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Reviewed / Tara Jacoby
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It sneaks up on us every year: one minute you’re sipping pumpkin spice lattes, and the next—boom—it’s time to ship Christmas gifts. If you’re sending presents across the country (or just a few states away), it’s crucial to know when to get those packages in the mail so they actually make it under the tree.
To help you complete your holiday mailing tasks, we’ve rounded up the most popular carrier deadlines, including the last day for ground shipping before Christmas 2025. Remember, many retailers have their own shipping deadlines that you’ll want to be conscious of when doing your holiday shopping.
Whether you’re shopping for the best gifts for your wife, unique presents for men, or a surprise for anyone else on your list, we’ve got your back. And if you miss the mailing window altogether, don’t panic—experience gift and digital presents can save the day.
Here’s exactly when to ship so your gifts arrive right on time.
USPS holiday shipping deadlines for 2025
If you’re relying on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to deliver your gifts, don’t wait too long to get them out the door. USPS recommends the following “send-by” dates for expected delivery before Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 25) in the contiguous U.S., as well as from Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories:
Domestic mail deadlines
- First-Class Mail: Wednesday, Dec. 17
- Priority Mail: Thursday, Dec. 18
- Priority Mail Express: Saturday, Dec. 20
Ground shipping deadlines
- Contiguous U.S. (lower 48): Wednesday, Dec. 17
- Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Territories: Tuesday, Dec. 16
UPS holiday shipping deadlines for 2025
If UPS is your go-to for holiday packages, there’s still plenty of time to get your gifts where they need to go—but don’t push it too far. These are the recommended last days to ship for delivery by Christmas Eve (Wednesday, Dec. 24):
Air services
- 3-Day Select: Friday, Dec. 19
- 2nd Day Air: Monday, Dec. 22
- Next Day Air: Tuesday, Dec. 23
Ground shipping
- UPS Ground: Deadlines vary by distance. You can use the UPS Ground Time-in-Transit Calculator to check exact dates for your ZIP code.
FedEx holiday shipping deadlines for 2025
Need to get that gift there yesterday? FedEx has one of the most flexible holiday schedules around. The company offers everything from 5-day ground delivery to same-day options (for the true procrastinators among us). Here’s the breakdown for on-time delivery by Christmas Eve (Wednesday, Dec. 24):
Ground and Home Delivery
- 5-Day Transit: Wednesday, Dec. 17
- 4-Day Transit: Thursday, Dec. 18
- 3-Day Transit: Friday, Dec. 19
Express Services
- FedEx Express Saver: Friday, Dec. 19 (Bonus: You can extend this to Saturday, Dec. 20, with a $16 Saturday pickup surcharge.)
- FedEx 2-Day & 2-Day AM: Monday, Dec. 22
- FedEx Overnight Services (Standard, Priority, First, or Extra Hours): Tuesday, Dec. 23
- FedEx SameDay: Wednesday, Dec. 24
Does FedEx deliver on Christmas Eve?
Yes—most FedEx services are available on December 24, though hours vary by location. Still, don’t roll the dice if you can help it. The safest bet is to ship a few days early to avoid any “weather delay” surprises.
Amazon Prime holiday shipping deadlines for 2025
When it comes to holiday shopping, Amazon is the MVP—especially if you’re an Amazon Prime member. With two-day (and sometimes even same-day) delivery, it’s a lifesaver for last-minute gifts.
To make sure everything arrives before Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 25), plan to place your orders by Monday, Dec. 22. Depending on your zip code, you might be able to sneak in a one-day or same-day delivery through Christmas Eve.
Editor’s pick
Consider gifting an Amazon Prime membership—it’s the ultimate “gift that keeps giving,” complete with free shipping, Prime Video, and exclusive deals.
Shop holiday deals and more with Amazon Prime.
Retailer Christmas shipping deadlines for 2025
Here are all of the retailers still shipping in time for Christmas.
From Amazon to Adidas, every retailer plays by slightly different rules when it comes to holiday shipping. If you’re cutting it close, these are the expected cutoff dates for major stores (based on past years and early announcements).
Quick reminder: Many big-box retailers like Best Buy and Target offer curbside pickup through December 24, so even if you miss shipping deadlines, you can still snag gifts in person.
December 20th
Kate Spade: Order by December 20 for delivery by Christmas (continental U.S.). You’ll need to select next-day shipping.
Madewell: Expect a final order date around December 20 for 2025—based on past years’ schedules.
December 22nd
Amazon: For most Prime-eligible products, the two-day shipping cutoff falls on December 22.
Macy's: Last year’s cutoff for express shipping was 5 p.m. on December 22—expect something similar this year. Same-day delivery and in-store pickup should be available through December 24.
Old Navy: Anticipate an order cutoff around December 22 for delivery by Christmas Eve (with expedited shipping).
Anthropologie: Based on previous years, the store’s overnight shipping deadline will likely fall near December 22.
Bed Bath & Beyond: Expect a final order deadline around December 22 for Christmas delivery.
Coach: Last call for overnight shipping to the contiguous U.S. should land around December 22.
December 23rd
Harry & David: Place orders by December 23 for Christmas Eve delivery (overnight shipping required).
Dermstore: Expect the overnight shipping cutoff to fall near December 23 based on prior years.
December 24th
Target: Same-day delivery via Shipt may be available on Christmas Eve—just be prepared to pay a $9.99 fee (free for Target Circle 360 members) and act fast, as time slots fill up quickly.
Walmart: Walmart+ members can score free same-day delivery on orders over $35, but it’s popular—availability may be limited the closer you get to Christmas.
Stores offering same-day pickup
Best Buy: Snag top-rated tech, TVs, and headphones and pick them up in store through Christmas Eve.
Dick's Sporting Goods: Clothing, gear, and fitness finds are available for curbside pickup or Instacart delivery.
DSW: Grab stylish slippers or sneakers via curbside pickup.
Home Depot: Shop tools, décor, and more—choose “store pickup” to get your gifts before Christmas.
Michaels: Perfect for last-minute crafters. Order supplies online for same-day pickup.
Nike: Buy online, pick up in store—easy wins for sneakerheads.
Nordstrom: Shop luxury gifts online and grab them curbside or in-store before Christmas.
The best gifts that don’t require shipping
Missed every shipping deadline? Don’t sweat it—you can still give an amazing gift without waiting on a delivery truck. Digital, subscription, and experience-based gifts not only arrive instantly, but they also feel thoughtful and modern (no tape or wrapping paper required).
Here are a few of our favorite last-minute gifts that’ll score you major points—and zero shipping fees.
Audible
Let your loved ones stream endless audiobooks, podcasts, and exclusive series—all on you. With an Audible membership, they can listen to whatever fits their mood, from memoirs to mysteries. Perfect for commuters, multitaskers, or anyone who loves a good story.
Book of the Month Club
Give the gift of reading without guessing their taste. A Book of the Month Club subscription (starting at $59.99 for three months) lets recipients pick from a curated list of buzzy new titles each month. It’s like a bookshop, delivered—minus the shipping stress.
Bouqs
Can’t be there in person? Send flowers that actually impress. Bouqs delivers sustainably sourced bouquets across the U.S., perfect for long-distance gifting or adding cheer to someone’s space this season.
Home Chef
For the foodie on your list, skip the delivery delays and gift a meal kit. Home Chef is our pick for the best meal kit service, thanks to its flexibility and delicious recipes. You can send a digital gift card or prepay a box for someone special.
Kindle Unlimited
Know someone unwrapping a new Kindle this year? Add Kindle Unlimited so they can instantly dive into thousands of eBooks. It’s an easy, one-click gift that lasts all year.
MasterClass
Help your giftee learn from the best with a MasterClass membership. They can cook with Gordon Ramsay, write with Margaret Atwood, or even learn comedy from Steve Martin. It’s thoughtful, inspiring, and totally ship-free.
Winc
Wine lovers, rejoice. Winc delivers customized wine subscriptions that reviewers (and our editors) love. It’s the ideal “cheers from afar” gift—and yes, you can send an e-gift card in seconds.
Whether you’re shipping gifts across the country or going digital at the last minute, knowing your deadlines can make the season a whole lot less stressful. From USPS to Amazon Prime, plan ahead—and if you forget, remember that the best gifts don’t always come in boxes.
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