The holiday season can mean different things to different folks. For some, it’s about spending time with family opening presents around a Christmas tree. For others, it’s about escaping family and spending a week on a ski slope.
Whatever the case may be for you, it’s impossible to deny the absolute “cash cow” the holiday season poses for retailers. The average consumer is expected to spend $1,007.24 this holiday season: up 4.1 percent from last year.
This includes $637.67 on gifts, $215.04 on food and décor, and $154.53 on non-gift purchases. If you’re a savvy entrepreneur — or someone who has a creative skill — the wheels in your head ought to be turning.
There has to be a way for you to get a piece of this pie, right?
Seven Holiday Hustles You Can Try
The holidays offer a perfect opportunity to pursue a seasonal side hustle. Work at the office typically slows down, you get some time off, and there’s a captive market ready and willing to spend money on items and services that will make them feel festive and their loved ones happy.
For the most part, holiday side hustles can be bootstrapped and operated with just a small investment out of personal savings. If you need a more substantial amount, a short-term installment loan might get you up and running.
When you’re brainstorming options, think about your specific skills and traits. There may be opportunities for both physical products as well as services. Here are some ideas:
- Baked Goods
If you have a knack for baking and enjoy your time in the kitchen, the holiday season is the ideal chance to sell baked goods. From individuals to companies looking to present gifts to employees, if you have a sizable network of people to pitch to, you could make some money this way.
- Holiday Decorating
Holiday decorations seem to get bigger and more extravagant every year. Though most people like the idea of holiday decorations, few have the energy or creativity to spend an entire weekend putting up lights, blow-ups, wreaths, and ribbons.
If you have a few ladders, supplies, and extra time after work or on weekends, you could help people meet this need and make a few bucks.
- Event Planning
’Tis the season for office parties, family gatherings, neighborhood drop-ins, and dinner parties. If you have the skills required to plan and execute events, there’s a market for event planning in November and December.
- Personal Assistant/Nanny
For busy parents who both work full-time jobs and have to navigate the challenges of parenting, buying gifts, and preparing for parties, a personal assistant can be a life-saver. If you have the skills to manage such duties as shopping, cooking, and nannying, you may be able to earn some extra money for several weeks.
- Gift Wrapping
Given how much money the average person spends on gifts, there’s inevitably a demand for gift wrapping. Since many people are not particularly adept at wrapping gifts, this presents an opportunity for a talented person (such as yourself) to come in and do the job for them.
A home-based or mobile gift-wrapping business might easily bring in a few hundred dollars over the holidays. That’s enough to pay for your own gifts for your family and friends.
- Handmade Goods
Do you have a creative side? Do you possess the skills to make physical products?
People are often searching for creative, custom gifts for friends and family. Whether you have the ability to do some cool lettering, make wooden coasters, or sew pillows, you can find a market for quality goods.
- Affiliate Sales
Anyone can join affiliate marketing programs and try to make a quick buck. It may take some time and effort to drive traffic to your links, but the holiday season is a perfect time to start. Sales at websites like Amazon go through the roof, which could be the place for your idea.
Ho, Ho, Hustle
The holiday season is ripe for hustlers. If you have a skill, talent, or product idea you think would fit into the festive needs of the season, why not try to start a little side gig?
Maybe it could pay for your own holiday expenses? If it’s successful enough, perhaps you could boost your income! You won’t know until you try.