Families today live all over the map. Siblings live in different states, cousins may live on opposite coasts, we move for work, for opportunity, and for our ideal climate. While we all try to rejoin for the holidays, sometimes sending a gift is the best way to show your holiday affection for a loved one who lives far away. The question is: When should you ship it? How do you ensure your gift arrives before Christmas (December 25)? AIM Mail Centers can help. We've got a comprehensive holiday shipping date challenge to make sure your gifts arrive on time. This is your Holiday Shipping Guide for the popular package carriers USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines
The United States Postal Service is a reliable and affordable package carrier for holiday gifts. If you ship in mid-to-late December, your gifts should arrive on time.
Key Dates for December 24 Delivery:
Ship on or before these dates to ensure your gifts arrive on December 24 or earlier. Ship before December 14 for the greatest peace of mind.
- USPS Retail Ground: December 14
- First-Class Mail: December 18
- Priority Mail: December 19
- Priority Mail Express: December 23
Important Holiday Dates: There is no pickup or delivery available on the dates of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.
Additional Notes:
USPS offers a variety of online and post office tools and resources to help you plan on-time shipping based on your holiday schedule.
UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines
UPS is a favorite shipping carrier around the holidays, and they handle many thousands of delivered gifts this time of year. They are known to be fast and reliable.
Key Dates for December 24 Delivery:
UPS offers 3-day, 2-day, and next-day shipping for last-minute gift deliveries before Christmas. For more affordable ground delivery, calculate your shipping day based on the distance through the UPS website tool.
- UPS Ground: Check specific details with an AIM Mail Centers shipping rep on the UPS website.
- UPS 3 Day Select: December 19
- UPS 2nd Day Air: December 20
- UPS Next Day Air: December 23
Important Holiday Dates:
UPS also does not pick up or deliver on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day.
FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Key Dates for December 24 Delivery:
FedEx will guarantee gift delivery during this busy season of package delays if you ship before these dates for each shipping service.
- FedEx Ground: December 15
- FedEx Express Saver: December 19
- FedEx 2Day: December 21
- FedEx Overnight Services: December 22
Important Holiday Dates:
Like USPS and UPS, FedEx also does not perform pickups or deliveries on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day.
DHL Holiday Shipping Deadlines
DHL is more commonly chosen for international gifts, handy if your loved ones are overseas.
Key Dates for December 24 Delivery:
DHL can offer surprisingly rapid global delivery for gifts sent in late December.
- DHL Express Worldwide: December 20
- DHL Express 12:00: December 21
- DHL Express 9:00: December 22
Important Holiday Dates:
Like the domestic carriers, DHL also does not offer pickups or deliveries on the three key holidays of the season.
Additional Notes:
DHL is a great choice for international shipping, offering a variety of shipping solutions and tools.
Tips for Ensuring On-Time Delivery
If you want your gifts to arrive intact and on time, try these tips:
- Plan Ahead: Prepare your packages and shipments early. Avoid the last-minute rush and ship before the cut-off date to ensure on-time arrival.
- Use Reliable Packaging: Make sure your gifts are packed securely inside shipping-ready boxes (double-boxing is fine) to ensure your gifts arrive undamaged.
- Track Shipments: Use package tracking features and services to monitor the journey of each package.
- Consider Expedited Services: Express services offer the best time for urgent deliveries and are less likely to be subject to holiday season shipping delays.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The holidays are a time of chaos. Avoid common mistakes for a happy holiday unboxing.
- Procrastination: Waiting until the last minute to ship packages.
- Incorrect Address: Double-check the sending and return addresses to avoid delivery delays.
- Ignoring Carrier Updates: Stay informed about any changes in carrier policies or schedules.
Happy Holiday Shipping with AIM Mail Centers
Knowing your holiday shipping deadlines is the key to ensuring your mailed gifts arrive on time. Whether you are shipping gifts to distant loved ones or mailing gifts to meet you at your holiday gathering point, these tips can help ensure a smooth holiday shipping experience. You are welcome to visit AIM Mail Centers where our holiday team will help you cover all your shipping needs, from packing delicate gifts to on-time deliveries.