It may be days, weeks or months away from Christmas but its never to late to put a little bit of extra cash in your pockets.
If you are looking for ideas on how to earn extra money for the holidays then this is it.
Read below to learn how you can make money with these side gigs during the most profitable time of the year.
How to Make Extra Money Before Christmas
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It’s perfectly fine if you want to make extra money before Christmas.
Maybe you want to give someone special a great gift or get the kids that one extra toy that they’ve been begging for all year.
Perhaps you just want extra cash to treat yourself and fatten up your bank account.
Whatever the case may be, there are several ways that you can make money before the holidays that are both fun and profitable.
To be inspired, check out the list below!
1. Sell gift baskets.
Gift baskets that are chock full of goodies will always make wonderful gifts before and during the holidays.
You can create a quick stream of additional income by making and selling themed gift baskets to friends, family and co-workers.
Costs are fairly low in regards to selecting supplies and you can eventually turn this side gig into a full blown year-round business if you wish!
Resources for You:
- The Perfect Basket: How to Make a Fabulous Gift Basket for Any Occasion
- The Gift Basket Design Book: Everything You Need to Know
- Gift Basket Business: How to Make and Sell Gift Baskets
2. Offer house cleaning services.
Many people may find themselves short on time throughout the holiday season and may need a few extra hands around their home.
This is where you can step in by offering a super helpful house cleaning service to those in need.
Startup costs are relatively low and with the average cost of professional house cleaning services ranging anywhere from $50-$90 an hour, you’ll be able to meet your holiday money goals in no time.
Resources for You:
- How To Start A Housecleaning Business: Everything You Need to Launch a Business in Less than 24 Hours
- Start a Cleaning Business: Your Guide to Generating $2,000+ Income in 30 Days or Less
- Your House Cleaning Business-A Blueprint for Success
3. Sell ugly Christmas sweaters.
Ugly sweaters are no longer considered the eye-sore gift grandmas and aunts would lovingly make for you before the holidays.
Nowadays, ugly sweaters are not only a seasonal fashion trend but a very popular gag clothing item for office holiday parties.
If you have an eye for detail and a serious sense of humor, creating and selling ugly Christmas sweaters can prove to be profitable.
Resources for You:
4. Offer holiday decorating services for local businesses.
Before and during the holidays, local business may find that they need assistance in sprucing up spaces for their customers and creating an inviting atmosphere into their facility.
An eye for design and a know how to find bargain deals on decorations is all you really need to get started with this sweet gig.
Resources for You:
5. Sell knit goods.
If you live in an area where cold fall or winter weather is an absolute then you should know that handmade knit goods such as hats, scarves and mittens will always make wonderful gifts.
Create a few items and aim to set up shop in areas where there’s high traffic such as malls and grocery stores or you can opt to use word of mouth or social media to expand your reach for business.
As the costs are super low to make these items in bulk, you can definitely earn your keep with the right strategy in mind.
Resources for You:
- Knitting For Beginners: The A-Z Guide to Have You Knitting in 3 Days
- How to Knit: A Complete Guide for Absolute Beginners
6. Flip and sell rustic furniture finds.
Many people adore vintage home decor especially during the holiday season as these items offer sweet nostalgia of Christmases past.
Visit garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores during the summer and fall months to find rustic items that you flip and sell for profit online or at a physical location.
Resources for You:
- Fast Cash: Flipping Used Items: How to Make a Great Second Income by Selling Used Items
- The Art of Buying and Selling at Flea Market
- Picker’s Bible: How to Pick Antiques Like the Pros
7. Hang Christmas lights as a service.
Not every enjoys putting up their own Christmas lights and decorations.
You can provide a handy service to others for a fee where you’ll do the dirty work by hanging Christmas lights and setting up yard decorations for others in your community.
Resources for You:
8. Become a holiday photographer.
Before the holiday season is when many families and businesses begin to seek photography services for special events.
If you have a decent set of photography skills, setting up a holiday business would be the perfect side gig to supplement your income.
Resources for You:
9. DJ at parties.
Most DJs require the bare minimum for set up: A laptop, good playlist and speakers.
Disc jockeys can make a considerable amount of money for just a few hours of work with the average hourly wage starting around $21 an hour.
This is a side hustle that you can continue past the holiday season to earn extra money on your own terms.
Resources for You:
- Rock The Dance Floor: The proven five-step formula for total DJing success
- DJ Cheat Sheets: Event: Playlists/Setlists
10. Become a holiday party planner.
Businesses and large families often seek the services of party planners to plan out holiday parties and events in advance.
As a party planner, you’ll be responsible for hiring the catering, booking venues and decorating the event area.
Start-up costs are minimum and possessing strong time-managment and communication skills are an added plus for continued business.
Resources for You:
- Become an Event Planner (Even if you have no experience and no connections)
- Start Your Own Event Planning Business: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Success
11. Offer gift wrapping services.
You can offer decorative gift wrapping services for friends and family that could save them both time and money.
Purchase gift wrapping paper in bulk and market your services to those in your community who would like to secretly wrap gifts for others.
Resources for You:
12. Create and sell holiday themed wreaths.
Wreaths are a very popular home decorating item and as a seasonal wreath designer you can make some serious cash.
Also, designing wreaths can be a very profitable ongoing business throughout the year, so you have the option to stop after the holidays or keep your side hustle running.
Resources for You:
13. Sell baked goods.
Baking homemade cakes, cookies and pies an selling them at high-traffic events or occasions is a great way to produce a side income.
Sweet treats are favored by many so there’s plenty of opportunity to specialize and bake items that are both profitable and popular before and during the holiday season.
Resources for You:
- Taste of Home Christmas: 465 Recipes for a Merry Holiday
- Cakes, Bakes and Business: The Practical Guide to Starting Your Home Baking Enterprise
14. Make and sell t-shirts.
The t-shirt industry is booming and if you can come up with a catchy design or phrase, slap it on a tee then you are in business.
Websites such as Teespring and Shopify allow you to set up online storefronts to sell shirts and other items that you design which they’ll ship to customers all around the world.
Resources for You:
- How to Start a T-Shirt Selling Business & Sell Your Items on Facebook
- Shopify Blueprint: Creating A Passive Income
15. Sell personalized crafts and other items.
Personalizing items such as handbags, clothing, shoes and tools can be a fantastic way to generate income before the holidays.
Personalized items make great gifts for family, friends and co-workers and can help you produce a steady stream of income before Christmas.
Etsy is a great place to set up an online storefront to reach customers who are ready to buy outside of your community.
Resources for You:
- The Everything Guide to Selling Arts & Crafts Online
- How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online
For ideas on ways to make and save money before the holidays, check out this post.
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