17 Ways to Make Money This Holiday Season

The holidays are upon us and many of us could use a little extra money to get us through the end-of-year expenses.

Whether you're looking to make a little extra cash for gifts or just to help cover your holiday expenses, there are plenty of ways to make money this holiday season.

In this blog post, we'll look at 16 different ways that you can make money during the holidays.

From online side hustles to seasonal jobs, you'll find some great ideas to help you make the most of the festive season.
how to make money during holidays
So if you're looking for ways to make some extra money this holiday season, read on!

1) Sell handmade goods

If you’re creative and have the skills to craft items, the holiday season is a great time to start selling handmade goods.

Whether it’s decorations, jewelry, ornaments, or other seasonal items, you can make some extra cash by selling your creations.

The key to making money with handmade goods is to focus on items that are popular during the holiday season.

Choose items that are easy to make and sell, such as decorated ornaments, or personalized decorations and gifts.

Put together attractive displays of your work in craft fairs, flea markets, and other events that cater to the holiday season.

You can also create an online store to showcase and sell your creations.
Be sure to set competitive prices for your handmade goods.

Do your research to ensure that you’re charging fair prices for your products.

Promote your work on social media, and offer discounts or special deals during the holidays to attract more customers.

With some creativity and hard work, you can turn your passion for crafting into a profitable business this holiday season.

2) Offer holiday decorating services

One of the best ways to make money during the holidays is to offer holiday decorating services.

If you have a knack for interior design and love adding festive cheer to your space, this could be a great way to make some extra cash.

You can offer to decorate homes and businesses with garland, lights, and other decorations.

With a little bit of creativity and marketing, you could even offer custom decorating packages tailored to your clients’ needs.

Make sure to set up your services in advance and market them early to maximize your earnings.

3) Be a personal shopper

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, many people find it difficult to shop for gifts and are more than happy to pay someone else to do the work.

Becoming a personal shopper is an easy way to make money during the holidays.

You can offer your services through an online platform like TaskRabbit or advertise on social media to find clients in your area.

Before starting, make sure you know what your clients expect and be sure to ask specific questions about their budget, time frame, and preferences.

Once you have gathered all the details, it's time to start shopping! 

Make a list of all the stores you will need to visit and keep track of where you find items and how much they cost.

Being organized and efficient is key.
Once you’ve finished shopping, don’t forget to wrap the gifts with care and deliver them to your clients.

Not only will your clients appreciate your hard work, but you’ll also be making extra money this holiday season.

4) Offer gift wrapping services

Gift wrapping can be a great way to make some extra money during the holiday season.

Consider offering gift wrapping services to busy parents, friends, and family members who don’t have the time or patience to wrap presents themselves.

You can charge a fee for each gift you wrap, or offer a package rate if the customer needs several gifts wrapped.

Make sure to have plenty of supplies on hand, such as wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, tape, and gift bags.

Advertise your gift wrapping services online or through word of mouth to find clients.

5) Provide holiday home lighting

When the holiday season comes around, many people are looking for ways to make their homes look festive.

One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to spruce up your home is by providing holiday home lighting services.

This service is perfect for people who want to create a beautiful holiday atmosphere without going through the hassle of putting up and taking down decorations each year.

You can install decorative string lights, icicle lights, or rope lights on the outside of homes, businesses, and even churches.

This will give properties a unique, festive look that’s sure to draw attention and make it stand out from the rest.

In order to provide this service, you’ll need to have some basic electrical knowledge and skills.

You should also have access to the necessary tools such as ladders, extension cords, and light bulbs.

If you don’t have these things on hand, you can rent them or purchase them at any home improvement store.

If you’re interested in providing holiday home lighting services, make sure to get the proper permits and follow all local laws and regulations.

Additionally, be sure to advertise your services so that customers know what you offer and how much they’ll need to pay for the service.

Once you’ve got everything set up and your clients lined up, you’ll be able to make money during the holidays and spread holiday cheer!

6) Rent out your home

If you’re lucky enough to own a second home or have a rental property, the holidays can be an excellent time to make some extra cash.

During the holiday season, many people are looking for short-term lodging for holiday travel, family visits, and work trips.

Consider renting out your space during the holidays.

Airbnb has become a popular platform for home rentals and it’s easy to list your property for rent.

If you don’t have a spare home or apartment, consider renting out a single room in your house.

You can set the price and make sure you’re getting the most out of your property during the holidays.

7) Do odd jobs

With the holidays comes a great opportunity to make some extra money.

One way to do this is to offer your services doing odd jobs.

Whether it’s helping out with construction projects, running errands, or organizing holiday decorations, there are plenty of ways to make money doing odd jobs during the holiday season.

If you are looking to make a little extra cash, you can put up flyers in your neighborhood offering your services.

Many people need help around the holidays with tasks they don’t have time for, or don’t want to do themselves.

Your services can range from simple things like moving furniture or assembling Christmas trees, to more complex tasks such as landscaping or painting.

You can also check sites like TaskRabbit and Craigslist for postings for odd jobs in your area.

This is a great way to make some extra money during the holidays without having to commit to a full-time job.

No matter what type of odd job you offer, you can make some extra cash during the holidays while helping others with their holiday tasks.

8) Provide holiday party planning

The holiday season is the perfect time for people to get together with friends and family.

If you have the skills and the time, why not offer to help plan their holiday parties? You can provide a range of services from helping with decorating and food selection to organizing activities and games.

This can be a great way to make money during the holidays, as many people are looking for someone to help with the details.

You can start by making a list of all the tasks involved in planning a holiday party, such as finding a venue, ordering decorations, and creating a budget.

Once you know what needs to be done, you can start putting together packages of services that you can offer, based on how much people are willing to pay.

Once your packages are ready, it's time to spread the word.

Ask your friends and family to share the news and contact local businesses who may be interested in your services.

You can also post information about your services online and on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

When you start providing holiday party planning services, make sure you understand each customer's needs and budget.

It's important to create realistic expectations so that everyone is happy with the end result.

With careful planning, you can make the process of planning a holiday party stress-free and rewarding - for both you and your customers!

9) Offer catering services

If you're a master chef, consider offering catering services for parties and events during the holiday season.

This is a great way to make some extra money and show off your cooking skills.

You can provide food for small gatherings or larger events.

You can also specialize in a certain type of cuisine, like Mexican or Italian food.

Make sure you are aware of any health regulations that may apply to your business, such as having a valid health permit or following food safety protocols.

Additionally, it's important to understand the local laws regarding starting a catering business and obtain any necessary licenses or permits.

Once you're ready to go, start marketing your services through word-of-mouth and online platforms such as social media.

With some hard work and creative recipes, you can have a successful catering business this holiday season.

10) DJ holiday parties

Holidays are a time to party, and what better way to make money during the holiday season than by becoming a DJ? It’s a great way to show off your skills and make some extra cash.

If you’re interested in being a holiday DJ, you need to know what type of equipment is necessary.

A laptop computer with a music program, such as Serato or Traktor, is essential.

You’ll also need a mixer, headphones, and other components like a microphone.

Additionally, you will need speakers and amplifiers.

When it comes to what type of music to play, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Depending on the type of event, you could be spinning Christmas carols, top 40 hits, or a mix of genres.

When creating your music sets, remember to think about the mood and the audience.

Also, don't forget to bring plenty of extra cables and adapters in case something doesn't work properly.

In addition to playing music, you may also be asked to host the event.

This means being able to interact with the crowd, emceeing between acts or activities, and making sure everyone has a good time.

Be prepared to take requests as well as ad-lib if needed.

Being a holiday DJ can be a rewarding experience as you get to make people happy during the festive season.

Start looking for gigs today, and you could be partying with your friends and making money in no time!

11) Act in holiday plays

Do you have a love for the stage? Why not use it to your advantage this holiday season? Acting in holiday plays is a great way to make money during the holidays.

Many local theatres and community centers put on seasonal shows, from Christmas Carols to the Nutcracker, and they’re always looking for performers.

To make money as an actor in holiday plays, start by researching local performance opportunities.

Most cities have community theaters, churches, or other organizations that put on holiday shows and are looking for actors.

Make sure to check out their audition policies and apply as soon as possible! It’s also a good idea to reach out to any contacts you have in the theater world - they might be able to help you find more opportunities.

Once you’ve found an audition, it’s time to prepare.

Read the script carefully and practice your lines until you feel comfortable performing them.

Bring your A-game to the audition and show them why you’re the perfect person for the role.

Don’t forget to dress professionally and bring a headshot if requested.

If you land a role, congratulations! Now it’s time to get to work.

Get familiar with the script, attend rehearsals regularly, and don’t be afraid to take direction from the director.

Most importantly, stay focused and have fun – after all, this is a great opportunity to make some extra money while having a great time!

12) Give tours of holiday light displays

Are you looking to make some extra money during the holiday season? Why not offer tours of your town’s holiday light displays? You can use your own vehicle or a rented one, depending on the size of the group.

Be sure to research your area’s top spots for holiday lights and determine what fees you will charge ahead of time.

Then promote your services with flyers and word-of-mouth advertising.

As a tour guide, you can share your favorite decorations and stories about the locations.

You can even provide festive snacks and music.

With your help, people can enjoy the sights of the season while learning more about their town.

Make sure you have a reliable source of information about the lights you are taking them to see, so you can answer any questions they may have.

Don’t forget to dress festively for the tours, as well.

You want your customers to feel like they are in the holiday spirit! 

So don your best Christmas sweater and get ready to show off your local holiday lights.

With your help, people will be able to enjoy the beautiful light displays during the holiday season without having to worry about driving around town or finding a good spot.

13) Online sales

In the digital age, it’s easier than ever to make money during the holidays.

With a little bit of creativity and some elbow grease, you can leverage your computer and smartphone to make money this holiday season.

For those who are tech-savvy, online sales are an easy way to make money quickly.

Platforms like eBay and Etsy allow you to create online stores and sell items with relative ease.

If you’re selling physical items, you can make them at home or purchase items wholesale and resell them at a higher price.

If you’re selling digital goods, you can create artwork, ebooks, music, or other products that buyers can download instantly.

You can also use your computer skills to offer freelance services, such as web design or copywriting.

Online sales can be a great way to make extra money for the holidays, but keep in mind that it takes time to build up your inventory, promote your products, and find customers.

To maximize your profits, be sure to start early and take advantage of seasonal deals from companies like Alibaba or Amazon.

Additionally, consider partnering with other local businesses to cross-promote your products and services.

With a little bit of preparation and dedication, you can be sure to make some extra cash this holiday season!

14) Freelancing

If you are looking for a way to make some extra money during the holidays, consider freelancing.

With freelancing, you can work on projects from home and get paid for it.

You can find jobs on various freelance websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.

There are many different types of freelancing opportunities available, from writing and graphic design to web development and data entry.

No matter what type of skill or service you offer, there are clients who are looking for help with their holiday projects.

Look for clients who need help with content marketing, SEO services, virtual assistant tasks, social media marketing, or even editing and proofreading.

If you’re new to freelancing, you can start off by offering your services for a discounted rate.

You can then build up your portfolio as you gain more experience.

Not only is freelancing a great way to make extra money during the holidays, but it can also lead to long-term opportunities in the future.

15) Get paid to fill out online survey

If you’re looking for a way to make money this holiday season, one of the simplest and easiest options is to get paid to fill out online surveys.

Market research companies are always looking for participants to take part in their surveys and studies, and they offer compensation in the form of cash or gift cards.

To start earning money with surveys, you’ll need to create a free account on an online survey site like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, or MyPoints.

Once you’ve created an account, you can browse the surveys that are available and choose which ones you want to take part in.

As you complete surveys, you’ll earn points that can be exchanged for cash or gift cards.

The amount of money you can make with online surveys depends on how many surveys you take and how quickly you complete them.

If you’re diligent and disciplined, you can easily make $100 or more over the course of the holiday season.

It’s a great way to supplement your income and make some extra cash during the holidays!

16) Become A Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant is a great way to make money during the holidays.

Virtual assistants typically provide administrative, creative and technical services from a remote location, allowing them to take on tasks like customer service, social media management, web design, research, project management and more.

It’s a great way to make extra income without having to go into an office.

Plus, you can do it from the comfort of your own home! To get started, consider signing up for a freelancing platform like Fiverr, Upwork or Freelancer.

This will allow you to showcase your skills and find clients who need your help.

Once you get some experience under your belt, you can start charging higher rates for more complex tasks.

Whether you’re looking to make some quick cash or want to establish yourself as a long-term virtual assistant, this is an excellent way to make money during the holiday season.

17) Video Editing

If you have an eye for detail and a knack for producing great video content, then consider becoming a video editor during the holiday season.

Video editing can be a lucrative and rewarding way to make money as it involves taking raw footage and transforming it into polished works of art.

You can work on projects such as creating promotional videos, putting together Christmas music videos, or editing travel videos for family and friends.

To become a successful video editor, you’ll need to have knowledge of different software tools and understand the fundamentals of storytelling.

You can even use your editing skills to start a YouTube channel where you can produce and monetize content.

With the right skills and equipment, you could turn video editing into a lucrative side business.