Whether you're shopping online or planning to send your gifts yourself via FedEx, UPS or USPS, you're going to come up against deadlines if you want your gifts to arrive by Christmas. So we've assembled the deadlines from major shipping services, as well as major retailers, to help you get your gifts there on time. We've also noted which retailers are offering free shipping this season and the deadlines for getting free by-Christmas shipping for your orders.
Carrier Deadlines
Shipping your gifts yourself? FedEx, UPS and USPS offer a variety of options for those who plan ahead (ground shipping) and procrastinators (various expedited-shipping options). Use the timeline below to see the cut-offs by shipping option.
Note: We calibrated our timeline to ensure delivery by Friday Dec. 22. Not all areas have Saturday and Sunday delivery, and some mailing rooms at apartment complexes may be closed on the weekend. So, while some of these options may buy you a couple additional days in some areas, use our calendar to play it safe.
A note about FedEx same-day delivery: This method does indeed allow you to ship on Christmas and have your package arrive on Christmas. FedEx Same Day (more info here) is available 365 days per year across the entire U.S. But we don't recommend using it to mail gifts because it's expensive (more than $200 for packages under 25 lbs.).
Retailer Deadlines
Retailers have their own shipping deadlines for on-time Christmas delivery. Some use their normal shipping calendar, while others rev things up, extending their normal deadlines to allow their customers to order even closer to Christmas. Some retailers even offer free shipping. Use the chart below to know your options and cut-off dates for major retailers.
| Retailer | Free shipping? | Free-shipping cutoff for delivery by Christmas | Shipping cutoff for expedited (extra fees apply) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Over $35 | Dec. 15 |
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| American Eagle Outfitters | Over $50 | Dec. 13 | Dec. 21 before 1 p.m. EST (overnight shipping) | |
| Apple | Free two-day all orders | Dec. 19 | Dec. 21 (next-day shipping) | |
| Banana Republic | Over $50 | Dec. 13 | Dec. 21 before 3 p.m. EST (next-day shipping) | |
| Bed Bath & Beyond | Over $29 | Dec. 13 | Dec. 21 before 1 p.m. EST (express) | |
| Best Buy | Free standard until Dec. 25 | Dec. 13 | Dec. 21 (one-day) | |
| Dell Home | Free standard | Dec. 15 by 2 p.m. CST | Dec. 21 (next-day) | |
| Dillards | No | No free shipping. Ship by Dec. 21 at 12 p.m. CST for arrival by Dec. 24. | Ship by Dec. 21 at 12 p.m. CST for arrival by Dec. 24. | |
| Disney Store | Over $75 | Dec. 18 by 11:59 p.m. EST | Dec. 21 by 4 p.m EST | |
| GameStop | Promos vary | Dec. 13 for standard | Dec. 20 (one-day) | |
| Gap | Over $50 | Dec. 13 | Dec. 20 (one-day) | |
| H&M | Over $40 | Dec. 13 | Dec. 21 by 4 p.m. EST (expedited) | |
| JCPenney | Over $49 | Dec. 18 | Dec. 21 before 12 p.m. CEST (expedited) | |
| Kmart | Over $25 | Dec. 15 by 4 p.m. CST | Dec. 21 (one-day) | |
| Kohl's | Over $75 | Dec. 14 | Dec. 21 (one-day) | |
| Macy's | Varies by promo | Dec. 20 by 5 p.m. for all orders | Dec. 20 by 5 p.m. for all orders | |
| Nordstrom | Free standard | Dec. 11 before 12 p.m. EST | Dec. 21 by 12 p.m. EST (next-day) | |
| Old Navy | Over $50 | Dec. 13 | Dec. 21 (one-day) | |
| Overstock | Over $45 | Dec. 12 | Dec. 19 (expedited) | |
| REI | Over $50 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 20 (one-day) | |
| Sears | Over $25 | Dec. 15 by 4 p.m. CST | Dec. 21 by 4 p.m. CST (premium) | |
| Target | Free standard until Dec. 23 | Dec. 14 | Dec. 20 (express) | |
| Toys"R"Us | Over $29 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 20 (express) | |
| Walmart | Over $35 | Dec. 20 | Dec. 21 (rush) |
