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Ah, winter! A magical season of hot cocoa, snowy landscapes, and festive vibes. But let’s face it—between holiday shopping and post-holiday sales, your wallet might feel like it’s been through a blizzard. Fear not!
Winter is also a great time to boost your income with some creative side hustles. Whether you're looking for outdoor side hustles, online side jobs, or easy side jobs from home, we have many practical and fun ways to earn extra cash during winter.
Snow Shoveling and Clearing Driveways
When snow blankets everything in sight, many people—especially families and busy professionals—need help digging out. This is where you step in to save the day (and their back muscles).
- Best for who: Teens, college students, and anyone who doesn’t mind cold weather;
- Skills needed: Basic physical fitness, a shovel, or a snow blower;
- How to start: Advertise locally or on platforms like Nextdoor, or simply knock on neighbors’ doors;
- How much can you earn: $20–$50 per driveway, depending on size and location;
- Scalability: High during peak snowfall weeks; can grow by hiring others.
Designing and Selling Holiday Cards
If you’ve got a knack for creating art, holiday card design can be an excellent way to develop your creative skills and make money. People love unique, personal cards for their holiday parties and gifts.
- Best for who: Artists, designers, and crafters;
- Skills needed: Artistic ability, access to a printer or digital tools like Canva;
- How to start: Open an Etsy shop or market your designs on social media;
- How much can you earn: $5–$25 per card, depending on the quality and customization;
- Scalability: Medium; can grow by offering bulk discounts or collaborating with businesses.
MystNodes for Passive Income
Looking for a side hustle that’s low-effort but high-reward? MystNodes lets you earn passive income by sharing your unused internet bandwidth.
Think of it as your internet working a side job while you binge your favorite winter shows.
- Best for who: Anyone with a stable internet connection and minimal tech skills;
- Skills needed: Basic knowledge to set up an account;
- How to start: Visit MystNodes, sign up and follow the setup process;
- How much can you earn: Earnings vary depending on your bandwidth and activity, but many users report $20–$100/month;
- Scalability: Limited, but completely hands-off once implemented.
Selling Winter Clothes and Other Belongings
Clean out your closet and sell clothes you no longer wear. Coats, sweaters, and boots are in high demand during winter.
It’s also a great time to sell unused holiday decorations or other belongings online.
- Best for who: Minimalists and anyone who loves decluttering;
- Skills needed: Basic online selling knowledge;
- How to start: Use platforms like Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay;
- How much can you earn: Vary depending on the brand and condition;
- Scalability: Low unless you scale into a small business.
Holiday Party Planning Services
The winter months are full of celebrations, and many people don’t have time to organize holiday parties themselves.
Offer your services as a party planner and help create memorable moments for families and businesses alike.
- Best for who: Organized, creative individuals;
- Skills needed: Planning, budgeting, and relationship-building skills;
- How to start: Promote your services to local families or businesses;
- How much can you earn: $100–$1,000 per event, depending on complexity;
- Scalability: High, especially with repeat customers and referrals.
Landscaping Services in Winter
Yes, landscaping isn’t just a summer gig! Winter includes tasks like removing debris, preparing gardens for the season, and even maintaining outdoor holiday decorations.
- Best for who: People with experience in outdoor tasks;
- Skills needed: Basic landscaping knowledge and tools;
- How to start: Advertise on social media or local job boards;
- How much can you earn: $15–$30 per hour;
- Scalability: Medium; grow by taking on recurring jobs.
Teaching Winter Sports or Activities
Got a talent for skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating? Teaching these skills can be an excellent way to earn extra cash during winter break.
- Best for who: Athletes and those passionate about outdoor activities;
- Skills needed: Expertise in a winter sport and ability to teach others;
- How to start: Partner with local rinks or ski resorts or promote yourself online;
- How much can you earn: $25–$100/hour;
- Scalability: Low; limited to your availability.
Pet-Sitting and Dog Walking
Many families travel during the holidays and need someone to care for their furry friends. Winter dog walking is an underrated way to spend time outdoors and earn money.
- Best for who: Animal lovers of all ages;
- Skills needed: Patience and experience with pets;
- How to start: Use apps like Rover or advertise locally;
- How much can you earn: $10–$50/day, depending on tasks;
- Scalability: High with regular clients.
Post-Holiday Sales Flipping
After the holidays, retailers offer steep discounts. Use this as an opportunity to purchase items at low costs and resell them later when prices normalize.
- Best for who: Bargain hunters;
- Skills needed: An eye for deals and basic reselling know-how;
- How to start: Scout local and online post-holiday sales;
- How much can you earn: Vary depending on items and market trends;
- Scalability: Medium; invest wisely to grow.
Seasonal Jobs and Gigs
Seasonal jobs and gigs are a great way for college students to earn extra cash during winter break. Many businesses hire temporary staff to help with the holiday rush, and students can take advantage of these opportunities to gain experience and build their resumes.
Some popular seasonal jobs and gigs include working as a gift wrapper at a department store, serving as a holiday shopping assistant, and offering other services.
Students can also consider working as a server for a catering company or offering landscaping services such as snow removal and holiday decorating.
- Best for who: College students seeking temporary work during the holiday season;
- Skills needed: Customer service, organizational skills, and specific skills depending on the job;
- How to start: Apply to local businesses, check online job boards, and network within your community;
- How much can you earn: Typically $10–$20/hour, depending on the job and location;
- Scalability: Moderate; can increase earnings by taking on multiple jobs or clients.
Tutoring Other Students
Winter break is a great time to help students catch up or get ahead in school. If you’re knowledgeable in a subject, tutoring can be a lucrative winter side hustle.
- Best for who: College students and educators;
- Skills needed: Expertise in a subject;
- How to start: Advertise in schools or online platforms like Wyzant;
- How much can you earn: $20–$50/hour;
- Scalability: High if you work with multiple students.
Selling Handmade Winter Crafts
Knitting scarves, making candles, or creating personalized mugs are all popular winter crafts. Holiday shopping crowds love unique, handmade items.
- Best for who: Creative crafters;
- Skills needed: Crafting ability;
- How to start: Sell on Etsy or local holiday markets;
- How much can you earn: $10–$100/item;
- Scalability: Medium.
Offering Cleaning Services
After the holidays, many homes and offices need a good deep clean. Winter is a great time to start offering cleaning services.
- Best for who: Anyone with an eye for detail;
- Skills needed: Cleaning and organizational skills;
- How to start: Advertise on local platforms;
- How much can you earn: $15–$30/hour;
- Scalability: High with recurring clients.
Freelancing Online
Whether it’s writing, graphic design, or consulting, freelancing can be an easy side job from home during the cold months.
- Best for who: Tech-savvy individuals;
- Skills needed: Vary depending on the job;
- How to start: Use platforms like Upwork or Fiverr;
- How much can you earn: $15–$100/hour;
- Scalability: High with a good client base.
Decorating Homes for the Holidays
Some people love holiday decorations but don’t have the time (or patience) to do it themselves. This is your chance to help families and businesses get festive.
- Best for who: Creatives with an eye for design;
- Skills needed: Decoration and spatial skills;
- How to start: Advertise locally;
- How much can you earn: $100–$500/project;
- Scalability: Medium.
Starting an Online Course or Blog
If you’re an expert in a subject, creating an online course or blog can be an excellent way to generate income. From winter recipes to fitness routines, the options are endless.
- Best for who: Knowledgeable individuals passionate about teaching;
- Skills needed: Writing, video editing, or teaching skills;
- How to start: Use platforms like Teachable or Medium;
- How much can you earn: Vary depending on subscriptions and traffic;
- Scalability: High over time.
House Sitting
With many families traveling during the holiday season, there's a growing need for trustworthy individuals to look after their homes.
House sitting involves tasks like watering plants, collecting mail, and ensuring the property remains secure.
- Best for who: Responsible individuals with flexible schedules;
- Skills needed: Reliability, attention to detail, and basic home maintenance knowledge;
- How to start: Advertise your services on local community boards, social media, or platforms like TrustedHousesitters;
- How much can you earn: Rates vary depending on location and responsibilities; typically $25–$50 per day;
- Scalability: Limited, as it depends on the number of clients and overlapping schedules.
Babysitting Services
The holiday season is filled with parties and events, leading parents to seek reliable babysitters. Offering your services during this busy time can be both rewarding and lucrative.
- Best for who: Individuals who enjoy working with children;
- Skills needed: Childcare experience, patience, and basic first-aid knowledge;
- How to start: Join relevant platforms, advertise locally, or network within your community;
- How much can you earn: $15–$25 per hour, depending on experience and number of children;
- Scalability: Moderate; can increase earnings by taking on multiple clients or offering additional services like tutoring.
Gift Wrapping Services
Many people find gift wrapping time-consuming, especially during the holiday rush. If you have a knack for creating beautifully wrapped presents, this could be a festive way to earn extra income.
- Best for who: Creative individuals with an eye for detail;
- Skills needed: Gift wrapping techniques and a sense of aesthetics;
- How to start: Set up a booth at local malls, partner with retail stores, or offer services through social media;
- How much can you earn: $5–$15 per package, depending on size and complexity;
- Scalability: High during the holiday season; can expand by hiring helpers or offering workshops.
Baking Holiday Treats
The aroma of freshly baked cookies and cakes is synonymous with the holiday season. If you enjoy baking, turning this hobby into a side hustle can be both fun and profitable.
- Best for who: Baking enthusiasts;
- Skills needed: Baking skills and knowledge of food safety regulations;
- How to start: Create a menu, obtain necessary permits, and market your treats through social media or local events;
- How much can you earn: $20–$100 per order, depending on the product;
- Scalability: Moderate; can increase production with additional equipment or hired assistants.
Final Thoughts
Winter isn’t just a time to hibernate—it’s a season of opportunity. From snow shovelling to using MystNodes for passive income, there are plenty of winter business ideas to explore.
Evaluate your skills, determine your interests, and implement a side hustle that fits your goals. With some creativity and effort, you’ll turn the frosty months into a warm boost for your bank account!
