Here’s How To Turn Your Holiday Shopping Into A Side Hustle This Year

As we enter the holiday shopping season, most consumers are bracing themselves for excess spending and worrying about how much debt might follow them into the New Year. But what if there were a way to earn money while doing the holiday errands you were planning to do anyway? For people who love shopping—or are just really good at it—the holidays present an ideal time to transform those skills into lucrative side hustle. Whether it’s scouting for deals, curating wishlists, or simply helping others with their holiday needs, there are lots of fun and creative ways to offset your holiday expenses and even turn a profit.

Here are five ideas for how you can transform your holiday spending into a lucrative side hustle.

1. Share Your Holiday Wishlist with Friends and Earn Commission

We’re all familiar with influencers earning affiliate commissions on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. But what if you could get a piece of that action, without having to build a massive following? Enter Locker, a “Pinterest for online shopping” that allows everyday users to share curated collections, collaborate with friends, and earn money in the process.

Locker simplifies online shopping by letting users browse multiple websites and save products directly to their Locker without the clutter of endless browser tabs. It’s an organizational tool that not only streamlines your shopping, but also helps curb impulse purchasing by slowing down the decision-making process. With Locker, you can create any type of collection you want—whether it’s winter wardrobe must-haves, trendy home goods and decor, or even stocking stuffers—and then share it with family, friends, and other users on the platform.

And with Locker’s Shopping Payback program, you can turn your holiday shopping into a side hustle. By sharing your Locker wishlists with friends on the app, you earn commission whenever someone purchases an item you’ve saved. Similarly, you can browse others’ Lockers and earn cashback when you purchase from their collections.

Locker takes the collaborative aspect of shopping to the next level by connecting like-minded shoppers and turning what’s traditionally a solitary activity into a community-driven experience. If you’re someone who loves finding and sharing the best deals, Locker provides a fun and easy way to make money as you shop this holiday season.

2. Become a Mystery Shopper

If you’re someone who enjoys shopping in person at retail stores, has a keen eye for detail, and can keep up a good poker face, mystery shopping could make a great holiday side hustle. Companies like BestMark hire mystery shoppers to evaluate everything from customer service to store cleanliness, paying for your insights through cash, gift cards, or store credits.

This side hustle involves more commitment than others—you’ll need to carefully follow the assignment details, submit reports, and sometimes even provide receipts—but it’s a fun and flexible way to monetize your shopping trips. During the holidays, many retailers ramp up their mystery shopping programs to ensure top-notch service during their busiest season.

Mystery shoppers often get assignments at big-box stores, restaurants, and even entertainment venues. Depending on where you are assigned, you may be able to earn money at stores and other retailers you were planning to visit anyway, making each trip much more worthwhile.

3. Get Paid to Upload Product Review Videos

If you already do a lot of your shopping on Amazon, this side hustle is practically built for you. By signing up for the Amazon Influencer Program, you can upload short product review videos of items you’ve purchased and earn affiliate commissions whenever someone buys the product through your link.

Think about the dozens of purchases you’ll make during the holidays—gifts, decorations, kitchen gadgets, and more. Each one is an opportunity to create authentic, helpful content that others can rely on. Amazon’s platform allows users to discover your reviews while shopping, creating passive income opportunities for you that could help you

And no, you don’t need to be a professional videographer or have a massive “influencer” following to succeed. All you need is honesty, creativity, and a knack for showcasing what makes a product worth buying. Simply upload a video review for each product you buy, and let the heavy user traffic in Amazon’s review sections work to earn you money.

4. Sign Up to Be a Delivery Shopper

The holidays are the busiest time of year for grocery and retail delivery apps, so if you’ve ever considered signing up to be a delivery shopper as a way to bring in some additional cash, now would be the perfect time to do it. Platforms like DoorDash and Instacart allow you to shop for and deliver groceries, holiday essentials, and even last-minute gifts for customers in your area.

If you’re already running errands or heading to stores, you can turn on the app, pick up an assignment, and get paid to shop. You can’t beat the flexibility of these platforms, which allow you to work as little or as much as you want, fitting deliveries into your existing holiday shopping schedule.

Like the rest of us, most of the customers on the apps are especially busy during the holidays, meaning the demand–and your earning potential–can really skyrocket this time of year.

5. Resell Thrift Finds

If you’re someone who loves the thrill of the find and takes pleasure in browsing your local thrift and consignment stores, you can monetize your treasure hunts this holiday season. With consumer sentiments beginning to stray from fast fashion and turn towards slow fashion and more eco-friendly purchases, there’s a rapidly growing market for secondhand clothing and home goods. Apps like Depop and The RealReal make it easy for you to resell thrifted everyday and luxury items to other users on the platforms and turn a profit– especially when you purchase below market value at the thrift store.

For the best finds, hit up thrift stores in affluent neighborhoods, where donations often include high-quality or even designer pieces. Look for on-trend or vintage clothing and accessories, unique home decor, or collectible items. When you get home, you can research the items to gauge their market value and price them in a way that maximizes your profit.

Make Your Shopping Work for You

Holiday shopping doesn’t have to drain your bank account. With these creative side hustles, you can turn your seasonal spending into seasonal earning. Whether it’s curating collections, flipping thrift finds, or delivering groceries and supplies, there’s a way for every type of shopper to earn.

This year, let your holiday shopping work for you—and start 2025 with a little extra cash in your pocket.