The winter holidays can present a variety of earning opportunities for Dashers, as customers rely on deliveries to keep up with holiday shopping and festive gatherings. Because demand is high during this season, it's good to be proactive in your preparation. From managing peak hours to navigating holiday gift deliveries, these tips can help you dash smoothly during one of the busiest times of the year.
How Dashers can earn this holiday season
The holidays bring plenty of cheer — and plenty of opportunity for Dashers to earn with more offers coming in and more deliveries being made. And at the busiest time of the year, a great experience matters more than ever. Offering smoothly co-ordinated pick-up and drop-off, communicating clearly with customers, and carefully following customer delivery instructions are the most common tips that make for a 5-star delivery experience on every kind of offer.
Restaurant holiday offers. Restaurant offers typically surge as people celebrate with festive meals at home. From roasted turkey and mashed potatoes to honey-glazed ham and pumpkin pie, be ready with insulated bags for both hot dishes and cold items. It's also important to confirm order details before leaving the restaurant so you can ensure reliable deliveries during this busier period.
Shop & Deliver offers. Shop & Deliver, where Dashers shop for and deliver grocery, alcohol, convenience, electronics, and other retail offers, may also see an increase during the holiday season. As more people are hosting holiday parties, family dinners, and festive get-togethers, this could mean more grocery deliveries and last-minute holiday shopping requests like gift wrap and decorations.
Holiday gift delivery. In addition to restaurant and grocery offers, Dashers will also see an increase in gift deliveries during this festive time. The most popular gift deliveries include hot meals and sweet treats, as well as more delicate items like flowers, alcohol, and retail gifts. When delivering these items, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Steps for delivering holiday gifts on DoorDash
With the spirit of gift giving in full swing during the holidays, it's important that Dashers know how to handle gift deliveries and drop-offs, as they can differ from regular offers. In the DoorDash Dasher app, you'll see that you're delivering a gift after you've picked up the order. The drop-off screen will also contain information about the gift sender and gift recipient.
To ensure a smooth experience, here are some tips on how to handle a gift delivery on DoorDash.
Store safely: Use boxes, dividers, and crates to safely store and space out fragile or lightly covered gifts like flowers, cakes, and cookies. This can help prevent damage and leakage.
Transfer carefully: Move steadily when transporting gifts from your car to the customer's door.
Drive smoothly: Smooth driving helps avoid spillage from a flower vase and keeps delicate gifts, like cookware and glassware, securely in place.
Verify the name and address: When picking up a gift, make sure you share both the name of the sender and recipient with the merchant to ensure you're picking up the right order. Always double-check to ensure you're delivering the right item to the right person.
Follow special instructions: Many customers include instructions or special delivery requests. This might include removing the receipt from the gift, or specific details about how to drop off the gift — from “leave by the tree” to "knock softly". Know that you can always decline to complete any special request if it makes you uncomfortable or you deem it unreasonable.
Hand-delivering a gift: If the order is marked as "hand it to me", contact the recipient directly in order to complete the delivery. Some offers might require customers to present their ID, as in the case of an alcohol delivery, or a signature to ensure the recipient received the delivery.
Managing surprise deliveries: Some gifts will be sent as surprises, so always make sure to carefully read the instructions. You can also contact the sender to confirm whether or not it's a surprise delivery — and where appropriate, be discreet. If the recipient isn't expecting the delivery. make sure to disclose the sender's name and mention that this is a gift during drop-off. Keep gifts upright and secure, especially fragile items.
If no contact information is provided, ask the sender how to best handle the drop off. If neither the sender nor the recipient are reachable, follow the contactless delivery instructions.
Additional tips for holiday dashing
While the holidays bring increased demand for regular offers and gift deliveries, you might also be navigating winter weather, heavier traffic, icy roads, and bigger crowds, which can lead to potential delays. Keep these tips for holiday dashing in mind when you're out on the road and completing deliveries:
Be aware of peak traffic times, pace yourself and plan your route.
Keep clear and open communication with customers to help manage potential frustration caused by delays.
Double check your shopping list or delivery items to ensure all items are accounted for.
Watch for black ice on the road and slippery stairs while getting to the door — and always dress for the elements you'll be dashing in. Gloves, hats, and non-slip shoes make a big difference for Dasher safety.
Keep your vehicle winter-ready by regularly checking tires, antifreeze levels, and your battery. It’s also important to clear snow and ice before driving, stick to well-plowed main roads, adjust your driving for slick conditions, and watch for black ice.
DoorDash has your back with these safety features built in to every dash:
Porch Light Reminders for better nighttime visibility.
Severe Weather Protocols that keep Dashers informed about how to drive safely through bad weather, and remind you how and when to service your vehicle and keep it ready for all seasons.
Real-Time Safety Alerts that notify you of local conditions.
Be prepared for holiday dashing
By staying safe on the road, handling holiday deliveries with care, and offering a 5-star delivery experience, Dashers can maximize their earnings* during the busiest and most festive time of year.
Sign Up to Dash*Earning potential may vary and is based on location, time of day, and demand.
