The holiday season is here! While this time of year usually brings joy and merriment, it can also bring a lot of financial stress. But what if you could make some extra cash this holiday season? Whether you’re looking to make a few hundred dollars quickly or want to start a long-term business endeavor that will continue making you money into the new year, I’ve rounded up the best side jobs to start this holiday season. Here are 14 side hustle ideas that will help you make extra money during the holidays both online and offline.
1. Offer your services as a personal shopper or gift wrapper
If you have an eye for unique gifts or want to help people save time during the hectic holiday season, consider offering your services as a personal shopper or gift wrapper.
A personal shopper is a professional who helps people find and purchase the perfect gift for their loved ones. Personal shoppers typically meet with clients in person or by phone to discuss their needs and preferences. Then, they go shopping for the exact items that were asked for, make suggestions based on what the client likes, and wrap and/or deliver the gifts as needed.
Personal shoppers help clients save time and money by comparing prices across different stores to find the best deal for them. They also use their knowledge of the market to help the client access items that may otherwise be difficult to get, such as vintage products.
Gift-wrapping services are also popular during the holiday season. Offering this service can help you make money quickly as people frantically look for someone to wrap all their gifts in time for the holidays.
You can post your services on local classifieds websites such as Craigslist or advertise yourself on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
2. Offer your services as a virtual assistant:
Becoming a virtual assistant is great if you want to make money online without having to leave your home this holiday season. If you have an administrative background or experience in customer service, consider offering your services as a virtual assistant
Many businesses are increasingly hiring virtual assistants during the holidays due to the surge in demand for their services. Companies such as law firms, e-commerce stores, and marketing agencies are particularly interested in hiring virtual assistants to manage tasks such as customer service, data entry, email management, social media marketing, and website maintenance.
Small businesses and individuals that don’t have the resources to hire a full-time employee are also often willing to pay for your services on an as-needed basis. While the rates will vary depending on how many hours you’re willing to work, virtual assistants can easily make $20-$30 per hour or more.
If you’d like to become a virtual assistant during the holidays, start by creating a profile on freelance websites like Upwork and Fiverr. You should make sure to put together a portfolio that showcases the skills you have, such as writing, graphic design, or video editing.
3. Start an Etsy shop
Etsy is the perfect platform for creative minds to turn their hobbies into lucrative side businesses. If you have any handmade products, vintage items, or craft supplies that you’d like to sell, consider setting up an Etsy shop this holiday season.
Etsy has become one of the go-to choices for people looking to purchase unique, handmade gifts, and the surge in demand for these items around the holidays from people looking to buy Christmas gifts can bring you a lot of business.
If you’re serious about starting an Etsy shop, be sure to spend time creating compelling product descriptions and attractive photos. You should also familiarize yourself with Etsy policies around taxes, shipping costs, and processing fees to ensure that you’re complying with all the necessary regulations.
With some planning and dedication, you can have a successful Etsy shop up and running in no time. And the best thing about this side hustle idea is that it will continue bringing you income way after the holiday season has passed!
4. Become a seasonal delivery driver
With the holiday season comes a surge in online shopping, so delivery services like Amazon, Postmates, and DoorDash are always looking for additional drivers to help with deliveries. Becoming a seasonal delivery driver is an easy way to make some extra cash without having to commit to a long-term job.
To get started as a seasonal delivery driver, you will need to have access to a reliable vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and proof of car insurance. Depending on the company you sign up with, you may also need to pass a background check as well as a driving record check.
Most companies require that you have at least one year of experience driving a car, but some may be willing to waive this requirement if you can demonstrate that you are a safe and reliable driver. Once all the requirements have been met, you can start making deliveries and earning money!
Amazon is undoubtedly one of the best companies to work for as a delivery driver, and through their Amazon Flex delivery service, you can make $18-$25 per hour working your own hours.
If you don’t qualify as a driver, Amazon also has other seasonal jobs that you can apply for, such as warehouse associates who are paid for loading orders.
5. Sell baked ornaments, like gingerbread houses or cookies
Baked goods can be a great way to make some extra money during the holidays. If you have a knack for baking, consider selling homemade holiday-themed baked ornaments, like gingerbread houses or cookies. Not only will this help boost your income in the short term, but it’s also a great way to build relationships and create repeat customers.
To get started, you’ll need to find a reliable supplier of all the ingredients and supplies needed to make your products. You should also look into how you can package your baked goods so that they arrive in perfect condition and how much it will cost for shipping. Once these steps have been taken care of, you can start advertising your creations online via social media or through word of mouth.
Creating holiday-themed baked ornaments can be a fun and enjoyable way to make extra money during the holidays. Plus, you get to enjoy all the delicious treats that come with it!
6. Virtual holiday party planning
The holidays don’t need to be a lonely affair this year, thanks to virtual parties that can bring people together from all over the world. Virtual parties are a great way to connect friends, family, or colleagues who can’t be together in person. If you have a knack for throwing parties, consider becoming a virtual holiday party planner for those looking to celebrate the season virtually.
Organizations and individuals looking to host virtual Christmas parties will often hire a virtual party planner. A virtual party planner will help them plan out how the event should go, how to engage their guests, how to make the event run smoothly, and how to ensure everyone has an enjoyable time. They’ll also take care of all the technical aspects, such as setting up the event page, sending out invitations, and handling any technical issues that may arise.
As a virtual party planner, you will typically be responsible for picking the best platform for hosting the event, designing a timeline of how long the party will last, and deciding what activities will be included in the celebration.
To get started, you can create a portfolio and start advertising your virtual holiday party planning services online and in your local community.
If you’re looking to make some extra money during the holidays, virtual party planning is a great option. Not only will you get paid for your services, but it’s also a great way to create lasting memories and experiences with those participating in the event.
7. Sell items you no longer need on Craigslist or eBay
Do you have items lying around the house that you no longer need or use? Sell them on Craigslist or eBay and make some extra money during the holidays. You can also advertise what you are selling in your local community, such as on online classifieds websites or by putting up posters in public spaces.
Some of the items you can sell include clothes, books, furniture, electronics, jewelry, and more. Before you start listing your items for sale, make sure to research how much they are worth so that you can get a good price for them. You should also take time to clean and photograph the items before putting them up for sale. Be sure to be as honest as possible about their condition and provide clear photos.
Selling things locally is a great way to get rid of clutter while making some extra money at the same time. It also allows you to make connections with people in your area and potentially create a repeat customer base.
8. Offer pet-sitting services
Are you an animal lover? Consider offering pet-sitting services during the holidays for those who need someone to look after their pets while they are away. You can make your services known through word of mouth or by advertising online.
As a pet sitter, you will be responsible for taking care of another person’s pet while they are away. This means feeding, playing with, and exercising the animal, cleaning up any messes they make, taking them for walks around your neighborhood, and making sure that the pet is safe and secure at all times.
This side hustle can be quite rewarding, both financially and emotionally. Not only will you get paid to take care of someone else’s pet, but you’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing that you’re providing a valuable service. Plus, it can be great fun to spend time with different animals and get to know their personalities.
9. Offer babysitting services
If you love working with children, consider offering babysitting services during the holidays. This is a great way to make some extra money while also getting to spend time with kids. You can advertise your services through word of mouth, online classifieds websites, and social media platforms.
As a babysitter, you will be responsible for caring for children while their parents are away. This may involve providing meals, playing games, and helping with homework. You should also create a plan for how you will keep the children occupied during your time together.
It’s important to be honest about your experience and qualifications when advertising your services. You should also have references available if needed.
To get started, create a profile on sites like Care.com or Sittercity. You can also let your friends and family know that you’re available for babysitting services during the holidays. Make sure to include how much money you are charging, how many hours you are willing to work, and what tasks you will be taking on while caring for the children.
Babysitting is a great way to make some extra money, and it also provides you with a lot of joy and fulfillment.
10. Become an English online teacher
Are you a native English speaker? If so, you can take advantage of the growing demand for online English teachers and start making some extra money during the holidays.
The holiday season is a great time for people to brush up on their language skills, especially when it comes to learning English. Learning how to speak and write English is becoming increasingly important as the world becomes more interconnected. With more companies doing business across borders, being able to communicate in English is essential.
There are several reasons why people are turning to online English teachers for help. For one, it is convenient since students can take classes from their own homes and at their own pace. Also, compared to traditional teaching methods, online teachers are often more affordable and flexible in terms of how and when classes take place.
As an online English teacher, you will be responsible for providing your students with the necessary instruction and support to help them improve their language skills. You can set your own rate for classes and determine how many hours per week you are willing to work.
There are many platforms that will hire you to teach English to students from all around the world. With just a laptop and an internet connection, you can turn your passion into a side hustle.
Before getting started, you will need to have some teaching experience or a teaching certificate, but other platforms will hire you with just demonstrated English proficiency.
Related: Teach English Online Jobs: No Experience
11. Start a blog or vlog
If you have a passion for writing or creating videos, starting a blog or vlog is one of the best side hustles to make extra money during the holidays. You can create content on topics that interest you and share it with an online audience.
A blog is a website where people can share their thoughts and ideas with the world through written articles. You could blog about your favorite subjects, such as fashion, food, and travel. Once you have some readers, you can monetize your blog by joining affiliate programs, running ads, or charging a subscription fee for premium content.
Blogging is easy and doesn’t require any upfront costs. You can use platforms like WordPress and Bluehost to create your blog and start publishing content.
If writing isn’t your thing, you can start a vlog. This is essentially a video blog where you record and upload videos to YouTube or other platforms. Vlogging allows you to get creative and interact with an audience in a more engaging way. You can monetize your vlogs through ads, sponsorships, and product reviews.
Although you most likely won’t be able to make money right away with your new blog or vlog, the holiday season is a great time to produce a ton of material that will help you grow your audience so that come the new year, you can start reaping the benefits of the time and energy you invested now.
12 . Offer cleaning/housekeeping services
If you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty, then you might consider offering cleaning and housekeeping services as a side hustle. During the holiday season, many people are too busy to clean their homes and instead hire someone else to do it for them.
You can set up an online profile with a platform like Care.com or Handy and start offering your services to clients in your area. You can charge an hourly rate for cleaning, dusting, mopping, vacuuming, etc.
Cleaning and housekeeping services are a great way to make extra money during the holidays, and you don’t need any special training or qualifications to get started. All you have to do is show up on time, bring all of your supplies, and be prepared to take on whatever cleaning needs your client has.
13. Deliver food orders
If you own a car, becoming a DoorDash or Uber Eats driver is one of the best ways to make extra money this holiday season. These platforms allow you to pick up orders from local restaurants and deliver them to customers in your area.
The beauty of becoming a driver for either Uber Eats or DoorDash is that you can choose how much you want to work each week, so you don’t have to make it your full-time job if you don’t want to. Plus, you get to keep 100% of the tips you earn.
When you sign up, you’ll need to provide proof of your driver’s license, insurance, and vehicle registration as well as undergo a background check. Once all that is taken care of, you can start delivering food orders from restaurants in your area. You’ll be paid for each order you deliver, plus any tips you receive from customers.
Food delivery is particularly a good side hustle during the holidays because of the peak in restaurant orders from all the people lazing around at home and avoiding cooking.
14. Mystery shopper/brand ambassador
Companies often hire mystery shoppers and brand ambassadors during peak shopping seasons such as Christmas, so keep an eye out for opportunities in your area! As a mystery shopper, you will be paid to visit stores and assess how well the employees are doing their jobs. As a brand ambassador, you’ll be paid to promote a particular product or service in your area.
Both of these gigs require no special qualifications or experience, so if you’re looking for an easy way to make some extra money during the holidays, this could be the side hustle for you. Just make sure to read all of the terms and conditions before signing up, as you may have to pay for certain expenses out of your own pocket (for which you would normally be reimbursed).
You can search for job postings on Craigslist, Indeed, Glassdoor, etc., or apply to mystery shopping companies like BestMark.
CONCLUSION
The holiday season is always a great time to make some extra money. Whether you want to start your own business or just pick up some odd jobs here and there, there are plenty of side hustle ideas out there that can bring in some quick cash during the holidays. From delivering food orders and mystery shopping to blogging and vlogging, you’re sure to find something that works for you. Just remember to set reasonable goals and expectations, and you’ll be on your way to making some extra money this season!
Happy hustling!
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