4 Best Ways To Make Money Ahead of the Holidays in 2025
Written by
J. Arky
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Try to deny it as much as you can, but the 2025 holiday season will be here before you know it. Are you ready, financially speaking? If not, it is time to figure out a strategy to make some additional money before the frenzy of the holidays takes over.
In the same way “one would plan for upcoming expenses like purchasing your first home, saving for college, etc., it’s important to invest in yourself by taking some of these ideas and putting them into practice,” according to Patrice Williams-Lindo, CEO of Career Nomad. “The holidays shouldn’t just squeeze your wallet — they should stretch your visibility and your value.”
Here are four of the best ways to make money ahead of the holiday season.
Seasonal Consulting and Coaching Pop-Ups
Williams-Lindo suggested that anyone looking to make some extra income prior to the holidays package their expertise into a fall workshop or pop-up session that lasts roughly one or two hours, what she calls “the one and done.”
“To keep costs low, check out community spaces like your local library or community center for free space to conduct your session,” Williams-Lindo explained. “For getting the word out, tap into your personal networks like your church, professional, industry and friend groups, etc., to get the word out effectively.”
Williams-Lindo suggested that a fee should range from $97 to $297 per seat, with five to 15 people per session. “That’s anywhere from $500 to $4,500 in a single afternoon — and you’ve created passive income using digital assets you can resell whenever,” Williams-Lindo said.
Freelance and Contract Gigs
This is what Williams-Lindo called the “fortnight,” where you can utilize platforms like Upwork, Rat Race Rebellion or other niche job boards to take on micro-projects — like graphic design, HR audits or even resume polishing.
“If you’re feeling spicy, offer add-on services like pre-assessments and coaching [afterward] to increase your bottom line by monetizing activities that … were probably a hidden part of your process,” she said.
Including these types of services can become a true differentiator, creating an unforgettable client experience, according to Williams-Lindo. She noted that the average payout ranges from $300 to $1,000 per project, which does not include any add-ons. “If you do two to three under your belt before Black Friday, you’ve funded your much more than a holiday budget,” Williams-Lindo said.
Retail and E-Commerce Side Plays
Holiday pop-ups, weekend retail shifts and reselling are already trending online, Williams-Lindo said, calling these types of extra income the “here for a short time, not a long time” gigs.
“As we shift from summer into fall, this is the best time to tap in before the holiday rush and make a few extra bucks,” Williams-Lindo said. “Seasonal retail gigs in 2025 average $18 to $25/hour; work 10 to 15 extra hours a week and that’s $700 to $1,500 per month through December.”
Speaking and Hosting
As the end of the year approaches, Williams-Lindo shared that organizations are looking for people to speak to their groups and host “for one night only” types of events.
“If you’ve ever had dreams of being on the TED stage or open mic night, here’s an opportunity to ‘build that muscle’ and get paid for it,” Williams-Lindo explained.
Williams-Lindo said that holiday panels, community events, and corporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and leadership talks are happening everywhere, both virtually and in person. “A polished professional can land $500 to $2,000 per engagement locally and the recognition often rolls into bigger 2026 opportunities,” she said.
More From GOBankingRates
