Top 10 Holiday Business Ideas Stumped about what type of business to start? These ideas may be just what you're looking for.

Been tossing around the idea of starting your own business?Well, you couldn't have picked a better time. With the holidaysbearing down on us quickly, everyone around you needs some sort ofhelp.

So how do you parlay these needs into some cold, hard, holidaycash? Look no further than these 10 ideas to get you started.

1. Personal Shopper. Unfortunately, many people nowregard holiday shopping as more of a chore than a joy. So who wouldturn down a chance to give someone (namely, you) the responsibilityof doing the dirty work? Quote potential customers a reasonablehourly rate, and you'll probably end up with more business thanyou can handle.

2. Gift-Wrapping Service. Gift-wrapping is a similarchore hardly anyone enjoys. Setting up a gift-wrapping service canwork a few ways. After picking up supplies from someplace like adollar store, you can either be a traveling wrapper or talk to themanagement at a local shopping center or mall about setting up atable. Either way, print plenty of flyers, wrap a few sample boxesand price according to size.

3. Caterer. If you like to cook or bake, there are plentyof people who could use your help around the holidays. The festiveseason translates into parties and social gatherings, and thepeople attending those parties will want food. Ask your parents ifyou can advertise your business to their friends, and preparesamples of your products so potential customers can taste beforethey hire you.

4. Party Planner. If you're considering a cateringservice, why not pair it with some party planning skills? You mayneed a few friends to help you, but your parents' friends willappreciate help setting up, decorating and cleaning up after theirgatherings and, chances are, they'll pay a pretty penny for theconvenience.

5. Holiday Decorator. How does creating and sellinghomemade holiday decorations sound? If you love the holidays andfind creating decorations to be a piece of cake, you'll findlots of business at community centers, religious institutions andcraft shows. All these places and more hold holiday events whereyou can sell your homemade goodies.

6. Selling Crafts. Are you crafty in other ways besidesmaking holiday decorations? In addition to homemade decorations,holiday shoppers love the personal touch that comes with buyingsomething handcrafted rather than mass-produced to give as a gift.Use the same places as in "Holiday Decorator" as possiblesales locations.

7. Cards and Calendars. Besides Christmas, there are anumber of celebrations that fall in December, including Passoverand Kwanza. During this season of gift-giving and card-sending, acomputer whiz with a flair for creating cards and calendars willfind lots of customers.

8. Gift Basket Service. What would you like in a giftbasket if you were an avid gardener? An attorney? A mom of four?Put together some fun items in attractive baskets for differenttypes of people and you might just have some big sellers on yourhands.

9. Outdoor Décor Service. Putting up holiday lightsand outdoor decorations is fun for some people and torture forothers. Many people would happily pay someone a good price to takethis chore off their hands.

10. Balloon Bouquet Service. Helium tanks, balloons andribbon are all available at very reasonable prices from partysupply stores, so why not pick some up and start a balloon bouquetbusiness? Advertising is easy-just attach a business card to asingle balloon and hand them out to potential customers. Don'tforget to include businesses, many of which hold holiday partiesfor their employees.

Amy Fennell Christian, a writer living in Augusta, Georgia,is a freelance editor for YoungBiz.com