Friends ask you to take their family photos. Your handmade decorations get compliments every year. Your cookies are a must-have at your holiday gathering. If you’ve ever wondered whether someone would pay for something you enjoy doing, the holidays may offer a chance to find out.
As shoppers look for thoughtful gifts and help with seasonal tasks, consider starting a side hustle—a flexible way to bring in extra money beyond your regular job. Starting a side hustle can feel daunting, especially when there are upfront costs. But you can start small, test demand, and see whether your hobby has earning potential—for the holiday season and beyond.
In a 2025 Bankrate survey, 27% of U.S. adults said they had a side hustle. Among them, 35% said they used at least some of that income for regular expenses, such as housing or food*. Whether you’re hoping to stretch your holiday budget, cover everyday costs, or simply explore an idea, the first question is the same: Will people pay for what you want to offer?
Start With What You Know
There are a few things you can ask yourself to consider where your interests and skills could meet customer demand.
- What do you enjoy? Consider hobbies such as photography, baking, crafting, or decorating.
- What do people already ask you to do? A neighbor may ask you to walk their dog, or friends may ask for your handmade candles. Those requests can give you an idea to test.
- Where and when do you see a need? Pay attention to what people in your community or online are looking for but struggling to find. Some needs are seasonal, like holiday decorating or personalized gifts; others may show up year-round. Look for a specific gap you could fill.
Look for a Growing Niche
Your interests may connect to a skill people are willing to pay for. For example, Upwork reported that freelancer earnings for AI video generation and editing on its platform grew 329% from 2024 to 2025.** If you enjoy making videos and experimenting with AI tools, you might explore creating short promotional videos for local businesses. Start by finding out what potential customers need and whether your skills can help.
Plan & Check the Numbers
Before you commit, estimate what it would cost to make a product or provide a service. Include supplies, fees, travel, marketing, and your time. Then compare those costs with what you could realistically charge. The Small Business Administration’s startup-cost worksheet can help you organize the upfront expenses.
Suppose you enjoy photography and want to offer a few holiday photo sessions. Your time includes more than taking pictures, you’ll also answer messages, travel, edit images, and deliver the finished photos. Accounting for all of that can help you decide what to charge and how many sessions you can comfortably take on.
It helps to keep expectations grounded. In Bankrate’s 2025 survey, median side-hustle earnings were $200 per month.* That figure is earnings, not profit after expenses, which makes your own numbers especially important.
Decide What Success Looks Like to You
Maybe you want to cover a monthly expense, build an emergency fund, or save for a future goal. If you’re thinking about how extra income fits into your larger financial plan, our financial checklist for new graduates offers ideas for earning more and saving with purpose—habits that can help at any stage of life.
Define Your Happy: Success also means finding a pace you enjoy. Ask questions like would a few paid orders each month feel rewarding or would deadlines take the fun out of your hobby?
Take One Small Next Step
Choose one product or service to test over a set period, such as a few weeks or a season. You might try a small batch at a local farmers market or take a limited number of orders online. Keep track of customer interest, what you earn, what you spend, and how much time it takes. If demand is seasonal, decide whether that timing works for you. At the end of the trial, you can continue, adjust your offer, or keep the hobby for yourself.
Starting small is a familiar path. According to Etsy’s 2024 Global Seller Census, 89% of seller businesses on its platform are run by one person, and 97% operate from home. Your first step can be as simple as testing one offer and seeing where it leads.
Keep Your Business Finances Separate
If your trial turns into regular sales and expenses, keeping business transactions separate can make it easier to see how your venture is doing. First Mid offers business checking options and business credit card options to consider as your needs develop. Our team can help you explore which options fit your business.
Your hobby may be something you keep just for the joy of it or it may become a source of extra income. Either way, choose goals that fit your life and your own definition of happiness.