Learn real ways to make cold hard cash before Christmas. These ways to make extra Christmas money will help you have the best Christmas ever! Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links including Amazon Affiliates from which I may make a small percentage if you make a purchase. This is at no extra cost to you and helps to keep this website running. Thank you for your support!
1) Sell Items Around Your House
This is how I initially got started with my reselling business that has made me over $45,000!
I simply decluttered my house and sold the items I no longer wanted.
Here are some places you can sell your unwanted things for extra Christmas money:
- Offer Up
- Facebook Buy & Sell groups (search for local groups)
- Craigslist
- Let Go
- Facebook Marketplace
- eBay
- Poshmark (Use my code LEEP20 to get $10 off your first order!)
- Mercari
Here are some ideas of things you can sell:
- Books
- Old cell phones
- Collectibles
- Cameras
- Fitness trackers
- GPS units
- Legos/Duplos
For more ideas of things you can sell for extra Christmas money:
2) Sell Your Old Clothes
Go through your closets and gather up all the clothes you no longer wear.
Those clothes can be turned into cash!
My top three favorite places to sell clothing are:
- eBay
- Poshmark
- Mercari
You can sell pretty much anything. The best things to sell are:
- Top Brands (Check out the Top 100 Brands To Sell On Poshmark here.)
- Unique items (Check out some unique items I’ve sold!)
- Vintage
- Plus Size
- Bras
Go here to check out my Complete Guide To Making Top Dollar For Used Clothes.
I’ve also put together my Top Sales of 2020 here.
3) Flip Items From Thrift Stores
This is my side hustle of choice! This is how I make an extra $2,000 a month as a stay at home mom working during naptimes!
My favorite thrift store sections to check out are:
- Scrub tops
- Men’s coats
- Bras
- Plus Sized Clothes
- Shoes
My favorite place to thrift is Goodwill Outlet (aka “The Bins”). Here are 11 Tips For Visiting The Bins.
If you want to learn how to flip items, sign up for my FREE course, Reseller Bootcamp.
4) Shop Through Rakuten (Formerly eBates)
I’ve been using eBates/Rakuten for a while now and have earned almost $100!
I definitely don’t recommend spending money to make a little back, BUT, if you have to spend money, you might as well get something for it!
For example, we had to buy a new toilet. Instead of going to the store to buy it, I started from the Rakuten website then clicked to shop at Lowes.com.
I purchased online through Lowes (4% cash back!) and picked up the toilet in store.
The great thing about Rakuten is they pay you in actual money – either a Big Fat check, or money sent to your Paypal account.
And you only need a balance of $5.01 to redeem your money!
If you haven’t signed up for Rakuten, go here to sign up and get a $30 rebate on your first $30 purchase!
5) Swagbucks
Swagbucks is another favorite of mine.
I’ve earned $560 from Swagbucks! Kind of crazy!
Swagbucks works by you earning Swagbucks (aka SB) by browsing the internet, taking surveys and playing games.
Your Swagbucks can be redeemed for either gift cards, Paypal, or Visa debit cards.
Here are some examples of what you can get:
- $3 Amazon giftcard for 300 SB
- $5 Paypal cash for 500 SB
- $10 Visa debit card for 1000 SB
If you haven’t signed up for Swagbucks before, you can get a bonus 300SB when you earn 300SB in your first 30 days.
6) Offer Your Services On Fiverr
Do you have any services you can offer?
Fiverr is a website where you can offer your freelance services.
There are hundreds of categories including:
- Proof reading
- Resume writing
- Cover letters
- Logo design
- Photoshop editing
Go here to check out all the categories that you can earn extra Christmas money from.
7) Teach English Online
Have you heard of VIPKid?
It is a website where you can sign up to teach English to Chinese kids.
Choose your own schedule and work from the comfort of your home!
I have a friend who has done this and loves it!
This is a rewarding job that pays well.
Go here to check out the requirements.
8) Sell Crafts On Etsy
Are you the crafty type?
Consider selling your crafts on an online shop like Etsy.
Many of these shops do considerable business approaching the holidays!
Listings start at only $0.20.
Go here to read about opening an your own Etsy shop.
9) Sell Printables On Etsy
Okay, so maybe not all of us are crafty.
If you’re like me, you can still make money on Etsy!
In the past few months, I’ve experimented with selling printables on Etsy.
Printables are easy to make. (Hint: I love the free version of Canva.)
Simply save as a PDF and upload your printable to Etsy.
They do all the work for you including getting the printable to your customer.
I love selling printables because you do the work once. Then it is something you can sell over and over again with ZERO work!
In additional to printables, you could sell other downloadables (I’m making that a word!)- documents or files like Excel spreadsheets, photoshop files, 3D printer files…the sky is the limit.
Here’s the link to opening your own Etsy shop, in case you missed it earlier.
10) Seasonal Help
A lot of brick and mortar stores need extra help during the holiday season. This is a great way to make some extra Christmas money.
If you’re looking for part-time work and a steady income, this may be a job for you.
Here are some stores that typically hire seasonal help:
- Walmart
- Target
- Kohls
- Best Buy
- Macy’s
- Nordstrom
- Big Lots
- Lowes
- Burlington
- UPS
- FedEx
- Plus Many More!
11) Instacart
If you haven’t heard of Instacart, it is a shopping app shoppers can do their grocery shopping through, then have it delivered to them.
Instacart works with people like you. As an Instacart Shopper, you get to shop for other people’s groceries and get paid for it!
You are in full control of how much or how little you work.
One of the great things about this job is it can be done with kids in tow.
It’s easy to get started. All you need to do is pass a background check to start making money.
12) Lyft/Uber
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past few years, I’m sure you know you can make money driving for companies like Lyft and Uber.
This is another side hustle where you can choose how much or how little you want to work.
Of course, if you can combine driving for Lyft or Uber with trips you are already making, the better.
Go here to find out more about driving for Lyft.
Go here to find out about driving for Uber.
13) Food Delivery
Like Instacart, Lyft and Uber, food delivery is another option with flexible hours.
If you live in a metropolitan area, you may not even need a car in order to deliver.
There are several companies to choose from:
Follow links to find out if they operate in your area and to see requirements.
14) Care.com
Care.com is a website where you can offer your services in several different categories including:
- Senior care
- Child care
- Housekeeping
- Pet care
- and more!
With Care.com, you have the ability to accept the clients you want to work with, as well as the ability to set your own hourly rate.
15) Ibotta
If you’re not signed up with Ibotta, you need to run and do that now!
Ibotta is an app that pays you to shop for groceries.
Simply do your normal shopping, scan your receipt when you are done, and BAM…you have money in your account.
It takes just seconds!
The average Ibotta user makes $150 per year just from buying their groceries.
I save my Ibotta money up throughout the year, then redeem it in December for extra Christmas money in the form of Paypal or giftcards.
Go here to sign up for Ibotta.
16) Give Music Lessons
Are you musically gifted? Know how to play the guitar, piano or sing?
Consider giving music lessons. Set your own rate and hours.
It’s easiest to get started by giving lessons to someone you know, then branching out from there.
17) Tutor
Are you good at math or another subject?
Advertise your services as a tutor.
You might also consider becoming a SAT tutor. You can read more about becoming an SAT tutor here.
Tutoring can be a rewarding job that can provide you some extra Christmas money as well.
18) Dog Walking
Need a furry friend to get some exercise with?
Advertise your services online as a dog walker.
You might also consider posting your services on your neighborhood’s Facebook group.
19) Pet Sitting
Another one for the pet lovers out there!
You can advertise your pet sitting services on sites like Craigslist or Facebook.
And if you haven’t heard of Rover.com, it is a website that specializes in connecting pet owners needing pet sitting with people like you!
Head to Rover.com if you’re interested in getting paid to play with dogs!
20) Pooper Scooper
Every dog needs cleaned up after them!
When you can solve a problem for people (like cleaning up after their dog!), that is the ticket to money in the bank!
My town has someone who has a whole business based on scooping poop!
If you’re looking for more of a side hustle, try checking out local Facebook groups (preferably for your neighborhood).
Just recently on my neighborhood group, someone was looking for someone to do exactly this!
While it may not be glamorous, it will earn you extra Christmas money.
21) Get Paid To Walk
Did you know you can get paid to walk (or complete other forms of exercise)?
There are several apps to choose from.
Go here to check out the list of 18 apps that will pay you to walk.
22) Get Paid To Take Pictures
Did you know you can make money from taking pictures and selling them online?
If you love taking pictures, check out this article from Mrs. Daaku Studio, 10 Apps To Sell Photos.
23) Rent A Room (Or House) On Airbnb
Did you know you don’t have to have a separate house in order to rent out a vacation home. If you have a vacation house, that’s great.
But if you don’t, maybe you have an extra room you could rent out.
If you do have an extra room, consider renting it out through Airbnb.
Airbnb takes care of the customer service end of advertising, booking, etc. They also offer protection to hosts though damage protection and insurance.
Click here to read more about becoming an Airbnb host.
24) Rent Out Your RV on Outdoorsy
Do you have an RV or trailer that sits empty most of the year?
Have you heard of the website Outdoorsy?
It works like Airbnb. But instead of renting your house, you rent out your RV.
Go here to read more about making money with Outdoorsy.
25) Donate Plasma
Take about a worthy side-hustle.
This one will help you make extra Christmas money while helping others.
If you’ve donated blood before, this could be a good option for you.
Check out this article on How To Make $300 Or More Each Month By Donating Blood Plasma.
26) Become A Notary
Did you know that it’s relatively easy to become a notary and it doesn’t cost much to get started?
The requirements do vary greatly from state to state.
But if you like easy money, becoming a notary might be a great way to make some extra Christmas money throughout the year.
Here’s an article that covers what a notary is, how to get started, and how to earn money as a notary.
27) Sell Educational Materials
Are you an educator? Do you enjoy making teaching resources such as worksheets, printables, and activities?
Consider turning your talents into extra Christmas money with Teachers Pay Teachers.
You can get started with a FREE seller account and start making extra money today.
I’ve even heard of teachers that have been able to replace their teaching income by selling on Teachers Pay Teachers!
Go here to get started with Teachers Pay Teachers.
28) Sell Plants
Do you have a green thumb? Do you enjoy propagating plants?
Recently I’ve seen some people selling plants on Offer Up, Craigslist, and at local sales.
If you enjoy starting new plants, this has the ability to have a high rate of return on your investment.
Here’s how one woman makes $3,000+ per month selling plants she grows.
29) Referee Kids Sports Games
Another fun way to make extra Christmas money is to ref kid’s sports.
If you play (or used to play) a particular sport, that would be the best to start with.
Research local leagues you could ref for. Each league will have their own requirements and training.
30) Offer Yard Services
Yard work is something a lot of homeowners need help with.
Depending on the time of year, you could:
- Mow lawns
- Rake leaves
- Trim plants
- Fertilize
Start early and you could have some serious extra Christmas money.
31) Shovel Snow
If you live in an area that gets snow regularly, one option to earn extra Christmas money could be to shovel snow.
You can advertise your service within your own neighborhood or online in local groups.
32) Install Christmas Lights
This is another way to make some extra Christmas money that you can do in your own neighborhood.
This is also an alternative if you typically do yard work in the summer, and need work to tide you through the winter.
This is one you definitely want insurance for!
33) Become Santa Or Mrs. Claus
To really get in the holiday spirit while earning extra Christmas money, you could offer your services as Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus.
The Penny Hoarder has a comprehensive article that will answer all your questions about becoming Santa Claus.
If you’re a Mrs., don’t feel left out! There are jobs even for solo Mrs. Clauses.
One woman in my area offers Christmas baking parties for kids as Mrs. Claus.
You can read another woman’s story here about becoming Mrs. Claus.
34) Rent Unused Space
Have you heard of Neighbor?
If you’ve got unused space (think closet, spare bedroom, parking spot, shed, attic etc), you’ve got to check it out!
This has got to be one of the most ingenious ways to make money with little to no effort.
Also known as the “AirBnB of storage,” Neighbor allows anyone with extra storage space to list the availability of their garages, closets, spare rooms.
Doing this can allow you to generate passive income just by storing other people’s stuff!