How Can I Get Extra Moneyfor Christmas
Need cash fast for the holidays? From selling items you own to gig work and online businesses, there are plenty of ways to boost your income before December. Many you can start this week.
💰Quick Answer: Fastest Ways to Make Extra Christmas Money
Need money fast? Here are the quickest options:
- • Sell unused items — List on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Poshmark (can earn $50-500+ in days)
- • Gig work — DoorDash, Instacart, or TaskRabbit (earn $100-300/week)
- • Freelance your skills — Writing, design, tutoring (earn $20-75/hour)
- • Seasonal retail jobs — Stores hire heavily October-December ($12-20/hour)
- • Sell handmade goods — Start an Etsy shop with holiday items (varies widely)
Timeline reality check:
• 1-2 weeks: Selling items, gig apps, odd jobs
• 2-4 weeks: Freelance projects, online selling
• 4-8 weeks: Building an Etsy shop or side business
6 Ways to Make Extra Christmas Money
Pick the options that fit your timeline and skills
Sell Unused Items
Examples: Clothes, electronics, furniture, books, kids items, sporting equipment
Pro Tip: Start with Facebook Marketplace for quick local sales. Price 10-20% below retail for fast turnover.
Delivery Gigs
Examples: DoorDash, Instacart, Shipt, Amazon Flex, Uber Eats, Grubhub
Pro Tip: Holiday season has surge demand. Work lunch/dinner rushes and weekends for maximum earnings.
Etsy Shop
Examples: Handmade ornaments, custom gifts, digital downloads, printables, knit items
Pro Tip: Digital products sell instantly with no shipping. Handmade items need 4-8 weeks lead time.
Freelance Services
Examples: Writing, design, tutoring, virtual assistant, data entry, photo editing
Pro Tip: Start on Upwork or Fiverr. Local Facebook groups often have people seeking help.
Seasonal Jobs
Examples: Retail stores, Amazon warehouses, UPS/FedEx, gift wrapping, event staff
Pro Tip: Apply in October. Many offer employee discounts and flexible evening/weekend hours.
Task-Based Gigs
Examples: TaskRabbit (handyman), Rover (pet sitting), yard work, holiday light installation
Pro Tip: Holiday light installation is a seasonal gold mine. Snow shoveling pays well after storms.
Where to Sell Your Stuff
Best platforms for quick cash from items you own
| Platform | Best For | Timeline | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Marketplace | Furniture, local items | 1-7 days | Free |
| eBay | Electronics, collectibles | 1-2 weeks | 12-15% |
| Poshmark | Clothing, accessories | Varies | 20% |
| Mercari | General items | Varies | 10% |
| Decluttr | Electronics, media | 1-2 weeks | None |
| ThredUp | Women's/kids' clothes | 4-6 weeks | 70-90% |
| Etsy | Handmade, vintage | Varies | ~12% total |
Pro tip: Check completed sales on eBay to find market value for your items.
Why Etsy for Holiday Income?
Turn crafts and creativity into Christmas cash
96M+ Active Buyers
Massive audience searching for unique gifts
Digital Products
Sell printables with zero shipping costs
Quick Setup
Open a shop and list items within a day
Holiday Demand
Shoppers seek handmade and personalized items
Popular Christmas sellers: Handmade ornaments, custom gifts, printable cards, gift tags, knit items, candles, jewelry, and personalized decorations.
When to Start What
Your timeline for maximum holiday earnings
October (8-12 Weeks Before)
Best time to start for maximum earning potential.
- • Open Etsy shop for handmade goods
- • Apply for seasonal retail jobs
- • Start decluttering and listing valuable items
- • Set up gig app accounts (DoorDash, Instacart, etc.)
November (4-8 Weeks Before)
Ramp up activities and take advantage of holiday demand.
- • Increase gig work hours
- • List remaining items to sell
- • Focus on quick-turnaround freelance work
- • Look for last-minute seasonal positions
December (0-4 Weeks Before)
Maximize earnings with high-demand opportunities.
- • Maximize delivery gig earnings (highest demand period)
- • Sell digital products (instant delivery)
- • Offer last-minute services (wrapping, cleaning, errands)
- • Pick up extra retail shifts
Holiday Earning Potential
Holiday Earning Best Practices
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌Don't Do This
- •Pay to get started — Avoid "opportunities" requiring upfront investment
- •Ignore your main job — Side hustles shouldn't hurt your career
- •Skip rest — Holiday burnout is real and affects everything
- •Spend as you earn — Keep holiday funds separate from regular money
- •Forget taxes — Set aside 20-30% for self-employment income
- •Overcommit — Better to hit a smaller goal than burn out before Christmas
✅Do This Instead
- •Start early — More time means more options and less stress
- •Track everything — Hours worked, expenses, income for taxes
- •Stay safe — Meet strangers in public, trust your instincts
- •Set realistic goals — $500 extra is achievable; $5,000 in two weeks usually isn't
- •Leverage existing skills — Fastest path to meaningful income
- •Think beyond December — Some opportunities (like Etsy) can become ongoing income
- •Create a holiday budget first — Know your target number before earning
Need Money in Days, Not Weeks?
Quick cash ideas for urgent holiday needs
Immediate Opportunities
- • Plasma donation — $50-75 per visit, bonuses for new donors
- • Focus groups — $50-200 per session (Respondent.io, User Interviews)
- • Sign-up bonuses — Bank accounts ($100-300), credit cards ($150-500)
- • Cash back apps — Rakuten, Ibotta for everyday purchases
Odd Jobs in Demand
- • Holiday light installation — Seasonal gold mine
- • Snow shoveling — High demand after storms
- • Yard work and leaf raking — Fall cleanup needed
- • House cleaning — Before holiday guests arrive
- • Organizing services — Help others declutter
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about making extra money for Christmas.
Earnings vary based on location, effort, and market conditions. Tax obligations apply to self-employment income. This guide is for informational purposes only. Always research opportunities thoroughly before committing time or resources.
Start Earning for Christmas Today
Thinking about starting an Etsy shop? InsightAgent helps you find trending products, research keywords, and optimize listings for holiday shoppers.