15 Best Holiday Jobs for Retirees This Season

If you’re looking to make extra money ahead of the holiday season, consider a part-time seasonal job — even as a retiree. It’s a great way to pad your wallet when the grandkids start sending off their letters to Santa.

From festive jobs like gift wrapping at the mall or decorating homes to necessary roles like retail clerks, rideshare drivers, and USPS workers, here are 15 jobs you can find this holiday season.

Furry friends aren’t always a welcome plus one at the holiday table. 

So whether a pet owner is headed out of town for several days with family or just for a quick day trip to see friends, they may need someone to either stay with or stop in and visit their beloved pet.

This is a great way for retirees to make a little money, spend time with a darling dog or cuddly cat, and get some exercise while they’re at it.

Online shopping is the way many people shop, especially during the holiday season. Consequently, major delivery companies and Amazon hire a number of delivery people.

This could be great seasonal work if you don’t mind both being outside and still feel comfortable driving.

Does your town deck the halls for the holidays? Do you live in a city that does historic Christmas tours? 

If so, signing up to be a tour guide seasonally can be a fantastic way to spend time with interesting people while getting your steps in outside in the fresh air.

Decorating homes for the holidays can be big business, and some people are eager to hire another pair of helping hands to help deck the halls.

From hanging evergreen swag to stringing lights on the tree, helping others decorate for a few hours during the day is a fun and festive way to take on a holiday job.

With the busy holiday retail season gearing up, taking on seasonal employment as a retail clerk is one of the most common holiday jobs for retirees.

From big box stores to local boutiques and shops, it won’t be hard to find a retail location in need of extra help. Plus, it gives retirees a social outlet to chat with customers all day long.

For one of the most festive ways to make extra money this holiday season, consider working at a Christmas tree lot, where you can spend time helping people select the perfect tree for their holiday decor.

The smell of Frasier fir, the joyful children ready for the holiday season, and the hot chocolate make this one of the most fun ways to make money.

If you have a teaching background, consider substitute teaching. Even if you’ve been out of the classroom for more than a few years, your expertise is welcome and might be in demand.

Even teachers must take off days beyond their normal winter break during the busy holiday season.

There are people who will gladly pay to outsource their gift wrapping, so if you’re looking for a creative outlet this holiday season, you can take over that task for them.

Often malls will hire gift wrappers to wrap shoppers’ gifts while they continue to check off their list, and it’s a great job for retirees.

If you have a knack for putting together a festive floral arrangement, then consider helping out part-time at a floral shop over the holiday season. 

You can flex your creative muscles while putting together arrangements for dinner parties, holiday open houses, and more.

People will need rides to and from holiday parties this season, so if you’re still driving and feel comfortable driving at night, then think about signing up with a rideshare service.

It’s a great way to make extra money while also giving you the opportunity to get out and engage with people throughout the evening.

The United States Postal Service hires workers in many departments throughout the holiday season. 

From sorting to driving to mechanics, there are opportunities to put your skills set to use. After the holidays, you can go back to retired life — with a few extra dollars in your pocket.

When more people are placing orders, customer service needs skyrocket. 

Companies will need more associates to answer phones and help with last-minute holiday orders, tracking, and post-holiday returns. If you have a customer service background, this is a good time to brush up on your skills, if only for a month.

While children may get out of school for a few weeks over the holidays, their parents don’t typically enjoy the same break. They’ll need childcare during the time when school is out.

As a retiree, you can jump in and babysit during the day, making good extra money and helping out working parents.

All of those children who are taking pictures with Santa will need someone to actually snap the photo — and their parents will be too busy trying to distract them from the man with the beard.

Consider taking on the role of the festive photographer, helping families capture moments they’ll treasure for years to come.

If taking pictures isn’t your talent, what about being in them? Often, the roles in the North Pole scenes, including Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and the elves, are played by retirees who’ve always had that festive look. 

This is a wonderful chance to warm hearts while earning a bit of extra holiday jingle.

The holidays are a great time to bring your decades of expertise back into the workplace. And a part-time holiday job isn’t only to earn a few extra dollars to pay for your gifts to the grandkids. 

A job can also help pay off holiday debt before it starts to accumulate.

Going back into the workforce can be a refreshing way to meet new people and socialize, which is something that you do less and less of as you get further into retirement. You may even find that part-time work is something you want to do beyond the holidays.