hobbies Archives - Blog

There’s a saying that goes, “if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” While that’s the dream, the reality is that we’re not all as passionate about our jobs as we’d like to be. And even if you’re lucky enough to be able to do what you love for a living, there will still be days when work feels like, well, work.

Fortunately, there are plenty of hobbies that you can monetize to earn a little extra–something we could all use during these trying times. Try these on for size:

Baking

If your friends and family have always raved about your baking, why don’t you take that as a sign to start selling your goods? When you already have the recipe for the perfect chocolate chip cookie, apple pie, or carrot cake, you can join online selling groups around your neighborhood to promote your goods. You can also try asking local cafes and restaurants to sell your products.

Gardening

With everyone filling their homes with plants, there’s never been a better time to take up gardening. If you’ve got a green thumb, you can cash in the fad by sourcing low-maintenance indoor plants, repotting them, and selling them online. Soon, you’ll be making the kind of green your wallet loves.

Design

When you’ve got the design chops, use them to your wallet’s advantage by offering your services at competitive prices. You can create logos for up and coming brands, artwork for homes, marketing materials for small businesses, and even stylized portraits (which make for adorable gifts). There are so many things you can do, and you just have to be great at marketing your services in order to succeed.

Making Drinks

Got a knack for making the perfect cup of joe? Make the most of your brewing skills by selling your coffee to your neighbors working from home. Cold brew coffee is very trendy right now, as well as boba drinks.

Nixplay respects your hustle, and we salute everyone working hard to earn an honest income during these unpredictable times. We’re celebrating the American Worker with our Labor Day Sale: Get up to 25% off on selected frames, only until September 6!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

With all the time we’re spending at home, now’s the perfect opportunity to brush up on your games. Whether you’re on the search for a quick game to pass the time or an immersive simulation, you’ll have a fun time with these picks:

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Platform: Nintendo Switch

The timing of the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons could not be better: with most folks staying at home due to a global pandemic, the game offered a welcome relief from real-world stress. Players have spent dozens of hours on the game beautifying their islands, collecting rare items and creatures, and getting the best animal villagers–and it’s about time you join in the fun.

2. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, Macintosh operating systems, Linux

If world domination has always been one of your life’s goals, this game is for you. In this turn-based strategy game, you will be tasked to turn your early settlement into a world power by founding new cities, amassing a formidable army, engaging in trade and diplomacy, and discovering new technology. There are also game expansions available should you require a more difficult challenge.

3. Overcooked!

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

Imagine: You and your friends preparing a range of dishes and serving them to customers. Oh, and parts of the kitchen are moving or disappearing, your customers are getting impatient, you’ve run out of clean dishes, and whatever was on the stove is now on fire. That’s normal in Overcooked, the most chaotic cooking game this side of the Onion Kingdom. It’s up to you and your family to work together to become the best cooking team the game has ever seen.

4. Minecraft Dungeons

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

The latest Minecraft game will have you exploring several dungeons with monsters, puzzles, traps, and treasures. Use whichever armor and weapon you want to accomplish your goals. The gameplay is simple enough and the graphics are charming, making this a great multiplayer pick for kids.

5. Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Sword and Shield is the latest addition to the ever-expanding Pokemon world, introducing 81 new creatures to catch and train. Set in the Galar region (a place inspired by the United Kingdom), its new features include “Dynamaxing” and “Gigantamaxing”, which make Pokemon grow to a tremendous size; and Poke Jobs, which allow Pokemon to complete requests to gain experience points or special items. It’s definitely not the Pokemon game you grew up with–and that’s a good thing.

6. NBA 2K20

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, Google Stadia, Microsoft Windows

Basketball fans shouldn’t miss NBA 2K20, which lets you go on the court with real-life and customized players and teams. There are several gameplay options, meaning you’ll never get bored: You can play using your favorite NBA team, create an all-star team with your favorite players, control a single character in MyCareer mode, or face other players online. It’ll take some time to get used to the technicality of NBA 2K20, but don’t let the challenge deter you: As they say, this is why we play.

7. Just Dance 2020

Platforms: Wii, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Google Stadia

Just Dance is one of the most fun ways to burn calories. The premise is simple enough: you’ll just need to copy the on-screen dancer’s choreography using your controller to rack up points. Before you know it, you’d have spent a couple of hours dancing in front of your screen. Now, if you’re a bit uncoordinated, the more complicated tracks might prove challenging. But that’s what makes it more fun, don’t you think?

Don’t forget to take pictures of the fun times you’ll have with your family while gaming! Display them on a Nixplay Smart Photo Frame so you’ll have new moments of the past few months to keep close to your heart.