![\"Christmas\"](\"https:\/\/www.makingsenseofcents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/12-Ways-To-Make-500-Before-Christmas-Without-Getting-a-Traditional-Second-Job-150x150.png\"\/ "\\"Christmas\\"")
<\/div>\nChristmas can get expensive really quickly. Between buying gifts, decorating, holiday activities, and everything else, it\u2019s easy to spend more money than you planned.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re looking for ways to make extra money before Christmas, you\u2019re definitely not alone.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, there are plenty of flexible side hustles you can do in your spare time, and some may even help you make money within just a few days.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve tried quite a few side hustles over the years, and I love that there are so many ways to make extra money without committing to a traditional second job.<\/p>\n
Best Ways To Earn $500 Before Christmas Without Getting a Traditional Second Job<\/strong><\/h2>\nIn today\u2019s blog post, I\u2019m sharing 12 ways to make an extra $500 before Christmas. Whether you have just a few hours a week or want to earn money as quickly as possible, there are plenty of ideas to choose from.<\/p>\n
1. Sell things you no longer need<\/strong><\/h3>\nOne of the best ways you can make money for the holidays is selling stuff sitting around your house that you no longer need or use. Clothes, shoes, home decor, jewelry, toys, outdoor gear, and unused gift cards are all easy things you can sell right away for money.<\/p>\n
You may even have items that are more valuable than you realize that could be worth a good chunk of money.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a quick sale, sell items on Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, OfferUp, or other resale platforms. It\u2019s important to take high-quality, well-lit photos of the items and include as many details as you can. And, to get ideas on what to price items at, look at similar items on resale platforms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recommended reading:<\/em> 15 Easiest Items To Sell That You Already Own for Quick Cash<\/a><\/p>\n2. Create and sell holiday printables<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you don\u2019t mind spending a little extra time on a side hustle that can potentially turn into semi-passive income, I\u2019d try creating and selling holiday printables on Etsy. Printables are products that people can download online and print as many times as they want, and you don\u2019t need to worry about keeping inventory or shipping anything.<\/p>\n
You can create printables like holiday games, gift tags, checklists, party invitations, and other digital products people may be looking for during the holiday season. This is a good option if you\u2019re willing to take the time to build up your printable business, as it takes time to get traffic and sales.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I recommend signing up for the Earn Money Selling Printables free online training<\/strong><\/a>. You\u2019ll learn printable ideas, how to get started on Etsy, and how to actually make sales.<\/p>\nRecommended reading:<\/em> How I Made $6,161 in Just 4 Months With a New Etsy Printables Shop<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n![\"Free](\"https:\/\/www.makingsenseofcents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/free-workshop-sidebar-2.png\"\/)
<\/a><\/div>\n\n\nDo you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
3. Shovel snow<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you live somewhere that gets snow, shoveling sidewalks and driveways can be a great way to make some extra money.<\/p>\n
You can sell your services after winter storms and get paid for each job.<\/p>\n
You can find jobs by posting your help in local Facebook groups, putting up flyers around town, or simply asking your neighbors if they\u2019d like your assistance.<\/p>\n
Older adults and busy families are almost always looking for help shoveling snow. If you already have a shovel, there\u2019s nothing else you need to start this side hustle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n![\"stack](\"https:\/\/www.makingsenseofcents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/firewood-logs-stacked-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n4. Sell firewood<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you also live somewhere with cold winters, selling firewood can be a way to make money seasonally.<\/p>\n
People in these regions are always looking for firewood for fireplaces and stoves.<\/p>\n
This is a great side hustle if you already have access to firewood, too. You can sell bundles and larger quantities through Facebook Marketplace or local community groups.\u00a0<\/p>\n
5. Pet sitting and dog walking<\/strong><\/h3>\nOne of my favorite side hustles ever was pet sitting and dog walking. It\u2019s a chill and easy way to make extra money and works out perfectly if you love animals.<\/p>\n
I found all of my jobs through the Rover app and found it a great way to pick up extra money. The holiday season is especially busy for this side hustle because people are traveling a lot more and need help with their pets.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To find jobs, you can post your services on local Facebook community groups, post flyers around town or at coffee shops, and simply let friends and neighbors know you\u2019re looking for pet sitting and dog walking jobs.<\/p>\n
This side hustle never felt like work to me, which is why I always recommend it to anyone who loves animals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recommended reading:<\/em> How We Make $12,000 a Year Dog Sitting From Home<\/a><\/p>\n\n![\"wrapped](\"https:\/\/www.makingsenseofcents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Festivities24-1024x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n6. Wrap Christmas gifts<\/strong><\/h3>\nAre you good at wrapping Christmas gifts? If so, you can turn that skill into a side hustle.<\/p>\n
As the holidays come around, plenty of people would rather have someone else wrap their gifts for them than spend hours doing it themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You can offer your gift-wrapping services to family, friends, neighbors, and people in local community groups. You can charge per gift, per hour, or create packages based on the number of presents.<\/p>\n
This is a great, simple side hustle for anyone looking to make extra cash by wrapping presents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
7. Babysit<\/strong><\/h3>\nBabysitting is one of the most straightforward ways to make money for Christmas.<\/p>\n
This side hustle was my most common and consistent way of making money in college, and I always recommend it to people who enjoy working with kids. The holiday season is especially busy for parents, and they\u2019re always looking for help around this time.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t necessarily need a regular babysitting job; you can simply pick up date night jobs and one-time things. If you\u2019ve babysat in the past, mention your experience and references.<\/p>\n
8. Deliver food or groceries<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you want a side hustle where you can choose when you work, then delivering food or groceries is the way to go. Apps like Instacart make it easy to pick up jobs when you can and accept grocery orders that work for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Keep in mind, you need transportation to deliver the groceries, whether it be a bike (bikes are only allowed in certain cities as a mode of transportation, though) or a vehicle. You need to factor in these expenses when taking these jobs since you\u2019ll need to cover gas and wear and tear on your car.<\/p>\n
Recommended reading:<\/em> Instacart Shopper Review: How much do Instacart Shoppers earn?<\/a><\/p>\n9. Get paid to hang Christmas lights<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you enjoy decorating and don\u2019t mind physical work, hanging Christmas lights is a great way to make extra money during the holidays. Many homeowners love having their house decorated without having to actually do the work themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You can offer to hang up and take down holiday decorations. You can charge by the hour or by the project depending on how large the house is.<\/p>\n
Note: If you\u2019re not comfortable with heights or working on a ladder, it\u2019s probably best to choose a different side hustle.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n10. Make and sell holiday crafts\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you enjoy making things, the holidays can be a great time to turn that hobby into a way to make extra money. Handmade gifts are especially appealing during the holidays because people are always looking for unique gifts to give to people.<\/p>\n
You can make and sell things like jewelry, crocheted or knitted items, artwork, candles, ornaments, and so many other crafts. You can start selling items on Facebook Marketplace, at a local craft fair, on social media, or in a local gift shop.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re trying to make money quickly, I\u2019d focus on crafts that you already know how to do, so you don\u2019t have to take time building up a new skill.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recommended reading:<\/em> 12 Best Places To Sell Crafts and Handmade Goods<\/a><\/p>\n11. Take family holiday photos<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you have a decent camera and enjoy photography, taking family holiday photos can be a fun way to make money.<\/p>\n
Many families are looking for photos for their annual Christmas cards or simply to capture the season. You don\u2019t need elaborate photography sessions; you can instead keep things simple by offering a 30-minute photo shoot at a pretty location nearby (like a park or beach) or at their home.<\/p>\n
Note: Make sure you\u2019re comfortable with taking photos and editing before charging for sessions. There are helpful beginner photography Facebook groups that you may want to check out!<\/em><\/p>\nRecommended reading:<\/em> How I Make $20,000 A Month As A Family, Maternity, and Newborn Photographer<\/a><\/p>\n12. Use surveys and reward apps<\/strong><\/h3>\nSurveys and reward apps can be an easy way to make extra money for the holidays.<\/p>\n
Survey companies like American Consumer Opinion<\/a> pay people to answer questions about things like products we use, your household, and opinions on different topics. You can also get paid for playing games on some of these apps.<\/p>\nYou won\u2019t get rich making money from surveys or rewards apps, but it can be an easy way to make a little extra money, such as while watching TV.<\/p>\n
The survey companies I recommend signing up for include:<\/p>\n
\n- American Consumer Opinion<\/a><\/li>\n
- Survey Junkie<\/a><\/li>\n
- Swagbucks<\/a><\/li>\n
- User Interviews<\/a><\/li>\n
- Freecash<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
One of the best ways you can make money for the holidays is selling stuff sitting around your house that you no longer need or use. Clothes, shoes, home decor, jewelry, toys, outdoor gear, and unused gift cards are all easy things you can sell right away for money.<\/p>\n
You may even have items that are more valuable than you realize that could be worth a good chunk of money.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a quick sale, sell items on Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, OfferUp, or other resale platforms. It\u2019s important to take high-quality, well-lit photos of the items and include as many details as you can. And, to get ideas on what to price items at, look at similar items on resale platforms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recommended reading:<\/em> 15 Easiest Items To Sell That You Already Own for Quick Cash<\/a><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t mind spending a little extra time on a side hustle that can potentially turn into semi-passive income, I\u2019d try creating and selling holiday printables on Etsy. Printables are products that people can download online and print as many times as they want, and you don\u2019t need to worry about keeping inventory or shipping anything.<\/p>\n You can create printables like holiday games, gift tags, checklists, party invitations, and other digital products people may be looking for during the holiday season. This is a good option if you\u2019re willing to take the time to build up your printable business, as it takes time to get traffic and sales.\u00a0<\/p>\n I recommend signing up for the Earn Money Selling Printables free online training<\/strong><\/a>. You\u2019ll learn printable ideas, how to get started on Etsy, and how to actually make sales.<\/p>\n Recommended reading:<\/em> How I Made $6,161 in Just 4 Months With a New Etsy Printables Shop<\/a><\/p>\n Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you live somewhere that gets snow, shoveling sidewalks and driveways can be a great way to make some extra money.<\/p>\n You can sell your services after winter storms and get paid for each job.<\/p>\n You can find jobs by posting your help in local Facebook groups, putting up flyers around town, or simply asking your neighbors if they\u2019d like your assistance.<\/p>\n Older adults and busy families are almost always looking for help shoveling snow. If you already have a shovel, there\u2019s nothing else you need to start this side hustle.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you also live somewhere with cold winters, selling firewood can be a way to make money seasonally.<\/p>\n People in these regions are always looking for firewood for fireplaces and stoves.<\/p>\n This is a great side hustle if you already have access to firewood, too. You can sell bundles and larger quantities through Facebook Marketplace or local community groups.\u00a0<\/p>\n One of my favorite side hustles ever was pet sitting and dog walking. It\u2019s a chill and easy way to make extra money and works out perfectly if you love animals.<\/p>\n I found all of my jobs through the Rover app and found it a great way to pick up extra money. The holiday season is especially busy for this side hustle because people are traveling a lot more and need help with their pets.\u00a0<\/p>\n To find jobs, you can post your services on local Facebook community groups, post flyers around town or at coffee shops, and simply let friends and neighbors know you\u2019re looking for pet sitting and dog walking jobs.<\/p>\n This side hustle never felt like work to me, which is why I always recommend it to anyone who loves animals.\u00a0<\/p>\n Recommended reading:<\/em> How We Make $12,000 a Year Dog Sitting From Home<\/a><\/p>\n Are you good at wrapping Christmas gifts? If so, you can turn that skill into a side hustle.<\/p>\n As the holidays come around, plenty of people would rather have someone else wrap their gifts for them than spend hours doing it themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can offer your gift-wrapping services to family, friends, neighbors, and people in local community groups. You can charge per gift, per hour, or create packages based on the number of presents.<\/p>\n This is a great, simple side hustle for anyone looking to make extra cash by wrapping presents.\u00a0<\/p>\n Babysitting is one of the most straightforward ways to make money for Christmas.<\/p>\n This side hustle was my most common and consistent way of making money in college, and I always recommend it to people who enjoy working with kids. The holiday season is especially busy for parents, and they\u2019re always looking for help around this time.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t necessarily need a regular babysitting job; you can simply pick up date night jobs and one-time things. If you\u2019ve babysat in the past, mention your experience and references.<\/p>\n If you want a side hustle where you can choose when you work, then delivering food or groceries is the way to go. Apps like Instacart make it easy to pick up jobs when you can and accept grocery orders that work for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n Keep in mind, you need transportation to deliver the groceries, whether it be a bike (bikes are only allowed in certain cities as a mode of transportation, though) or a vehicle. You need to factor in these expenses when taking these jobs since you\u2019ll need to cover gas and wear and tear on your car.<\/p>\n Recommended reading:<\/em> Instacart Shopper Review: How much do Instacart Shoppers earn?<\/a><\/p>\n If you enjoy decorating and don\u2019t mind physical work, hanging Christmas lights is a great way to make extra money during the holidays. Many homeowners love having their house decorated without having to actually do the work themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can offer to hang up and take down holiday decorations. You can charge by the hour or by the project depending on how large the house is.<\/p>\n Note: If you\u2019re not comfortable with heights or working on a ladder, it\u2019s probably best to choose a different side hustle.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n If you enjoy making things, the holidays can be a great time to turn that hobby into a way to make extra money. Handmade gifts are especially appealing during the holidays because people are always looking for unique gifts to give to people.<\/p>\n You can make and sell things like jewelry, crocheted or knitted items, artwork, candles, ornaments, and so many other crafts. You can start selling items on Facebook Marketplace, at a local craft fair, on social media, or in a local gift shop.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re trying to make money quickly, I\u2019d focus on crafts that you already know how to do, so you don\u2019t have to take time building up a new skill.\u00a0<\/p>\n Recommended reading:<\/em> 12 Best Places To Sell Crafts and Handmade Goods<\/a><\/p>\n If you have a decent camera and enjoy photography, taking family holiday photos can be a fun way to make money.<\/p>\n Many families are looking for photos for their annual Christmas cards or simply to capture the season. You don\u2019t need elaborate photography sessions; you can instead keep things simple by offering a 30-minute photo shoot at a pretty location nearby (like a park or beach) or at their home.<\/p>\n Note: Make sure you\u2019re comfortable with taking photos and editing before charging for sessions. There are helpful beginner photography Facebook groups that you may want to check out!<\/em><\/p>\n Recommended reading:<\/em> How I Make $20,000 A Month As A Family, Maternity, and Newborn Photographer<\/a><\/p>\n Surveys and reward apps can be an easy way to make extra money for the holidays.<\/p>\n Survey companies like American Consumer Opinion<\/a> pay people to answer questions about things like products we use, your household, and opinions on different topics. You can also get paid for playing games on some of these apps.<\/p>\n You won\u2019t get rich making money from surveys or rewards apps, but it can be an easy way to make a little extra money, such as while watching TV.<\/p>\n The survey companies I recommend signing up for include:<\/p>\n2. Create and sell holiday printables<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n3. Shovel snow<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n4. Sell firewood<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Pet sitting and dog walking<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n6. Wrap Christmas gifts<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. Babysit<\/strong><\/h3>\n
8. Deliver food or groceries<\/strong><\/h3>\n
9. Get paid to hang Christmas lights<\/strong><\/h3>\n
10. Make and sell holiday crafts\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
11. Take family holiday photos<\/strong><\/h3>\n
12. Use surveys and reward apps<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n