Winter break has finally arrived. It's time to enjoy the season, but those of us with potential cabin fever and a need for some green should definitely check out some of these online competitions going on until their respective January deadlines.

Want to be a part of a bigger New Year’s resolution for yourself and others? The World Economic Forum is hosting "The Davos Debates" on Youtube and they are inviting YOU to be a part of their discussions in Davos, Switzerland…all expenses paid. All you have to do is submit the most engaging video in one or more of the four topics: Economy, Ethics, Environment, or Politics. The deadline for video submission is January 20, 2009.

Whether you're in debt or not, let's face it...a little cash is always welcome in our pockets. MtvU is throwing down a $10,000 gauntlet called "The Challenge" to individuals or groups of five between the ages of 18-28. So for all you college students with a love for gaming and a passion for a solution here's what they're proposing:

Get rid of your debt by taking the Indebted Digital Challenge. Come up with a creative, original idea for a video game that addresses the nation’s fiscal crisis and you or your team could receive $10,000 if your concept is chosen as the winner. You will also be credited in the final game and may have the opportunity to work with mtvU to make your idea a reality.

Hurry, the application deadline is January 7, 2009 and winner(s) will be chosen January 23, 2009.

Just recently the Pulitzer Center partnered with YouTube for a competition called "Project: Report, Telling the Untold Stories". Deadline was Dec 16th, which was a bummer for time but there is hope. This is not so much a competition since there is a rolling deadline but for any journalists, writers, photographers, producers or filmmakers there is a way to save on production costs. While perusing the Pulitzer Center's site I came across their "Travel Grants" page. Depending on your project and a detailed budget plan you can receive grants up to $20,000. Who knows, your work could be discovered and lead you down the career path of your passion.

Last but not least grab an iPhone and pucker up, no, I’m not talking about making out under a mistletoe and taking a video of it (sounds challenging and fun). I’m talking about Smule’s “This Contest Blows.” They’re giving away $1000 each to 10 lucky iPhone Ocarina wonders. Legend has it that for just 99 cents you can download this phenomenal application, learn a new instrument and listen to other ocarinas being played worldwide. But hurry deadline is 11:59 pm PST on January 10, 2009. Good luck and hope you win some cash for next semester’s toll!

Like the applications from Smule? Wonder what majors could come up with so much fun? Read more about Smule's founders Dr. Ge Wang and Jeff Smith here.

Read more about Dr. Ge Wang's bio on Standford University's site.

Thanks for reading and best of luck. Oh yes, and keep us posted if you get into the finalists or better yet win the contest or grants.