The holidays are expensive. Between gifts, travel, hosting dinners, and the infinite amount of "just one more thing" purchases, your bank account is often screaming by January 1st.
Then of course you have the regular life expenses that don’t care what time of year it is, they need to get paid. It can all feel really overwhelming and the last thing we need is added stress in this already stressful world.
The truth is, you don't have to choose between enjoying the holidays and staying financially stable. There’s no secret magical formula to do both. It’s about preparation, healthy boundaries and a little ingenuity.
PREPARATION: The first step is going to involve some backward planning. Add up how much you spent during the holidays last year, and then create a sinking fund in a high yield savings account.
Your goal is to fully fund that sinking fund with the amount of money you spent last year during the holidays. Then you will give yourself one year to hit that target (November 2026) Creating passive income streams that work for you while you're busy living your life.
HEALTHY BOUNDARIES: I know you’re probably thinking… okay girl I have a plan for next year’s spending but what about this year. This is when the healthy boundaries come to play. You can’t say yes to everything and that’s okay. You have to be okay deciding what things are important / priorities and what things are just holiday noise.
[How I Cut My Holiday Spending Without Feeling Like A Scrooge]
[8 budget friendly holiday traditions that won’t break the bank]
INGENUITY: This is why you’re really here! Ingenuity is needed to create multiple streams of income that will help you save and invest more while spending smarter.
Passive income enters the chat. I've spent years testing different passive income strategies (some worked, some were complete disasters—I'll save you from those), and I've compiled the ultimate list of 100 passive income ideas that actually work (not gonna lie to you though: some will need more elbow grease than others).
These aren't get-rich-quick schemes. They're real, actionable strategies that can help you earn anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand extra dollars during the holiday season and beyond.
Let’s begin!
Before we jump into the list, let's have an honest discussion about what passive income really is and what it isn’t. It's money you earn with minimal ongoing effort after the initial setup. Notice I said minimal, not zero. And there typically is going to be a learning curve during the initial setup phase. That is one of the main differentiators between a passive income stream and a side hustle.
True passive income requires upfront work, whether that's creating a product, setting up an investment account, or building an audience. But once that foundation is laid, you can earn money while you're sleeping, binge-watching your favorite show, or spending time with family during the holidays.
The goal isn't to replace your full-time income overnight (though that's possible long-term). The goal is to create financial breathing room so the holidays don't disrupt your budget and so you can continue to earn more money in the new year.
I'm not going to sugarcoat this: passive income isn't actually that passive at first. Most of these ideas require serious upfront work, whether that's creating content, learning new skills, or investing capital.
But here's why it's worth it: once you build these income streams, they work for you 24/7. Take it from me, someone who is still selling my lesson plans on Teachers Pay Teachers almost 5 years since I’ve left the classroom.
Last year, I made over $7,000 during the holidays from passive income streams. Did it take time and money initially? Absolutely. But actively making money in my sleep is worth it.
The beauty of digital products is that you create them once and sell them infinitely. No inventory, no shipping, pure profit after the initial time investment.
1. Holiday-themed printables on Etsy - Think gift tags, meal planners, budget trackers, advent calendars, and party decorations. People are constantly searching for these during Q4.
2. Online courses teaching holiday skills - Package your knowledge about holiday baking, gift wrapping techniques, budget-friendly decorating, or stress-free entertaining into a course on Teachable or Kajabi.
3. E-books on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing - Write about holiday topics like "The Minimalist Gift Guide," "Surviving Family Gatherings," or niche topics you're knowledgeable about.
4. Stock photography collections - If you're handy with a camera, upload your best shots to Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or iStock. Holiday and seasonal photos are always in demand.
5. Custom digital art and illustrations - Sell on Creative Market, Etsy, or your own website. Think holiday card designs, social media graphics, or digital backgrounds.
6. Email marketing templates - Businesses need holiday email campaigns. Create Mailchimp or Klaviyo templates they can customize.
7. Professional fonts and typography - Upload to MyFonts, Creative Fabrica, or Font Bunny if you have design skills.
8. Lightroom presets for holiday photography - Family photo sessions peak during holidays. Sell preset packs that make editing easier.
9. Canva template bundles - Create templates for holiday newsletters, Instagram stories, Pinterest pins, or small business marketing materials.
10. Mobile apps or simple games - If you have coding skills (or hire someone), create a holiday-themed app with ad revenue or in-app purchases.
11. WordPress or Shopify themes - Design seasonal themes for websites and e-commerce stores ramping up for holiday sales.
12. Royalty-free music and sound effects - Upload to AudioJungle or Epidemic Sound for content creators needing background music.
13. Notion templates for productivity - Create holiday planning dashboards, gift trackers, or budget templates for the Notion community.
14. Printable coloring books - Adults love coloring books. Create holiday-themed pages and publish on Amazon KDP.
15. Digital scrapbooking kits - Sell to the crafting community on Etsy or Creative Market.
16. AR filters for Instagram and Snapchat - If you know Spark AR or Lens Studio, create festive filters brands will pay for.
17. Video editing templates - Sell on VideoHive for YouTubers and content creators making holiday content.
18. Specialized calculators or tools - Build a holiday budget calculator, tip calculator, or recipe converter and monetize with ads.
19. 3D models and assets - For game developers and designers on platforms like TurboSquid or Sketchfab.
20. PLR (Private Label Rights) content - Write articles, social posts, or guides that others can rebrand and use.
Print-on-demand is perfect because you're not dealing with inventory or upfront costs. You design, they handle production and shipping.
21. Seasonal apparel on multiple platforms - T-shirts, yes, but upload your designs across Printful, Printify, Teespring, and Redbubble to maximize reach. Focus on trending holiday phrases or niche humor.
22. Insulated drinkware with custom designs - Holiday-themed tumblers, wine tumblers, and travel mugs sell incredibly well through fall and winter on platforms like CustomCat.
23. Ornament designs - Create designs for ceramic, acrylic, or wooden ornaments through print-on-demand services. These are huge gift items.
24. Eco-friendly tote bags - Design reusable shopping bags with holiday or winter themes via Printful. Sustainability is trending hard.
25. Phone and tech accessories - Beyond cases, think PopSockets, laptop sleeves, and AirPod cases with your designs on Case-Mate or Printify.
26. Wall and desk calendars - Upload photography or artwork to Lulu, Zazzle, or Shutterfly. People buy these as gifts and for themselves.
27. Guided journals and planners - Use KDP Print to create goal-setting journals, gratitude journals, or 2026 planners. These peak in Q4.
28. Luxury greeting card collections - Minted and Zazzle let you earn commissions on card designs. Think beyond generic—target specific audiences.
29. Framed art prints and canvas - Society6 handles printing and framing. Upload your photography, digital art, or illustrations.
30. Die-cut vinyl stickers - Sticker Mule and Redbubble make this easy. Stickers are low-cost impulse purchases that add up.
31. Premium loungewear and activewear - Hoodies, joggers, and sweatshirts with unique designs on Printful perform well in colder months.
32. Pet bandanas and accessories - Pet owners love dressing up their animals for holidays. Design pet-specific items through various POD services.
33. Home textiles - Think throw blankets, bath mats, shower curtains, and table runners with your designs on Society6 or Contrado.
34. Jigsaw puzzles - Upload high-quality images to Printful or Zazzle. Puzzles are popular gifts and winter activities.
35. Kitchen and dining items - Cutting boards, coasters, placemats, and oven mitts with custom designs through POD platforms like SPOD.
If you're willing to create content consistently, these platforms will pay you for views, engagement, and influence. Note: Key word is consistent! Just because it doesn’t pop off right away doesn’t mean it won’t!
36. YouTube ad revenue and sponsorships - Start a channel around holiday content, gift guides, budget tips, or literally any niche you're passionate about.
37. Podcast monetization - Launch a show and monetize through Spotify's partner program, Patreon, or direct sponsorships.
38. Blog with display advertising - Start a blog using Mediavine or AdThrive once you hit traffic thresholds. Write holiday gift guides, recipes, or financial tips.
39. TikTok Creator Fund and brand deals - Short-form video is massive. Share quick tips, reviews, or entertainment and get paid for views.
40. Instagram Reels and brand partnerships - Build an engaged following and monetize through the Reels Play Bonus and sponsored content.
41. Affiliate marketing websites - Create a niche site recommending holiday products with Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact or individual affiliate programs direct from brands.
42. Pinterest affiliate strategy - Pinterest is a search engine. Create pins linking to affiliate products—holiday items tend to convert like crazy here.
43. Niche authority blog with multiple income streams - Combine ads, affiliates, and digital products on one site focused on a specific audience.
44. Medium Partner Program articles - Write about personal finance, relationships, career, or any topic and earn based on member reading time.
45. Content licensing - License your blog posts, videos, or photography to media outlets or brands needing content.
46. Stock footage sales - Upload video clips to Pond5, Shutterstock, or Adobe Stock. Holiday B-roll footage is always needed.
47. Membership community - Create exclusive content on Circle, Instagram, Mighty Networks, or your own platform and charge monthly access.
48. Patreon exclusive content - Offer bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes access, or early content to paying supporters.
49. Substack paid newsletter - Build an email list and convert readers to paid subscribers with premium analysis or advice. Let me know if you want some support on learning how to build a newsletter!
50. Business directory or resource hub - Create a curated directory of services or tools in a specific niche and charge for featured listings. This does really well during the holidays. Back in my beauty blogger days I’d do a curated gift guide and charge brands $25 to be in the guide and $100 to promote them independently on social media or to my newsletter subscribers.
These passive income streams are not going to be a quick turn around and require money upfront. But they can generate reliable passive income with minimal effort in the long-term. Patience is key with these options!
51. Dividend growth stocks - Invest in companies with strong dividend histories like Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola, or Procter & Gamble.
52. High-yield savings accounts - Put your emergency fund in accounts offering a higher APY than a traditional bank. My favorite is Ally but other great options are Capital One 360, Marcus and American Express.
53. Certificates of Deposit - Lock in guaranteed returns by putting your money in a CD with a long term maturity date. Only use money that you won’t need to access in the near future for this option.
54. Treasury bonds and I-bonds - Government-backed securities offering inflation protection and reliable interest payments.
55. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) - Invest in real estate without buying property through publicly traded REITs or ETFs like VNQ.
56. Low-cost index funds - Set and forget investments in S&P 500 index funds through Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab.
57. Tax-advantaged municipal bonds - Earn tax-free interest from state and local government bonds.
58. Peer-to-peer lending platforms - Lend money through Prosper or LendingClub and earn interest on loans.
59. Cryptocurrency staking rewards - Stake coins like Ethereum or Cardano through exchanges like Coinbase to earn passive yields.
60. Royalty income trusts - Invest in trusts that own mineral rights or energy assets and distribute monthly income.
61. Corporate bonds- Invest in high-quality corporate bonds with staggered maturities for regular income.
62. Dividend aristocrat portfolio - Focus on companies that have increased dividends for 25+ consecutive years. Those companies are called dividend aristocrats.
63. Real estate crowdfunding - Invest in properties through Fundrise, RealtyMogul, or CrowdStreet with low minimums.
Turn your existing assets into income generators without having to sell them.
64. Airbnb spare room or entire property - Holiday travelers need places to stay. Even one room can earn $500-2000+ monthly depending on location.
65. Vrbo vacation rental - Similar to Airbnb but often attracts families and longer-term holiday stays.
66. Neighbor storage space rental - Rent out garage, basement, or attic space for storage through Neighbor.com.
67. SpotHero parking space - If you're in an urban area, rent your unused parking spot to commuters or event-goers.
68. Turo car rental - List your vehicle when you're not using it. Some owners make $500-1500/month depending on the car.
69. RVshare camper rental - Own an RV that sits unused? Rent it to travelers looking for their next adventure
70. Fat Llama equipment rental - Rent cameras, tools, camping gear, or electronics to people who need them temporarily.
71. BabyQuip baby gear rental - Provide cribs, strollers, and car seats to traveling families in tourist areas.
72. Event and party supply rental - Rent tables, chairs, decorations, or sound equipment for holiday parties.
73. Seasonal equipment storage - Offer storage for boats, jet skis, or winter sports equipment when not in season. (obviously this only works if you have the space to do so)
74. Hipcamp backyard camping - Let people camp on your property for a unique outdoor experience. This works best if you live somewhere cool that attracts a lot of tourists but isn’t necessarily city / urban based.
75. Boatsetter boat rental - Similar to Turo but for watercraft. List your boat for day rentals or fishing trips.
76. Sparkplug instrument rental - Rent musical instruments to students or hobbyists trying before buying.
77. Spinlister bike rental - In college towns or tourist areas, rent bikes or e-bikes to visitors.
Create once, earn forever through licensing agreements.
78. Exclusive stock photo licensing - Higher payouts than standard stock sites through agencies like Getty Images or Alamy.
79. Music streaming royalties - Upload original music to Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music through DistroKid or TuneCore.
80. Patent licensing deals - If you've invented something, license it to manufacturers instead of producing yourself.
81. Trademark licensing - Create a brand or character and license it to product manufacturers.
82. Book royalties - Traditional publishing or self-publishing both generate ongoing royalties from sales.
83. Art licensing for commercial use - License your artwork to be used on products, in advertising, or for editorial purposes.
84. Software or SaaS licensing - Create useful software and charge monthly licensing fees to businesses.
85. Recipe or cookbook royalties - Develop unique recipes and license them to food companies or publish cookbooks.
86. Design licensing to manufacturers - License your product designs to companies that will manufacture and sell them.
87. Video content licensing to news outlets - If you capture viral or newsworthy footage, license it through Storyful or Newsflare.
These require more upfront investment but can run with minimal involvement once established. 💡Some of these ideas are not passive income streams I’d recommend if you are strapped for cash right now, but something you can perhaps save towards in the future. They are also not the easiest to set up in comparison to others on the list! Keep that in mind as you look through them.
88. Vending machine routes - Place machines in high-traffic locations and restock weekly. Start with 1-2 machines and scale.
89. Laundromat ownership - High initial cost but extremely passive with card-operated machines and occasional maintenance.
90. Automated car wash - Touchless or self-service car washes can generate 6-figure annual income with minimal labor.
91. ATM machine placement - Earn transaction fees by placing ATMs in high-traffic locations like bars, gas stations, or events.
92. Amazon FBA seasonal products - Send inventory to Amazon, they handle storage, shipping, and customer service for holiday items.
93. Automated dropshipping store - Use Shopify with apps like AutoDS to fulfill orders automatically without holding inventory.
94. Subscription box service - Curate monthly boxes around a niche (coffee, books, self-care) and automate fulfillment.
95. White-label supplement brand - Partner with manufacturers to create your own branded supplements sold through Amazon or Shopify. Please do this properly meeting all the requirements needed to put a product like this on the market. We’ve all seen what happened with the Pink Sauce lady on TT! Do it the right way.
96. Self-storage facility investment - Partner or invest in self-storage properties that generate reliable monthly rental income.
97. License your business systems - If you've built successful processes, license them to others in your industry as a franchisee or consultant model.
These probably could have fit somewhere but I wasn’t 100% sure where they should go because they are so new or fit into multiple categories
98. UGC- This probably could have gone under content, but it also works under licensing. If you are great at filming / editing videos about products you can do so for brands specifically (not dependent on your following on social media) and license your content to them to be used in ads.
99. Advertise on your car: If you own a car you can use companies like Carvertise, Wrapify, or Nickelytics that will wrap your car with ads and all have you to do is drive around.
100. Buy a blog: You can buy blogs that already exist. This gives you the opportunity to fast forward the building part, and take on a blog that has already set up the infrastructure and monetization. Make sure it’s a blog you have some interest in if you plan to create content for it yourself, or decide if you’ll be hiring writers to freelance and create content for the blog.
Don't try to do everything at once. That is a sure fire way to burn out.
Pick 2-3 ideas that match your current skills, available time, and budget. I'm a big believer in the 80/20 rule. Focus on the strategies that will give you the biggest return for your effort.
Start with digital products, content creation, or print-on-demand. These require sweat equity but minimal financial investment.
Focus on investment-based income, rental strategies, or automated business models that can scale without constant attention.
Test a few ideas simultaneously. Start a blog while also opening a high-yield savings account and uploading some designs to print-on-demand sites.
If you're serious about earning extra money this holiday season (and beyond), here's your action plan:
This Week:
This Month:
Next 90 Days:
By implementing even a handful of these 100 passive income ideas, you can create financial breathing room during the most expensive time of year. I'm rooting for you future millionaire!
Until next time,
Get a grip on your finances, master savings and getting debt-free. Check out our coaching packages
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