17 side hustles to help you raise money for Christmas

Side hustles to help you raise money for Christmas. (Courtesy)

The holiday season will soon be here and as usual; Kenyans will certainly go big on spending.

From sultry nyama choma, lively Christmas parties, and the inevitable pocket draining trip to the upcountry folks, there's no shortage of treats.

And we all know how it ends: dry pockets and mammoth bills come January.

On the other hand, you can ease some of the inevitable January struggles by engaging in some side hustles.

Here are some side gigs you can consider:

Broker Anything

Don't be over-generous this mbuzi season. Broker anything.

Example: if a friend sends you to buy a laptop in town, top up Sh.1000. That's about 4 Tuskers!

Just make sure you're not caught otherwise since you may still need him in January.

You can also 'import' Mbuzi and chicken from the far-flung areas like Laikipia and sell in towns.

Offer catering services

This is also a favorite season for weddings and dozens of other parties. This is also a favorite season for weddings, dowry ceremonies, and dozens of other parties.

If you're at home cooking and entertaining guests, then this could be your season.

Home Delivering Drinks

Make everyone merry with more than 260 Christmas drinks for all ages, from eggnog and hot Christmas cocktails, beers, and mulled wines are wildly popular during the festivities and it's a lucrative market.

You can also hunt for exquisite champagnes and serve those looking for a different taste. If you can advertise online and do home deliveries, you'll soon be the proud owner of a bulging wallet.

Paparazzi

Again you can freelance as the local Paparazzi. You may, however, need to hire a quality printer and select a location frequented by revelers during the vacation season.

And with creativity, the sky could be the limit. For example, you can make portraits and arrange wild money-minting photoshoots.

Drive For Taxify or Uber

Fear of Christmas 'blues' should be enough to have you dust up your driving skills and look for driving gigs. You don't even need to wait for trips from your Uber buddy- talk to that neighbor whose car is always parked at the basement.

If he/she is hesitating, just promise Sh.1000 daily (1000x30=Sh30,000) (And please keep your pledge).

Sell Your Junks

The ugly junk you still retain in the house could be a huge treasure to someone out there. Scour the house for stuff you no longer use...furniture, toys, an old mattress, baby walker, desktop computer, shoes (ladies, are you hearing), the 'dumb' TV (you people you call flat screen TV smart?)...you name it.

You simply post it on social media and tell everyone who cares to listen. You never know. Your fare upcountry could come from the scrap!

Housesit Or Babysit

Tried and true, housesitting and babysitting are well-known ways to raise some extra cash.

Imagine this:

Schools are closing for 69 days! Now, sweet-talk the neighbors and friends with kindergarten age kids and give them an irresistible offer.

For instance, at Sh.100 daily, for 40 days, you will have Sh.4000. And since you'll be playing to the gods of luck, you get 20 kids.

Friend, with your cool Sh.80000, you'll be wishing that all days are Christmas days.

Sell Snacks in Busy Places

You can buy snacks and sell in popular holiday spots like Uhuru Park or near the beach (if you live in Mombasa) on the material days.

I am talking about sweets, yogurt, ice cream, and such. You might make a kill.

Rent out the car

If you rarely use your car and are comfortable hiring it out, you can sound out those interested in self-drives and add some coins to your Christmas savings basket.

Of course, you'll need to do some due diligence to avoid falling into the hands of cons and ensure its insured.

Teach

Teaching is a fantastic way to make spare money for university and college students.

If you are waiting to graduate or have some subjects you were good in, you can advertise your services and even be moving door to door teaching.

You can charge per hour or a flat daily rate for groups. Also, consider teaming up with friends to be able to handle more units.

Be Santa

Do you have an amazing beard and love being around kids? Then you can make great money before Christmas acting Santa.

You will invest in Santa costume and talk to hotels, bars, and local businesses offering to help them promote their products as their Father Christmas.

I am told the rates can be excellent.

Bake

The festivities are all about indulging in delicious baked goodies. Bake some sultry cookies, cakes, or other food and turn your baking skills into cash. This can work everywhere- office parties, in-house Christmas parties, upcoming birthdays, and more.

Gikomba Stuff

Gikomba is teeming with beautiful attires at this time. Find your way there and grab some 'camera' t-shirts, caps, shoes, blazers, jeans....you name it.

And start promoting these to friends and colleagues. It could later turn out to be a super-inspired money-spinning idea.

Sell Christmas Gifts

A good number of homes need Christmas trees and related Christmas merchandise.

Go to Kamukunji wholesale stores and invest. Expect to be swimming in money by the time Christmas rolls in provided you market your decorations well and have good prices.

Rent out your rooms

If you have spare rooms at home, advertise them on Airbnb. You will need to clean it out, install some comforts, and decorate it nicely.

You will host guests from other places and earning from them.

The best bit?

Airbnb always pays and sometimes can rake in good amounts.

Flip Stuff

Those of us who are digital savvy have a chance of earning by flipping stuff. You go to an online marketplace like Olx, create a sellers account, and post stuff you have bought cheaply offline or on the same site (Jumia or PigiaMe) on your platform- at a profit.

Your target is the massive online community looking for deals.

Be a Tour Guide

Websites such as ToursbyLocals help locals publicize tours in their cities or other locations they're well conversant and pay well once you deliver the tour.

For example, A one day tour of Nairobi (city Center) can earn you about Kshs 10,000/-. You can create an account and hype tours to your village (It should be interesting) and earn big.

Bottom-Line:

You can make handsome cash during the upcoming festive season. The opportunities are aplenty and the purse strings open.

So, why spend this Christmas broke while everyone else is making merry?