7 Festive Ways To Earn Extra Cash For The Holidays

Here’s some jolly good news: You can actually earn money during the holiday season instead of just dishing it out in a festive-fueled frenzy that can make this time of year more stressful than joyful.
Take a look at these fun and festive ways to add to your bank account while subtracting stress from the gift-giving days (or should we say daze?) that lie ahead.
1. Offer Gift Wrapping Services
Gift wrapping. Some people love it; others hate it. Turn your penchant for making packages pretty into a money-maker by offering gift-wrapping services to those who don’t have the time, energy, or interest to do it themselves. You can promote your services on sites like Craigslist, online message boards, or on local apps like Nextdoor.
2. Sell Your Homemade Holiday Crafts Or Decorations
Set up shop at church bazaars, holiday markets, craft fairs, and the like, and you’ll have a great marketplace for your seasonal items like holiday decor, ornaments, and more. You can also list your handmade goods in an Etsy shop.
3. Decorate Houses — Indoors And Out
When it comes to putting out holiday decor, some people find themselves putting on a fake smile because they feel it’s an arduous task, not a seasonal delight. If you’re a whiz at trimming a tree, hanging outdoor lights, crafting a door wreath, and more, you can offer your services to those who are all thumbs or just can’t bring themselves to do it. You can list your skills on job online job outlets like Upwork.
4. Become A Mall Santa Or Elf
The number of malls may be dwindling, but those that remain are still in need of the Man in the Red Suit this time of year, as well as his helper elves. You can apply directly at the shopping center or by contacting a national or local staffing service that specializes in mall employment in your area.
5. Clean Up Before Or After Holiday Parties
Glad tidings at parties often lead to tidying up after the guests are long gone. If you don’t mind washing, scrubbing, sanitizing, and generally picking up after all holiday revelers have headed home, you can offer cleaning services that are much in need this time of year. Promote your services on Craigslist, Nextdoor, and similar sites, or try an app like Handy, which connects house cleaners and handy people to clients.
6. Fulfill Holiday Cards For Individuals Or Businesses
You can help people who find themselves in a time crunch this time of year lick the problem of sending out holiday cards. Offer to design the cards, get them printed, and take over the folding, addressing, licking, and stamping. Use sites such as Craigslist or social media to get the word out that you’re available for holiday postal duty.
7. Become A Personal Shopper
If you like the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping (and don’t mind the jostling crowds, competing for a parking space, and waiting in lines) this is the gig for you. Many people are eager to put their gift-buying in the hands of someone who can be their eyes and ears when it comes to selecting presents and searching for bargains. You can charge a nominal fee for picking out gifts for family and friends — and you could make a little extra if you do the wrapping, too.