Christmas is a magical time of year for friends and family – but it also comes at a cost.
It’s always handy to have extra cash during the festive season to help pay for those extra special gifts for your loved ones.
New data suggests more than 20,000 Christmas jobs are currently available in the UK, with plenty now available across Tyneside.
Topping the list of companies looking for Christmas staff across the nation are Tesco, Sports Direct, Royal Mail and Sainsbury’s.
However, it is not just traditional retail roles that are boosting vacancies in the run up to Christmas.
Some of the more seasonal roles include Santa, Christmas elves, kitchen porters, sales advisors and bar staff.
We take a look at some of the best paid temporary jobs open for applications right now for the Christmas period.
Father Christmas, Newcastle upon Tyne
Hours: Varied
Wage: £25 per hour
Description: Father Christmas performer for a garden centre, department store and private events starting in November until December 24. Outfit and accessories provided.
Further details at www.envisagepromotions.co.uk
Temporary photographer – Handbag Clinic, Newcastle
Hours: No less than 2.5 days per week
Wage: £8.50-£10 per hour
Requirements: One year photography experience (preferred), A-level or equivalent (preferred)
Description: An additional photographer is required to work closely with a full time photographer to produce imagery for the website and social media. The role is currently temporary but there may be an opportunity to secure a permanent role.
More information here.
Sales assistant – O’Donnell Moonshine, Newcastle Christmas Market
Hours: Working Friday to Monday from November 16 to December 24
Wage: £8 – £15
Requirements: Must be over the age of 21. One year sales experience (preferred)
Description: The sales assistant role will involve greeting customers, offering samples to generate interest in products, processing sales, stocking shelves and working weekends and evening shifts at Newcastle’s Christmas Market.
More information here.
Bar and waiting staff – Newcastle Racecourse
Hours: Applicants must be available for the majority of the following dates: Nov 29, Nov 30, Dec 4, Dec 7, Dec 13, Dec 15 and Dec 20.
Wage: Over 25 – £9.20 per hour (including holiday pay)
21-24 – £8.63 per hour (including holiday pay)
18-20 – £6.90 per hour (including holiday pay)
Description: Arc Hospitality are recruiting bar staff and waiting on staff to work a series of Christmas parties at Newcastle Racecourse.
More information here.
Father Christmas – Metrocentre
Hours: Various days per week
Wage: Unknown
Description: A man aged 28 and over is required to play the role of Father Christmas this year at the Metro Centre. Experience is not essential as a full training programme is provided, where you will be assisted with clever techniques and fun dialogue. Aided by a Christmas Elf, you will be responsible for creating memorable visits by talking to children, handing out presents, posing for pictures and wearing a costume.
More information here.
Elves – Metrocentre
Hours: Varied days Monday to Friday
Wage: Unknown
Description: Santa’s elves are responsible for greeting families, preparing children to meet Santa, helping Santa throughout his visit as well as the sale of tickets and photography souvenirs at the till point.
More information here.
Christmas support team – Next, Metrocentre
Hours: 15.25 per week
Wage: £6.33-£8.21 per hour
Description: The successful candidate will be working on the sales floor, in the stockroom, or both offering fast and friendly service to customers. They will help get stock to the sales floor as quickly as they can and keep the sales floor easy to shop from.
More information here.
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Christmas support team – Next, Eldon Square
Hours: 11.5 per week
Wage: £6.33-£8.21 per hour
Description: The successful candidate will be working on the sales floor, in the stockroom, or both offering fast and friendly service to customers. They will help get stock to the sales floor as quickly as they can and keep the sales floor easy to shop from.
More information here.
Kitchen porter/assistant – Mint People, Newcastle
Hours: Mostly Fridays and Saturdays
Wage: £8.21 – £10 per hour
Description: Kitchen porters are required for Christmas parties throughout the months of November and December in Newcastle.During this role, you will be expected to assist the kitchen team, be a team player, be clean and tidy and have a hands on approach.
More information here.
Christmas temporary sales assistant, Sports Direct – various stores
Hours: This role has no guaranteed hours of work, hours of work can therefore vary from week to week and, as a result, there may be weeks when no hours of work are offered.
Wage: up to £8.25 per hour
Description: As part of the Sports Direct team you will contribute to your store in many ways and these will include: greeting customers, recommending and locating merchandise for customers, handling cash and providing information about in store offers, promotions and store cards.
More information here.
Temporary sales advisor – USC, Newcastle
Hours: This role has no guaranteed hours of work, hours of work can therefore vary from week to week and, as a result, there may be weeks when no hours of work are offered.
Wage: up to £8.25 per hour
Description: As part of the USC team you will contribute to your store in many ways and these will include: greeting customers, recommending and locating merchandise for customers, handling cash and providing information about in store offers, promotions and store cards.
More information here.