The holidays can be quite expensive. Consumers are expected to spend an average of $850 on Christmas gifts in the US alone. Admit it, you must be all tied up thinking of what to wear on Halloween night or what to buy on Christmas day by now.
It’s understandable that you’re all psyched for the busiest time of the year, but it is just impractical to spend all your money in one sitting, right?
Well, if you are looking for smart ways to earn a little extra something to cut costs and survive the holiday aftermath in January, then this blog might come in handy! Who says holidays are just for spending money? The truth is, this is the best time to gear up and try some side hustles! Below are five amazing (and in-demand) side hustles that you can do before, during, and even after the holiday season.
1. Freelancing
Freelancing is one of the best side gigs to help you earn extra money for the holiday season.Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for remote workers has become increasingly popular in all types of industries.
Professionals say, as much as possible, your side gigs should be related to your passion. This is one of the strengths of freelancing: It allows you to earn money by doing what you love.
Presently, picking up freelancing jobs is rather easier compared to the past. There are tons of freelancing websites to choose from with a plethora of job offers. Whether you have a knack for writing, web designing, appointment scheduling, and other virtual jobs, all it takes is to find a freelancing website that offers projects and jobs adhering to your line of expertise.
Some of the top freelancing websites to check out include Upwork, Fiverr, Guru, and Freelancer.com. Even Linkedin and other social media platforms are excellent avenues to find freelancing jobs.
2. Crafting
If you have the skills in creating or producing crafts (whether in virtually or in physical form), then craft making might be a viable choice. Turn your passion into a lucrative venture. Since you have a concrete basis on what theme your crafts will be, it becomes easier for you to come up with excellent ideas to pique the interests of your target clients. You can make handmade Halloween-themed figurines or you can create beautifully structured digital Christmas cards. The list here is endless. The only limit is your imagination.
You can team up with your local stores to assist in selling your products. You can also try selling to friends and neighbors since they are the easiest and closest to reach out to. On the other hand, if you want to expand your market, then creating a listing for your goods on eBay, Etsy, and other eCommerce sites is always an option.
3. Offer Errand and Delivery Services
Ever since the pandemic, delivery and errand services took every country by storm. Practicing the stay-at-home setup and social distancing as part of the new normal have opened opportunities for some people to do deliveries and errand services.
How can you become a seasonal delivery or errand person?
For starters, you can apply to delivery and logistic companies like Instacart, goPuff, or Shipt. According to Glassdoor, Instacart can pay you around $13 per hour. Some can even go as high as $22 per hour—which is not too shabby for a part-time job.
Similarly, employers should always be proactive in educating both their part-time and full-time staff about the importance of following health and safety protocols at all times. They must have an ample amount of background in practicing social distancing and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when delivering goods and services. Also, employers must ensure that all their delivery service team has a break time system where they can rest and sanitize to ensure their safety.
4. Shelf-Stocking Services
If you are not into delivery, then you can offer shelf-stocking services to groceries. The number of shoppers typically doubles during the holiday. The expected surge in the number of people cramming to get that holiday bundle deal instantly empties most product shelves in grocery stores and supermarkets. This is where shelf-stocking services enters the picture.
During these hectic times, shelves must be replenished faster than usual. If you want to work as a part-time grocery staff, you can apply to websites like Amazon Mechanical Turk, Wonolo, or TaskRabbit. These websites allow you to locate local warehouses in need of assistance to stock their items.
5. Lend a Helping Hand (With Holiday Tasks)
As mentioned, the holidays can be very hectic and people are so busy that they don’t have the time to do last-minute holiday shopping, gift wrapping, or decorating. Use this as an opportunity to offer errand services and help people get things done.
If you don’t want to work for a company, you can set up your own service and promote it on your social media account. Let your friends know that you accept a specific list of tasks, errands, and chores for a price. Join social media groups and forums to extend your market. Provide a list of all the services you offer. Just be cautious and avoid accepting a request or listing a service that you can’t physically pull off. Otherwise, you might end up disappointing and angering your clients.
Important Note: See to it that all your actions adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines. Make sure that you practice social distancing. If you are offering delivery services, wear protective gear. If contactless service is an option, maximize it.
The Holiday Season is Just Weeks Away
Are you ready?
As the holiday season draws closer, the urge to spend is inevitable. The pandemic continues to slow down our source of income, and so we must be smart. Think of ways that can help you earn extra money not just to celebrate the holidays, but to survive the months to come.
There you have it: Five amazingly easy side gigs to help you out during the holidays (and even after the holiday season). These part-time jobs may be surface level but they can become a stepping stone towards gaining financial stability. As long as you have a passion for it and a hint of an entrepreneur mindset, you can turn anything into a profit-making endeavor.
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