We’re scrambling to track down the last-minute holiday shipping deadlines too right now! After all, most of us busy parents are doing more and more of our shopping for the holidays online — usually late at night, after the kids are in bed, right? I’m sure you’ve already been disappointed — like me — that some of the gifts you’d hoped to get won’t be here in time for Christmas.
To be sure that doesn’t happen for your entire list, we’ve put together some last-minute shipping deadlines for the biggest shopping destinations this season: Amazon, Target, Nordstrom, Wayfair and more.
Just know that there’s always your local indie shops (our faves!), bookstores, gift cards from your own favorite neighborhood joints — even if you’re reading this the morning of December 24, we’ve got you.
NOTE: There’s a pending storm on the east coast which may impact items that ship from the east coast. Be sure to keep that in mind if you’re counting on a rush order!
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Related: Our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide: A lovingly curated guide to gifts for everyone on your list
General 2018 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
USPS First class mail: Thurs 12/20
USPS Priority Mail: Thurs 12/20
USPS Priority Mail Express: Sat 12/22
FedEx Express Saver: Weds 12/19
FedEx 2Day Services: Thurs 12/20
FedEx Overnight Services: Fri 12/21
UPS 3 Day Select: Tues, 12/18
UPS 2nd Day Air: Thurs, 12/20
UPS Next Day Air: Sat, 12/22
2018 Holiday Shipping Deadlines: The big retailers
Amazon: Today (Dec 18) is the last day to get items via Standard Shipping in time for Christmas. Order by 12/22 with your Amazon Prime free Two-Day shipping or by 12/23 with free one-day shipping (in select areas) and you’ll still get it in time. But, and this is a huge but, always check your estimated shipping date. Even some of the items I purchased over the past weekend with 2-day Prime shipping aren’t scheduled to get here until the 27th. Boo.
Target: This is one of the best, most reliable shops right now, with free shipping on select items ordered by 12/20. Choose “holiday shipping” on the items with the Christmas delivery truck icon, and Target will upgrade your shipping for free — in-store pickup also may be available.
Soundsport wireless in-ear headphones by Bose on sale 15% off at Nordstrom
Nordstrom: Order by noon ET on 12/18 and you’ll have free delivery by Christmas Eve (limited items will be available for free standard shipping all the way until 12/21). Order by noon ET on 12/22 and choose next-day shipping to get it by Christmas Eve.
Barney’s NY: Ground shipping is currently free (yay!) but, it’s an estimated 3-7 business days (boo!). Unless you’re near their New York metro fulfillment center, I wouldn’t risk it. You can also upgrade to 2-3 business days for $15 or next business day for $20.
Best Buy:Guaranteed free Christmas delivery when you order by 10:30AM CT on 12/20; or Weds 12/19 for larger items. Express shipping guarantees on-time delivery when you order by 12/21. There’s also free same-day delivery in certain areas when you order by 3PM so check the site! And of course they have in-store pickup available.
Bloomingdales: You need to order from Bloomingdales today (12/18) before 5 pm in order to get your packages by Friday with their Premium shipping. You can wait till Wednesday before 5 pm and use their Express delivery for packages to arrive on Friday. If you live near a Bloomingdales, you can also choose same-day delivery at checkout
Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic: Their free shipping on orders over $50 is super tempting, but the delivery is 6-12 days. Oof. The best option is to shop online and reserve your items in store — then just go pick them up. That said, you can still order by Tuesday online and pay the $17 fee for expedited or $22 for next-day shipping and get it by Friday.
Related: 50 cool stocking stuffers for people who just can’t with the plastic crap
H&M: Order by midnight on Tuesday (12/18) and choose free shipping and you’re guaranteed to have it by Christmas Eve. (Small print about natural disasters and whatnot does apply.)
Kohls: Order by December 18 and you can get free shipping on orders over $50 by Christmas Eve
Neiman-Marcus: Use code NMRUSH when you order by noon CST on 12/19, and your package will arrive by Christmas Eve.
JCPenney: Order by 12/18 and get free shipping for orders over $49 by Christmas Eve
Related: How to not make yourself crazy this holiday season
Ribbed beanie with fur pom pom on sale, J Crew
JCrew: Order by Weds 12/18 with $15 expedited shipping for delivery by Monday 12/24 — but be aware of the pending storm. That said, you can order online, and score the big discounts they’re offering (up to 40% off including new styles with code MOREISMORE) and pick up at a store near you any time
Pottery Barn: Order by 12/19 midnight for standard delivery by Christmas Eve, or 12/22 with rush delivery. Deadlines for monogrammed gifts are 12/18 at 9:00 pm for standard shipping and 12/20 at 7:00 pm for rush delivery.
Saks Fifth Ave: Free rush shipping through 12/20 midnight ET with code HOLRUSH
Sephora: Order by noon on 12/20 with Standard Shipping, or as late as 9:00 am PST on 12/21 with Expedited. The USPS ground shipping deadline has passed.
Love is Love gift crate on sale, Williams Sonoma
Williams Sonoma: Order by 3:00 am ET on 12/20 (yeah, early unless you think of it as midnight PT on 12/19) to receive your gifts by Christmas Eve. That said, monogrammed orders need to be placed before 12/19 at 3:00 pm. Also…20% off your order if you order today, 12/18.
Wayfair: Get free 2-day shipping on orders $49+ which means ordering by 12/20, and check out lots of big sales right now.
Top photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
