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Writer's pictureSabrina

9 Short-Term Holiday Jobs Anyone Can Do This Season

There are a handful of seasonal businesses that need temporary employees to work the holidays. So, if you only have availability during spooky season, are looking for something fun to do this Christmas, or just want to make some extra cash during the holidays, then a short-term holiday job could be perfect for you. Most seasonal holiday jobs are entry level, requiring little to no experience, and are a great way to make some extra cash. To provide you with some options, below is a list of short-term holiday jobs that anyone can work this upcoming season!


make money during the holidays

Photo Credit: Micheile Henderson

What to Know About Seasonal Holiday Jobs


What are seasonal holiday jobs?


These seasonal holiday jobs are short-term job opportunities that take place in the fall and winter season between the months of September and January. They are temporary jobs that hire seasonal workers to operate their business during the busy season.


Where can you find seasonal holiday jobs?


Many holiday seasonal jobs can be found via a quick google search or on general job search websites like Indeed. Any notable job search resources will be mentioned under the respective job listed below.


What is the time commitment like for holiday temp jobs?


While the contract may only be 1-3 months long, the actual time commitment will vary depending on the job itself. Some jobs require workers to be available during the weekends, at night, or during odd hours of the day. These are not remote jobs and they do expect their employees to work on-site.


What are the perks of working a holiday job?


These jobs are great if you want a fun experience or are looking to make some extra cash for the holidays. Some may come with added perks like access to events, tickets, food, or merchandise. They are also a great opportunity if you need to fill some time between jobs or are looking to acquire specific skills to add to your resume.



9 Short-Term Seasonal Holiday Jobs


working at a pumpkin patch

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Villalta

1. Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Staff


Overview

Early-September through November marks the fall season in the USA and it would not be fall without the return of pumpkins. Many farms in the USA run 'pick your own' pumpkin patches, fall family festivals, and corn maze challenges this time of year. Depending on the specifics of their business they need a multitude of staff to help run the operation.


Job Options

  • Pumpkin Picker

  • Corn Maze Attendant

  • Tour Assistant

  • Cashier

  • Food Service

  • Activity Operator

  • Hayride Driver

  • Games Attendant

  • Tickets

  • Farm Hand

  • Face Painter

  • and more...


Job Search

  • Use general job websites like Indeed

  • Google search: Corn maze or pumpkin patch near me, family farms near me, pumpkin patch job openings, farms with corn mazes, pick your own pumpkin staff wanted, etc...


working at a cider mill

Photo Credit: Leon Ephraim

2. Cider Mill & Apple Orchard Employee


Overview

August through October/November marks apple season in the USA and that means that cider mills and 'pick your own apple' orchards are open for the season. If you love apple cider donuts, picking your own apples, and the general fall aesthetic, this could be a good place for you to work. If you find you really enjoy working at a cider mill you can also find some of these business open year round.


Job Options

  • Donut Maker

  • Apple Picker

  • Food Service

  • Barista

  • Farm Hand

  • Grounds Keeper

  • Tasting Room

  • Cashier

  • Gift Shop

  • Pastry Baker

  • Bartender

  • and more...


Job Search

  • Use general job websites like Indeed

  • Google search: apple cider mills near me, family apple orchard job openings, apple farms currently hiring, pick your own apple orchard jobs, work at a cider mill, etc...


haunted house jobs

Photo Credit: Charlie Wollborg

3. Haunted House Staff


Overview

During September and October haunted houses start reappearing all over the USA. The people who pop out from the shadowy hallways of these horrifying mansions are paid actors and you can be one of them! Some haunted houses are family run and others are larger corporations, but all need help to run their events during spooky season. If a haunted house isn't your style you can also try for a haunted corn maze or carnival.


Job Options

  • Scare Actor

  • Tickets

  • Merchandise

  • Make-up

  • Props

  • Line Attendant

  • Parking Attendant

  • Food and Beverage Attendant

  • Lighting and Sound Technicians

  • and more...


Job Search

  • Find haunted houses near you on Fright Find

  • Search theme parks with fright nights; Universal, Cedar Point, Six Flags, etc...

  • Use general job websites like Indeed

  • Google search: haunted house job openings, seasonal scare actors wanted, haunted corn mazes currently hiring, haunted houses near me, etc...


working at a christmas tree stand

Photo Credit: Sean Foster

4. Christmas Tree Farms & Lots


Overview

Christmas tree production is a year-round job, but the busy season starts when tree sales begin in October and run until Christmas. During this time, tree farms need to hire more staff members to help assist costumers looking to purchase Christmas trees and cash out other merchandise. A lot of these jobs require heavy lifting but a few are hands off when it comes to handling the trees themselves. If you are a lover of the smell of evergreens and the aesthetic of Christmas, you may have found your holiday job.


Job Options

  • Tree Handler

  • Farmworker

  • Sales

  • Cashier

  • Gift Shop

  • Greeter

  • Inventory

  • Truck or Tractor Driver

  • and more...


Job Search

  • Search tree farms via the National Christmas Tree Association and your specific state's tree association

  • Use seasonal job websites like Coolworks

  • Use general job websites like Indeed

  • Google search: Christmas tree farms near me, Christmas tree lot job openings, tree farms hiring near me, work at a Christmas tree farm, Christmas tree and wreath sale jobs, etc...


installing christmas lights

Photo Credit: Tim Mossholder

5. Holiday Light Installer


Overview

October through mid-December is when people pay professional holiday light companies to come install their Christmas lights. Of course, these companies need some extra hands around this time to do the actual installation or help with sales. If you are comfortable getting up on a ladder to install Christmas lights on houses and business around town then this job can help you bring in a good chunk of change this season.


Job Options

  • Light Installer

  • Decorator

  • Sales

  • Truck or Lift Operator

  • Lighting Technician


Job Search

  • Search career pages of home renovation companies like Home Depot or Lowes

  • Use seasonal job websites like Coolworks

  • Use general job websites like Indeed

  • Google Search: light installation companies near me, Christmas light installation jobs hiring now, holiday light installation jobs, etc...


work as santa

Photo Credit: Jason Mata

6. Santa's Helpers


Overview

With Santa being so busy this time of year, he needs lots of Christmas elves and helpers to spread the joy of the season for people of all ages. Usually the season starts in November and runs through New Years but it varies depending on the event. You can find these jobs in malls, public or private events, theme parks, family farms, and holiday celebrations across the USA. If you prefer, you can also volunteer in these positions at hospitals and fundraisers.


Job Options

  • Santa

  • Christmas Elves

  • Mrs. Clause

  • Santa's Helpers & Friends

  • Photographers

  • Line Attendants

  • Sales and Tickets


Job Search

  • Use databases like; Santa Clause Jobs

  • Use general job websites like Indeed

  • Google search: Santa's helper jobs, Christmas character openings near me, mall Santa jobs near me, work as a Christmas Elf, hiring Santa's helpers, Mrs. Clause needed, etc...


work at a christmas festival

Photo Credit: Alsu Vershinina

7. Christmas Festival & Fair Staff


Overview

Christmas and holiday festivals, fairs, and markets pop up all over the USA throughout November and December. Some are only a weekend long and others last weeks at a time. These events take a lot of coordination and set up and that means job opportunities of all kinds. Take a look at upcoming events in the surrounding towns near you and see what job options could work.


Job Options

  • Event Set Up

  • Food & Beverage

  • Santa's Helpers

  • Craft and Games Attendants

  • Tickets and Sales

  • Event Coordinator

  • Event Clean Up

  • and more...


Job Search

  • Use general job websites like Indeed

  • Google search: Christmas market employment opportunities, Christmas festival staff needed near me, Christmas fair near me, Christmas festival jobs, holiday festivals near me, fall festivals hiring staff, etc...


gift wrapping holiday job

Photo Credit: Juliana Malta

8. Holiday Gift Wrapper


Overview

Not everyone enjoys wrapping their holiday gifts, so they outsource this task to holiday gift wrappers. These jobs are popular in November and December and are stationed at local shopping malls, department stores, and other businesses. If you are not perfect at gift wrapping they will train you or give you another task. If you are in need of an indoor job that does not require much movement or heavy lifting, this may be a good option.


Job Options

  • Gift Wrapper

  • Cashier

  • Sales


Job Search

  • Inquire at shopping malls and department stores near you

  • Use general job websites like Indeed

  • Google search: holiday gift wrapping jobs, holiday gift wrappers needed, wrap gifts for the holidays, Christmas present wrapping jobs, etc...


catering a holiday event

Photo Credit: Pelle Martin

9. Catering & Event Staff


Overview

Public and private events happen all throughout the holiday season; Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve. These large events need freelance waitstaff, bartenders, and other staff members to help the event go smoothly. If you want to decorate, sling drinks, or hand out trays of tasty treats, then try your hand at one of these jobs.


Job Options

  • Waitstaff

  • Bartender

  • Kitchen Staff

  • Event Set Up

  • Event Breakdown

  • Event Coordinator


Job Search

  • Use websites and companies that outsource event staff, like Simply Serving

  • Use general job websites like Indeed

  • Google search: staff needed for holiday event, New Years Eve event staff needed, holiday party waitstaff jobs, catered event staff needed, etc...



Conclusion


There are many job options and work locations that offer short-term holiday work. Whether you are looking to make some extra income this holiday season or just want something fun to do, hopefully this list provided you with some ideas for holiday jobs. What holiday jobs have worked for you? Let us know in the comments below!





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