Side hustles can be a lucrative source of income. I’m sharing how you can start these side hustles for Christmas today and how you can make a good amount of money before Christmas.
The holiday season is upon us, bringing along festive cheer but this also brings plenty of opportunities to make some extra cash. Christmas is just around the corner, so people are looking for gifts to give their dear ones.
This means that they need more cash and if you’ve been also thinking about starting a side hustle then now is the perfect time to jump in and offer a hand where it’s needed most.
Table of Contents
1. Gift Wrapping Service
In this article, you will find 11 side hustles for Christmas that don’t require long-term commitments or significant investments. This makes them ideal for quick and profitable ventures.
Before the holiday season, everyone’s schedule is jampacked and many people either don’t have the time or dread the idea of gift wrapping. Plus, wrapping gifts beautifully takes a bit of skill and finesse that not everyone has.
When you want to gift something to your loved one, you want it to look presentable. You can start offering a gift-wrapping service that can relieve many people of this headache, making it one of the simplest and most popular side hustles for Christmas. Not only does it save people time, but it also ensures that their gifts look picture-perfect under the tree.
Where to begin with your side hustle:
You can start by promoting your service locally. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are very powerful for reaching neighbors and community members. You can shoot aesthetic videos of yourselves wrapping gifts and post them daily on social media.
You can also connect with local stores, shopping centers, or even holiday fairs where you could set up a small wrapping station. Offering on-site gift wrapping at these locations gives shoppers an easy, immediate option and they will want to avail it.
Income Potential:
You can charge per gift or offer package deals for multiple items. You can easily charge $5-$15 per gift, depending on the size, material costs, and intricacy of the wrapping. For those who are creative and have a thing for presentation, this can be a fun and profitable seasonal gig for you.
There are various other side hustles that you can start right now based on your interest and skills which will make you money in the long run. These side hustles are not seasonal and work perfectly throughout the year.
2. Holiday Decoration Setup and Take-Down
Hanging Christmas lights, setting up festive decorations, and putting up a tree is a beloved tradition that almost every other house follows but it can be a lot of work.
Many families or businesses would prefer to hire help to get their spaces holiday-ready especially, for anyone with a talent for decor and some basic equipment. As an additional bonus, you can also offer a take-down service after the holidays to keep making some income in the New Year. Now you can classify it as one of the best side hustles for Christmas as it will never go out of trend and you can do this every year.
Where to begin with your side hustle:
You can list your services on platforms like TaskRabbit, Nextdoor, or in local Facebook groups to connect with people in your area. You should highlight any experience you have in decorating or any tools you bring, such as ladders or special hooks. This will give clients confidence in your ability to set up decorations safely and beautifully.
Display some of your work on social media and share it with clients to encourage them.
Income Potential:
As it is a lot of hard work, the hourly rates will typically range from $50 to $100 but businesses will generally pay higher than homeowners. This is a great side hustle and if you secure a few clients who are willing to pay for an entire home setup, then you can make good money within a day.
The added potential for take-down services after the holidays means you could make this a recurring seasonal gig that your clients will look forward to each year.
3. Christmas Tree Delivery and Setup
For many families, a real Christmas tree is a must-have for the holiday season, but not everyone has the time, vehicle, or physical ability to bring a tree home and set it up.
If you start offering Christmas tree delivery and setup services, you’re saving people the hassle of bringing it home by their selves. This side hustle is especially valuable in busy urban areas or for older clients who may need an extra helping hand.
Where to begin with your side hustle:
You can easily start by reaching out to local tree farms, nurseries, or pop-up tree lots to explore partnership opportunities. Some businesses may be open to collaborating by referring their customers to your service or allowing you to set up flyers and contact information in their workspace.
Additionally, you can advertise in community social media groups like Facebook or neighborhood apps to reach people who are looking for convenient holiday solutions.
Income Potential:
For providing this service, you can charge anywhere from $25 to $75 per tree. This depends on factors like location, tree size, and setup requirements. You can also offer extras, like a stand or lights. This can add value and increase your earnings, and clients often tip generously for this helpful service.
4. Personalized Gift Creation
Personalized gifts are always a hit during the holidays. People often want to make their loved ones realize how much they mean to them and this is a way to show the extra thought and effort. This makes it perfect for loved ones, friends, and colleagues. It can be anything like an engraved ornament, a hand-painted mug, or custom apparel.
People are often drawn to unique, meaningful gifts, especially when they don’t have to create them themselves. This side hustle is ideal for anyone who loves craft or has some skills in design and customization.
Where to begin with your side hustle:
You need to decide on the type of personalized gifts you’d like to offer and then set up an online storefront on platforms like Etsy, or promote your items locally through Facebook Marketplace or holiday craft fairs.
If you’re creative, you can even develop a few templates for quicker turnaround. Popular personalized gifts include ornaments, mugs, keychains, and custom T-shirts, and you should tailor them for the Christmas season by using festive themes or colors.
Income Potential:
It depends on the item’s complexity and personalization level. You can earn anywhere from $10 to $100 per gift. If you can produce things quickly then this side hustle could bring in some massive holiday income. Personalized items usually have a high markup so this means that you could earn good money even when you are using affordable materials.
5. Sell Homebaked Holiday Treats
There is nothing more comforting than having traditional sweets and desserts during holidays. But everyone does not have the time or skills to make them.
People love buying and gifting holiday goodies, from gingerbread cookies to festive cakes and other themed desserts, everything is in high demand during the holiday season.
Bakeries make the most amount of profits during the holiday season. People love buying these items for family gatherings, office parties, or as holiday gifts. The demand for beautifully made delicious treats is at its peak during Christmas.
Where to begin with your side hustle:
You can make a profile on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to show your holiday-themed baked goods and attract customers. Posting photos of your best work, like beautifully decorated sugar cookies or decadent holiday cupcakes, can help you stand out in your community.
If you have the budget then you can also offer samples to friends or local businesses to spread the word and get those first few orders rolling in.
Income Potential:
You can easily charge anywhere from $15 to $50 per order, depending on the time consumed in making and the size of the treats. You should offer options like assorted treat boxes or custom-themed desserts as this can help increase your order size and increase your earnings. If you know how to bake and decorate, this can be a fun and profitable way to bring extra joy (and money) during the holiday season.
6. Provide Christmas Party Planning Services
The festive season is all about hosting parties and for many people, planning an event can be a stressful task. By offering your services as a Christmas party planner or event assistant, you can help take the burden off others and make their celebrations more enjoyable.
You can provide services like organizing decorations, coordinating activities, or managing logistics, there’s a growing demand for event support during the holidays as more and more people want to enjoy their time with family and friends.
Where to begin with your side hustle:
You can offer your services through online platforms like TaskRabbit, Eventbrite, etc. You can also collaborate with local businesses to advertise your services. You can also partner with local venues or catering services to get clients.
Income Potential:
Christmas party planners can earn between $20-$50 per hour. It depends on the scale of events which may offer higher pay, especially if you’re managing various aspects of a business such as decorations, catering, etc.
7. Pet-sitting and Dog Walking for the Holidays
This is one of the best side hustles for Christmas. The holiday season is one of the busiest times for travel all over the globe, and many pet owners are always looking for reliable care for their pets while they’re away.
Kennels are often fully booked or simply not the first choice of pet owners so they need some pet sitter. Pet-sitting and dog-walking services have gained a serious demand over the years.
This side hustle is perfect for you if you love animals and want to help pet owners feel at ease during their travels while making some extra cash.
Where to begin with your side hustle:
You can list your services on pet-sitting platforms like Rover, Wag, or PetBacker. These sites connect you with local pet owners who require someone they can trust to look after their pets.
You can also advertise in neighborhood groups or on community platforms like Nextdoor to reach clients closer that live near your home.
Income Potential:
Dog walking typically pays around $15 to $30 per visit, while for overnight pet-sitting, you can charge even higher rates. With the potential for multiple clients, this can be a highly profitable and flexible side hustle throughout the holiday season.
8. Holiday Card Design and Writing
You can make holiday cards and sell them as a side hustle. Some people love to add their personal touch and ready-made cards available usually don’t fulfill their needs. You can also offer to write customer messages. From making elegant designs to custom messages, this side hustle is best for you if you have a creative side or a way with words.
Where to begin with your side hustle:
You can create a few sample card designs or templates and show them on social media, Etsy, or local online community groups. You can also add customization options, such as hand-written messages, family names, or festive graphics.
To make your side hustle more attractive, provide them with a variety of templates that clients can choose from. This will add a touch of personalization without the need to create each card from scratch.
Income Potential:
Holiday cards often sell anywhere between $10 and $50, depending on the level of customization and whether they’re sold individually or in batches. If you are great at designing, this can be a fulfilling and profitable side hustle for Christmas, as beautiful cards are always in demand this time of year.
9. Offer Snow Removal Services
In chilly regions, dealing with snow is no joke! Some places like New York, Aspen, Whistler, etc often see snow during December.
Everyone does not have the time (or energy) to shovel driveways or clear sidewalks, so they’re willing to pay someone else to do it for them especially when they are hosting guests. This is also true for early mornings when people need to get out fast and need a clear path without having to wake up even earlier to clear their driveway.
Where to begin with your side hustle:
You just need a sturdy shovel, a snow blower (if you’re ready to invest), and stock up on some ice melt. You can start by advertising locally. This can be done by posting on platforms like TaskRabbit, and Nextdoor, or even by dropping a flyer in your neighbors’ mailboxes.
Income Potential:
Snow removal pays well as it’s manual labor and you have to work on chilly mornings! You can earn between $20-$50 per job and if you serve multiple clients in one day, especially during heavy snow days, you can easily make a good amount of money.
This is not just one of the best side hustles for Christmas. Instead, you can continue this side hustle throughout the winter season.
10. Holiday Cleaning Services
By the end of November, people usually want their homes to shine – before, during, or after the festivities. But the last thing they want is to clean up a post-holiday mess themselves, so if they can afford it, they look for someone who can do it for them in exchange for some money.
Where to begin with your side hustle:
You can start by creating a special holiday cleaning package and market it as a “pre-party sparkle” or “post-party reset,”. You can advertise your services on social media by spending a small amount on running ads. You can also post on community boards, or apps like Thumbtack or Nextdoor.
Income Potential:
By providing holiday cleaning services, you can easily earn $50-$100 per session. Since the demand is high around holidays, you might find yourself booked up quickly.
11. Selling Secondhand or Handmade Christmas Décor
The holiday season is all about creating that perfect festive atmosphere for everyone but everyone can not afford brand-new décor. People are looking for unique or budget-friendly options to decorate their halls and this makes secondhand and handmade decorations a hot commodity.
Where to begin with your side hustle:
You can find any gently used decorations you’re ready to part with or buy them from the Facebook marketplace beforehand or even get a little creative and make some handmade items. Then post listings on Facebook Marketplace, and Etsy, or join local Christmas fairs where people are specifically hunting for festive finds.
Earnings Potential:
Holiday décor can fetch anywhere from $10 to $100 per item depending on its quality and demand. If your pieces are reasonable, you could easily make a good amount of money before the start of the holidays.
Tips to Make Money Through These Side Hustles for Christmas
1. Advertise Early
The holiday season is a busy time, so get the word out early! If you are planning on starting any of this side hustle, you need to start right now.
Use local social media groups, post on online marketplaces, or place flyers in high-traffic areas like coffee shops, grocery stores, and community boards to advertise your services. You need to spread the word before the peak holiday rush as this can help you to get more customers.
2. Offer Bundles or Discounts
You must have seen places like Walmart, Target, etc offering things in bundles that make them irresistible and you end up buying. Bundling is done to add extra value.
For example, if you’re offering a gift-wrapping service, you can also add a delivery option. Bundles and discounts make your service more appealing and also make you stand out amongst others.
3. Take Advantage of Online Marketplaces
If you’re selling holiday products like decorations or treats then it is recommended to list them on platforms like Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, or even Instagram. This can expand your reach beyond just your neighborhood.
These social media platforms make it easy to connect with buyers who are looking for things like this and help in getting more business.
If you are interested in starting a side hustle that can make passive income then in this article you'll find how to create digital products and sell them for money.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to make extra cash for Christmas?
To make extra cash for Christmas, you can offer seasonal services like gift-wrapping, holiday cleaning, delivering baked goods, etc. You can also sell handmade or secondhand holiday décor to make extra cash for Christmas.
How can I make Christmas with little money?
You can make Christmas special with little money by buying less expensive handmade gifts, baking treats by yourself, and creating DIY decorations. You can also organize a gift exchange or offer your time and skills as presents, such as helping with holiday tasks or creating personalized experiences for others.
How can I be frugal at Christmas?
To be frugal at Christmas, set a budget, buy gifts on sale or secondhand, make homemade presents, and focus on meaningful experiences rather than expensive items.
How much can I make with a Christmas side hustle?
Earnings vary by service, but you can easily make anywhere from $20-$50 per job for tasks like snow removal or $50-$100 per session for providing holiday cleaning or gift-wrapping services.
When should I start my Christmas side hustle to make the most money?
It’s best to start advertising early, ideally a few weeks before Christmas, as people begin to look for services and gifts closer to the holidays.
Conclusion
All of these side hustles for Christmas don’t require any heavy investments to start or plenty of time to set up. You can start them right away and take advantage of the season to make some serious money.
These easy side hustles can make you anywhere between $2000 -$5000. You can even do 2-3 side hustles at a time. To find what suits you best, you will need to think about how much you want to make. Some side hustles have the potential to make thousands of dollars so it all depends upon the amount of work you are ready to do.