6 Profitable Businesses You Can Start Today and Make Money During Christmas

The Christmas season is always a time of joy, travel, and big spending. From family gatherings and road trips to weddings and endless ‘nyama choma’ sessions, December is the one month when Kenyans are willing to dig deeper into their pockets.

If you have ever thought of starting a side hustle and capitalising on Christmas season spending, this is the time to act. You don’t need years of planning or millions in capital; some businesses can be set up in weeks and still make you money.

Here are six practical ventures you can start now and ride the December spending wave.

1. Goat Rearing

December is “mbuzi choma” season. Every weekend, someone somewhere is lighting a grill for friends and family. If you buy goats now and fatten them up for the holidays, you can sell at a premium given the demand witnessed at that time.

Goats are ideal because they do not require special treatment and can survive on grass, weeds, shrubs, tree leaves, maize stalks, and water. Therefore, if you have a vast parcel of land, you can consider this business.

If you live in the city, you can hire a farmhand to look after the goats at a fee.  Equally, you can partner with a trusted farmer upcountry to rear them for you and settle on a fee. 

Example: Buy medium-sized goats at Ksh5,500 in August, feed them well, and sell them for Ksh15,000 each in December. If you deal in 10 goats, you will buy them at Ksh55,000 and sell them at Ksh150,000. In this case, your profit before deducting other expenses, such as pay for a farm hand, will be Ksh95,000.

2. Chicken Rearing

Chicken is another staple food during the Christmas festivities. Hotels, caterers, and households all scramble for them in December. Broilers mature in 6–8 weeks, meaning you can start now and sell in time for Christmas.

Example: Each day-old chick costs Ksh150. If you buy 100 chicks totalling Ksh15,000, spend about Ksh25,000 on foodstuffs, vaccines, and labour. You can fetch between Ksh700 and Ksh900 per chicken in December. Using Ksh800 as a standard price, you will make Ksh80,000 in sales. This leaves you with a KSh40,000 profit after expenses. Notably, if you opt for kienyeji chicken, you could make more money as they are sold at a higher price.

However, there could be additional costs for building the chicken coup. Alternatively, you could convert your idle store into a chicken coup. You just need to ensure that the ventilation is good.

Also, once you start the business, initiate communication with potential customers such as hotels, event caterers, and neighbours in advance. This is a marketing strategy.

3. Selling Clothes– Especially Kids’ Outfits

In December, parents splurge on new clothes, especially for Christmas Day. Whether you sell imported clothes or locally made outfits, demand is always high..

In this case, the most profitable option will be to begin selling kids' clothing as parents are more likely to spend on them.

Example: You can buy stylish kids’ clothes during the low season, such as in September or October. In case you stay in Nairobi, you can opt for Eastleigh or Gikomba. If you spend Ksh500–Ksh1,000 on each and resell for Ksh1,500–Ksh1,800. That is a profit of between Ksh500 and Ksh800. In case you sell 100 outfits, you could make a profit of above Ksh50,000 or more.

For visibility, market the business on social media platforms like WhatsApp or Instagram. This will also cater to those customers who may just want to place an order without leaving their home, and you can offer free delivery for bulk orders.

4. Gift Shop & Hampers

Not everyone has time to shop for thoughtful gifts. This is where you come in — selling pre-packed hampers or operating a small gift shop stocked with items like perfumes, chocolates, and toys.

This could be a business idea targeting both families who gift each other for the festivities, or working Kenyans who have end-of-year parties where employees gift each other.

Example: Assemble a gift hamper with a football jersey (Ksh1,300), chocolates (Ksh300), and pairs of socks (Ksh300), costing Ksh1,900 in total. Sell it for Ksh3,000 and pocket Ksh1,100 per hamper. Selling 50 hampers in December gives you Ksh55,000 profit. (Note: Amassing a gift hamper and pricing it depends on your target market.)

Other business ideas are the money bouquet, where profits are estimated to range between Ksh2,000 to Ksh10,000, depending on the amount gifted.

Additionally, you can offer customised wrapping with Christmas-themed decorations to attract corporate clients and individuals.

5. Nyama Choma Chef for Hire

If you have good grilling skills, you can cash in as a mobile ‘nyama choma’ chef for events. Many people host parties but don’t want the hassle of cooking for large groups.

Example: You can charge between Ksh2,000 and Ksh3,000 for cooking services for a small gathering. For bigger events (corporate parties), you can charge between Ksh10,000 and Ksh15,000 a day. Even 10 bookings in December can bring in over Ksh100,000.

This business option is flexible, as you, the host, can provide the requirements, such as a grill and charcoal. The only downside to this is that you will only earn from labour costs alone.

Alternatively, you can buy your grill if you want to remain in the business long term. Nyama choma grills range between Ksh5,000 to Ksh10,000.

‍6. Cars for Hire

With thousands of Nairobians heading upcountry or going on holiday, demand for rental cars surges. Most families often tend to avoid public transport during this season to escape the hassle.

Example: If you have a reliable car, you can rent it out at between Ksh3,000 and Ksh6,000 per day, depending on the model. Even a 10-day booking in December could earn you up to Ksh60,000 from one car. 

However, this business comes with some downsides, such as theft of vehicles. Therefore, one will have to do due diligence before handing over the car to strangers. The vehicle can also get damaged during the trip. Notwithstanding, the business is lucrative. 

Wrapping Up

December spending is like a flood — it comes fast, and then it’s gone. The trick is to pick a business you can start quickly, with minimal investment, and where you can tap into existing demand.

Goats, chickens, choma, kids’ clothes, hampers, and car hire are not just holiday businesses — with the right strategy, they can grow into year-round income streams.