Two in five Brits are planning to launch a side gig this December, with plans to pocket half a grand in the run up to Christmas.
The UK’s newfound love affair with cheap small business ideas has stepped up considerably this month, as workers seek to top up their bank balance in time for the Christmas period.
According to a survey of 2,000 British adults from GoDaddy, 41% of us plan to launch a side gig this holiday season. The overwhelming majority of respondents cite the ongoing cost of living crisis and rise in inflation as the main driver behind their plans.
58% of aspiring founders expect to generate up to £500 with their venture, creating a sizable budget for the Christmas food shop and gift-buying. We explore the top simple side hustle, monetising your hobby or skill is a good place to start. GoDaddy’s data finds that 57% of side hustlers intend to sell hand-made products as part of their business model.
Specifically, this group is aiming to make and sell festive decorations, arts, and toys, launching their very own Santa’s workshop from the comfort of their own home.
Meanwhile, 19% will sell personal care and salon services such as festive makeup and nails, setting them up to capitalise as the era of the office Christmas party begins.
Even more cannily, 12% of respondents said they will sell pet care and services. Pet-related services such as dog walking or cat sitting tend to become more popular over the holiday break as people search for cheap carers while they are away from the home.
‘Tis the season to start a business
Starting a business at Christmas time might seem counterintuitive. After all, most of us dream of putting our feet up at the end of December, and relaxing around the bank holidays.
Yet it seems entrepreneurial spirit has won over festive in the UK, with more of us taking advantage of convenient business models like dropshipping to generate a passive income throughout the month.
Chris Simmons is one of those seasonal entrepreneurs, having started the sustainable company, Eco Christmas Trees as a side hustle last year. The business allows customers to rent a pot grown tree, and return it to the farm for future festive celebrations.
“My wife’s family owns and runs the farm on which we grow the Christmas trees, and I am a golf caddie full-time,” reveals Simmons.
“We started the business out of a desire to help reduce Christmas waste, it has become a usefulstore and have started building our customer base.”
Jingle all the way to success
December’s spike in side hustles rounds off a booming year for part-time entrepreneurs that looks set to continue next year. Indeed, 57% of the GoDaddy say they will reopen their festive side hustle in 2024, if it performs well this year.
Thousands of us, from student sellers to rural retailers, have leapt onto the benefits that running an online shop can bring, such as reduced overheads and a simplified set up.
Andrew Gradon is Head of GoDaddy UK & Ireland. Gradon notes the advantages that internet selling has for those looking to make a quick dime online.
“Launching a festive side hustle with a website gives small businesses a chance to make the most of holiday-spending,” he says. “Selling online enables them to market their products and services quicker.”
Gradon lauds the positive impact that this new business population could have on the UK’s growth and recovery in 2024. “After all, microbusinesses are the engine of the British economy. When they thrive, we all do,” he concludes.
Helena is Deputy Editor at Startups. She oversees all news and supporting content on Startups, and is also the author of the weekly Startups email newsletter, delivering must-know SME updates straight to their inbox.
From interviewing Wetherspoon’s boss Tim Martin to spotting data-led working from home trends, her insight has been featured by major trade publications including the ICAEW, and news outlets like the BBC, ITV News, Daily Express, and HuffPost UK.
With a background in PR and marketing, Helena is particularly passionate about giving early-stage startups a platform to boost their brands. That’s one reason she manages the Startups 100 Index, our annual ranking of new UK businesses.
