Every year it’s the same story. The gift list gets longer, grocery prices creep higher, the kids want that one toy, and somehow your paycheck stays exactly the same.
You’re not imagining the pressure. Americans planned to spend an average of about $890 per person on holiday gifts, food, decorations and other seasonal items in 2025, the second-highest figure in the 23-year history of the National Retail Federation’s survey. That’s a lot of money to find in a couple of months. National Retail Federation
The upside is that the same holiday rush that drains your wallet also creates plenty of ways to fill it. Busy families need help, businesses need extra hands, and shoppers are happy to pay for anything that saves them time or makes the season feel special.
In this guide, you’ll find 27 Christmas side hustles you can start right now. Some need nothing but a phone and Wi-Fi. Others let you turn a creative hobby into cash, and a few can put money in your pocket within days. Each one includes realistic earning potential, how to get started, and who it suits best.
Grab a hot cocoa and pick the one or two that fit your life. December 25th is closer than you think.
Why Christmas Is the Best Time to Start a Side Hustle
Most side hustles take months to build momentum. Christmas works differently because demand is already there. You don’t have to convince anyone they need gift wrapping, holiday cookies or a dog sitter while they travel. They’re already looking.
Three things make the holiday season special:
- People are short on time. Between parties, shopping, school events and travel, families will gladly pay someone else to handle tasks they’d normally do themselves.
- Businesses are short on help. Retailers, delivery companies and customer service teams hire thousands of seasonal workers every fall.
- Shoppers are in a buying mood. Handmade gifts, personalized items and festive decor sell far more easily in November and December than at any other time of year.
A holiday hustle can also outlast the season. A candle business, a pet-sitting client list or an Etsy shop you start in October can keep earning well into the new year.
How to Choose the Right Christmas Side Hustle for You
Before you jump in, ask yourself four quick questions:
- How much time do I have? If you only have evenings, online and craft hustles are your best bet. If weekends are free, local services and event work pay well.
- What can I invest upfront? Plenty of the ideas below cost $0 to start. Others, like candle making or a craft fair booth, need $50–$200 for supplies.
- What am I naturally good at? Creative people shine with crafts and printables. Organized people make great virtual assistants. If you enjoy physical work, try light installation or delivery.
- How fast do I need the money? If you need cash this week, jump to the “Quick Cash” and “Gig Work” sections. If you can wait a few weeks, the craft and online ideas often pay more over time.
Keep your answers in mind as you read through the list.
Online Christmas Side Hustles You Can Do From Home
1. Sell Christmas Printables on Etsy
Digital printables are one of the most popular Christmas side hustles because you create them once and sell them again and again. Think gift tags, holiday party games, Christmas budget planners, coloring pages for kids, and “Elf on the Shelf” idea calendars.
Earning potential: Most printables sell for $2–$10 each. A few strong listings can bring in $100–$1,000+ over the season.
How to start: Design your files in Canva, save them as PDFs, and list them on Etsy (each listing costs $0.20). Create Pinterest pins that link to your listings for extra free traffic.
Best for: Creative people who enjoy design and want income that keeps coming in.
2. Seasonal Remote Customer Service Jobs
Online orders explode during the holidays, and so do customer questions. Many large retailers and tech companies hire temporary remote customer service reps from October through January.
Earning potential: Typically around $14–$20 per hour, depending on the company.
How to start: Search “seasonal remote customer service” on Indeed, LinkedIn and company career pages. Apply early, because many companies finish hiring by early November.
Best for: Patient, friendly people with a quiet home workspace and a reliable internet connection.
3. Holiday Virtual Assistant
Small business owners are swamped at Christmas with orders to confirm, emails to answer, and gift baskets for clients. A virtual assistant (VA) takes those tasks off their plate.
Earning potential: $15–$35 per hour, depending on your skills.
How to start: Offer your services on Upwork or Fiverr, or reach out directly to small business owners you already know. Start with simple tasks like inbox management, scheduling and order tracking.
Best for: Organized multitaskers who are comfortable with email, spreadsheets and online tools.
4. Freelance Social Media or Email Help for Holiday Campaigns
Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas are the biggest sales weeks of the year for small businesses, and many owners have no time to create content. You can write captions, schedule posts, design holiday graphics or draft promotional emails.
Earning potential: $200–$1,000 per client for a holiday campaign package.
How to start: Put together two or three sample holiday posts in Canva, then pitch local boutiques, bakeries and salons. Offer a simple “holiday content package” with a set price.
Best for: People who spend plenty of time on social media and understand what makes a post work.
5. Design Christmas Cards and Invitations
Families want personalized Christmas cards, and hosts need invitations for holiday parties, cookie swaps and ugly sweater nights. You can design custom versions from home.
Earning potential: $15–$75 per custom design, and more for full party suites.
How to start: Build a few sample templates in Canva, then offer customization on Etsy or through local Facebook groups. Customers send photos and details, and you deliver a print-ready file.
Best for: Anyone with an eye for design and patience for client requests.
6. Online Tutoring During Winter Break
Some parents want their kids to keep learning over winter break, especially students preparing for midterms, the SAT or catch-up work.
Earning potential: $20–$60 per hour, depending on the subject and your experience.
How to start: Sign up with platforms like Wyzant or Varsity Tutors, or advertise in local parent groups. Math, reading and test prep are in the highest demand.
Best for: Current or retired teachers, college students and anyone with strong subject knowledge.
Crafty Christmas Side Hustles (Make and Sell)
7. Handmade Christmas Ornaments
Ornaments are small, inexpensive to make and easy to sell. Personalized “Baby’s First Christmas,” family name ornaments, and pet ornaments are especially popular.
Earning potential: $8–$30 per ornament. Personalized designs sell at the higher end.
How to start: Buy clear plastic or wooden blanks in bulk from a craft store, then decorate with vinyl, paint or glitter. Sell on Etsy, Facebook Marketplace or at local holiday markets.
Best for: Crafty people who enjoy detailed, repetitive work while watching Christmas movies.
8. Holiday Candles and Soaps
Scented candles and handmade soaps are among the most-gifted items of the season. Scents like cinnamon, pine, sugar cookie and peppermint practically sell themselves.
Earning potential: $10–$30 per candle, while your supply cost per candle is often just $3–$6.
How to start: Pick up a beginner soy candle kit, practice a few batches, and design simple, pretty labels. Sell through local markets, Instagram and neighborhood groups.
Best for: Patient DIYers who love a good project and don’t mind a learning curve.
9. Christmas Wreaths and Door Decor
A beautiful front door wreath can sell for surprisingly good money, and everyone wants their home to look festive by Thanksgiving weekend.
Earning potential: $40–$150 per wreath, depending on size and materials.
How to start: Shop wreath forms, faux greenery, ribbon and ornaments at dollar stores and craft stores. Post finished wreaths on Facebook Marketplace and in local community groups with clear photos on a real front door.
Best for: People with a flair for home decor and a little extra table space.
10. Holiday Cookie Boxes and Baked Goods
Busy families, office party hosts and people who simply can’t bake will happily buy decorated cookie boxes, fudge, peppermint bark and holiday breads.
Earning potential: $25–$60 per cookie box. A single busy weekend can bring in several hundred dollars.
How to start: First, check your state’s cottage food laws. Most states let you sell certain home-baked goods, but the rules on labeling, sales limits and permits vary. Then take pre-orders through Facebook and deliver locally.
Best for: Home bakers who get asked “Can you make these for my party?” every year.
11. Personalized Gifts With a Cricut
If you own a Cricut or similar cutting machine, you already have a small gift business. Personalized mugs, tumblers, stockings, tote bags and family pajama shirts are huge sellers every December.
Earning potential: $15–$45 per item, and stocking and pajama orders often come in family-sized bundles.
How to start: Create a few sample products, photograph them nicely, and announce an order cutoff date (like December 10th) so you’re not overwhelmed at the last minute.
Best for: Crafters who already own the equipment and love personalizing things.
12. Rent a Booth at Local Christmas Craft Fairs
Holiday craft fairs, church bazaars and school markets draw big crowds of shoppers ready to spend. A booth puts all your handmade items in front of hundreds of buyers in a single day.
Earning potential: Many sellers make $300–$1,500 in a weekend, depending on the event and product.
How to start: Search “Christmas craft fair near me,” or ask local churches and schools. Booth fees usually run $25–$150. Book early, because popular fairs fill up by October.
Best for: Anyone making any of the crafts above who wants to sell in bulk.
Local Christmas Services People Happily Pay For
13. Gift Wrapping Service
Lots of people dread wrapping gifts, and they’ll pay someone to do it beautifully. You can work from home, visit clients, or set up a table at a local mall or boutique.
Earning potential: $3–$10 per gift, or $20–$30 per hour.
How to start: Stock up on quality paper, ribbon and tags. Post before-and-after photos in neighborhood groups and on Nextdoor. Offer a “wrap party” package where you wrap everything in one evening.
Best for: Neat, detail-oriented people who find wrapping relaxing.
14. Christmas Light Installation
Climbing ladders in the cold is the last thing many homeowners want to do, which is why this is one of the best-paying Christmas side hustles.
Earning potential: $200–$800+ per home, depending on house size and design.
How to start: Offer basic installation using the customer’s lights, or supply your own. Make sure you’re comfortable on a ladder, follow safety guidelines, and consider liability insurance. Offer takedown service in January for repeat income.
Best for: Handy, physically fit people who don’t mind heights or cold weather.
15. Holiday Deep Cleaning
Hosting Christmas means cleaning before guests arrive and again after they leave. Many families book extra help just for the holidays.
Earning potential: $25–$50 per hour, or $100–$300 per home.
How to start: Advertise “pre-party” and “post-holiday” cleaning packages in local groups, or sign up with platforms like Handy or TaskRabbit.
Best for: Hardworking people who find satisfaction in a sparkling-clean house.
16. Pet Sitting and House Sitting
Millions of Americans travel for the holidays, and they need someone to feed the dog, water the plants and bring in the mail. The holidays are peak season for pet sitters.
Earning potential: $25–$75 per visit or overnight stay. Holiday rates are often higher.
How to start: Create a profile on Rover or Care.com, or simply tell friends, neighbors and coworkers you’re available over Christmas.
Best for: Animal lovers and anyone staying home for the holidays, including retirees.
17. Babysitting During Holiday Parties and Shopping Days
Parents need sitters for office parties, date nights, holiday shopping trips and New Year’s Eve, and many are willing to pay premium rates.
Earning potential: $18–$30 per hour, often more on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
How to start: Sign up on Care.com or Sittercity, or reach out to families you already know. Having CPR certification makes you more attractive to parents.
Best for: Responsible, patient people who enjoy kids.
18. Christmas Tree Delivery and Setup
Hauling a 7-foot tree home, getting it straight in the stand and hanging the lights is a real chore. Older adults and busy families especially appreciate help.
Earning potential: $50–$150 per delivery and setup.
How to start: You’ll need a truck or SUV with a roof rack. Partner with a local tree lot, or advertise directly to homeowners. Add ornament decorating as an upsell.
Best for: Anyone with a truck and a strong back.
19. Holiday Party Help
Hosts need extra hands for serving food, pouring drinks, washing dishes and cleaning up after the last guest leaves.
Earning potential: $20–$40 per hour, plus tips.
How to start: Let local caterers and event planners know you’re available, or offer your services directly in community groups. If you plan to serve alcohol, check whether your state requires bartender certification.
Best for: Energetic people who enjoy a festive atmosphere.
20. Play Santa, Mrs. Claus, or an Elf
If you have a jolly laugh and love kids, this might be the most magical of all Christmas side hustles. Malls, photo studios, schools, company parties and families book characters every December.
Earning potential: Experienced Santas can charge $100–$300+ per hour for private events. Elves and helpers earn less but still get paid well.
How to start: Invest in a quality costume, practice your Santa voice, and get a background check, which many clients expect. Advertise to local businesses and parent groups by early November.
Best for: Warm, outgoing people. Retirees with a natural white beard are in very high demand.
Seasonal Christmas Jobs and Gig Work
21. Seasonal Retail Jobs
Stores hire heavily for the holiday rush. Beyond the paycheck, many seasonal jobs come with employee discounts that stretch your own gift budget.
Earning potential: Usually $14–$20 per hour, plus possible holiday bonuses and discounts.
How to start: Apply online at major retailers like Target, Walmart, Kohl’s and local malls in September or October, when most seasonal hiring happens.
Best for: People who want steady, predictable hours and a regular paycheck.
22. Package Delivery
Package volume skyrockets in December. Delivery companies and gig platforms need extra drivers to get gifts to doorsteps on time.
Earning potential: Gig delivery apps often pay roughly $18–$25 per hour. Seasonal driver helper roles with major carriers pay hourly as well.
How to start: Download the Amazon Flex app, or apply for seasonal driver and driver helper roles at UPS and FedEx. You’ll need a reliable vehicle for app-based delivery.
Best for: People who like being on the move and working independently.
23. Grocery and Food Delivery
Holiday cooking means countless grocery runs, and busy families order in more often in December. Delivery apps let you choose exactly when you work.
Earning potential: Varies widely by area and tips. Many drivers earn $15–$25 per hour during peak holiday times.
How to start: Sign up with Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats or Shipt. Work the busiest windows, such as weekend evenings and the days before Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Best for: Anyone who wants total schedule flexibility.
24. Christmas Tree Lot Worker
Christmas tree lots pop up every November and need help selling, netting, loading and tying trees to car roofs.
Earning potential: Typically $15–$20 per hour, plus tips for loading trees.
How to start: Visit local tree lots, farms and garden centers in early November and ask if they’re hiring. Many hire on the spot.
Best for: People who enjoy working outdoors and don’t mind the cold.
Quick Cash Ideas If You Need Money Fast
25. Sell Unused Items
Your closets, garage and basement probably hold hundreds of dollars in unused stuff. Many holiday shoppers hunt for gently used toys, electronics and decor.
Earning potential: $100–$1,000+, depending on what you have.
How to start: Snap clear photos and list items on Facebook Marketplace (great for bulky items), Poshmark (clothing), or Mercari and eBay (electronics and collectibles). Price slightly below similar listings so they sell quickly.
Best for: Anyone who needs money within days, and anyone who wants a decluttered home before guests arrive.
26. Earn Cashback on Your Own Holiday Shopping
This one isn’t exactly a hustle, but it puts real money back in your pocket. You’re going to shop anyway, so you might as well get paid for it.
Earning potential: Typically 1%–10% back on purchases. On a full holiday budget, that can easily add up to $30–$100.
How to start: Install a cashback browser extension like Rakuten, and use apps like Ibotta for groceries. Stack them with store sales and cashback credit cards if you pay your balance in full.
Best for: Every single person reading this.
27. Rent Out a Spare Room, Parking Spot or Storage Space
Holiday visitors need places to stay, park and even store gifts where kids won’t find them.
Earning potential: $50–$150+ per night for a spare room. Parking and storage bring in smaller but steady amounts.
How to start: List a room on Airbnb, or a parking spot or storage space on apps like Neighbor. Check local rules and HOA restrictions first.
Best for: Homeowners or renters (with permission) who have extra space.
Christmas Side Hustles at a Glance
[IMAGE 8 – Optional: place a long infographic version of this table here]
| # | Side Hustle | Startup Cost | Earning Potential | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christmas printables | $0–$20 | $100–$1,000+ | Low (after setup) |
| 2 | Remote customer service | $0 | $14–$20/hr | Part/full-time |
| 3 | Virtual assistant | $0 | $15–$35/hr | Flexible |
| 4 | Social media/email help | $0 | $200–$1,000/client | Medium |
| 5 | Christmas cards & invites | $0 | $15–$75/design | Flexible |
| 6 | Online tutoring | $0 | $20–$60/hr | Flexible |
| 7 | Handmade ornaments | $30–$80 | $8–$30 each | Medium |
| 8 | Candles & soaps | $50–$150 | $10–$30 each | Medium |
| 9 | Wreaths & door decor | $30–$100 | $40–$150 each | Medium |
| 10 | Cookie boxes & baking | $30–$100 | $25–$60/box | Medium–High |
| 11 | Cricut personalized gifts | $0–$50 (with machine) | $15–$45 each | Medium |
| 12 | Craft fair booth | $25–$150 | $300–$1,500/weekend | Weekends |
| 13 | Gift wrapping | $20–$50 | $20–$30/hr | Flexible |
| 14 | Light installation | $50–$200 | $200–$800+/home | Weekends |
| 15 | Holiday cleaning | $20–$50 | $100–$300/home | Flexible |
| 16 | Pet/house sitting | $0 | $25–$75/visit | Flexible |
| 17 | Babysitting | $0 | $18–$30/hr | Evenings |
| 18 | Tree delivery & setup | $0 (with truck) | $50–$150/job | Weekends |
| 19 | Party help | $0 | $20–$40/hr + tips | Evenings |
| 20 | Santa, Mrs. Claus, elf | $100–$500 | $100–$300+/hr | Weekends |
| 21 | Seasonal retail | $0 | $14–$20/hr | Part/full-time |
| 22 | Package delivery | $0 | ~$18–$25/hr | Flexible |
| 23 | Food & grocery delivery | $0 | $15–$25/hr | Flexible |
| 24 | Tree lot worker | $0 | $15–$20/hr + tips | Part-time |
| 25 | Sell unused items | $0 | $100–$1,000+ | Low |
| 26 | Cashback shopping | $0 | $30–$100 | Very low |
| 27 | Rent out space | $0 | $50–$150+/night | Low |
Earnings are estimates and vary by location, experience and demand.
Tips to Make the Most Money From Your Christmas Side Hustle
Start early. The biggest mistake people make with Christmas side hustles is starting in mid-December. In NRF’s 2025 survey, 42% of shoppers planned to start browsing and buying for the holidays before November. October and early November are when you should be listing products, booking clients and applying for seasonal jobs. Chain Store Age
Charge for convenience. Holiday customers aren’t just paying for a service. They’re paying to get time back and avoid stress. Don’t underprice yourself. Rush orders, last-minute bookings and Christmas Eve jobs should cost more.
Market where your neighbors hang out. Nextdoor, local Facebook groups and community bulletin boards are free and highly effective for local services. For products, Pinterest is a goldmine, because people plan their Christmas shopping and crafts there weeks in advance.
Stack two hustles. Pair a flexible “anytime” hustle, like delivery or printables, with a higher-paying weekend hustle, like light installation or a craft fair. This is one of the fastest ways to hit a goal like $1,000 before Christmas.
Set a clear order cutoff date. If you sell handmade goods, announce a final order date, such as December 10th, so you can deliver on time and avoid burnout.
Keep track of every dollar. Side hustle income is taxable, so save your receipts for supplies, mileage and fees. Set aside a portion of what you earn for taxes. Plenty of people use 20%–30% as a simple rule of thumb.
FAQs About Christmas Side Hustles
What is the easiest Christmas side hustle to start with no money?
Pet sitting, babysitting, gift wrapping (with basic supplies), selling unused items and delivery apps all cost little or nothing to start. Digital printables made in Canva’s free plan are another great zero-cost option.
How much can I realistically make before Christmas?
It depends on your time and the hustle you choose. Many people earn a few hundred dollars with just weekend work. If you stack two hustles and start in October, earning $1,000 or more before December 25th is very doable.
Can seniors or retirees do these side hustles?
Absolutely. Pet and house sitting, online tutoring, handmade crafts, craft fair booths, gift wrapping and playing Santa or Mrs. Claus are all excellent fits for retirees. Many of them let you set your own pace and hours.
Do I have to pay taxes on holiday side hustle income?
Yes. All side hustle income is taxable, even small amounts. In general, if your net self-employment earnings reach $400 or more in a year, you owe self-employment tax. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Form 1099-K reporting threshold for payment apps and marketplaces went back to $20,000 and 200 transactions, but you still have to report your income even if you never receive a form. Talk to a tax professional if you’re unsure. Overnight Accountant
Which Christmas side hustles can continue after the holidays?
Printables, candles, Cricut gifts, pet sitting, cleaning, tutoring, virtual assistant work and delivery all keep going year-round. Many holiday hustles also shift easily into Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and wedding season.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to try all 27 ideas. You just need to start one. Pick the Christmas side hustle that best fits your time, skills and budget, take the first step this week, and let the holiday rush work in your favor.
A few hundred extra dollars can mean presents under the tree without holiday debt in January. And who knows? The hustle you start this Christmas could become a year-round income stream.
Which one are you trying first? Let us know in the comments below!
