With less than a week left in the holiday shopping push, if you’ve found yourself procrastinating on your holiday shopping, you’re not alone!
We hope that all of our friends who celebrate Hannukah enjoyed a happy festival of lights this year, and now we’d like to help those who celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, or other holiday traditions make sure that their gifts arrive on time.
If need to order toys and games online, there is still some time — but the clock is ticking! Similarly, if you’re packing up some holiday cheer to send to friends and loved ones, don’t wait much longer. Here are some important dates to remember for a planned arrival on or before Dec. 25. Just remember: Nothing is guaranteed!
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) 2023 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
| Domestic service | Date (lower 48 states) | Date for Alaska | Date for Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority Mail | Dec. 18 | Dec. 18 | Passed (Dec. 16) |
| Priority Mail Express | Dec. 20 | Dec. 20 | Dec. 20 |
UPS 2023 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
| Domestic service | Ship date |
|---|---|
| 3-Day Select | Dec. 19 |
| 2nd Day Air | Dec. 20 |
| Next Day Air | Dec. 21 |
FedEx 2023 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
| Domestic service | Ship date |
|---|---|
| Express Saver | Dec. 19 |
| 2Day and 2Day AM* | Dec. 20 |
| First Overnight and Priority Overnight* | Dec. 21 |
| Same Day | Dec. 22 |
Retailer Orders
If you’re not shipping packages yourself, ordering directly from a retailer can be the most convenient way to get last-minute toys delivered. And, don’t forget to think outside the big box as many independent toy stores and specialty retailers offer in-store pickup, curbside pickup, shipping, and local delivery options!
Amazon
| Shipping Option | Deadline to Shop | Delivery Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2-day Shipping (Prime) | Dec. 22 | Dec. 24 |
| 1-day Shipping (Prime) | Dec. 23 | Dec. 24 |
| Same-Day Delivery (Prime) | Dec. 24 | Dec. 24 |
| e-Gift Card Delivery | Dec. 25 | Dec. 25 |
Toys “R’ Us at Macy’s
Macy’s handles shipping for Toys “R” Us orders in the U.S. (excluding flagship locations)
| Shipping Type for In-Stock Merchandise* (lower | Order by |
|---|---|
| Standard Shipping | Dec. 20, 5 p.m. ET |
| Premium Shipping | Dec. 20, 5 p.m. ET |
| Express Shipping | Dec. 21, 12 p.m. ET |
| Same-Day Delivery (Select Areas Only) | Dec. 24, 10 a.m. local time |
| Store Pickup & Contact-Free Curbside Pickup | Dec. 24, 3 p.m. local time |
| e-Gift card delivery | Dec. 24, 1 p.m. ET |
Best Buy, Target, and Walmart
These three retailers have options available to get gifts delivered by Dec. 25 (again, please keep in mind that nothing is guaranteed) as long as you order by Dec. 23. This could include local delivery or pickup, 2-day, or overnight shipping. See their websites for details!
Gift Cards Make Great Gifts!
Always remember that if gifting feels too difficult, gift cards are great gifts! Kids can pick out their own toys or games, often at a great deal if they shop after Christmas and into January.
Still need inspiration on what to get the kids in your life this year? The Toy Insider’s 18th annual Holiday Gift Guide is packed with great ideas.
Happy shopping!
