A quick note: this post mentions Citruit, a new web design studio run by a friend of mine. I’m not paid to recommend them. I just think they do great work.
Let’s be honest: the holidays are expensive. Gifts, travel, class parties, that one extra trip to the bookstore you swore you wouldn’t take. And if you’re a teacher like me, the paycheck doesn’t exactly stretch to match.
The good news is that the holiday season is also one of the best times of year to earn a little extra. People are busier, traveling more and willing to pay for help. And teachers already have a lot of the skills that make a side gig work: organization, patience and the ability to explain anything to anyone.
Here are five holiday side gigs you can realistically start this month, plus a simple plan for setting one up.
5 holiday side gigs that fit a teacher’s schedule
1. Winter break tutoring
Parents panic about midterms and semester grades right around December. Offer short tutoring blocks over break, in person or online, for the subjects or grade levels you know best. Small group sessions let you earn more per hour while keeping prices friendly for families.
2. Selling classroom resources online
That unit plan you built from scratch? Those holiday-themed worksheets? Other teachers will buy them. Platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers let you upload what you’ve already made and earn money while you sleep. Holiday and winter-themed resources sell especially well this time of year.
3. Pet sitting and house sitting
When families travel for the holidays, someone has to feed the cat and water the plants. If you’re already staying in town over break, this is one of the easiest gigs out there. Neighbors and school families are a great first source of clients, since they already know and trust you.
4. Gift wrapping
Some people love wrapping presents. Many people would rather do anything else. Offer to wrap gifts for a flat price per item, or set up a table at a local shop or community event. If you’re the person who saves ribbon and owns a dozen kinds of paper, this one’s for you.
5. Handmade and printable gifts
If you knit, paint, bake or design, the holidays are prime time to sell. Printables like planners, classroom labels, coloring pages and gift tags are especially great because you make them once and sell them over and over. Sell through Etsy, local craft fairs or your own website.
How to set up your side gig
You don’t need a business degree to get started. You just need a plan you can actually stick to during the busiest season of the year.
1. Pick one gig
It’s tempting to try everything at once. Don’t. Choose the one gig that fits your skills, your schedule and how much energy you’ll realistically have left after the last bell. You can always add more later.
2. Set your prices
Look up what others in your area charge, then pick a price that feels fair for your time. Keep it simple: a flat rate per hour, per visit or per item is easy for customers to understand. And don’t undersell yourself. Your time is worth something.
3. Give people a place to find you
Word of mouth is a great start, but at some point people will want to look you up. A simple website makes your gig look professional, shows up when people search, and gives clients one place to see your services, prices and how to book.
If you’re in the Lehigh Valley, my friend’s studio Citruit builds websites for small businesses. Their sites are hand-coded, so they load fast and are more secure than the typical page-builder site, and they offer SEO help so local customers can actually find you. They also have a monthly subscription option, which beats a big upfront cost when you’re just getting started.
4. Spread the word
Tell your friends, post in local community groups, and ask happy customers to pass your name along. A few early reviews or testimonials go a long way.
5. Track your money
Side gig income is still income, and you’ll need to report it at tax time. Keep a simple spreadsheet of what you earn and spend, and set some money aside for taxes as you go. Future you will be grateful.
6. Protect your break
Winter break exists for a reason. Decide ahead of time how many hours you’ll work, block off days that are just for rest, and say no to anything beyond that. The goal is extra money, not extra burnout.
Your turn
A holiday side gig doesn’t have to take over your life. Pick something you enjoy, keep it simple, and let a few extra dollars take the edge off the season. Who knows? It might even turn into something you keep doing all year.
Do you have a side gig, or one you’ve been thinking about trying? Tell me about it in the comments. I love hearing how other teachers make it work.
Happy hustling, and happy holidays!
