Aditya Sachdeva holds a full-time position at a digital marketing firm, but he also has a side job in data work.

At 27 years old, Sachdeva tends to take on more side projects during the holiday season to help cover his expenses.

This trend is echoed in two recent surveys indicating a rise in side hustles.

According to a survey conducted by Sidehustles.com, 78% of Americans are either engaged in side hustles or are planning to start one to help pay for holiday expenses. Of those surveyed, 59% already have an additional job, and 19% intend to begin one.

In a separate study by Resumetemplates.com, 70% of full-time workers stated they would be willing to take on extra hours to manage holiday costs. Forty percent confirmed they already have side gigs, while 30% expressed their intention to start one. Popular options include gig work, seasonal retail positions, and freelance projects to enhance their income.

Increased Demand for Side Gigs as Holidays Approach

There has been a surge in both the interest in side gigs and the demand to hire people for these roles as the end of the year approaches, said Ed Huang, co-founder of Sidehustles.com. He noted that the need for extra workers often spikes threefold during the holiday season compared to other times of the year.

“Christmas marks the highest demand for side gigs throughout the entire year,” Huang shared with YSL News, mentioning that his platform has seen a significant uptick in users seeking holiday jobs over the past three to five years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Freelance writing remains a popular side gig, and Huang noted a growing interest from businesses wanting to hire individuals for gift-wrapping services.

Julia Toothacre, chief career strategist at ResumeTemplates.com, confirmed that seasonal side hustles have risen since 2020.

“Whether you’re aiming to boost your income or simply need some extra cash for the holidays, there are various ways to earn more,” Toothacre said. “With inflation being a concern, side hustles are a great way to supplement your income while maintaining flexibility in your schedule.”

Toothacre also emphasized the importance of checking employment contracts or company policies regarding outside work, as some organizations may have restrictions. Typically, self-employed freelance roles are not affected by these policies as long as the work doesn’t compete with the employee’s main job.

Side Hustles Commonly Decline in Summer but Surge Before Holidays

Sachdeva began taking on freelance gigs right after graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic when full-time roles were scarce. He maintained these side jobs even after securing a full-time position, as they helped him hone his skills and provided a financial boost.

While he takes on side work throughout the year, he tends to scale back during summer to enjoy outdoor activities, travel, and socialize with friends.

However, as winter approaches, he increases his workload with side projects.

“There are many more opportunities available, especially in my field,” Sachdeva explained. “As the year wraps up, numerous clients are in need of support, and many companies in the tech industry outsource their tasks to freelancers.”

Winter also brings additional holiday-related expenses, and the income from side work can be particularly beneficial, contributing anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 a month.

Reasons People Seek Side Gigs

Insights from the Sidehustles.com survey highlight several key motivators:

• One in four Americans takes on side gigs to finance holiday travel. The top reasons include: 55% for gift purchases, 48% for building an emergency fund, 44% to pay off debt, 34% for unexpected expenses, and 29% for holiday indulgences.
• Sixty-six percent of Americans experience heightened financial stress during the holidays compared to other times of the year.
• Nearly 10% expect to earn more than $1,000 monthly from their side endeavors to help with holiday costs. On average, those with side hustles plan to spend $682 on holiday gifts this season.
• Of those planning to start side work for holiday savings, 34% intend to juggle multiple jobs.
• The majority of employees express that their salary alone is insufficient to cover holiday expenses.
• Three in ten individuals engaged in additional work indicated that their productivity at their full-time job may decrease.
• Common side gig choices include delivery services (42%), seasonal retail work (32%), freelancing in areas like writing or graphic design (27%), and ride-sharing (26%). Pet or house-sitting is also popular (16%), along with social media influencing (15%), bar or restaurant roles (14%), and babysitting (9%).
• A portion of respondents, specifically 12%, aim to earn more than $3,000, while 17% are targeting $2,001 to $3,000. Additionally, 28% hope to generate earnings between $1,001 and $2,000, and 31% are seeking to make between $500 and $1,000. The largest group, 12%, plans to earn $500 or less from their holiday side gigs.

• Over 20% of those surveyed intend to spend $2,000 or more during the holiday season.