December is basically the ultimate money-making playground. On one hand, you’ve got holiday shoppers spending like their credit cards are going out of style. On the other hand, you’ve got everyone buzzing with “new year, new me” energy… ready to invest in planners, fitness programs, online courses, and anything that screams fresh start. That means if you’ve ever dreamed of boosting your income, launching a business, or testing out a new side hustle, December is YOUR moment!
I like to think of December as the month where sparkle meets strategy: you can totally cash in on the holiday frenzy and set yourself up for serious success heading into January. So, whether you want quick seasonal cash or long-term money momentum, here are 11 smart and festive ways to make money in December!
1. Sell Last-Minute Holiday Gifts (Because Procrastinators Pay Premiums)
We all know someone who shops on December 23rd (maybe we ARE that person!) The beauty of procrastinators is they’re willing to pay more for speed and convenience.
That’s your cue to sell last-minute gift baskets, DIY kits, or even instant digital downloads like printable wall art or holiday coupons. If you can position your product as “gift-ready” or “download instantly,” you’ll win big.
Ideas to try:
- Curated gift baskets with candles, snacks, or self-care goodies
- DIY craft kits like cookie-decorating or ornament-making
- Instant digital products (printable wall art, holiday coupons, or planners)
- Quick-turnaround handmade items (jewelry, mugs, scarves)
2. Offer Gift Wrapping & Delivery Services
It may sound simple, but wrapping gifts is a huge time-saver that people will happily pay for in December. Add in delivery or porch-drop services, and you’re golden.
Think ribbons, metallic paper, and maybe even a little sprig of greenery for a luxe touch. Bonus: if you already sell products, offer gift wrapping as an add-on service. Easy upsell, instant profit!
Ideas to try:
- Charge by the gift (small/medium/large package tiers)
- Add premium touches like metallic bows or sprigs of greenery
- Offer doorstep pickup and drop-off for ultimate convenience
- Partner with local small shops to be their go-to gift wrapper
3. Host Holiday-Themed Pop-Ups or Craft Fairs
Craft fairs, church bazaars, and local pop-ups are buzzing in December with shoppers who want unique gifts. Whether you sell handmade jewelry, baked goods, or digital products you print out and package, a holiday market is prime real estate. And even if you don’t have a product line yet, you can partner with a friend or team up to share booth space. Pop-ups = cash AND marketing exposure.
Ideas to try:
- Sell handmade jewelry, candles, or baked goods
- Share booth space with a friend to cut costs
- Hand out coupons or QR codes to promote your online shop
- Create “giftable” bundles under $25 for impulse buys
4. Create and Sell New Year’s Eve Party Kits
People love the idea of throwing a party… but not the stress. Enter YOU, the party lifesaver. Put together ready-to-go NYE kits: think party hats, confetti, champagne flutes, printable cocktail recipe cards, or even themed playlists (with QR codes).
It’s fun, it’s festive, and it’s a perfect way to tap into that holiday-to-New-Year transition spending spree!
Ideas to try:
- Include confetti poppers, hats, and champagne flutes
- Offer printable cocktail recipe cards or playlists with QR codes
- Add fun extras like “photo booth props” or year themed party glasses
- Package in a festive box for that instant gift vibe
5. Launch a “Fresh Start” Digital Product
December isn’t just about presents – it’s about potential. Everyone’s gearing up for January resolutions, which makes it the perfect time to launch planners, journals, budget trackers, or goal-setting guides. You can sell them digitally (hello, Etsy and Gumroad!) or as printables.
I once made a small run of printed planners in December and sold out by Christmas Eve. The New Year energy is real, and you can absolutely tap into it!
Ideas to try:
- Yearly planners, calendars, or budget trackers
- Goal-setting or vision board printables
- Journals (gratitude, wellness, business)
- Mini-courses to kickstart new skills in January
6. Rent Out Holiday Decor or Party Supplies
If you’ve got extra twinkle lights, inflatable Santas, or bins of party supplies sitting in storage, you’re sitting on a mini goldmine. December is peak season for people hosting parties or decorating big. Offer rentals for décor, tables, chairs, or even quirky things like ugly Christmas sweaters.
One creative entrepreneur I know rents out hot cocoa stands for holiday parties – and she’s booked solid every year!
Ideas to try:
- Outdoor holiday inflatables or light projectors
- Extra dining tables, chairs, or tablecloths
- “Ugly sweater” bundles for themed parties
- Photo backdrops or hot cocoa stands
7. Sell Digital Gift Cards for Your Services
Here’s the December hack: people panic-shop at the last minute. Gift cards save the day! If you’re a coach, stylist, photographer, or fitness trainer, sell digital gift cards designed with festive graphics.
They cost you nothing upfront, but they bring in cash NOW for services you can deliver later in January when your schedule is less packed!
Ideas to try:
- Coaching packages (life, business, fitness, mindset)
- Photography sessions for families or pets
- Salon, spa, or beauty services
- Custom workshops or classes for January
Note: If you sell business-to-business your customers might want to purchase services in December to offset the current year's taxes!
8. Offer Holiday Event Photography
December is peak family-photo season. People want Christmas-card photos, Santa sessions, or pictures of their holiday parties. If you have a decent camera and know your way around natural light, this could be your most profitable month yet!
Pro tip: offer a “mini session” package (20 minutes, 5 edited photos). It’s affordable for clients, but you can stack multiple sessions in a single day.
Ideas to try:
- Mini family photo sessions for Christmas cards
- Santa meet-and-greet sessions for kids
- Office holiday party candid shots
- New Year’s Eve party photography packages
9. Flip Clearance Items for Post-Holiday Shoppers
Here’s a sneaky-smart December move: scoop up discounted décor, toys, or clothing during holiday clearance sales, then resell them in January when stores are out of stock. Parents, in particular, are desperate to grab items their kids didn’t get for Christmas.
This works in-person and online (eBay, Poshmark, Mercari). Basically, you’re turning clearance gold into post-holiday cash.
Ideas to try:
- Buy discounted toys and resell on eBay or Facebook Marketplace
- Stock up on holiday decor to resell next year
- Pick up winter fashion on clearance for resale in January/February
- Look for electronics and gadgets with limited availability
10. Run a “Finish the Year Strong” Challenge
Why wait until January to launch a challenge? People are already craving momentum in December. If you’re a fitness coach, business strategist, or productivity guru, offer a 2–3 week program to help clients end the year on a high note.
Market it as “show up strong in December so January feels like a victory lap.” It’s motivating, actionable, and yes, profitable.
Ideas to try:
- 14-day fitness challenge with daily workouts
- 21-day business accountability group
- Mini decluttering program to start the year fresh
- “Daily Gratitude” email or journal prompt challenge
11. Teach a Seasonal Workshop (Cookies, Wreaths, or Vision Boards)
Workshops sell like crazy in December because people want experiences as much as things. Teach a cookie-decorating class, a wreath-making workshop, or, my personal fave, a New Year’s vision board party.
Charge per seat, keep it festive, and you’ll walk away with both cash and happy customers who’ll likely come back in January!
Ideas to try:
- Cookie-decorating for families or couples
- DIY wreath-making with fresh greenery
- Holiday budgeting or money-goals workshop
- Vision board party for setting 2026 intentions
Making Money In December – The Bottom Line
December is the month where sparkle meets strategy. You can make money with festive side hustles that fit right into the holiday season AND tap into the “fresh start” momentum that rolls into January.
From selling last-minute gifts to launching a digital planner, there are so many ways to turn this month into your most profitable yet. So don’t wait until the ball drops – start today, and finish the year strong!
Here are some more great articles that you might love:
- How To Make Money In The Fall: 11 Cozy Ways to Make Money With Seasonal Side Hustles
- How To Make Money In November
- 5 Ways “Just Moms” Can Make Money With Affiliate Marketing
Some of the photos you see here were created with AI tools instead of traditional stock photography. I love using AI because it lets me design images that feel more real – age-appropriate, body positive, and inclusive of women from all different backgrounds. It gives me the freedom to create visuals that truly reflect the amazing entrepreneurs I write for!