Holiday Shipping Deadlines and Tips

by Jodi

The rush is on to get your holiday gifts purchased and in the mail. In just under one week, all those goodies need to be wrapped and under the tree. Confused about shipping deadlines? We have a few shipping tips and the latest on shipping deadlines to help clear things up.

First Class Mail

mailbox

You have until Tuesday, December 20 to get your gift to the post office. Packages shipped after December 20th are not guaranteed to arrive in time for the holidays.

Priority Mail

post office

December 21 is the date to keep in mind. All packages must be out for delivery by Wednesday of this week in order to get to their intended destination in time for Christmas Eve.

FedEx

fedex

Photo by Darren B. Hillman

You can no longer ship FedEx Ground and expect your presents to arrive on time, but you can use other FedEx services. FedEx First Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight and FedEx 2-Day services are still available. Packages can be dropped off at FedEx as late as Thursday, December 22. For the full FedEx shipping calendar, view their website.

UPS

UPS

Photo by pscs11

UPS has several shipping options left to choose from:

  • ✔3 Day Select: Packages must be mailed by Tuesday, December 20.
  • ✔2nd Day Air: Ship by Thursday, December 22nd.
  • ✔Next Day Air: Must be mailed by Friday, December 23rd.

Packages sent by 2nd Day Air and Next Day Air will be subject to a $15 surcharge per package.

Many stores are also still offering free shipping, provided your gifts are purchased and mailed by midweek.  See individual store shops for details.

Shipping tips for the masses

shipping package

Photo by Ice Foxx

You not only need to get your package delivered on time, but you want for it to end up at its destination in one piece. You can do that by following these basic shipping tips:

Use the sturdiest of supplies: Always use heavy duty boxes with the flaps intact to protect your gift during its long journey. For heavy and breakable items, double-boxing is a must.

Insulate gifts well: Whether your item is made of glass, wood or paper, you’ll want to insulate it against the elements and the bumps and bangs it will experience while in transit. Use bubble wrap, packing peanuts and other cushioning.

Don’t gift wrap the outer box: The outer box should be free of any gift wrapping, bows or ribbons. Use of such items can cause the package to get caught up in machines and slow delivery. It’s A-OK to include wrapped gifts, but the outer shipping box should be free of everything but the shipping label.

Label well: Include the appropriate shipping address and return shipping label on the outside of the box. If old shipping labels are still present on the box you’re using, rip them off or color over them with a black marker.

Don’t forget, you can avoid long lines at the post office or elsewhere by registering your package for delivery or pickup online.

 

 

 

 


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