December fills up fast, and the jobs that make the house feel ready for Christmas are usually the ones that slip. Most of them are not skilled work, they just take time, which makes them easy to hand to someone else.
Jobs worth handing off
Early December
- Getting decoration boxes down and unpacking them
- Building and decorating an artificial tree
- Testing fairy lights and sorting out the tangles
- Hanging indoor decorations, wreaths and garlands
- Writing and addressing Christmas cards
The week before
- Wrapping presents, which is often the most welcome job of all
- Clearing leaves and sweeping paths before guests arrive
- Washing the car before a long drive
- Tidying a spare room, making up beds and moving furniture for extra seats
- Carrying in big food shops and drinks
Over the holidays
- Feeding pets and watering plants while you are away
- Setting up new phones, tablets and smart speakers given as presents
- Taking the decorations down in January and packing them away properly
What to leave to professionals
Anything on a roof, high ladder or outside wall, such as exterior lights along the gutter line, is a job for an adult with the right equipment. The same goes for anything electrical beyond plugging lights in.
Who can do it
Most of the list above is perfect work for a local teenager. It is indoors or at ground level, it needs care rather than training, and teenagers are usually far quicker than adults at setting up new tech. School holidays also mean they are around when you need them.
What it costs
Price each job rather than paying by the hour. Wrapping is often priced per present or as a fixed amount for a pile, decorating by the job, and pet sitting per visit. The 2026 price guide has fair starting points for each.
Tips for getting it done
- Post jobs by early December, because teenagers fill their holidays quickly.
- Be specific, for example wrapping 25 presents with your paper and tags on a Saturday morning.
- Be home while the job is done.
- Combine jobs into one visit where you can.
Get help this December
KidsHustle lets any adult post a small paid job and get applications from local teenagers whose parents have approved them. You verify your identity once, every listing is checked before it goes live, and payment is held until the job is done. Post a Christmas job, or read how to hire a teenager safely and legally.