Holiday Shipping Deadlines to Keep in Mind
With so many of my readers looking for last-minute gift ideas, I wanted to remind you of holiday shipping deadlines to keep in mind. This is especially important if you tend to be a procrastinator shopper and like to leave things for the last minute. Also, 2024 poses some unique challenges, with Christmas and the first night of Chanukah occuring on the same date.
Overall, I’m going to be giving you holiday shipping deadlines based on the three most common shipping options when shopping online:
- FedEx
- UPS (United Parcel Service)
- USPS (U.S. Postal Service)
Common holiday shipping deadlines for this year
This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may be compensated if you click a link. However, there is no cost to you. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, please see my Privacy and Disclosure page.
As I just mentioned, this year, Hanukkah begins on the evening of Wednesday (December 25). Christmas falls on Wednesday (December 25). The last time that happened was almost 20 years ago. Anyway, that overlap can be see as both good and bad for those shopping for either Christmas or Chanukah gifts.
It’s good for shoppers, because, with a midweek holiday, you could conceivably shop for and get gifts delivered on Tuesday, December 24. For people buying Chanukah gifts, the holiday goes through January 2, 2025, which is crazy to comprehend. Anyway, you will not be able to get any deliveries on Christmas Day, obviously, but also on New Year’s Day or January 1. This takes away two shopping days for those waiting for the last-minute to buy Hanukkah presents.
With that in mind, here are the holiday shipping deadlines to keep in mind by the shipping company.
FedEx holiday shipping deadlines
FedEx Ground: Tuesday, December 17
FedEx Express Saver: Thursday, December 19
FedEx Two-Day: Friday, December 20
Overnight FedEx: Monday, December 23
UPS holiday shipping deadlines
UPS Second-Day Air: Friday, December 20
UPS Next Day Air: Mondaym December 23
U.S. Postal Service shipping deadlines for Christmas
The USPS mostly has the same deadlines for the continguous United States aka the Lower 48 and Alaska and Hawaii. However, take note of the Priority Express deadlines below, which are different.
Lower 48
USPS Regular delivery aka first-class mail: Wednesday, December 18
USPS Priority Mail: Wednesday, December 19
USPS Priorty Express: Saturday, December 21
Alaska and Hawaii
USPS Regular delivery aka first-class mail: Wednesday, December 18
USPS Priority Mail: Wednesday, December 19
USPS Priorty Express: Friday, December 20
Finally, keep in mind that this is assuming there are no major disruptions in shipping services, such as a major snowstorm or a labor strike.
What to do about gifts bought on December 24
If you find yourself shopping on December 24th, are you SOL? No. Just make sure you’re shopping with stores that allow for curbside pickup or drive-up services.
Then you’re not relying on a third–party shipping service to deliver your packages; you’ll be able to get them yourself.