30 Oct 2022 | 4 mins

1. Endless christmas music

Get your dancing feet moving for when midnight December 1st hits. The Christmas music will begin (if it hasn't already) and will not end until the 25th arrives.

From Mariah Carey to Mr. Bublé himself (they're defrosting as we speak) to that random hymn that you somehow learnt just by listening to Christmas playlists, they will all become overly familiar.

2. Holiday wage rates

From weekend to public holiday rates, you can get great pay just because you’re working your butt off during a crazy time of year. Don't get me wrong, it'll feel like you're not getting paid enough at the time, but what's in store for you is a pretty phat paycheck.

To really make working on your weekends worthwhile, find somewhere you’re treated well and supported by your manager.

3. Storefront or warehouse?

Being at the forefront of a store as a Christmas casual can put you in the firing line with some brutal customers. From those that are desperate to find out if this item or that item is on sale (or to check the back), to where they can find that one thing the store hasn't stocked in three years - it's a hard gig.

The warehouse, however, is fitting for the fit. You lift heavy boxes with minimal social interaction for your entire shift - introverts, rejoice.

4. Make friends at your summer job

A Christmas casual job is there to serve you with quick cash and keep yourself busy over the holidays. But going into work just to get the work done is not the most exciting.

This short term job is exactly the excuse you need to be your most outgoing self and meet some cool people. Only the coolest of people work over the summer and you want to become friends with them!

Then when it's all over, you'll be life-long Facebook friends and keep each other in the loop. Or, stay on to be a full-on team member! How good.

5. Christmas eve is absolute chaos

Christmas Eve is the one night of the year that everyone feels entitled to everything. I’m talking clothes and toys flying left right and centre, people madly rushing to JB Hi Fi and Mecca before they close, and Cotton On fitting right in with your floordrobe.

Don’t even get me started on all that stuff that sold out on December 3rd that everyone has decided they need to get now. Yes, Betty, all the nice Christmas crackers are indeed out of stock, and no we cannot get them sent in just for you, because there are none left!

If you look past all the mildly stressful moments, there are some great stories to be had. Some of the best memories are from dealing with tricky customers and forgetting where that one item is in the store, and meeting some cool people.

Now that you know all the things you need to know for your Christmas casual job, you have no reason not to apply! Happy job hunting.