Looking for ways to make extra cash? This post will give you 10+ profitable side hustles to make extra money this holiday season.
The holiday season is such a magical time, but it can also put quite the strain on your wallet.
Between buying gifts, hosting gatherings, and planning fun activities, the expenses can add up quickly!
If you are looking for some side hustles to generate additional income during the festive season, I’ve rounded up some profitable side hustles that you could start now to save a little extra this holiday season!
This post contains affiliate links from which I may make commission at no extra cost to you. Read full disclosure here.
1. Gift Wrapping Services
With all the hustle and bustle, many people simply don’t have the time—or the skills—to wrap their holiday gifts beautifully.
This is where you come in and offer a gift-wrapping service to help out busy shoppers. You can charge by the gift or hour or even offer packages for bulk wrapping.
You’ll want to set a base for gift wrapping, whether that includes a single choice of gift wrap per present with bows and any other add-ons as extras – it’s totally up to you.
Average gift-wrapping rates are around $25 per hour, or you could charge between $15-$25 per item if the wrapping is more elaborate.
You could market your services on social media for or by word of mouth to get started. Go the extra mile by creating business cards or flyers and dropping them off in your local neighborhoods.
Let’s say you take on wrapping ten gifts a week at a rate of $15 each (with elaborate wrapping) plus an additional two hours of wrapping at a rate of $25/hr. That’s an extra $200 per week! And you could definitely scale this to whatever capacity you’d like.
If this sounds like something you would like to do, you’ll definitely want to get a couple of these handy gift wrap paper cutters!
2. Holiday Decorating Services
If you’re the type to go all out with Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and Instagram-worthy mantels, turn that talent into a money-making side hustle.
Offer your services to decorate homes and businesses for the holidays. Many people love the idea of a decked-out home but just don’t have the time to do it themselves.
Here are some specific services and rates you could offer:
- Decorating Christmas Trees: $75 – $150 (depending on the tree size and complexity of decorations)
- Indoor Holiday Decor Setup (mantels, garlands, etc.): $50 – $200 (based on room size and decor quantity)
- Outdoor Holiday Decor (yard ornaments, wreaths, etc.): $100 – $300 (based on yard size and decoration scale)
- Hanging Christmas Lights on Roofs: $150 – $500 (depending on roof size, height, and complexity)
- Holiday Mantel Decorating: $50 – $100 (for fireplace and living room setups)
- Full Home Holiday Decor Package (indoor and outdoor): $300 – $1,000+ (based on the home size and amount of decor)
Offering a range of services with flexible pricing makes it easy for customers to choose what works best for their budget, and you can adjust rates depending on the time and effort involved.
3. Rakuten and Rebate Programs
Why not make extra money while you spend? Platforms like Rakuten (formerly Ebates) allow you to earn cashback when you shop online at partnered retailers.
Whether you’re buying gifts for family or snagging a new holiday outfit, using Rakuten ensures you’re getting a percentage of that money back.
The trick? Always check if a site you’re about to purchase from is partnered with Rakuten.
I personally love Rakuten and have the app installed on both my phone and laptop although I do think it’s a bit easier to toggle on and see the rates offered on a desktop.
If a website has a rebate available through Rakuten, a pop up will automatically appear on the screen.
You’ll then click activate cash back and that’s it! Whenever you place an order, you’ll get cashback which will get paid out every 3 months as a “big fat check”.
You can also add a card (visa, Amex, or Mastercard) to the Rakuten app to earn In-Store cash back.
If you’re going to buy something anyway, why not earn cash for your purchase??
If you’re interested in joining Rakuten you can sign up with my link to receive $30 after your first purchase of $30 (free money!).
You can also try other rebate programs like Ibotta for grocery shopping.
It’s the same concept – you can download the app and for participating retailers, select as many cashback offers for groceries you plan to buy. After your grocery trip, upload your receipt to the Ibotta app and you get cashback once your receipt is confirmed!
Sign up to Ibotta here and get $5 after you submit your first receipt!
4. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to generate passive income during the holiday season. If you have a blog, social media presence, or even just a big network of friends, you can promote products and earn commissions on sales.
For example, by joining the Amazon Affiliate Program, you can recommend products you love (holiday gifts, tech gadgets, clothing, etc.) and earn a commission when someone buys through your unique link.
You could write a blog post on “Best Holiday Gifts for Busy Moms,” include your affiliate links, and generate extra income as people click and purchase!
With gift guides gaining popularity during the Thanksgiving & Christmas Holiday season, you can create a gift guide “for her” or “for him” to share on your Instagram or Facebook and earn when anyone purchases through your links!
Here are some popular affiliate marketing programs that can help you get started:
- Amazon Associates: One of the most popular affiliate programs, Amazon’s affiliate marketing platform allows you to earn commissions by promoting any product on Amazon’s massive marketplace. The program is easy to join, and you can share affiliate links for anything from tech gadgets to holiday gifts, earning a commission on every purchase made through your link.
- Rakuten Affiliate Network: Rakuten offers access to hundreds of top brands, including Walmart, Macy’s, and Best Buy. With Rakuten’s affiliate program, you can promote a wide variety of products and earn commissions. This platform is known for offering exclusive deals and promotions that can increase your conversion rates.
- ShareASale: ShareASale is an affiliate network that connects you with thousands of merchants. It’s ideal if you want to diversify your affiliate marketing strategy and promote brands from multiple niches. Popular merchants include Reebok, Wayfair, and Minted, making it a great option if you want to promote a mix of fashion, home goods, and services.
- CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction): CJ Affiliate works with well-known brands like GoPro, Expedia, and Zappos. It’s a comprehensive platform with detailed analytics to help you track your performance, and it offers a wide range of products to promote. This program is great for bloggers or influencers who want to earn by recommending well-established brands.
- Target Affiliate Program: Target’s affiliate program is another excellent option, especially during the holiday season. You can promote Target’s wide variety of products, including clothing, electronics, and home decor. They offer competitive commission rates and frequently feature holiday promotions to entice shoppers.
- Etsy Affiliate Program: For those with an audience that loves unique, handmade products, Etsy’s affiliate program is a fantastic way to earn commissions by promoting creative and artisanal goods. You can link to individual products, curated lists, or entire Etsy shops, making it perfect for a holiday gift guide.
- Shopify Affiliate Program: If your audience is interested in e-commerce and starting their own online business, Shopify’s affiliate program allows you to earn by referring people to sign up for Shopify’s services. This is a great program if your content leans toward business, entrepreneurship, or online marketing.
These are just a handful of affiliate programs out of thousands!
By joining these affiliate programs, you can recommend products you genuinely love and use, while earning extra money each time someone clicks through your links and makes a purchase.
Whether you’re writing a blog post, creating a holiday gift guide, or sharing deals on social media, affiliate marketing is a win-win for you and your audience.
5. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
With all the holiday travel happening, many pet owners need reliable pet sitters and dog walkers. This can be a fun and easy side hustle if you love animals.
Platforms like Rover or Wag can connect you with pet owners looking for help, but you can also advertise your services locally. It’s a great way to make extra money while caring for furry friends.
6. Sell Handmade Crafts
If you’re crafty, take advantage of the holiday season by selling handmade items like ornaments, jewelry, or personalized gifts. You can list your creations on platforms like Etsy or sell at local holiday markets.
Whether it’s knitted scarves, custom holiday décor, or homemade candles, people are always on the lookout for unique, handmade gifts.
These Christmas Wonderland themed candles are pretty popular and would make amazing gifts!
7. Seasonal Retail Jobs
Many stores ramp up their staff for the holiday rush, so if you’re looking for something temporary, now’s the time to apply!
Seasonal retail jobs offer a reliable way to earn extra income, and you may even score some employee discounts, perfect for your own holiday shopping.
Large retailers like Target, Walmart, and Macy’s are often on the lookout for extra hands.
8. Offer Delivery Services
The rise of online shopping means there’s an increased demand for delivery services.
Sign up with Instacart, DoorDash, or Uber Eats and start delivering groceries, food, and other goods.
You can set your own hours and earn extra income by fulfilling orders in your spare time. With the holiday rush in full swing, people are more likely to tip generously as well!
9. Freelance Work
If you have marketable skills like writing, graphic design, or social media management, the holiday season is a great time to pick up freelance gigs.
Many businesses need extra help creating holiday-themed content, marketing materials, or customer service support.
Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are great places to find clients who need short-term help.
10. Sell Used & Unused Items on Poshmark, Mercari, or eBay
The holidays are the perfect time to declutter your home and sell those unused items for some extra cash. Platforms like Poshmark, Mercari, and eBay are excellent for reselling clothing, shoes, accessories, and electronics.
Have a pair of designer boots you never wear or a tablet that’s collecting dust? List them for sale, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you can make some extra money.
I’ve been selling on Poshmark (inconsistently) for the last two years and have made over $1K from selling my used/new items.
If you’d like to join Poshmark you use my referral code: DIANAROD95 and receive $10 upon joining!
These platforms make it easy to upload photos, set prices, and even ship items once they’re sold. Plus, you’ll be freeing up space for any new holiday purchases!
11. Holiday Catering or Baking
If you’re a whiz in the kitchen, capitalize on the season by offering holiday baking or catering services. People are busy and may not have the time to bake all those pies or cook up a feast.
You can offer homemade baked goods or small catering services for holiday parties and earn extra money doing something you enjoy.
Here are some baked goods that sell well during the holiday season:
- Decorated Sugar Cookies: Festive sugar cookies decorated with holiday-themed icing (think snowflakes, Santas, and reindeer) are always a hit and make perfect gift options.
- Gingerbread Men and Gingerbread Houses: A holiday staple! Kits for gingerbread houses are popular with families, while gingerbread men make for cute, packaged gifts.
- Pumpkin and Pecan Pies: Classic holiday pies like pumpkin and pecan are crowd-pleasers. You could offer full pies or even mini versions for individual servings.
- Holiday Cupcakes: Cupcakes decorated with holiday motifs (like snowmen, ornaments, and Christmas trees) are fun and easy to eat, making them ideal for holiday parties or dessert tables.
- Biscotti and Holiday Cookies Gift Boxes: Packaged assortments of biscotti, shortbread, and other classic holiday cookies make excellent gift sets.
- Cinnamon Rolls: Freshly baked cinnamon rolls are an indulgent treat that’s perfect for holiday breakfasts or brunches.
- Fruitcake and Stollen: While fruitcake may have a love-it-or-hate-it reputation, it’s a nostalgic favorite for many and can sell well. German stollen is another holiday bread popular for its marzipan filling and dusting of powdered sugar.
These sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies are some ideas I pulled from Pinterest that would be perfect to sell during the holidays!
12. Online Tutoring
With students on holiday break, many parents are looking for ways to keep their children sharp academically.
If you excel in a particular subject, offer online tutoring services to help students get ahead or catch up before the next semester.
Websites like Chegg Tutors or Wyzant make it easy to connect with students in need.
13. Photography
The holiday season is prime time for family photos, holiday cards, and event photography.
If you have a knack for photography, consider offering mini holiday photo sessions or event photography services.
You can charge by the session and capture magical moments while making additional income.
We could probably all use some extra pennies this holiday season and it’s definitely possible with any of these side hustles!
Happy hustling and happy Holidays!
Xoxo,
Diana Colibri
