As Christmas approaches, side hustlers across the UK are gearing up for one of the busiest and potentially most profitable times of the year. Whether you’re launching new products or refining your existing range, good planning can make the difference between a seamless holiday season and a stressful one. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered expert tips from Paul Bennett, co-founder of Hustl on how to set yourself up for success, avoid common pitfalls, and make the most of your side hustle this Christmas.

Paul says: “Launching a side hustle can be exhilarating, but to thrive over Christmas, you’ll need more than a good product. It’s crucial you avoid fulfilment oversights, stay flexible, keep on top of orders and don’t miss deadlines – and continually evaluate new tech and logistics options to keep operations efficient. With smart planning, responsiveness, and meaningful customer connections, you’ll be set for a holiday season that’s both enjoyable and profitable.”

When it comes to Christmas products, it’s wise to start with a limited stock. Festive items like decorations or gift bundles may see a sudden spike in demand, but if they don’t sell through, they’ll be hard to move post-Christmas. Take on a higher cost per unit initially, using customer feedback to refine products and gauge demand. This approach minimises risk and helps you better predict what will sell.

Think about the customer experience in the lead-up to Christmas. Orders will need to be fulfilled quickly, and items should arrive in pristine condition. Your packaging should not only protect products but also delight customers when they open their orders. Planning ahead for storage, packing and delivery during this high-demand season will ensure orders flow smoothly and that customers receive a memorable unboxing experience.

With a potential surge in holiday orders, automation can help you stay on top of things. Tools like Hustl offer automation options to manage tasks like prioritising orders so you don’t miss deadlines, pulling through customer data so you don’t spend unnecessary time reinputting customer details into courier forms and finding you the best shipping deal in just a few clicks – all so you can spend more time on maximising your Christmas profits.

Differentiating your brand during Christmas can have a huge impact. Consider festive, eco-friendly packaging options that add a special touch to your orders while keeping costs low. A festive design can also make your packaging feel like a gift in itself!

If you’re setting up an online store in time for Christmas, no-code website builders like Shopify offer a straightforward way to launch quickly, with helpful integrations for handling payments, shipping, and more. Shopify’s built-in payment processing and trusted security features make it easy to offer recognised options like PayPal and Apple Pay, which help streamline checkout and boost customer confidence.

6. Prioritise audience insights and festive marketing strategy

Knowing what drives your customers during Christmas is essential. Many shoppers are looking for gifts or unique products they can’t find on the high street. Tap into this by gathering insights to refine your product positioning and craft a strong seasonal message. Building your email list from day one with holiday-specific lead magnets, such as gift guides or exclusive Christmas discounts, can attract customers and keep them engaged.

7. Engage your subscribers with value-driven, seasonal content

Once you’ve built an email list, don’t let it gather dust. Create automated Christmas-themed email flows that offer festive discounts, gift recommendations, and helpful reminders about last ordering dates for guaranteed Christmas delivery. Start with a high-value lead magnet (like a holiday gift guide) and follow up with nurturing content. By the time your holiday promotions hit, your audience will be primed and ready to buy.