Turn Your Holiday Cheer into Cash
As the holiday season approaches, many of us are looking for ways to earn some extra money to cover the costs of travel, gifts, and other festive expenses. But did you know that you can turn your holiday spirit into a lucrative side hustle?
The Gift of Wrapping
Michelle Hensley’s gift wrapping business, Nifty Packaging Co., has become a full-time job, bringing in over $466,000 in sales last year. Her unique “blind-edge” wrapping style has attracted brands and celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, and she now manages a team of nearly 70 employees. With a minimum rate of $180 per hour, gift wrapping makes up roughly 70% of her revenue.
Easy-to-Learn Holiday Skills
Gift wrapping is just one example of a holiday-themed side hustle that can bring in some extra cash. Others include house decorating, gift-guide curation, and even waiting in line for others. According to a Sidehustle.com survey, nearly one in five Americans planned to start a side gig to help cover their holiday spending.
Waiting in Line for a Profit
Collins Baffoe, a 36-year-old from New York, earns money by waiting in line for others on the gig platform Taskrabbit. His wages fluctuate, but he can earn up to $35 per hour. Requests for waiting-in-line services, running holiday errands, and holiday cleaning all grew during the last two months of 2024, according to Taskrabbit.
Lighting Up the Holidays
Spencer Claeys’ business, Northwest Pro Wash, usually cleans roofs and gutters, but during the holiday season, he focuses on hanging Christmas lights. He invested in Facebook ads and brought in over $30,000 last November, primarily from light hanging jobs. The average house requires about 120 feet of Christmas lights, and hanging them can bring in an average of $54 per hour.
Influencing Holiday Shopping
If you have more than 1,000 followers on social media, you can potentially make money by posting gift guides with affiliate partnerships. According to Kelsey Chickering, principal analyst at Forrester, influencers are becoming the gift guides of this holiday season. With commission-based partnerships, the amount you can earn varies greatly, but it’s a lucrative opportunity for those with a strong online presence.
Santa’s Little Helper
Eddy Rich, 68, has been dressing up as Santa Claus for nearly three decades. He joined the personalized video website Cameo and, with the help of his son Chris, made $14,700 during the week of Christmas last year. At $26.25 per video, they could make up to $525 per hour.
These holiday-themed side hustles offer a chance to earn some extra money during the festive season. Whether you’re skilled at gift wrapping, waiting in line, or spreading holiday cheer, there’s an opportunity for you to turn your holiday spirit into cash.
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