Holiday shipping dates are approaching fast: What you need to know
When Christmas Day arrives, you don’t want your mantel to be hung with empty stockings or your tree to have no presents below. If you’re an online shopper, ordering your gifts on time is the key to avoiding those dreary scenarios.
We’ve rounded up holiday shipping deadlines at some top retailers for all those procrastinators who have yet to finish — or start — their seasonal shopping.
J.C. Penney
Shoppers at department store J.C. Penney can put off their purchases until the day before Christmas Eve, but keep in mind that the retailer isn’t responsible for delivery delays due to unforeseen circumstances, such as bad weather.
• Standard delivery: Order by before Dec. 20 for in-stock items delivered in the Continental U.S.
• Two-day shipping: Order on or before Dec. 21
• One-day shipping: Order by Dec. 23 at 2:00 p.m. Central time
• Ship to store: Order by Dec. 17 for in-stock items
What to Buy (and Skip) in December - NerdWallet
Amazon.com
Amazon shoppers who are shipping Christmas gifts to addresses in the contiguous U.S. should follow these dates:
• Free shipping (non-Prime members): Order on or before Dec. 16
• Standard shipping: Order on or before Dec. 18
• Two-day shipping: Order on or before Dec. 22
• One-day shipping: Order or on before Dec. 23
• Same-day delivery: Order on or before Dec. 24 (available in select regions)
Target
Discount giant Target has gotten in the Christmas spirit with a promise of free standard shipping and returns on every online order through Dec. 25. The retailer hasn’t explicitly stated when its cutoffs are for delivery by Christmas Eve, but there are various delivery options for late shoppers. Daily deadlines are at 1:30 p.m. Central time Monday through Saturday.
• Standard shipping: 3-5 business days
• Premium shipping: 2 days
• Express shipping: 1 day
• Rush delivery: Same day (available in select areas)
• Order pickup: Available for select items
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart, like Target, hasn’t announced official holiday shipping deadlines, but shoppers can work with the options below. Always err on the side of caution when determining how long it will take for your deliveries to arrive.
• Value shipping: 6-9 business days
• Standard shipping: 3-5 business days
• Expedited shipping: 2-3 business days
• Rush shipping: 1-2 business days
• Store pickup: Available for select items
Victoria’s Secret
Victoria’s Secret guarantees Christmas delivery for shoppers who follow the shipping guidelines below. These dates apply only to U.S. locations and in-stock items.
• Standard delivery: Order by Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. Eastern time
• Saturday delivery: Order by Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. Eastern time
• Three-day shipping: Order by Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. Eastern time
• Two-day shipping: Order by Dec. 22 at 5 p.m. Eastern time
• One-day shipping: Order by Dec. 23 at 5 p.m. Eastern time (allow one extra day for Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories)
Kohl’s
Kohl’s promises that as long as shoppers place orders by the designated shipping cutoff dates, the store will “do whatever it takes to get your gifts to your loved ones by Christmas Eve.”
• Standard delivery: Order by Dec. 20 at 11 p.m. Central time
• Two-day shipping: Order by Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. Central time
• Same-day shipping: Order by Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. Central time (available in select locations)
• One-day shipping: Order by Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. Central time
Sears
Sears is letting customers push their Christmas shopping to the very last minute this year. Follow these dates to ensure you get your presents delivered, wrapped and under the tree in time.
• Standard shipping: Order by Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. Central time
• Premium shipping: Order by Dec. 23 at 4 p.m. Central time
• Ship to store: Check specific item availability for free store pickup
Best Buy
Here are the dates you need to know when buying from electronics superstore Best Buy. Keep in mind, to receive free shipping in time for Christmas on most movies and music, you’ll need to order by Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m. Central time.
• Standard shipping: Order by Dec. 17 at 10:30 a.m. Central time
• Two-day shipping: Order by Dec. 22 at 10:30 a.m. Central time
• One-day shipping: Order by Dec. 23 at 10:30 a.m. Central time
• Store pickup: Order by Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. local store time
If one of the retailers you plan to buy from isn’t profiled here, visit the store’s website or call its customer service department to confirm holiday shipping dates.
And remember that late shopping can cost you. In general, the faster the shipping speed you select, the more you’ll pay.
MORE: What to buy (and skip) in December
MORE: DJI Phantom 3 Drone vs. 3D Robotics Solo Drone
MORE: Microsoft Surface Pro 4 vs. iPad Pro: Tablet Takedown
Courtney Jespersen is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: courtney@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @courtneynerd.
NerdWallet is a Paste BN content partner providing general news, commentary and coverage from around the Web. Its content is produced independently of Paste BN.