78% of Americans Turn to Side Hustles to Cover Holiday Expenses

• Nearly 1 in 5 Americans plan to take on a side hustle to cover holiday expenses, with 55% specifically doing so to afford gifts.
• Percentage planning to take on a side hustle to cover holiday expenses by generation:
  • Gen Z: 28%
  • Millennials: 21%
  • Gen X: 12%
  • Baby boomers: 9%
• Percentage who are already side-hustling to cover holiday expenses by generation:
  • Gen Z: 53%
  • Millennials: 60%
  • Gen X: 61%
  • Baby boomers: 54%
• While 19% of side hustlers plan to work only during the holiday season, a significant 81% intend to continue beyond.
• Nearly 7 in 10 Americans pursuing a side hustle to cover holiday expenses are focused on online freelance work (66%), selling goods online (34%), and food delivery (19%).
• Of those planning to start a side hustle to pay for holiday expenses, 66% intend to do just one, while 34% plan to do multiple.
• If they can’t earn enough from their side hustle, Americans are willing to cut back on the following:
  • Personal holiday treats: 58%
  • Decorations: 41%
  • Holiday travel: 41%
  • Gifts for family and friends: 38%
  • Hosting events/parties: 36%

On average, side hustlers plan to spend $682 on holiday gifts this season. Nearly 1 in 10 expect to earn over $1,000 per month from their side hustle to cover holiday expenses.

• 1 in 4 Americans are side hustling to afford holiday travel.
• Gifts Americans are trying to save up for through their side hustles:
  • High-end beauty/skincare products: 55%
  • Designer fashion items: 23%
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max: 21%
  • PS5: 21%
  • Coffee/espresso machines: 21%
  • Smart home devices: 18%
  • Noise Cancellation Headphones: 16%
  • AirPods Pro: 16%
• While 70% of side hustlers believe their side gig will positively impact their holiday experience, 8% feel it will have the opposite effect, and 22% say it will have no impact.

• 66% of Americans feel more financial stress during the holidays compared to other times of the year.
• 64% of Americans say that increasing holiday expenses are forcing them to take on side hustles or extra jobs.

We surveyed 1,004 Americans to explore how financial pressures during the holiday season impact their decision to take on side hustles. Of the respondents, 59% were already side hustling, 19% were planning to, and 22% had no plans to side hustle. The generational breakdown was Gen Z (19%), millennials (49%), Gen X (25%), and baby boomers (7%). The survey was conducted in October 2024.

SideHustles.com connects individuals with flexible, high-impact opportunities to increase their income and reach their financial goals, making it easier to balance personal needs and holiday demands.

If you think your readers would benefit from these insights into holiday side-hustling trends, feel free to share this article for noncommercial purposes. We ask only that you link back to this page so readers can access the full finds and methodology.