The Update

What are Some Side Hustles I can Do This Holiday Season?

The holiday season can take a toll on anyone’s budget. Here are five side hustles you can do this holiday season to earn some extra money:

Holiday Gift-Wrapping Service

Gift wrapping can be time-consuming, and many people would gladly pay someone else for this task, especially during the busy holiday season.

You can offer your services in several ways:

• Partner with local businesses to do gift-wrapping for customers in-store.
• Set up a booth near a shopping strip or mall.
• Offer a mobile service to pick up gifts, wrap and return them to your clients.
• Promote your services on social media, targeting busy shoppers who need an extra hand.

To stand out, consider offering unique wrapping styles, eco-friendly options or personalized touches, like custom gift tags.

Holiday Light Installation

Stringing up those lights on the roof, trees and around the yard can be a big hassle. This is where you come in! Offering a holiday light installation service can be a lucrative side hustle.

Here’s how to get started:

• Create a price list based on job size and complexity.
• Offer both installation and removal services.
• Promote your services via local neighborhood groups on Facebook or apps like Nextdoor.

You will likely need insurance for this job, but otherwise, it doesn’t take too much equipment to get started on this holiday side hustle, just a ladder, some outdoor extension cords and a little creative flair.

Seasonal Baking or Catering

The holidays are the perfect time to turn your kitchen into a money-making machine. From cookies and cakes to holiday-themed dishes, people love having homemade goodies at their holiday gatherings, but not everyone has the time to make them.

Ideas for seasonal baking or catering include:

• Offering baked goods like cookies, pies, cakes or even custom-designed gingerbread houses.
• Providing ready-to-serve holiday staples like stuffing, casseroles or dessert trays for parties.
• Creating meal prep or holiday meal kits for people who want a homemade feast, but don’t have the time to prepare it.

Freelancing Online

If you prefer staying indoors during the cold winter months, online freelancing offers a flexible and profitable way to earn extra income.

Popular freelance opportunities include:

• Writing and editing. Businesses and bloggers often need holiday-themed content, social media posts and newsletters written and edited.
• Graphic design. Businesses may need help designing holiday cards, banners or creative seasonal ads.
• Virtual assistance. Help small businesses manage their holiday customer service, respond to emails or handle scheduling.

Check out sites like Upwork, Fiverr or Freelancer.com to help you get started on your freelancing journey.

Personal Shopping and Errand Running

Between gift buying, holiday party planning and traveling, there’s not much time to catch a breath during the holiday season. If you have a knack for shopping or enjoy helping others get things done, consider offering a personal shopping and errand-running service.

Here’s how you can turn this into a side hustle:

• Gift shopping. Help busy clients find the perfect presents, and even offer wrapping services to go along with it.
• Grocery shopping. Assist clients with purchasing holiday meal ingredients and delivering them to their door.
• Errand running. Help with tasks like mailing holiday cards, shipping packages, picking up dry cleaning or even handling last-minute returns.

Promote your services through local groups, social media or apps like TaskRabbit or Thumbtack, which connect people with freelance service providers.

Join the Credit Union Movement

If you're looking for more than a side hustle, the RGCU Career Page has open positions. If you're interested in starting or continuing your career in finance, check out what we are hiring for. RGCU is a wonderful place to work, has competitive pay and benefits, and a fun, unique culture.