The holiday season is the time of the year when most people, including millennials, could use some extra money for Christmas.
Whether you are traveling to visit friends or family or want some extra cash to help you buy your loved one presents, could you use some extra cash between now and December 25th?
To help you out with making some extra money for X-Mas, I put together a list of ways to make money today before the holidays. If you could use the extra money for the holidays, here are some ideas that might help:
Ways to Make Extra Money for Christmas
1. Sell stuff you don’t need.
Chances are you’ve got a bunch of things around the house collecting dust, old electronics, clothes, unused appliances, decor, or even holiday decorations you don’t use anymore. Now’s the perfect time to declutter and cash in.
List your items on Facebook Marketplace for local pickups or use platforms like Mercari, OfferUp, and Poshmark for national buyers. Take clear photos, write honest descriptions, and price items to sell fast. People are actively shopping for gifts and deals, so it’s the best time of year to turn your junk into cash.
2. Get holiday ready with Survey Junkie.
Holiday spending adds up fast, but Survey Junkie can help you offset some of those costs. It’s a legit way to earn extra money by taking surveys in your downtime. You simply sign up, fill out your profile, and start answering questions about products, services, or your opinions.
Each survey earns you points that can be cashed out via PayPal, direct deposit, or gift cards to popular retailers. You can set a simple goal like completing three surveys per day, which could earn you around $40 a month—and that’s without any bonuses or extra effort.
- Share your opinion to help brands deliver better products and services
- Fast payouts, legit, and our favorite survey site
- Has paid out more than $25 million to its members
3. Flip items on eBay or Amazon.
Flipping can be seriously profitable if you know what to look for. Hit up clearance racks, outlet stores, and thrift shops for discounted or limited edition items. Use the eBay or Amazon seller app to scan products and check real-time resale value.
Things like toys, small electronics, collectibles, and brand-name clothing usually move fast around the holidays. List them with fast shipping options and good photos, and you could start seeing sales come in daily. Some flippers clear thousands a month during Q4 alone.
4. Let Nielsen learn about your internet usage.
Have you heard of Nielsen before? They track TV ratings (Nielsen Ratings) and they now want to track how popular apps and online videos are. They do this by measuring normal activity on user's cell phones and collecting it anonymously. This company has been around since 1923 and has created a unique app that pays $60 per year just for installing it.
It's simple, non-invasive, and doesn't slow down your device or lower your battery life. So, if you want to install the app and collect $60, you can learn more here.
- This company will pay you $60 a year to keep their app on your favorite internet browsing device
- They also give away $10,000 each month
- Legit passive income opportunity
5. Take holiday temp work.
Big box retailers, local shops, Amazon warehouses, delivery companies, and catering businesses are all hiring for seasonal help in November and December. These jobs are great if you want reliable pay and a guaranteed schedule.
Look on job boards like Indeed, Snagajob, or directly on company websites like Target, UPS, or Macy’s. You could be stocking shelves, packing orders, running registers, or loading delivery vans. Many offer night shifts and weekend hours if you need flexibility—and some even offer employee discounts or bonuses for holiday work.
6. Use these game apps to win money.
Whether you're a glued-to-your-phone owner who is looking for a way to make extra cash, or just looking for a fun side hustle, I've got you covered. I have personally done a ton of research on these types of game apps. Here are some legitimate game apps that pay real money:
- Bingo Cash: A free, skill-based game with classic bingo elements that offer opportunities to compete against other players for real money in cash tournaments
- Solitaire Cash: A game that pays you real money for winning at Solitaire when you play in cash tournaments against other players
- Mistplay: Pays you to play mobile games and discover new games (for Android devices only)
7. Consider debt relief if you owe $10K+.
If you're trying to earn extra cash for Christmas but dealing with debt, I know how overwhelming it can feel. A couple of friends were in the same boat with credit cards and loans piling up, making it hard to move forward. They ended up trying National Debt Relief, and it actually helped them consolidate what they owed into a lower monthly payment.
If you have over $10,000 in debt, they might be able to negotiate on your behalf and make it more manageable. There are no upfront fees, and depending on your situation, you could be debt-free in 12-48 months. It’s not an instant fix, but for my friends, it was a step in the right direction.
If you're feeling stuck, it might be worth checking out—it only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify.
- Pay up to 30% less than you owe
- Become debt-free in as little as 12-48 months
- Free consultation and zero up-front fees
8. Tutor online or locally.
Parents are always looking for extra academic help for their kids, especially before the semester ends. If you’re good at math, science, English, or test prep, offer tutoring services either online or in-person. You can use sites like Wyzant, Preply, or Superprof to find clients, or promote yourself through local school boards and community centers.
Rates vary but usually range from $20 to $60 per hour. With just a few regular clients, you can bring in hundreds by Christmas—and help someone succeed in the process.
9. Rent out a room on Airbnb.
If you’ve got a spare bedroom, in-law suite, or even a finished basement, you can rent it out short-term on Airbnb for serious holiday cash. Travelers, families visiting for Christmas, and people coming into town for events are always looking for affordable places to stay. Make sure the space is clean, take high-quality photos, and add a few holiday touches like snacks or decorations. Depending on your location, you could earn $75 to $200 a night or more. Even just a few bookings in December can add up quickly.
10. Start a cash-back app stack.
If you’re going to spend money this holiday season, you might as well get some of it back. Download a few top-rated cash-back apps like Rakuten for online purchases, Upside for gas, Fetch Rewards for scanning receipts, and Ibotta for grocery deals.
Use them every time you buy gifts, food, or travel-related items. These apps often run holiday promos where you can earn double or triple points. Stack them together and you can easily earn $50 to $150 just by doing your regular spending more strategically.
11. List yourself on TaskRabbit.
Holiday season means people are overwhelmed with to-do lists—and you can get paid to help them out. On TaskRabbit, you can offer services like assembling furniture, putting up Christmas lights, helping people move, hanging curtains, or even gift-wrapping.
Sign up, create a profile, and list your skills. You can set your own hourly rate (many Taskers charge $25 to $50 per hour depending on the task) and pick the jobs you want. This is especially useful if you enjoy hands-on work and want to earn solid money fast.
12. Offer holiday babysitting or pet sitting.
Parents are going out to parties, shopping for gifts, and attending events. Pet owners are traveling or hosting guests. That means they need reliable help—and fast. You can earn $15 to $30 an hour babysitting or pet sitting, especially during the holiday crunch.
Use platforms like Care.com, Rover, or even your neighborhood Facebook or Nextdoor groups to find gigs. If you’re flexible on nights and weekends, you’ll likely get more offers than you can take. These types of jobs are often cash-based and repeat clients are common if you do a good job.
Wrapping It Up
The holidays don’t have to drain your wallet. With these easy and creative ways to make extra money for Christmas, you can earn what you need to cover gifts, travel, and festive fun—without the stress. Whether you have a few minutes a day or a whole weekend to spare, there’s an option that can fit your schedule. Start now, and by the time Christmas rolls around, you’ll be more focused on making memories than worrying about money.
- 1. Sell stuff you don’t need.
- 2. Get holiday ready with Survey Junkie.
- 3. Flip items on eBay or Amazon.
- 4. Let Nielsen learn about your internet usage.
- 5. Take holiday temp work.
- 6. Use these game apps to win money.
- 7. Consider debt relief if you owe $10K+.
- 8. Tutor online or locally.
- 9. Rent out a room on Airbnb.
- 10. Start a cash-back app stack.
- 11. List yourself on TaskRabbit.
- 12. Offer holiday babysitting or pet sitting.
