7 Holiday Side Gigs to Earn Extra Money for Gift Shopping
The holidays have arrived. Unlike Santa, you don’t have a squad of elves working around the clock to give everyone on your “nice” list the presents they deserve. You’ll have to use more traditional methods of raising that holiday dough (and we’re not talking about Christmas cookies), like getting a side hustle. You want a gig that will help you make money fast — while also letting you get into the spirit of the season.
Like Rudolph with his nose so bright, we can lead you to side hustles that help you put extra money into your gift-giving fund as you have some holiday fun, and even find yourself of service to others. We can’t think of anything better than that (except maybe traveling at Mach speed on Santa’s sleigh to avoid those layovers and baggage fees).
1. Get paid to wrap gifts
Mastering the fine art of gift wrapping is hard. Not everyone has the skills to make a present look appealing even before it’s unwrapped — but if you do, you could make some real cash this holiday season. People are so eager to outsource their gift wrapping that they’ll pay a pretty penny for someone to put on those pretty bows. Just ask Michelle Hensley, who founded Nifty Package Co., a premium gift-wrapping service that started as a side hustle and quickly became a full-time enterprise.
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While you could license your services with a bigger organization like Nifty or approach your local shopping center about setting up a station, there are also simpler ways to get started. Advertising through sites like TaskRabbit, Thumbtack or on social media can help. And good old-fashioned word of mouth never hurts, either.
2. Install Holiday lights and decorations
Everyone loves to look at Christmas lights. Not everyone loves to put them up. Sometimes, factors like time, mobility, or cold weather affect people’s ability to create their own winter wonderlands. That’s where you step in. If you could give Saint Nick a run for his money in terms of being nimble on a roof, you might be able to charge hundreds of dollars to put up strings of lights.
The website Side Hustle Nation — which is, you guessed it, devoted to all things side hustle — notes that putting up Christmas lights and outdoor décor is becoming a popular part-time gig. Advertising your services via TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, Nextdoor, or even flyers in public spaces like libraries and cafés could help you drum up business. And you’ll get to make more money if you charge to take them down again once the holiday season wraps up.
3. Sell holiday crafts and handmade gifts
For years, friends and family have marveled at your talent in visual arts and crafts. They’ve told you that you should sell your work — always sharing how, every time they wear that necklace you made as a hobby, people ask where they got it. As this holiday season starts, you’re thinking maybe it really is time to start that Etsy shop.
For more immediate opportunities — and built-in foot traffic — you can apply for a vendor booth at a farmers market or one of the many holiday art and makers markets popping up around town this time of year.
You’d also be wise to add a few holiday-themed items to your offerings so customers can shop for seasonal décor and gifts. Seasonal items tend to sell quickly, making this a faster-earning option than usual.
4. Pick up a seasonal retail job
While many people shop online these days, brick-and-mortar storefronts still need support — and they’re likely hiring part-time help this holiday season. Taking on some night and weekend shifts can make it easier to fit this side hustle around your 9-to-5 job. This route not only pads your wallet with an extra paycheck, but it could also come with a handy employee discount that helps you save money on gifts for loved ones.
If the prospect of encountering holiday crowds turns you into the Grinch, that’s understandable. You also don’t have to work in a customer-facing role: Many retailers are seeking people to work in warehouses or help set up stores after hours. Those behind-the-scenes roles still offer quick pay during the season’s busiest months.
5. Drive for delivery services
OK, so you’re not dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh — you’re weaving through rush-hour traffic with the ingredients for someone’s holiday dinner in your backseat. While the latter task doesn’t lend itself to a holiday jingle, it does lend itself to extra income during the holiday crush.
As a delivery driver for a service like Instacart, DoorDash or Uber Eats, you get to set your own hours and earn tips for your work. And when you’re delivering that pizza to make an all-night gift-wrapping session bearable, or the last ingredient that will save a holiday cake from disaster, you stand to make some good tips. High demand during peak weeks can mean more orders and higher earnings in a short period.
6. Offer holiday pet-sitting and dog-walking services
The holidays mean holiday travel, which means many people need to leave their cherished pets at home. A cat sitter who can offer champion-level laser-tag services is worth their weight in gold. And a dog walker who provides master-class cuddles can command a pretty price. By signing up with a pet-sitting service like Rover, you can connect with holiday travelers who need someone to be a pal to their furry friends while they’re on the road.
If you wanted to go solo, you could also advertise your services at local vet clinics or pet stores. Do a good enough job, and you’ll generate business from word of mouth — or word of woof.
7. Work holiday events and parties
If you have to attend a holiday party, you might as well make some extra cash while laughing at all the corny jokes. Why not join a catering or hospitality company as extra help for the holiday season? In between running dishes from the kitchen to the table or circulating the finger sandwiches, you’ll get your steps in too — it’s a win-win for your body and your wallet.
Wrapping it up
Holly isn’t the only kind of green going around this holiday season. If you’re able to take on a side hustle, you can make extra money to treat your loved ones to truly magical gifts — while still embracing some seasonal fun.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice.
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Disclosures
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice.