The holiday season is fast approaching. Money is tight all around. Now is the time to snag the few seasonal part time jobs that will become available shortly. The usual retail sales positions won't be as plentiful as in past years. If you have worked at this before, contact your previous employer now to show your availability. Preferential hiring will go to those that already know the procedures and have worked out well in the past.

November will see the Christmas trees arriving at their retail destinations. Many of the local nurseries and garden centers have given their landscaping personnel the option of seasonal layoff upon completion of fall cleanup details, opening the door for a handful of part time positions for the holiday season. Hours will be mainly for early evenings and weekends. One week after the holiday or sometime during January will be needed for taking down displays and disposing of unsold holiday greenery.

Holiday season personnel will be required to assist in decorating the premises which includes climbing ladders and roofs. Setting up trees, hanging wreaths, traffic control, security, and public safety will be required of all employees. Assisting customers with tree selection, cutting off trunk bottoms, wrapping and tying for secure transport will be the main bulk of the work. Suggestive selling is a skill to perfect. Adding poinsettias, garland and wreath sales will not go unnoticed. Customers often tip their tree man. Tips are usually based on the total sale.

Services are often provided for customers. Trees are purchased and stored off the main sales area for later pickup. Trees and holiday greens may also be contracted for delivery and setup in homes.

Expect to remove snow if inclement weather happens. The season for selling is short so all efforts are expected to keep open operating hours. One of the perks of this part time job is the offer of a free tree within a certain price range or a substantial discount on others. This offer comes closer to a week before Christmas if your work has been satisfactory. If your employer hasn't mentioned this, older employees may let you know. The industry norm is a discount of 20% on employee purchases.

Positions will also be available for those adept at making wreaths, wreath decorating, constructing kissing balls, and making bows. Much time is spent in arranging patio and cemetery pots. Table centerpieces, holiday party flowers, and even church arrangements are big for the holidays. Florist services require making and delivering gift orders from all over the world to local clients.

The season as a pat time garden center employee is busy, hard work and festive. The extra income will help you with your own holiday celebrations. Don't overlook this as additional income this year.