Top 7 Side Hustles That Boom During Christmas in Nigeria

Christmas in Nigeria is always a full business season. From weddings to house parties, church events, concerts and village trips, December turns many talented people into part-time CEOs. While some people are spending, others are quietly cashing out with smart side hustles.

Here are some of the side hustles that really boom during Christmas in Nigeria – and how people make money from them.

Makeup Artists

In December, almost every weekend is booked with weddings, end-of-year parties, concerts and family photoshoots. Many ladies (and even some men) want to look extra good. That is where makeup artists come in.

Makeup artists make money by offering home service for brides, bridal trains, birthday shoots and “Detty December” owambe looks. Some also offer group packages for friends going to the same event. A smart MUA will:

• Take bookings weeks before Christmas.
  
• Offer “early morning” and “late-night glam” at higher prices.
  
• Partner with photographers and hairstylists to give combo deals.

With good skills, great pictures on Instagram and reliable home service, a part-time makeup artist can turn December into their most profitable month of the year.

Hair Stylists: Braids, Wigs and Last-Minute Rush

No Nigerian Christmas is complete without “new hair.” As schools close and offices wind down for the year, salons and home-based stylists become extremely busy.

From knotless braids to frontal wigs and Ghana weaving, demand goes up sharply. Many people want to look fresh for Christmas Day, village trips and crossover service. Hair stylists make extra money by:

• Working longer hours and charging more for “express” service.
  
• Selling wigs and also offering wig revamping and styling.
  
• Going mobile – doing house calls for premium clients.

Even students who know how to braid or fix hair can turn their skill into a December side hustle by offering cheaper but neat styles to neighbours and friends.

Food Trays and Small Chops

Another big December money-maker is food. But not just ordinary food – well-packaged food trays and small chops platters.

People send food trays to bosses, pastors, in-laws, clients and friends as Christmas gifts. These trays may include rice, chicken, snacks, drinks, wines, fruits or even pastries. Small chops vendors also enjoy heavy demand from weddings, house parties, office hangouts and church programs.

Those who cash out in this area usually:

• Advertise samples early on WhatsApp, Instagram and TikTok.
  
• Offer different price ranges, from budget trays to luxury hampers.
  
• Work with delivery riders or logistics companies to handle drop-offs.

Because many busy people don’t have time to cook or go to markets, they simply place orders and pay – giving food vendors a serious December boom.

Christmas Hampers

Hampers are another favourite December business. Companies send them to clients, churches send to members, families send to loved ones, and friends sometimes contribute money to surprise someone special.

Hampers can be simple (basic groceries and a drink) or very premium (wines, imported snacks, perfumes, décor items and more).

Smart hamper sellers:

• Buy items in bulk from wholesalers to reduce cost.
  
• Offer different packages with clear prices (e.g. ₦15k, ₦30k, ₦50k, ₦100k).
  
• Brand the hampers with ribbons, tags and sometimes company logos.
  

Even with rising prices, many people still prefer to send “something” instead of nothing, so cheaper, well-arranged hampers still sell very well.

Event Decorators

From church auditoriums to event centres, offices and living rooms, December is decoration season. People want Christmas trees, fairy lights, balloons, backdrops and stage designs for carols, dinners and parties.

Event decorators make money by:

• Offering Christmas décor packages for churches, schools and offices.
  
• Serving as one-stop shops with decor, lighting and sometimes sound equipment.
  
• Reusing and refreshing decor items from previous events to save cost and increase profit.
  

Even small-scale decorators can focus on home decor: simple trees, door wreaths, table setups and balloon arches for families who want “photo-ready” homes.

MCs (Masters of Ceremony)

No Nigerian event is complete without someone holding the microphone. MCs are in high demand for weddings, end-of-year parties, award nights, church concerts and even children’s Christmas parties.

Good MCs do more than crack jokes. They control the flow of the event, keep people engaged and make the host look organised. During Christmas, many MCs get multiple bookings in one weekend and charge higher festive rates.

Those who stand out usually:

• Have clear rates for corporate events, weddings and small parties.
  
• Share videos of past events on social media.
  
• Arrive early, dress well and work hand-in-hand with DJs and organisers.

For someone who is naturally funny, confident and organised, MC work can become a powerful December side hustle.

Photographers and Videographers

In a social media age, everyone wants content. December is full of moments people want to remember and post – from Christmas family shoots to concerts, weddings and crossover services.

Photographers and videographers make money from:

• Studio or outdoor Christmas photoshoots with props and themed backdrops.
  
• Event coverage for weddings, church activities and corporate events.
  
• Same-day edits, reels and short highlight videos for social media.
  

Many families now book yearly Christmas shoots. Couples also like “Detty December” photo sessions before travelling or getting married. With the right camera, editing skills and creative eye, December can be peak season for visual creators.