Holiday decor has been trickling into every store for months already, and gift guides are launching as we speak. I love the holidays, with all the festive and cozy things they bring, and I anxiously wait all year for them to arrive, but I have to admit, I am feeling a little less enthusiastic about them this time around. Maybe it’s my inflation fatigue or just the simple fact that the last few months have been rough on my wallet. Either way, the idea of spending a copious amount of money for the holidays sends me into a little bit of a panic. The truth is, I need to make extra money for the holidays, stat.
Between holiday travel, gifts, hosting, and end-of-year events, a lot of us feel pressure to foot the bill this time of year. The good news is that there are plenty of flexible holiday side hustles that can help you make extra money before the holidays. And no, none of them require committing to a second full-time job, because you and I both know time is already limited.
If you’re looking for realistic ways to make extra money before the holidays this year, there is still plenty of time to pocket some cash. Ahead, we’re sharing 10 of the best ways to make extra money before December hits, so your holiday budget has a little more wiggle room.
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1. Start a temporary side hustle
If you want to make extra money before the holidays, a temporary side hustle is one of the fastest ways to boost your income. The key is choosing something you can start earning from right away—not something that requires months of building a business or growing an audience. Rather than launching a blog or opening an online shop, look for flexible gigs you can do in the evenings or on weekends through the holiday season. The best side hustles are the ones that fit your existing skills and schedule, so the extra cash starts rolling in sooner rather than later.
Some temporary side hustles to consider include:
- Babysit for families during holiday parties and events
- Offer house-sitting services for families traveling over the holidays
- Work holiday events, catering gigs, or event staffing shifts
- Deliver food with DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub
- Drive for Uber or Lyft
- Pet sit or dog walk through Rover or by asking friends and neighbors
- Tutor students online or in your local community
- Freelance your skills, such as writing, graphic design, social media management, or bookkeeping
- Edit resumes, cover letters, or academic papers
2. Sell items you’re not using
One of the best ways to make extra money quickly is to sell things you’re no longer using. Spend an afternoon looking through your home for items you no longer need, such as:
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories
- Furniture
- Kitchen appliances and gadgets
- Electronics, like old phones, tablets, and gaming consoles
- Home décor
- Baby gear and toys
- Books and textbooks
- Exercise equipment
- Tools and outdoor equipment
- Designer handbags or jewelry
Then, take some pictures and post your items on Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, or Depop. You’d be amazed at how quickly things get scooped up, especially if you live in a town with college students or an area where new people are always moving in. When I did this last year, I made about $700 in a few days from my old clothes, shoes, and a few pieces of old furniture. It was the easiest money I’d ever made.
Another great option is to do a giant closet purge and take your old clothes to a store like Buffalo Exchange, Crossroads, or Plato’s Closet. They may not take everything, but this can net you a couple of hundred dollars in one trip if it’s been a while since you last cleaned out your closet.
3. Turn your hobby into income
If you love to needlepoint, knit, crochet, or have another cozy hobby, consider selling your creations on Etsy or at a local craft fair. Fall and winter are prime seasons for handmade gifts, and shoppers are often eager to support local makers. Some ideas include:
- Knitted hats, scarves, and sweaters
- Needlepoint ornaments and holiday décor
- Handmade candles
- Jewelry
- Pottery or ceramics
- Personalized calligraphy prints or stationery
- Homemade soaps or bath products
- Digital planners, wall art, or printable gift tags
- Seasonal wreaths and home décor
Not sure if the effort is worth it? Listen to this: One of my friends has amazing handwriting and created a calligraphy kit with pens, paper, and a few guided worksheets. She then started renting out little booths at craft shows around our city. She made $5,000 in a few months from something that took her less than an afternoon to put together.
Before you commit, though, think about your return on investment. Consider how long each item takes to make compared with what you can realistically charge. If a crocheted giraffe takes three hours to complete but only sells for $10, it probably isn’t the best use of your time. On the other hand, if you can create a digital art print in 10 minutes and sell it repeatedly on Etsy, you’ll likely earn much more for the effort.
4. Rent out what you already own
If you’re not ready to sell things you own, consider renting them out instead. This can be a great way to make extra money from items or spaces that are sitting unused. Depending on what you have available, you could rent out:
- A spare bedroom or guest house through Airbnb or another short-term rental platform
- Designer clothing, handbags, or accessories for weddings, parties, and special events
- A storage shed, garage, or extra closet space
- A parking space or driveway spot in a high-demand area
- Your car when you aren’t using it through apps like Turo (just check with your insurance provider first to make sure you’re covered)
- Baby gear, like strollers, cribs, or travel items
- Cameras, lenses, or other photography equipment
- Tools or home improvement equipment
- Sports gear, like bikes, skis, or camping equipment
This option does require some initial setup. You’ll need to create listings, take photos, set rental terms, and communicate with potential renters. But even with that said, it can be a smart way to earn extra money from things you already own.
5. Take on seasonal work
If you’re a corporate girlie, you know Q4 is the busiest time of the year. People in retail and food service industries feel the hustle, too, and many businesses need extra hands to keep up with increased demand. Now is a great time to pick up a temporary part-time job and earn extra money before the holidays.
What’s great about being a seasonal employee is that there are no expectations of longevity. Both sides know this is a temporary setup, so you can earn the extra money you need without feeling the pressure to stay on after the season. They also often offer flexible night or weekend shifts. Some options to consider include:
- Retail associate
- Restaurant or catering staff
- Warehouse worker
- Package delivery helper
- Gift wrapper
- Customer service representative
- Holiday market worker
- Seasonal photographer assistant
- Holiday attraction staff
Check local job boards, community Facebook groups, and the careers pages of stores and restaurants in your area to find opportunities before the holiday hiring window fills up.
6. Offer holiday services
It’s no secret that many people’s schedules don’t allow them the time to fully get into the holiday spirit. Between busier workdays and tight deadlines, travel plans, gift shopping, and family commitments, plenty of people are willing to pay someone else to take a few things off their plate. Creating a holiday-inspired service, especially one that saves someone time, can be a great way to make extra money while helping others enjoy the season. Some holiday services you could offer include:
- Holiday decorating: Help people hang lights, decorate trees, style mantels, set up outdoor displays, or transform their homes for the season.
- Gift wrapping: Offer professional gift wrapping for busy shoppers, including specialty wrapping, bows, gift tags, and stocking stuffers.
- Personalized gift shopping: Help people find thoughtful gifts for family members, coworkers, or friends based on their budget and preferences.
- Holiday errand running: Pick up gifts, return packages, grab last-minute supplies, or help with holiday to-do lists.
- Holiday card help: Address envelopes, organize mailing lists, stamp cards, or help families get their holiday cards sent out on time.
- Cookie or baking services: Make holiday cookies, pies, or treats for people who want homemade goodies without the baking commitment.
- Holiday party setup: Help hosts decorate, arrange tablescapes, set up food stations, or clean up after gatherings.
- Home organization before guests arrive: Help families declutter and prepare their homes before hosting holiday visitors.
- Pet care during holiday travel: Offer pet sitting, dog walking, or drop-in visits while people are away.
- Holiday photos: If you have photography skills, offer mini sessions for families, couples, or pets.
- Wrapping supply kits: Create curated gift-wrapping bundles with paper, ribbon, tags, and bows for people who want a pretty presentation without the work.
To get started, make a simple ad and post it to your community’s Facebook page, neighborhood groups, or your own social media accounts. Include your pricing, a description of your services, your availability, and a few photos of your work if you have them. You might be surprised by how quickly neighbors start reaching out, especially as the holiday rush gets closer.
7. Teach a skill or host a lesson
Chances are you have at least one skill you’ve mastered, and it’s even more likely that there’s someone out there who would happily pay to learn it. Teaching lessons is a great way to make extra money before the holidays because you can work around your existing schedule and choose how many students you want to take on.
Think about the hobbies, skills, or knowledge you already have that someone else might want to learn. Some ideas include:
- Music lessons: Teach piano, guitar, singing, or another instrument.
- Dance classes: Offer beginner lessons in ballet, ballroom, hip-hop, or fitness-based dance.
- Fitness instruction: Lead workout classes like yoga or strength training.
- Craft workshops: Teach knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, sewing, pottery, or painting.
- Cooking or baking classes: Host lessons for making dinner for two, baking, or holiday cookie decorating.
- Art classes: Teach drawing, watercolor, calligraphy, photography, or digital design.
- Technology lessons: Help beginners learn Canva, social media, or coding basics.
- Professional skills: Teach resume writing, interview preparation, public speaking, or leadership skills.
- Language lessons: Tutor students or adults learning a second language.
- Academic tutoring: Help students with math, science, writing, or test preparation.
- Sports instruction: Teach beginner skills in tennis, swimming, golf, or other activities.
- Personal development coaching: Offer guidance around productivity, organization, budgeting, or goal setting.
You can create an online class through platforms like Zoom, host small group lessons at a local community center, library, or public space, or offer one-on-one sessions. To keep startup costs low, consider charging a base fee that includes any materials students need, using spaces that are free or inexpensive to rent, and starting with people already in your network. This can be a flexible way to turn something you already know into extra holiday income.
Devin Cleary Gooden, Contributing Finance Writer
Devin is a Toronto-based content creator and marketer with 10 years of experience writing about finance and career tips for women. She is passionate about helping women understand finances so they can create the life they want to have, whatever that may look like. She is currently a senior manager of content at a fintech company, where she works on websites, emails, social media, videos, and podcasts.
Hailey Tagliarino, Assistant Managing Editor
As Assistant Managing Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Tagliarino oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitching stage through publishing, she works alongside the team to ensure that the content that our readers see every day is inspiring, relatable, and timely.
