The holiday season offers a fantastic opportunity for Workampers to not only enjoy the festive atmosphere but also earn extra income with short-term holiday gigs. Whether it’s selling Christmas trees, pumpkins, or fireworks, these jobs offer flexibility and quick cash for RVers who are looking for seasonal work.
by Greg Gerber
Why Workamping During the Holidays is a Great Opportunity
Holidays are a time to relax, visit family and friends, or even explore new destinations. But for many Workampers, it’s also the perfect time to pick up short-term work. These jobs often fill the gap between longer, seasonal gigs, allowing Workampers to keep earning without long-term commitments.
Top Holiday Jobs for Workampers
Holiday jobs aren’t just limited to Christmas. Many employers seek temporary help around various holidays, offering a variety of work opportunities. Here are some of the most popular holiday Workamping jobs:
- Sell Christmas Trees: Many communities across the U.S. host seasonal Christmas tree lots from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve.
- Hang Christmas Decorations: Landscaping firms often make extra income by offering holiday light and decoration services after the gardening season ends.
- Take Down Christmas Decorations: Once the holiday spirit fades, Workampers can earn money taking down decorations in early January.
- Sell Pumpkins: Farms and roadside stands need help selling pumpkins during the Halloween season.
- Sell Fireworks: Fireworks stands appear during both the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve, offering Workampers an opportunity to cash in on explosive celebrations.
- Work at Retail Stores: Many retail stores hire seasonal help during the busy December shopping rush, offering an opportunity for extra cash wherever you’re parked.
Challenges of Holiday Workamping
Working at roadside stands or retail shops during the holidays can be grueling. Here are some things to consider:
- Long Hours: Workdays can last 12 to 14 hours, with tasks to complete before and after business hours.
- Physical Labor: Selling trees, pumpkins, or fireworks requires physical effort—trees need watering, pumpkins need unloading, and stands need organizing.
- Outdoor Conditions: Depending on your location, you may have to deal with rain, cold, or muddy conditions.
- Managerial Duties: Workampers hired as managers will need to supervise local workers, handle schedules, and make sure staffing needs are balanced.
Despite these challenges, many Workampers find the work rewarding, especially when they know they’re contributing to making families’ holiday memories even more special.
Pumpkins are typically sold from Oct. 1 to 31, while Christmas tree lots are typically open from mid-Nov. to Dec. 23. Workampers can often work either session or both, but they need to be able to work the entire time for the season they select. Workampers need to do basic math, like counting change, and be able to work a cash register.
It can be a physical job that may require people to lift pumpkins weighing more than 50 pounds or to haul trees weighing up to 70 pounds. Workampers typically receive a full-hookup RV site, a guaranteed daily salary and commission bonuses.
Real-Life Success Stories from Holiday Workampers
Over the years, many Workampers have shared their experiences working holiday-related jobs, earning extra income, and even funding their RV travels for months. Here are some real-life examples:
- Steve and Laura Mahoney: In Episode 161, Steve and Laura shared how they fund their RV travels by working just 3.5 months selling Christmas trees and fireworks. While the workload is intense, managing five tree lots from Thanksgiving to Christmas and selling fireworks until New Year’s Day, the couple enjoys the flexibility of having no commitments from January to late June. This seasonal work allows them to travel freely most of the year while making enough income during short, high-demand periods.
- Levi and Natalie Henley: This young couple has worked a variety of holiday-related jobs, including selling pumpkins and Christmas trees, setting up and taking down decorations, and operating roadside farmers market booths. They discussed the challenges of managing employees and handling accounting, but despite these difficulties, they were able to earn $11,000 during the short holiday season. Learn more about their journey on their YouTube channel.
Specific Opportunities for Holiday Workampers
If you’re interested in working a holiday-related job as a Workamper, here are some companies that have advertised seasonal positions:
Hart-T-Trees (Florida): In Episode 72 of The Workamper Show podcast, Kathy Chefas described how she hires Workampers to sell the Fraser firs grown on their tree farm in North Carolina at multiple temporary lots in Miami, FL. Workampers arrive a week before Thanksgiving for training and community building, and they earn a base salary plus commission for each tree sold.
Big Jim’s Christmas Trees (Memphis, TN): For over 20 years, Jimmy Wade has hired Workamping couples to manage sales lots during pumpkin and Christmas tree seasons.
Valley View Trees (Arizona): This family business hires Workampers to oversee sales, inventory, and staff for both the pumpkin and Christmas tree seasons. Pay ranges from $2,500 to $10,000 depending on the season.
Pete’s & Queens Trees (northern California): This fast-paced holiday work environment offers full-hookup RV sites and pay between $4,000 and $5,000 per couple.
Bennett’s Best (southern California): Hiring for both pumpkin and tree seasons, Workampers can earn between $4,000 and $6,000, plus bonuses.
Poppell Seasonal Sales (Georgia): Hiring hard-working, customer-friendly, self-motivated, honest and energetic Workampers to sell pumpkins and Christmas trees in Georgia.
Pick of the Patch Pumpkins (California): Workampers could make between $1,000 and $1,350 per week plus a $500 fuel bonus by unloading, organizing, and selling pumpkins, as well as assisting with the paintball range and inflatable amusements (bouncy houses).
Alamo Fireworks (Texas): Workampers can earn between $2,000 and $5,000 by working just 10 days selling fireworks for the largest fireworks firm in Texas. They provide everything you need to be successful, including a good location, products, permits, signs and training.
Fireworks Liquidators (Wisconsin): hires Workampers to sell fireworks near Eau Claire, WI from June 21 to July 6. Earn $2,000 to $7,500 to stay on the site full-time for 14 days and help setup the displays and sell products.
Bonus Short-Term Workamping Idea: RV Show Sales Jobs
If you’re good with people and have a passion for RVing, consider working at RV shows. RV manufacturers and dealerships often hire temporary salespeople to help staff events. These jobs typically pay hourly wages, with the possibility of earning commissions. Check with local RV dealerships to see if they’re hiring for upcoming shows.
Final Thoughts on Holiday Workamping Jobs
While holiday-related Workamping jobs can be long, cold, and physically demanding, they offer a great way to earn significant extra income in a short period of time. Whether you’re helping families pick out their perfect Christmas tree or selling fireworks to celebrate Independence Day, these opportunities provide both financial rewards and the satisfaction of being part of cherished holiday memories.
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