Calling all high school and college students: It's not too late to get a holiday gig! The winter holidays are the perfect time to search for a part-time job as many places look for short-term holiday season workers. From retailers and pop-up boutiques to restaurants and sharing economy jobs, there are plenty of opportunities to earn some extra money. Check sites like to find seasonal opportunities with retailers in your area. Here are just a few fun ideas!
1. Play with animals
Do you love animals? Try pet sitting or dog walking in your spare time! It's easy to make your own schedule and pick up gigs when you have the time. You could earn up to $1,000 a month by spending quality time with a furry friend through services like .
2. Tutor in your free time
Tutoring is a great way to make money and help your fellow students, especially if you're proficient in a particular subject. You can find online tutoring opportunities at , which is a service offered by The Princeton Review. Their service is available 24/7, and you can create a schedule that works best for you, working as few as five hours a week to nearly full-time.
3. Promote a favorite brand
Major companies have been known to hire students to promote their brands on college campuses. This may be especially appealing to aspiring influencers or students interested in pursuing marketing as a career. Check out websites like to see how you could earn money and rewards as a brand ambassador.
4. Become a rideshare driver
If you have a license and are a good driver, this could be the perfect part-time job for you. Shuttle other students for Uber or Lyft, run deliveries for takeout services like UberEats and DoorDash, or deliver groceries via Shipt. You can even pick up and deliver dry cleaning through .
5. Pick up a serving or hosting job
It's very common for restaurants to beef up their staff during the busy holiday rush with people flocking to eateries after long days of holiday shopping. Look at places near busy shopping centers and malls for the best opportunities.
6. Practice your childcare skills
Parents are usually in need of extra babysitting services during the busy holiday season, whether to get away for an afternoon of shopping, attend a kid-free holiday party, or pick up an extra shift at work. You can find jobs through sites like and make around $15 per hour on average.
7. Dress up like Santa Claus
Now, maybe you don't think you can channel Santa, but this isn't the only role available during the holidays. You can also be one of Santa's elf helpers! Sites like can help you find Santa impersonator roles and other holiday acting opportunities in your area, paying anywhere from $12–$50 per hour.
With job opportunities like these, there's no excuse to be broke and bored over winter break. Just don't be a money-hungry Scrooge and forget to schedule some time to relax and spend time with family too—that's what the season is all about! Happy holidays!
Wondering what else you can do over vacation? We have a lot more ideas where these came from—check them out by clicking the "winter break" tag!
