Get It by Christmas: How to Shop, Ship, and Receive Gifts on Time

Getting gifts by Christmas requires planning. The problem is that most people either shop too late (they pay for expedited shipping or they miss the deadline) or shop too early without a plan (they forget what they bought or where they stored it). The right approach is to shop early, know the shipping deadlines, and track your orders. This guide covers how to get it by Christmas, shipping deadlines, and what to skip.

Get it by Christmas covers the timing, shipping, and logistics of receiving holiday gifts before December 25, including order deadlines, shipping options, and tracking. The best approach is to shop early, know the deadlines, and track your orders. The worst is to shop late, pay for expedited shipping, or miss the deadline.

The right approach to getting gifts by Christmas is to plan ahead. Here’s how to do it, what to skip, and what to avoid.

Get It by Christmas: Shipping Deadlines by Retailer

Amazon

Amazon has the most flexible shipping options, but the deadlines still apply.

Shipping deadlines (estimated):

• Standard shipping: Order by December 15 to 18
• Two-day shipping (Prime): Order by December 22 to 23
• One-day shipping (Prime): Order by December 23 to 24
• Same-day delivery (in select areas): Order by December 24

Tips:

• Check the estimated delivery date before you order
• Choose Prime for faster shipping
• Order early for the best selection

Target

Target has both in-store and online options.

Shipping deadlines (estimated):

• Standard shipping: Order by December 15 to 18
• Two-day shipping: Order by December 22 to 23
• One-day shipping: Order by December 23 to 24
• In-store pickup: Order by December 24 (pick up in store)
• Drive Up: Order by December 24 (pick up at the store)

Tips:

• Choose in-store pickup or Drive Up for last-minute gifts
• Check the estimated delivery date before you order

Walmart

Walmart has both in-store and online options.

Shipping deadlines (estimated):

• Standard shipping: Order by December 15 to 18
• Two-day shipping: Order by December 22 to 23
• One-day shipping: Order by December 23 to 24
• In-store pickup: Order by December 24 (pick up in store)

Tips:

• Choose in-store pickup for last-minute gifts
• Check the estimated delivery date before you order

Etsy

Etsy has the most variable shipping times, because each seller sets their own shipping policies.

Shipping deadlines (estimated):

• Check each listing for the seller’s processing time and shipping time
• Order by December 1 to 10 for custom or personalized items
• Order by December 15 to 18 for ready-to-ship items

Tips:

• Check the seller’s processing time (it can be 1 to 2 weeks for custom items)
• Message the seller to confirm the shipping date
• Order early for custom or personalized items

Small Businesses and Independent Retailers

Small businesses and independent retailers have the most variable shipping times.

Shipping deadlines (estimated):

• Check each store’s shipping policy
• Order by December 10 to 15 for the best chance of delivery by Christmas
• Order by December 1 to 10 for custom or handmade items

Tips:

• Check the store’s shipping policy
• Contact the store to confirm the shipping date
• Order early for custom or handmade items

Get It by Christmas: Shipping Options

Standard Shipping

Standard shipping is the most affordable option, but it takes the longest.

Delivery time: 5 to 8 business days. Order by: December 15 to 18. Cost: Free (with a minimum purchase, at most retailers) or $5 to $10.

Two-Day Shipping

Two-day shipping is the middle-ground option. It’s faster than standard, but not as expensive as one-day.

Delivery time: 2 business days. Order by: December 22 to 23. Cost: Free (with Prime, at Amazon) or $10 to $20.

One-Day Shipping

One-day shipping is the fastest option, but it’s the most expensive.

Delivery time: 1 business day. Order by: December 23 to 24. Cost: $15 to $30 (or free with Prime, at Amazon, in select areas).

Same-Day Delivery

Same-day delivery is the fastest option, but it’s only available in select areas.

Delivery time: Same day. Order by: December 24 (morning). Cost: $10 to $20 (or free with Prime, at Amazon, in select areas).

In-Store Pickup

In-store pickup is the option for last-minute gifts. You order online and pick up in the store.

Delivery time: Same day (usually within 2 to 4 hours). Order by: December 24. Cost: Free.

How to Get It by Christmas: A Step-by-Step Plan

Step 1: Make a List (by November 1)

Make a list of everyone you need to buy for, with a few gift ideas for each person. This helps you shop efficiently.

Step 2: Shop Early (by December 1)

Shop for gifts by December 1. This gives you the best selection, the best prices, and the most shipping time.

Step 3: Check the Shipping Deadline (before you order)

Before you order, check the estimated delivery date. If it’s after December 25, choose a faster shipping option or a different retailer.

Step 4: Track Your Orders

Track your orders. If an order is delayed, contact the retailer or choose a backup gift.

Step 5: Have a Backup Plan (by December 20)

If an order is delayed, have a backup plan. Choose a gift from a local store, or choose a digital gift (a gift card, a subscription).

Step 6: Shop Local (by December 24)

If you’re shopping at the last minute, shop local. Local stores have gifts in stock, and you can buy them on December 24.

What to Skip Entirely

Shopping too late. Shopping after December 18 limits your options and increases your shipping costs. Shop early.

Not checking the delivery date. Not checking the delivery date before you order is a mistake. Check it.

Not tracking your orders. Not tracking your orders means you don’t know if they’re delayed. Track them.

Not having a backup plan. Not having a backup plan means you’re stuck if an order is delayed. Have one.

Paying for expedited shipping when you don’t need to. If you shop early, you don’t need to pay for expedited shipping. Shop early.

Forgetting about custom items. Custom items (personalized gifts, handmade items) take longer to process. Order them by December 1.

FAQ

When do I need to order to get it by Christmas? For standard shipping, order by December 15 to 18. For two-day shipping, order by December 22 to 23. For one-day shipping, order by December 23 to 24. For same-day delivery, order by December 24 (morning). For custom or personalized items, order by December 1 to 10.

What are the shipping deadlines for Amazon? For standard shipping, order by December 15 to 18. For two-day shipping (Prime), order by December 22 to 23. For one-day shipping (Prime), order by December 23 to 24. For same-day delivery (in select areas), order by December 24.

What are the shipping deadlines for Etsy? For Etsy, check each listing for the seller’s processing time and shipping time. Order by December 1 to 10 for custom or personalized items. Order by December 15 to 18 for ready-to-ship items. Message the seller to confirm the shipping date.

How do I get a gift by Christmas if I’m shopping late? If you’re shopping late, choose two-day shipping (order by December 22 to 23), one-day shipping (order by December 23 to 24), same-day delivery (order by December 24, in select areas), or in-store pickup (order by December 24, pick up in store).

What should I avoid when shopping for Christmas gifts? Avoid shopping too late (after December 18), not checking the delivery date, not tracking your orders, not having a backup plan, paying for expedited shipping when you don’t need to, and forgetting about custom items (order them by December 1).

What are good last-minute gifts that I can get by Christmas? Good last-minute gifts include a digital gift card (Amazon, Target, a restaurant), a subscription (a streaming service, a book box, a coffee subscription), a gift bought from a local store (on December 24), a gift bought with in-store pickup (order online, pick up in store), or an experience (tickets to a game, a concert, a spa day).

How do I track my Christmas gift orders? Track your orders through the retailer’s website or app. Check the estimated delivery date. If an order is delayed, contact the retailer. If it won’t arrive by Christmas, choose a backup gift from a local store or a digital gift.

References

• Amazon. “Holiday Shipping Deadlines.” Check on Amazon
• Target. “Holiday Shipping.” https://www.target.com/holiday-shipping
• USPS. “Holiday Shipping Deadlines.” https://www.usps.com/holiday-shipping-deadlines