- Guest Contributor
- November 1, 2022
The holidays are a lot of fun, but they can also be mighty expensive. All those beautifully wrapped presents, trips back home, and impulse purchases from the schmaltzy decorations section at the supermarket can put a serious hole in your bank account. Luckily, the holidays offer just as many opportunities for making money as they do for spending it. All you have to do is keep your eyes peeled for the perfect seasonal gig.
When people think of holiday jobs, they often imagine temporary positions in the retail and shipping industries. While these sectors certainly deserve consideration, there are plenty of alternative options if impatient customers and massive boxes would dampen your festive spirit. Here are ten creative ways to make extra money during the holidays.
Babysitting
Parents are busy during the festive period, which means they’re often on the lookout for a reliable babysitter. If you’re patient and good with kids, then you can pad your income with some babysitting gigs. The average pay is $11.88/hr, but you could earn significantly more depending on your location and experience.
Jobble gigs
Whether you’re looking for a retail job, a warehouse position, or some other holiday gig, you can view a wide range of options on Jobble. There’s a reason the site has become the largest all-in-one platform for finding flexible work: It helps people find the job they need, when they need it.
Tutoring
For many students, nothing dampens the holiday spirit like disappointing grades and academic frustration. You can help these students out – and make a pretty penny while doing it – just by offering tutoring sessions in your area of expertise. The pay for this type of work is decent – $18.65/hr on average – and you can usually do it online.
Pet sitting and dog walking
Pet owners have a lot to do during the holidays, meaning they’ll pay people like you just to spend time with their furry friends. Dog walking is quick and easy, and it brings in $15.16/hr on average. Pet sitting is a larger commitment, but it makes for a low-key work day. Finding jobs is also easier than ever in the digital era – just check out online job boards and designated smartphone apps like Rover and Wag.
House cleaning
The holidays are hectic, and many people can’t spare the time to thoroughly clean their homes. By providing this service on a part-time basis, you can expect to earn around $15/hr. The work is hard but rewarding, and you might enjoy it if you like being alone.
Grocery delivery
People generally consume more during the holidays, which means the demand for grocery delivery drivers is sure to increase. You can earn around $15.49 just by picking up groceries and dropping them off at people’s homes – not bad pay for such a straightforward gig. You’ll also gain the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping senior citizens and other less-mobile folks enjoy the festive season.
Personal assisting
Some people need extra help keeping their affairs in order around the holidays, and they’re willing to pay for the assistance. If you’re great at fielding phone calls, arranging events, and responding to emails, you could make a perfect personal assistant. The hourly wage averages out at $15.57, and you might even be able to work from home.
Cooking and baking
Who doesn’t enjoy a freshly baked pie or a delicious tray of cookies around the holidays? With so many eager mouths to feed and so few hands to work the ovens, plenty of people are desperate for homemade baked goods. If you’re a natural-born baker whose dreams smell of brown sugar and cinnamon, the holidays allow you to monetize your passion. While the average earnings of $13.14/hr won’t buy a luxury yacht, it can certainly help fund your holiday spending.
Amazon Flex
Working for a traditional delivery company isn’t the only way to join the courier industry during its holiday blitz. Amazon, the retail giant at the heart of the e-commerce revolution, now pays drivers to deliver packages in their personal vehicles. The program is called Amazon Flex, and it’s said to bring drivers $18-25/hr. The job provides both flexibility and independence, making it a great side hustle for anyone eager to pad their bank account around the holidays.
Yard sale/Garage sale
If you’ve got extra belongings clogging up your home, a yard sale could help you get a jump start on your spring cleaning and earn some holiday spending money while you’re at it. Wintry weather might make a traditional yard sale impossible in your area, but don’t worry – you can still use digital platforms and Facebook groups to sell your stuff online. You get some much-needed cash, someone else gets a meaningful gift – and everyone ends up winning. Now that’s what the holidays are all about!
Today, workers have more opportunities for short-term work than ever before. This is especially true around the holidays. As you watch the American economy rev into gear, consider how you could get a piece of the action. There are plenty of gigs available, and many are just a few clicks away. Good luck – and may the extra income boost the holiday spirit in your home!
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About the Author: Ben Clabault is a freelance writer from Sandwich, Massachusetts. He has spent much of his adult life traveling through Latin America. He currently lives with his fiance in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. His areas of expertise include travel, marketing, SaaS, and global cultures. You can find his work on Copyfolio and reach out to him on LinkedIn.
