Picture this: Santa’s workshop is buzzing with holiday excitement, but this year there’s a twist — Santa and his reindeer want to work from home. The jolly old man and his crew are trading the North Pole office for the cozy comfort of remote work. Sound familiar? Just like Santa’s team, many of us are looking for job opportunities that allow us to work from home, especially during the busy holiday season. Whether you want to beat the winter commute or spend more time by the fire with loved ones, here’s our list of 15 remote jobs that are perfect for when even Santa’s reindeer need a break from the office.
Remote Jobs Santa and His Reindeer Would Totally Rock This Holiday Season
If Santa and his reindeer want to work from home, they’d need to tap into skills that align with remote job opportunities. With a little creativity and a sprinkle of holiday magic, they could find roles that spread cheer year-round. Here are some fun and festive ideas:
1. Virtual Customer Service Representative
Santa has spent centuries reading wish lists and solving holiday gift problems, making him the ultimate customer service pro. As a Virtual Customer Service Representative, he’d be a natural at handling customer inquiries, resolving issues, and spreading cheer from his North Pole office. With his friendly demeanor and deep understanding of holiday wishes, Santa could assist customers through chat, email, or phone — providing top-notch support without leaving the comfort of his home.
Education or Experience Required
Virtual customer service representatives tend to have extensive work with computers, a high school diploma, and superb communication skills.
Salary Information and Job Growth
Over the next 10 years, the overall market for customer service representatives is projected to decline by 5% due to an increase in task automation. However, remote customer service remains one of the top work from home job industries. With full-time and part-time positions readily available, Santa can create a flexible schedule. The median hourly wage for customer service representatives is $19.08 per hour (or $39,680 annually) — more than double the federal minimum wage.
2. E-commerce Manager
With all his experience running a gift operation, Santa would excel at managing online stores. He could oversee inventory, coordinate with vendors (the elves), and ensure timely deliveries.
Education or Experience Required
A bachelor’s degree in marketing is mandatory for most e-commerce management jobs. Supplemental classes in advertising and IT are a bonus. Five-plus years of work experience is a plus and specialization in online sales, online marketing, and search engine optimization puts individuals in high demand.
Salary Information and Job Growth
With an annual median salary of over $156,580 and projected job growth of 8% through 2033, Mr. Claus could thrive in this remote role for the next decade and beyond.
3. Remote Travel Consultant
Rudolph and the reindeer know a thing or two about navigation and travel routes. They’d be great at helping clients plan trips, find the best flight deals, or suggest magical destinations for winter getaways.
Education or Experience Required
A bachelor’s degree in hospitality, tourism, or a related field is typically required for most remote travel consultant roles. Additional coursework in digital marketing or travel booking software can be a plus. Having five or more years of experience in travel planning or customer service is highly valued, especially if you’re skilled at customizing itineraries and using online booking platforms.
Salary Information and Job Growth
With an annual median salary of $47,410 and projected job growth of 3% through 2033, Mr. Claus could enjoy a stable and rewarding career in this remote role for many holiday seasons to come.
4. Online Tutor or Mentor
With centuries of experience, Santa could offer lessons on history, toy-making, or even spread cheer as a life coach. He could host video sessions to teach kids about the joy of giving.
Education or Experience Required
A bachelor’s degree in education or a subject-specific field is usually required for most online tutor roles. Extra training in online teaching tools or virtual classroom management is a bonus. At least three to five years of teaching experience is often preferred, especially if you’re skilled at creating engaging lesson plans and adapting to different learning styles.
Salary Information and Job Growth
With an annual median salary of $39,580 and projected job growth of 1% through 2033, Mr. Claus could count on steady work in this flexible role well into the future.
5. Remote Social Media Manager
Who better than Santa to create engaging content for holiday campaigns? He could share updates from the North Pole, run festive contests, and spread cheer across social platforms.
Education or Experience Required
A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field is commonly required for remote social media manager roles, with a preference for candidates who also have experience in digital marketing. Employers often look for at least three to five years of experience managing social media accounts, crafting engaging content, and boosting brand visibility.
Salary Information and Job Growth
With an annual median salary of $61,000, Mr. Claus could enjoy a secure and fulfilling career while working from his North Pole home office.
6. Remote Logistics Coordinator
Santa’s legendary ability to organize and deliver gifts around the world in one night makes him the ultimate logistics pro. He could easily help companies plan and execute their shipping and delivery strategies.
Education or Experience Required
A bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain management, or business administration is typically required for remote logistics coordinator roles. Companies usually seek candidates with at least three to five years of experience in coordinating shipments, tracking inventory, and optimizing delivery schedules.
Salary Information and Job Growth
With an annual median salary of $64,000, Mr. Claus could look forward to a prosperous and steady career in this remote role for years to come.
7. Elf Team Leader (Remote Project Manager)
Santa could manage his elves remotely, using project management tools to track toy production and meet deadlines. He’s already a natural leader who knows how to motivate his team.
Education or Experience Required
A bachelor’s degree in business, project management, or a related field is often required for remote project manager positions, with a preference for those holding a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Most employers look for at least five years of experience in managing projects, leading teams, and ensuring deadlines are met.
Salary Information and Job Growth
With an annual median salary of over $98,580 and projected job growth of 7% through 2033, Mr. Claus could enjoy a well-paying and secure career in this role for many years ahead.
8. Seasonal Gift Consultant (Business Consultant)
Santa’s knack for picking the perfect present makes him a top choice for advising shoppers online. He could offer virtual gift guides and personalized suggestions to help customers find just the right gifts for their loved ones. As a result, a remote business consultant is another remote job Santa could do. He can use his experience and know-how to analyze day-to-day operations and one-off or recurring projects.
Education or Experience Required
Most business consulting positions require a management or operational background, a bachelor’s degree in business or an equivalent field, and relevant work experience. A Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation can also increase consulting knowledge and foster trust from potential clients.
Salary Information and Job Growth
Business consultants are constantly in demand with an expected growth rate of 11% over the next 10 years. Salaries for business consultants average $99,410, or $40.99 per hour. Another bonus of working as a virtual business consultant is that Santa can master the art of work-life balance by picking and choosing his own clients and work ours. This will give Santa more time than ever to rehash his weight-gaining regimen.
9. Remote Event Planner
With all those years of planning Christmas Eve, Santa has logistics down to an art. He could organize virtual holiday parties, coordinate Zoom events, and help families and companies create memorable celebrations from afar.
Education or Experience Required
A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, communications, or a related field is typically required for remote event planner roles, with additional certification in event planning or project management offering a competitive edge. Employers often prefer candidates with at least three to five years of experience planning events, coordinating vendors, and managing budgets.
Salary Information and Job Growth
Event planners are always in demand, with an expected growth rate of 7% over the next decade. The average salary for event planners is $56,920 per year, making it a great option if Santa and his reindeer want to work from home while still spreading holiday cheer through virtual events and festive gatherings.
10. Remote Content Writer
Santa’s storytelling skills are legendary, making him a natural at writing holiday-themed articles, children’s stories, or even heartwarming letters from the North Pole. He could bring joy and holiday spirit through his words, all from his remote desk.
Education or Experience Required
A bachelor’s degree in English, communications, or journalism is usually preferred for remote content writer positions, with specialized training in SEO or copywriting seen as a strong advantage. Most employers seek candidates with at least two to three years of experience in writing high-quality content, meeting tight deadlines, and adapting to various brand voices.
Salary Information and Job Growth
Remote content writers are in high demand, with job opportunities expected to grow steadily over the next decade. The average salary for content writers is $73,690 per year. This flexible role will give Santa and his reindeer plenty of time to work from home while fine-tuning their creative skills — and maybe sneaking in a few extra cookie breaks too!
11. Remote Creative Director
Santa has spent centuries overseeing magical holiday campaigns — from designing festive gift wraps to orchestrating holiday-themed marketing for the North Pole. As a Remote Creative Director, he could bring his creative vision to ad agencies or brands, leading virtual brainstorming sessions, reviewing designs, and guiding creative teams to craft campaigns that spread cheer worldwide — all from his cozy, snow-covered home office.
Creative directors are advertising professionals that oversee every aspect of a product’s marketing from inception to completion. The product varies depending on the company or the expertise of the creative director, but may include a new video game, app, or other type of consumer product.
Education or Experience Required
Most creative directors have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, graphic design, or advertising. However, a general business degree may also suffice. While no specific certification exists to become a creative director or provide more credibility, some decide to get secondary certifications.
Salary Information and Job Growth
Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t compile information on creative directors, the scope of the position is similar to that of an art director. Therefore, Santa should expect to earn $106,500 per year. And with job growth expected to increase 5% over the next 10 years, it’s a lucrative position for creative-minded individuals — just like Santa.
12. Remote Engineering Manager
Santa’s workshop is a marvel of engineering, filled with intricate toy-making machinery and innovative solutions for production challenges. As a Remote Engineering Manager, Santa could lead a team of talented engineers, troubleshoot issues, and oversee the development of new products and systems — all through virtual collaboration. With his extensive experience managing complex projects (like sleigh upgrades and toy automation), he’d be an ideal fit for this role from the comfort of his North Pole HQ.
Education or Experience Required
Santa would easily have the credentials to become an engineering manager. Most companies hire managers that have a bachelor’s degree plus five to 10 years of experience. In some instances, they may also have a master’s degree in engineering.
Salary Information and Job Growth
According to the BLS, engineering managers earn a median annual salary of $165,370 per year. Job growth over the next decade is 6%, or about average compared to all other professions.
13. Remote Human Resource Coordinator
Santa is a master at handling a diverse team of elves and reindeer, making him the perfect fit for a Remote HR Coordinator role. He could manage virtual onboarding, oversee training programs, and ensure everyone feels valued and supported, whether they’re on the sleigh team or working in the toy department. From conflict resolution (like sorting out elf disputes) to boosting team morale with virtual holiday celebrations, Santa’s people skills would shine in this remote position.
Education or Experience Required
It may have taken a few decades, but Santa’s mastered the art of human resources coordinator. By sorting out problems and mediating issues, he’s allowed the North Pole’s toy factory to run like clockwork. He may not have a bachelor’s degree in business required by most businesses or a preferred master’s degree, but his experience and interpersonal skills provide him with the framework necessary to succeed.
Salary Information and Job Growth
An expected job outlook of 6% growth over the next decade and a median average salary of over $136,350 also make this an attractive alternative to worldwide gift-slinger.
14. Remote Quality Assurance Specialist
Santa’s meticulous attention to detail ensures every toy meets his high standards before it lands under the tree. As a Remote Quality Assurance Specialist, he’d excel at testing products, spotting even the smallest flaws, and providing detailed feedback to improve quality. With his years of experience inspecting millions of gifts, Santa would be the ultimate expert in making sure everything is perfect, right down to the last candy cane stripe — all while sipping hot cocoa from his North Pole office.
Education or Experience Required
Depending on the area of expertise, remote quality assurance workers need as little as a high school diploma and slight experience all the way up to a bachelor’s degree and five-to-ten-plus years of experience.
Salary Information and Job Growth
The median annual salary for quality assurance specialists is $45,850 or $22.04 per hour. And while job opportunities are declining onsite, online options continue to emerge. But despite this, the overall job growth rate sits at -3%.
15. Remote Merchandiser
Santa’s eye for what’s trending in holiday gifts is unmatched — after all, he’s been keeping track of wish lists for centuries. As a Remote Merchandiser, Santa could plan product displays, analyze sales trends, and strategize seasonal promotions that drive holiday sales. From recommending the perfect stocking stuffers to curating collections that capture the festive spirit, he’d ensure every product shines like a star on top of the tree — all while working remotely from his cozy North Pole workshop.
Having a great product is not always enough to sell it. You need advertising and marketing campaigns and product placement. One overlooked aspect of this is merchandising. Product placement within a store is essential for the number of sales. Only qualified and experienced merchandisers can maximize profits and keep units flying off the shelves.
Education or Experience Required
This may not sound like a remote position, but with graphic design and 3-D software, remote merchandisers can create schematics and pictures that help retailers set up displays and promotions in their store. Qualifications and experience vary greatly, but most positions require at least a bachelor’s degree and three years of experience.
Salary Information and Job Growth
Merchandisers earn $37.11 per hour on average or the annual equivalent of $77,180. However, some merchandisers may earn more or less depending on the amount of experience they have. The average job growth rate sits at 7% over the next decade.
Finding Joy in Remote Work: Even Santa’s Team Knows It’s the Way to Go
So, if Santa and his reindeer want to work from home, they’ve got plenty of options. From coordinating deliveries to planning virtual events, the remote job world has a role for everyone — even if you’re guiding a sleigh! As we look for flexible ways to balance work and life, these job ideas remind us that remote work can fit any lifestyle or career goal. Just like Santa’s team, we can all find roles that bring a little more joy, freedom, and comfort into our daily routine. After all, if Santa’s reindeer can work from home, maybe it’s time for the rest of us to explore our own remote possibilities too.
Your Turn to Shine: Find a Remote Job as Joyful as Santa’s Holiday Gig
Ready to follow in Santa’s footsteps and find a work from home job that fits your skills and lifestyle? Just like Santa and his reindeer want to work from home, you can explore remote opportunities that bring more flexibility and joy into your life. Start your search today, and discover a role that lets you thrive — no sleigh required!
Are you also interested in any of these remote jobs Santa and his reindeer could do? Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube to share your thoughts and tips. We’d love to hear from you!
Original December 2020 article written by Eric Schad.
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