While the holidays can be an absolutely magical time of year, they can also be expensive. Between buying presents, entertaining guests, attending holiday parties, and everything else that comes up around Christmas, it can be easy to find yourself a little short on cash when December rolls around. Fortunately, if you need to come up with some extra cash around the holidays, there are plenty of ways to make it happen.
Here are 25 ways you can earn some money this holiday season:
1 – Sell a craft. Can you design adorable printables, create handmade ornaments, or construct beautiful holiday wreaths? If so, consider selling your crafts for extra holiday cash. Sell online through websites like Etsy or in person at local craft fairs and bazaars.
2 – Become a virtual assistant. Consider the ways you could help make someone’s day easier. Could you answer emails, post images to Pinterest, or invoice clients? Market your services as a virtual assistant and find your first client to earn some extra cash.
3 – Participate in focus groups. Online and in-person focus groups can be a great way to earn extra cash. Get paid to share your opinions! A quick Google search should show what options exist in your area.
4- Open a new bank account. See if you can find a bank running a new account promotion. Many banks will give you a cash bonus for opening a new account and setting up a direct deposit.
5 – Consider a new credit card. If you’ve been on the fence about signing up for a new credit card, see if you can find something with a solid sign-on bonus. You can use the award – usually points or cash back – to stock up on holiday gifts for friends and family.
6- Watch someone’s pet. Many people would much rather leave their pups with a trusted pet sitter than send them to a kennel. Get started by signing up through a service like Rover.
7 – Use Ebates. Do your holiday shopping online to take advantage of Ebates. This program offers you cash back when you shop at your favorite retailers – no strings attached.
8- Babysit. If you have friends and neighbors who could use a date night or a few kid-free hours to knock out Christmas shopping, offer to watch their little ones. Many people will happily pay for a few hours of childcare.
9 – Offer organization services. If you’re the most organized person you know, consider offering your services as a personal assistant to help others bring order to their mess. As the holidays approach and people gear up to host family and friends, they’re often looking for ways to tackle their clutter, and many will pay for a consultant’s advice.
10 – Sign up for Swagbucks. Take surveys and earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards or deposited as cash into your PayPal account.
11 – Sell baked goods. If you know your way around the kitchen, bake and sell sweet treats and other delectable bites around the holiday season. Note: make sure you follow all cottage industry laws in your area!
12 – Hold an end-of-the-season yard sale. As the weather cools, take advantage of one of the last nice weekends to hold a yard or garage sale. Spread the word through NextDoor, Craigslist, and local Facebook groups!
13 – Become a personal shopper. Sign up to work with a service like Instacart or advertise your independent personal shopping services on Facebook or Craigslist.
14 – Sell on Fiverr. Can you design logos, proofread papers, or record a great voicemail greeting? See what services you can sell on Fiverr for some extra holiday cash.
15 – Wrap presents. Many people dread wrapping presents each year, and others struggle to find time and privacy to tackle the task away from the little ones. Sell your present-wrapping services by the packages and advertise among friends and family.
16 – Use cash back apps. There are lots of apps on the market like Ibotta that will give you cash back for specific purchases. Use these as the holidays approach and see how much you can earn back when you shop for groceries.
17 – Housesit. Many people who travel during the holidays are willing to pay someone to check the mail, water the plants, and generally keep an eye on things at home. Sign up on a website like Housesitter.com or advertise on NextDoor or Facebook.
18 – Sign up for Amazon Flex. Work for Amazon as an independent contractor and deliver packages from the comfort of your own vehicle. Shifts are available in 2-4 hour blocks, and you can pick up as many of them as you can find!
19 – Lower your bills. A great way to put extra cash in your pocket for the holidays – and beyond – is to see which of your bills you can cut. Call your cable provider, car insurance company, and others to see if you can reduce your monthly rates.
20 – Become a remote customer service representative. Major companies like Amazon and American Express hire work-from-home customer service reps. This can be a great opportunity to earn extra cash throughout the holidays and into the new year.
22 – Find a transcription job. Another great work-from-home opportunity that’ll earn you cash around the holidays is transcription. Sign up through a service like TranscribeMe or check the Gigs section on Craigslist to get started!
23 – Sell unwanted stuff on Ebay. This online auction platform is still a great place to earn a few bucks for things you no longer want or need.
24 – Teach online. If you have some extra time and the patience to teach, sign up for a service like VIPKID and get paid by the hour to help kids in other countries learn English.
25 – Take pictures. If you know how to take a decent photo and have a good camera, selling your photography services around the holiday season can be an easy way to earn cash. Consider taking family portraits for Christmas cards or snapping photos at company parties.
From selling your skills and services to getting rid of things you no longer need, there are no shortage of ways to earn some extra cash to make your holiday season even more magical. How do you earn extra cash to cover all of your holiday expenses? Leave a comment and let us know!
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