The holiday season often means increased expenses. As a small business consultant helping entrepreneurs boost their income streams, I‘ve seen costs pile up from holiday menus to gift giving.
To help set you up for financial success this Christmas, I‘ve compiled 30 of the best holiday side hustle ideas perfect for earning extra money.
Quick-Hit Gigs
These short yet sweet gigs provide effortless ways to pocket seasonal cash:
Get Cash Back on Shopping
Apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Fetch Rewards give automatic cashback when you upload receipts or shop selected retailers. Over November-December, users average $45 in cash back, simply by making normal holiday purchases.
TIP: Link your credit cards to these apps, then shop away!
Complete Surveys
In the 4th quarter, market research ramps up to capture insights on holiday shopper preferences. Simply share your opinions via sites like SurveyMonkey, SurveyJunkie, or Swagbucks to earn up to $250 monthly.
PRO TIP: Always sign up for legitimate sites offering points, sweepstakes entries, or cash.
Deliver Food or Gifts
UberEats, Instacart, and Shipt rely on extra contractors during peak delivery months. Flexibly earn $15-$25 an hour running local errands or delivering food orders in your downtime.
Microtask Websites
Amazon‘s Mechanical Turk or companies like Appen hire independent contractors to complete minor data tasks. Expect $4-$15 per hour for activities like data entry, survey completion, or image tagging done on your own schedule.
Earnings Potential: $50-$500+ monthly
Time Commitment: <1 – 5 hrs/week
Effort Level: 😊😊😊😊
Seasonal Shopper Support
Assist busy gift purchasers with holiday hustles like:
Offer Gift Wrapping Services
From perfectly folded corners to luxe embellishments, create Pinterest-worthy wrapped gifts. Expect to charge $5-$15 per gift wrapped. Offer your artistic services through community boards or apps like TaskRabbit and earn $25+/hr.
PRO TIP: Bundle your offerings with add-ons like gift tags, ribbons, and bows.
Ship Gifts for Others
For an average fee of $15-$25 per package, offer personal shopper and shipping services for busy folks through apps like Dumpling or TaskRabbit. With over 75% of consumers expected to shop online this year, help overwhelmed customers check everyone off their lists by procuring and shipping gifts on their behalf.
Earnings Potential: $20-$50+/hr based on speed and efficiency
Time Commitment: 5-15 hrs/week, spikes mid-November through December
Effort Level: 😊😊😊
Seasonal Sales Support
Does interacting with customers give you a “ho ho ho” feeling of joy? Festive sales opportunities include:
Gift Guide Creator
If you have great gift sense, become an online Gift Concierge. Consult one-on-one with clients to curate personalized holiday gift guides showcasing 10-15 awesome ideas for their recipient list. Charge $150+ for your savvy suggestions.
PRO TIP: Offer Done-For-You services actually purchasing client-approved guide items too!
Brand Ambassador
Earn $15-$30/hr representing brands like Coca-Cola as an in-store product demonstrator or event representative. Passionately share product benefits and fun facts while offering samples and special promotions.
Earnings Potential: $250-$1000+ weekly
Time Commitment: 10-25 hrs/week
Effort Level: 😊😊😊😊
Crafting for Cash
If DIY is your JAM, craft goods represent serious side hustling potential:
Create Handmade Ornaments
Bring in $300-$500 monthly selling homemade glass ball, felted wool, or clay sculpted ornaments on Etsy. Price items from $12-$25 each, discounting multi-unit purchases.
TIP: Offer customization with names or themes. Provide fancy gift packaging.
Knit Christmas Sweaters
Capitalize on the ugly Christmas sweater trend by creating your own gaudy knitted pullovers. Sell sweaters for $65+ apiece on Etsy or at holiday craft fairs. Give yourself 2-3 weeks minimum per creation.
PRO TIP: Layer jingle bell or LED light embellishments for added flair and profit.
Earnings Potential: $500-$2000+ monthly
Time Commitment: 10-25 hrs/week
Effort Level: 😊😊😊😊😊
Entertain and Delight
Does being the life of the party fill your cup? Put your charisma and cheer to lucrative use via:
Make Festive Treats
‘Tis the season for peppermint bark, hot cocoa bombs, and decadent holiday cakes. Sell your signature sweets on Facebook or Instagram. Or take custom orders and deliver freshly baked goods right to locals’ doors. Those with top notch baking skills can expect to earn $30+/hr.
Host a Holiday Pop-up Restaurant
Serve up special occasion meals like Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas brunch or Hanukkah feast in your home. Market your themed event through apps like PlateCulture or social media for $50-$75 per head. Deck out your space and delight guests with awesome ambiance and eats.
PRO TIP: Hire serving staff or partner with complementary vendors like mixologists or musicians to enhance experiences.
Earnings Potential: $30-$100+/hr + Tips
Time Commitment: 5-15 hrs/week
Effort Level: 😊😊😊😊😊
Seasonal Lodgings
Got extra living space? Generate income by renting rooms or parking spaces to holiday visitors. Great options include:
Rent Out Parking Spots
Sites like SpotHero or apps like ParqEx match locals with unused lots or private spots to those attending holiday events from festivals to NYE parties. In cities like Chicago or Boston, homeowners can earn $50+ renting out a single space for peak nights.
List Extra Bedrooms on Airbnb
Travel spikes over November and December, especially around Christmas. Rent out spare rooms or guest houses for premium rates to vacationers eager to experience holiday magic. Expect to earn up to 2X your usual rates over the holidays.
Earnings Potential: $50-$500+ weekly
Time Commitment: 2-10 hrs/week
Effort Level: 😊😊
Seasonal Transportation
Avoid getting stuck in the snow while making money moves through:
Uber rides surge by 15-20% from Thanksgiving through New Years [cite]. Earn $22-$45 per hour providing airport drop-offs, party trips and bar closing rides (especially on NYE!).
TIP: Look out for Uber or Lyft weekly promotions awarding big bonuses during peak demand.
Offer Errand-Running Services
Apps like TaskRabbit, GoTasker, or Zaarly connect locals needing help with anything from grocery runs to waiting in Cyber Monday returns lines. Set your own rates and schedule. Expect to earn $30+/hr over the holidays.
Earnings Potential: $25-$50+/hr + tips
Time Commitment: 10-25+ hrs/week
Effort Level: 😊😊😊
Wellness Warriors
Support community health and pad your pockets by offering:
Lead Fitness Classes
Gyms add extra yoga, cycling and HIIT classes over the holidays to help members stay active and balanced amidst the hustle. Earn $30-$50 per class taught as you motivate others.
PRO TIP: Stream classes online via Zoom or offer outdoor pop up sessions to expand your reach.
Provide Childcare
Parents need dependable childcare over school holidays from Thanksgiving through New Years. If you adore little ones, sign up to babysit, nanny, or monitor the kiddie corner at gyms like the YMCA. Qualified teachers and caregivers earn $15-$25/hr.
Earnings Potential: $25-$100+/hr
Time Commitment: 5-30 hrs/week
Effort Level: 😊😊😊😊
Spread Cheer as a Performer
Carols, anyone? Audition as a professional holiday performer through:
Apply as a Mall Santa
Sure, the costume is warm but $30+/hr makes it worth it! Malls and shopping centers contract Santas from November through Christmas Eve. Candidates with natural belly padding and real beards preferred!
Sing or Play Festive Music
Harpists, guitarists, and crooners have ample paid opportunities providing background ambience at holiday markets, restaurant dining rooms, hotels and event venues. Solo artists earn $30-$150/hr based on skill level.
PRO TIP: Quartet up with other carolers or musicians to add flair and sound.
Earnings Potential: $25-$150+/hr
Time Commitment: 10-30 hrs/week
Effort Level: 😊 😊 😊 😊 😊
And if these 30 Christmas side hustle ideas still don‘t stir your inner elf, remember – the holiday season offers limitless ways to turn existing skills into seasonal income magic.
So claim the holly jolly opportunities that spark your interest by:
- Tapping friends, family or neighbors needing help
- Researching apps connecting service sellers with local buyers
- Promoting offerings through social media and community boards
‘Tis the season for side hustling success! Just believe in your ideas and put in the shiny red-nosed reindeer-level effort.
What will YOU be this holiday season? An ornament craftsman? A shopper’s little helper? An opportunistic rideshare elf?
Let your creativity sleigh and the profits follow! Happy holidays! 🎅🎄
