The Complete Seasonal Business Guide

According to the National Retail Federation, consumers were projected to spend an estimated $261 per person on holiday decorations in 2024. Multiply this by millions of people, and it’s easy to see why you’d want to get into this seasonal business.

Whether you buy cute decorations at wholesale prices for resale or you create custom handmade ornaments you won’t find anywhere else, you can really cash in on the holidays with this business idea.

Halloween is another billion-dollar industry, according to data from Statista. Retailers in areas not overly saturated with popup shops and big box retailers may have a very successful season by selling costumes, spooky decor, candy, and more.

Many people don’t have the time or skill to wrap their Christmas gifts and will gladly outsource this holiday task. Pricing can be extremely flexible, with options including charging per gift wrapped or per hour.

Surveys show that living a healthier lifestyle is one of the top New Year’s resolutions. If you’re a fitness buff, share your healthy habits with the world by offering your services as a personal trainer.

If you live in a snowy area, there may be a demand for snow removal.

From snowblowers to plows to the old-school shovel and elbow grease method, removing snow from your local neighborhoods can put thousands of dollars in your pocket.

Help customers warm up with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa served from your hot beverage cart.

With the right permits and licenses, you can serve your beverages at parades, holiday events, or other cold-weather locations.

Grab your ladder and start hanging holiday lights in your area. This is a potentially lucrative seasonal business idea worth considering, from small displays that start at around $100 to full-on Christmas wonderlands that can earn you $1,000 or more.

This idea works particularly well if you already own a restaurant or venue. Use your space for holiday parties for families or other local businesses.

In addition to the fee used for your space, you can also pocket extra cash for planning, decorating, and catering the event.

If you love shopping and you’re known for giving great gifts, put these skills to work by offering personal shopping services.

Considering the national average for personal shoppers is $120-$200 per hour with no startup costs, this could be an extremely lucrative venture during the holiday season.

If you’re a whiz with a Cricut or have friends who love your custom greeting cards, consider setting up an eCommerce shop peddling your custom holiday wares.

Startup costs are low, and you could rake in some extra holiday cash if your items are in high demand.

Cleaning and inspecting chimneys can add hundreds of dollars to your pocket with just one client. If you’re willing to get a little dirty and obtain your certification, this could be the seasonal business idea for you.

Winterizing is a chore many homeowners aren’t exactly excited to do.

If you have the experience, you can earn money by cleaning gutters, installing gutter guards, checking pipes, and sealing openings around windows and doors to help protect customers’ homes and boost efficiency during the coldest months.

Mowing yards, laying down mulch, planting flowers, and other lawn and landscaping services can bring in thousands of dollars during the warmer months.

While these services can be lucrative, it is important to note that equipment costs (such as mowers, trimmers, blowers, and a trailer to lug it all around with) can be pretty expensive.

If you’re familiar with local hiking trails, consider turning your hobby into a business by leading guided hiking tours. Or, if you prefer to stay out of the woods, you can lead walking tours through your city.

In addition to traditional business permits, you’ll typically also have to get special-use permits for this type of business.

If you live near a beach, lake, or other body of water, you can make money by renting out equipment.

Tourists and residents alike may flock to you to rent everything from beach chairs and umbrellas to surfboards and kayaks.

If you live in a hot area loaded with backyard swimming pools, opening a pool cleaning and maintenance business can bring big profits, with most companies charging $100+ per hour.

With the right permits, licenses, and products, you can cash in on the billions of dollars spent each year on fireworks with a simple roadside stand.

Driving your own ice cream truck is fairly inexpensive and can really add to your income, potentially earning as much as $1,000 or more on holidays.

Statistics show that food trucks have grown in popularity to become a $1.2 billion business.

Food trucks are cheaper to start than a traditional restaurant, but be aware that the expense of a truck, ingredients, supplies, licenses, and permits can get costly.

Starting a moving business can be tough, especially in areas where competition is high. However, if you can fill a void in your area, you can create a successful business, particularly in college towns where students move in and out of dorms and apartments throughout the summer.

Teachers with summers off can cash in on their knowledge by offering tutoring services to help kids prepare for the upcoming school year.

Tackle spring cleaning and organization for busy households, and you could earn big bucks with multiple clients.

In addition to the money you’ll make, a cleaning business has low startup costs and expenses.

The average cost to rent a bounce house on Thumbtack is $240 to $320 — not bad for a few hours.

Invest in several inflatables, and you could potentially have a thriving business through kids’ birthday parties, church functions, and school carnivals.

When the family’s away, the pets will play — at your home or place of business.

The average pet owner pays $22-$60+ per night to board their furry friends. With nearly 48 million people traveling on the 4th of July alone, you could see big returns from starting a pet boarding or pet sitting business.