Wondering how to make extra money for Christmas? Whether you’re saving for gifts or need to cover holiday expenses, there are plenty of ways to earn extra cash during the festive season.
From starting a print-on-demand store to offering pet-sitting services, this guide explores practical ideas that fit around your full-time job and help you grow your holiday budget.
Key takeaways
- Make extra holiday money through various flexible side hustles, including online businesses, freelancing, and quick commercial gigs.
- Consider ventures like print-on-demand, affiliate marketing, and tutoring, which don’t require upfront investment and allow you to manage them on your own schedule.
- Earn extra cash by doing simple tasks like delivering food, pet sitting, or answering surveys during your free time.
- Teaching online, selling digital courses, or starting a freelance career are excellent ways to leverage your expertise for extra holiday income.
- Selling items you no longer need on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or eBay is a quick way to expand your Christmas budget.
15 ways how to make money for Christmas
1. Open a print-on-demand store
Print on Demand (POD) is a great way to make extra money during the holidays. It’s an online retail business model where you design custom products like t-shirts, mugs, posters, and more, and a service like Printify handles production, packaging, and shipping for you.
Offer ready-made custom products without holding inventory. Design and sell your seasonal Christmas merchandise and only pay for production and shipping after earning a sale.
This is perfect if you’re looking for side hustle ideas with minimal risk and investment. It’s especially good if you have a knack for creating holiday designs or experience selling online.
Some key advantages of POD include:
- Low-risk: No upfront costs – you only pay for what you sell.
- Customization: Easily offer personalized products for the holiday season.
- Hands-off fulfillment: Printify handles printing, packaging, and shipping.
- Flexibility: Manage your business and earn extra cash on your own schedule.
The process is simple. Create an account on a POD platform, select a white-label item like a cotton t-shirt, add your own branded logo or digital design using the available mockup tools, connect a sales channel like an Etsy storefront, and publish to start selling t-shirts on Etsy.
Get started with Printify, and prepare your store to generate extra holiday money for Christmas. Grow your store during the holiday shopping rush for a chance at passive income.
2. Earn extra cash with affiliate marketing
If you’re interested in content creation, try affiliate marketing – a business model that promotes products and services through sponsored advertising. Affiliates partner with brands, share their unique affiliate links through their content and earn a commission for each sale they refer.
To become an affiliate marketer, you’ll need an initial following on social media, blogs, or other platforms. It’s best to look for partnerships relevant to your existing audience.
Here are three popular affiliate programs to get started:
- Amazon Associates: Earn commissions by promoting any product listed on Amazon – like those “Amazon finds” that are trending on Instagram.
- ShareASale: A broad network of affiliate programs across various industries, giving you flexibility in what you promote.
- Printify Affiliate Program: Earn a 5% commission for every sale you refer by promoting Printify’s products and print-on-demand services.
Sign up for Printify Affiliates, take advantage of the busy holiday shopping season, and elevate your income.
3. Try pet sitting or dog walking
If you love animals, pet sitting or dog walking could be a rewarding way to make extra money for Christmas. Pet owners need reliable caregivers for their companions while they’re on holiday or busy during the festive season, and they’re often willing to pay extra for care during winter vacations.
To find clients for dog sitting, sign up for these platforms:
- Rover: Connects pet sitters and dog walkers with local clients.
- Wag!: Offers flexible opportunities for dog walkers to set their own rates and schedules.
Whether walking dogs in your neighborhood or pet sitting in your home, enjoy spending time with furry friends and earn extra cash as a freelance pet sitter.
4. Deliver food
Food delivery is a flexible way to make extra holiday cash during the busy Christmas season. People tend to order more during this time, which increases your earning potential.
Whether it’s delivering food from local restaurants or doing grocery shopping, this side gig lets you start earning cash on your own schedule and work around your other holiday obligations.
Here are some platforms to use:
- Uber Eats: A global platform offering food delivery services with the opportunity for high earnings during peak hours.
- DoorDash: Offers flexible shifts, allowing drivers to work as much or as little as they want.
Work during high-demand periods like weekends and evenings to maximize your earnings and help cover holiday expenses.
5. Earn by playing games
Gaming isn’t just a hobby anymore; it’s possible to earn extra money by playing games in your spare time. Although it’s an emerging industry, there is significant potential to earn.
Platforms reward players for trying new games and leveling up. While it won’t cover all of your Christmas expenses, it’s a fun way to bring in extra holiday cash with minimal effort.
Popular play-to-earn platforms include:
- Mistplay: A mobile app that rewards users with gift cards and cash for playing games.
- InboxDollars: Earn money by completing tasks like playing games, watching ads, and taking surveys.
Gaming platforms like these let you earn extra money without leaving your couch. See if you can put your skills to the test and earn some extra cash for the Steam winter sale.
6. Give mystery shopping a go
Mystery shopping is an enjoyable way to earn extra holiday cash while helping businesses improve customer service. Companies pay mystery shoppers to evaluate their services by visiting stores, trying products, and providing feedback.
To find mystery shopping opportunities, check platforms like:
- BestMark: Offers mystery shopping assignments at various retail and dining establishments.
- Market Force: Specializes in customer experience evaluation and has plenty of shopping gigs.
As the holiday season approaches, many companies hire additional mystery shoppers to ensure their stores perform well during the busiest shopping time of the year. This is a fun and easy way to earn extra cash for Christmas and do some holiday shopping at the same time.
7. Answer online surveys
Participating in survey sites is an easy way to earn cash in your free time. Companies value consumer feedback and are willing to pay for it. Answer surveys, share opinions, and accumulate points that convert to actual cash, gift cards, or other rewards.
Here are two reliable platforms:
- Swagbucks: Earn points by answering surveys and watching videos.
- Survey Junkie: Participate in surveys and earn money or gift cards.
This is a low-effort, quick way to make extra money for Christmas, helping you with holiday expenses and providing a little extra financial cushion.
8. Sell online courses
If you have knowledge to share, selling an online course is a fantastic way to make additional money during the holiday season. Whether you’re teaching a craft, offering personal finance tips, or helping people save for holiday shopping, creating a course can generate passive income.
Use these platforms:
- Udemy: Sell your courses to a global audience.
- Skillshare: Create short, engaging classes on creative topics.
- Teachable: Build and market your own courses.
This hustle lets you build once and earn continuously, making it a great side hustle that fits into your schedule while helping you save money for holiday spending.
9. Get paid for watching videos
Want to make extra money while relaxing? Some platforms like Swagbucks and InboxDollars offer payment for watching videos or advertisements. It’s not a fast way to get rich, but is a great way to generate a small amount of extra holiday money with minimal effort.
This is a simple side hustle that fits into any spare time you have, providing easy money online during the holiday season. Watch videos and earn extra income from your couch.
10. Rent out a spare room or a storage space
If you have unused space, renting out a spare room or storage area can help you earn extra cash for Christmas. Specific platforms or specialized storage rental services make it easy to turn your space into additional income.
Popular websites include:
- Airbnb: Rent a room to travelers for short stays.
- Neighbor: Rent your storage space for holiday cash.
This is a great way to help cover holiday expenses without much ongoing effort, and you can choose when and how long to rent out your space.
11. Teach online
Online tutoring is a highly flexible side hustle that lets you work from home. Share your expertise in areas you’re already proficient in – teach English, math, or writing to help students worldwide.
Sign up with platforms like:
- Preply: Teach languages online to a wide audience.
- Wyzant: Offer one-on-one tutoring for various subjects.
Teaching online is a rewarding way to earn holiday cash and provide valuable lessons while managing your own schedule.
12. Sell stuff you don’t need
Selling unused items is a quick way to make extra money for Christmas. From clothes to electronics, decluttering your home can turn your belongings into spending money for the holidays.
You can use:
- Facebook Marketplace: Easily sell locally and avoid shipping costs.
- eBay: Sell things you no longer need to a global audience.
This method lets you declutter while earning extra money to cover your holiday budget and Christmas expenses.
13. Look for seasonal jobs
Many businesses hire temporary employees during the holiday season to manage the increase in demand. Whether it’s in retail, customer service, or helping set up Christmas lights and holiday gatherings, seasonal jobs are a great way to earn extra holiday cash.
You can scout these jobs on platforms like:
- Indeed: Find seasonal and temporary positions in your area.
- Monster: Search for holiday jobs across industries.
These opportunities can help you make money fast, taking advantage of the holiday rush, and cover your holiday expenses.
14. Become an Uber or Lyft driver
Driving for Uber or Lyft lets you work whenever you’re available, offering flexibility for those looking to make more money during the holidays, especially when rates increase due to visiting families.
- Uber: Accept ride requests and earn tips for quick, convenient rides.
- Lyft: Offers bonuses and allows you to cash out earnings instantly.
This option is great for those who enjoy driving and want to earn extra holiday money while managing their own schedule.
15. Start freelancing
Freelancing is a versatile way to earn cash in your spare time. Whether you’re a writer, graphic designer, or have another skill set, freelancing lets you work on projects that fit your schedule.
Freelance platforms:
- Upwork: Connects freelancers with clients needing a wide variety of services.
- Fiverr: Offers a marketplace for freelancers to sell their services to clients.
Freelancing allows you to make additional money while working around your day job, making it an ideal option to earn cash before the holidays.
FAQ
Creating personalized gifts like custom ornaments, holiday apparel, or festive home decor can be a great way to earn money. With Printify’s print-on-demand service, design and sell items like holiday-themed t-shirts and mugs without upfront investment.
Additionally, sell DIY Christmas tree decorations or crafts. These hustle ideas can easily turn into extra income, especially when marketed to local businesses or used as unique gifts for holiday parties.
Try looking for local gigs like pet sitting or tutoring, or look online to start selling items you no longer need. If you’re looking for a quick buck, that’s your pick, but if you want to find ways to make $1,500 before Christmas, consider using Printify.
With Printify, earn for the long term with a hands-off business model. Simply design custom holiday products for Christmas shopping through our free platform, set up a store on Etsy or any other eCommerce platform, and start selling without any inventory or investment.
Selling old cell phones, getting rewards from cashback sites, and doing online freelancing or administrative work can also generate fast cash, helping you grow your bank account just in time for the holidays.
Give money creatively by incorporating it into holiday-themed gifts. For example, hide cash inside custom items like mugs or tote bags you can craft or create through Printify.
Additionally, include gift cards in personalized envelopes or packages or combine actual cash with something small but sentimental, like ornaments for Christmas trees or other decorations, adding a thoughtful touch to traditional money gifts.
To make $1,000 per month, consider selling personalized products on Printify during the sales rush, joining focus groups, or doing online tasks like freelancing. Use your spare time to explore making money through multiple revenue streams like survey sites or selling things you don’t need.
With a few hours of work each week, you can reach this income goal to manage your holiday spending.
To summarize
These are not alternatives to full-time jobs, but if you want to make your Christmas extra special while browsing for gifts or shopping online, there are many avenues, business models, and other sites for gigs that provide lucrative options on how to make extra money during the holidays.
