build up more quickly is through friend referral.  SwagBucks matches the earnings of your friends 1 to 1.  With just a few referrals, you will find yourself cashing in pretty regularly.  One of the big pluses of SwagBucks is, that it really doesn’t take up much time .

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Oodles

Another lesser known way to earn gift cards including Amazon, is by answering Oodles Trivia and playing games, on GSN.com (Game Show Network).  The site can be a little hard to navigate at first, but just keep your eyes out for anything that says Oodles, and you will find your way around. Members who earn the maximum points each day, will have enough to redeem for a $50 gift card in just over a month. Cards are usually sent within a few weeks of redemption.  Hint: Trivia is not timed, you can look up answers if you want to.

Gather

Gather is a social and writing network, where members earn points for their activity on the site.  Points are given for both viewing content, and the views your content receives.  Gather is very laid back.  Submit pretty much whatever you like.  Active and well networked members can earn $50 and up, per month, casual use can still net at least a  $10 gift card in a month.  $25 is the lowest payout value for Amazon and Paypal.   If you enjoy social networking online, Gather.com is a painless way to generate some spare funds.

MTurk

MTurk is actually a part of Amazon.  It is an online database of paid tasks called “hits”.  Workers claim “hits” and have a preset length of time to complete the task.  Once completed and approved, the worker is paid right in the Mturk system.  There is a $1 minimum to cashout into your Amazon gift balance, and a $10 minimum for automatic deposit into your bank account.

Although none of these sites will generate a lot of income for you.  If you need funds for Christmas, and have some time on your hands, they can at least help you buy a few gifts this holiday.

While you are here be sure to check my other post about Ways to Make some Christmas Money

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Sell off your clutter, for Christmas cash
Poor Santa’s first suggestion is to check your jewelry boxes for any broken or out of style gold (and other precious metal/gemstone) items. With gold currently at high prices, you could get a decent payday. Beware of companies which require you mail your items to them for appraisal and payment. It puts you at a significant disadvantage. Reputable precious metal dealers can readily be found in your local yellow pages. You may even get invited to one of the currently popular “gold parties”, where a dealer “weighs & pays”, right at the host’s house.
Don’t overlook using Ebay or Craig’s List, to exchange out of use items for Christmas cash. Generally, items to be picked up by buyers are better sold on Craig’s List. Listing is both free and easy to use, and is especially great for selling your outgrown kid’s stuff, as well as yard equipment, tools and large items. Collectables and antiques that have been collecting dust, can bring a nice price on Ebay. Ebay is one of the few companies, which has not been hit hard by the recession. Items are still selling relatively well there.
If you have many smaller or less expensive items to sell, an indoor yard/tag sale, may be in order. During cold weather, these sales are few and far between. If well advertised, a cold weather tag sale can bring a large turnout of people, netting you a good amount of money for Christmas. I went to an estate sale in December a few years ago, and people were lined up to the street to get in.

Odd Jobs Flyers
Distribute flyers around neighborhoods, or on cars, offering your services to do holiday related odd jobs, like putting up Christmas lights and trees, assisting with kitchen chores for parties or if you have a truck transporting large gift items or Christmas trees. Many times people do not know where to find help for tasks like these. Think about what your talents and available equipment would qualify you to do, and put yourself out there.

There are also many ways to earn some extra Christmas money and gift cards online: Ways to Earn Amazon Gift Cards