Sell custom gifts with Printify
Wondering how to make extra money for Christmas? You’re not alone. The holiday season is joyful, but it can also stretch your wallet. On average, Americans spend over $1,600 on Christmas expenses – from gifts to travel.
If you’re a student, parent, or freelancer, a holiday side hustle could ease the financial stress and add some festive fun. The right gig can bring in extra cash to boost your holiday budget – and maybe turn into a year-round income stream once the decorations come down.
Looking for a holiday side hustle with real long-term potential? Print on Demand (POD) is one of the smartest ways to make money during the holiday rush.
With POD, you create custom products – think Christmas gifts like sweaters, personalized mugs, or matching family shirts – and platforms like Printify handle printing, packing, and shipping. No inventory, no late-night post office runs.
Why it works:
Getting started with this side hustle idea is simple: create your design, connect to a marketplace like Etsy, and publish your products to start selling.
At Printify, many sellers see holiday sales triple in Q4. Launch now to tap into Christmas demand – and build a business that can bring passive income year-round.
Affiliate marketing is a fast-growing way to earn money while recommending Christmas gifts. Share holiday gift guides on TikTok, Instagram, or your blog, and earn a commission whenever someone makes a purchase through your link.
Popular affiliate programs include:
Quick tip
Create festive gift guides or short TikToks highlighting your top finds. Alternatively, upload photos of your top picks from Amazon, Printify, and other sites. Shoppers are already in buying mode – you just need to point them in the right direction.
Great if you need money fast before the holidays. Local businesses and warehouses often hire additional staff to handle the holiday spending spike.
Scout these jobs on platforms like:
Many seasonal positions pay weekly – plus, you soak up the festive buzz while earning more money. It’s one of the quickest ways to boost your budget before Christmas.
When families travel for the holidays, they need someone trustworthy to watch their pets – and that’s where you come in. Not only do you get to hang with furry friends, but demand (and pay) usually spikes around Christmas.
Where to find clients:
Many walkers earn $20-$40 per dog-sitting session, or over $200 for a holiday weekend stay.
Delivering food lets you make money in just a few hours – perfect if you want actual cash this week.
Top platforms:
Quick tip
Work during peak times – like weekend evenings, Christmas week, or New Year’s Eve – to maximize payouts.
Playing games gives you fun rewards and can boost your extra holiday money stash.
Popular play-to-earn platforms include:
Not a big earner, but it’s easy money and a fun way to fund coffee runs or a couple of stocking stuffers while you relax.
Quick tip
Many platforms pay in gift cards for retailers like Amazon or Target – perfect for grabbing last-minute Christmas presents without touching your main budget.
Got a skill worth teaching? Turn it into an online course over the holidays and create a passive income stream for the new year. Think holiday baking, DIY decor, or money-saving tips.
Use these platforms:
It takes some setup, but once live, your course can bring in income long after the tree comes down.
Already curled up to watch videos? Add in some quick-earn apps. Sites pay you small amounts to watch short clips or ads during your spare time.
It won’t fund your entire gift list, but it’ll provide additional money to cover stocking stuffers without leaving the couch.
This is for those wondering how to make extra money during the holidays without extra work. Have a guest room sitting empty or a garage corner going unused? Around the holidays, both travelers and neighbors need space. Rent your room or storage space for fast holiday cash.
Quick to set up, often with fast payouts, and yes, someone really will pay you to store their giant inflatable reindeer.
The holiday season is crunch time for students, and plenty of adults want to use their downtime to learn something new. Earn holiday cash and help students as the holiday season approaches.
Sign up with platforms like:
It’s flexible, rewarding, and easy to schedule around your holiday plans.
Before new gifts arrive, clear out old ones. Baby gear, clothes, old cell phones, and toys can all find new homes and bring you extra Christmas cash.
Try:
It’s a win-win – your home feels lighter, and someone else scores a bargain for the holidays.
Holiday travel and office parties mean plenty of people need safe rides. Set your own rates and earn.
Think airport runs, office party pickups, and New Year’s Eve celebrations. It’s one of the fastest ways to boost holiday earnings.
The holiday season is crunch time for many businesses, and they often scramble for extra help – that’s your chance. Writers are needed for gift guides, designers for festive graphics, and video editors for holiday campaigns. Set your own prices, schedule, and land gigs for additional income.
Where to start:
Freelancing lets you set your own hours, take on projects that fit your skills, and turn December hustle into January momentum. Finish one project now, and you may have repeat clients into the new year.
For some, hanging lights and setting up Christmas trees is a chore. For others, it’s the best part of Christmas. If you’re in the second group, turn your decorating skills into quick holiday income.
You could:
Payment is often quick, and you can help create magical holiday atmospheres with simple tasks. Post your services on community boards, and your December could be filled with cheerful, paid decorating gigs.
Shoppers are always searching for gifts that feel personal. That’s why December is prime time for selling your handmade creations. Think personalized ornaments, stockings embroidered with names, knitted scarves, or wreaths with a rustic twist.
Great for extra holiday cash, especially if you promote on social media and avoid selling fees.
The best part? You’re creating holiday treasures that might become part of someone’s traditions for years to come.
Imagine playing an undercover elf at the mall. That’s basically mystery shopping – stores and restaurants pay you to test service and share feedback. In December, when crowds surge, demand for shoppers rises too.
To find holiday shopping opportunities, check platforms like:
Mystery shoppers get $10-$25 per visit, often with freebies like meals or products. It’s not big money, but it’s a way to earn while enjoying twinkly decorations, carols in the background, and all the festive chaos. Plus, who doesn’t want a side hustle that feels like a secret mission?
Got a few minutes while waiting in line at the mall? Taking surveys lets you turn spare time into small rewards, usually gift cards or a little extra pocket money.
Two reliable survey sites:
You won’t fund your whole Christmas, but you can cover gingerbread lattes, wrapping paper, or little stocking stuffers. Plus, it’s easy, festive pocket money while you relax.
It’s not just about earning. Spending money smartly can stretch your holiday funds even further. Here are a few simple ways to keep more in your pocket while boosting your budget:
Combining these savings with your side hustle earnings helps cover holiday expenses without sacrificing the fun.
Not every hustle pays out on the same timeline. Some are great for quick extra cash to cover holiday expenses, while others can grow into reliable income streams for your holiday budget and beyond.
| Quick cash (ideal before Christmas) | Build income (great for 2025 and beyond) |
| Food delivery (Uber Eats, DoorDash) | Print on Demand (POD) |
| Mystery shopping | Affiliate marketing |
| Online surveys | Online courses |
| Watching videos | Freelancing |
| Seasonal retail jobs | Tutoring |
Mixing a fast-paying gig with a long-term hustle is the sweet spot – earn extra Christmas cash now while planting seeds for income that keeps rolling in after the holidays.
Sell personalized Christmas gifts like mugs, shirts, or ornaments using Printify’s print-on-demand tools – no inventory or upfront costs needed. You can even turn it into a full-time job.
Other trending options for how to make money for the holidays include DIY holiday crafts, such as handmade decorations or gift bundles, which sell well at local markets and online during the festive season.
For best results, start early and promote your items on social media or Etsy to boost visibility.
Try these ideas to get extra money before Christmas:
Here are four scalable ways to reach $1,000 per month:
These fast and flexible ideas can help you earn in days, not weeks:
Start with simple, flexible options: pet sitting, mystery shopping, or taking surveys.
If you want something creative, design and sell holiday gifts with Printify – shoppers love personalized mugs, ornaments, and festive apparel.
The holidays are meant to be joyful, not stressful. With a little creativity, there are plenty of ways to make extra money for the holidays and keep your holiday budget on track.
Whether you’re freelancing, delivering food, or building a print-on-demand store with Printify, these side hustles can ease the holiday rush and fill your bank account with year-round income streams.
Start designing today with Printify and turn this holiday season into your most profitable one yet.
The post How to make extra money for Christmas: 17 Ways to try appeared first on Printify.
