10 Ways to Make Extra Money During the Holidays

During this time of year, it’s easy to overextend yourself with buying gifts, decorating, and special meals. If you haven’t saved for the Holidays all year long you may be strapped for cash.

What if you could make some quick cash to pad your account and come out on the other side of the Holidays debt-free?

Here are a few ways to make extra money during the holidays as a single mom or any time of the year. NOTE: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. I will receive a small referral fee which helps keep this site going and growing for you! 🙂

1. Uber Eats or Door Dash Delivery Driver

People gotta eat, right? But many are too busy or exhausted from work and after-work holiday shopping to cook.

They reach for the phone, open up the Uber Eats or Door Dash app, and order a hot meal for delivery. They are probably in your neighborhood or city which makes it super easy to deliver their food and make extra money a night.

If you can go to a restaurant, pick up food, and find an address with a GPS app you can be an Uber Eats delivery driver.

You can use your car and it doesn’t matter what year, make, or model it is; unlike what the Ride Share programs require.

The great thing about the Uber Eats program is you can take your kids with you so no looking for a babysitter to pay all the money you just made. Deliver with UberEATS and earn on your own schedule.

2. Sell Your old diamond wedding rings

This way to make extra money during the holidays is both cleansing and practical. This is the perfect time to let go of the diamond engagement ring you have been holding on to for so long after your breakup.

The holidays can be hard especially after a fresh divorce. It’s even harder years down the road if you get depressed every year around this time. Selling your diamond ring is empowering and releases you to get on with your life.

You can also get yourself and your family wonderful gifts that hold a special sentiment or begins a new tradition for your family.

If you are ready to begin the process of selling your diamond engagement ring check out Worthy and let them help you get the highest price possible because God knows you’ve earned it after all you have been through!

3. Be an Uber or Lyft driver

The Holidays are a perfect time to be an Uber or Lyft driver.

People do not want to fight traffic or parking at the shopping centers so they will pay for a ride in a clean car. Your car.

People are also going to the airport, train stations, and bus stations to travel for the holidays. They are going to need a ride so they don’t have to worry about maneuvering through traffic or paying parking fees.

I use Lyft and Uber a lot when I travel and it is such a convenience!

You must have a newer model car and insurance so if you meet the criteria you should sign up. The approval time varies from city to city but it might be worth your while.

You will be able to drive any time you want during and after the holidays so this is a legitimate side hustle for making extra money as a single mom.

4. Holiday Prep and/or Clean up service

jill111 / Pixabay

The holiday parties are in full swing. Why not make some extra cash as a holiday helper? Private homes, caterers, and hotels hire extra help for the pre-and post-holiday party chores.

Check out the Task Rabbit app or Craigslist for gigs in your area. You can also place your own ad on Craigslist or other free local papers offering your services.

5. Create and Sell merchandise on Gear Bubble, Sun Frog, or Spreadshirt

If you are a graphic designer or simply have a sarcastic (or funny) wit you can design and sell T-shirts, mugs, and other merchandise online. This is one of my favorite ways to make money.

Head over to Gear Bubble, Sun Frog, or Spreadshirt, create an account, then follow the steps to create your designs. You can decide how much you will sell them for and then add them to the marketplace.

When your shirt sells you get paid. If people use your design you get paid. It’s a win-win for everyone.

6. Babysitting during holiday parties 

Place an ad on Craigslist or create a flyer to post in your local grocery store or bakery.

People are going to company parties and New Year’s Eve parties so they need a reliable childcare service that is available at night. Since you are a mom you are the answer to their prayers.

Check out the Care.com website. You can add yourself to the site as a provider and when you include that you do holiday childcare in your profile you could get more opportunities.

jill111 / Pixabay

7. Gift wrapping service

Are you a fantastic gift wrapper? Use your skills to wrap holiday gifts and get paid.

Get gigs at the mall or contract yourself out to bookstores, grocery stores, or corporate offices a few days a week.

Busy executives need their gifts wrapped so they don’t look like a complete failure on Christmas morning.

Place an ad, call friends, or visit places of business to offer your service. You will need a counter or table to work from, sharp scissors, tape, and a selection of wrapping paper, ribbon and bows.

8. Baked goods sales

The smell of baked cookies, cakes, and pies is what makes the holidays special.

If you have a gift for baking you can clean up during the holidays. Package your goods and sell them to family, friends, and co-workers who want last-minute gifts.

You can bake from scratch or from a mix but just don’t buy ready-made baked goods and pass them off as your own.

Put the baked items in pretty paper, cellophane, and tins then top it with a bow.

Sell it at a higher rate than store-bought goods because of the labor and supplies you used to make those yummy treats.

9. Gift Basket sells

If you have a talent for pulling together themed gift items the gift basket business is calling your name.

You can make money creating and selling gift baskets of baked goods, spa treatments, movie night, and other themes baskets for people who don’t know what to get their loved ones.

Create a sample basket of at least three themes then photograph them. Post your pictures in the Facebook swap and sell groups along with a description and price for the baskets. You can also repeat it on your page or in local business groups on Facebook and Instagram.

If you are feeling adventurous go to car dealerships and other businesses that have salespeople or caregivers standing around. They will buy from you because it’s one less thing they have to do at the last minute.

10. Donate goods for a tax break

This is not exactly a make extra money idea for the holidays but it is a get more money at tax time idea.

There is still time to donate clothes, furniture, and kids items to your local charity to get a tax credit. But If you are like me you procrastinate and mess around and don’t get your stuff to the donation center in time.

What if there was an app you could use to schedule a donation pick-up? The good news is there’s an app for that!

You can download and schedule a pickup through the Resupply app.

There has never been an easier way to donate your stuff. The best part is the app keeps track of your donations and the value you give it so at tax time you don’t have to remember or gather up scraps of paper you gathered throughout the year.

Here is the link to learn more, download the app, and schedule a donation pickup as early as today.

What other ways can you earn extra money during the holiday season? Head over to our Facebook page to share your ideas.