What Are the Christmas Shipping Deadlines for 2025?
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You put so much thought, time, and energy into picking out the perfect gifts for the people you love, so it would really be a shame if all that effort went to waste because a package showed up late. After all, the holidays are hectic enough without the added stress of wondering whether your presents will actually make it under the tree in time! That’s why we’ve collected the Christmas shipping deadlines for USPS, UPS, FedEx, and more major carriers, all in one easy place for you to reference.
Every service is different, and knowing these deadlines ahead of time means no last-minute scrambling or surprises this season. If you follow this handy chart, your gifts will arrive in time to be wrapped and ribboned and ready for Christmas. So, let’s dive into these key deadlines to make sure your last-minute gifts reach their destinations before the big day—because if Santa can be on time, so can you!
USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines
What to Know: USPS is best for shipping letters and packages with a domestic address. They’re usually a bit more affordable than UPS or FedEx, though those options might be better for heavier parcels or international shipping.
| Shipping Type | Shipping Description | Last Day to Ship for Christmas 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Shipping | 2–5 business days | December 17 |
| First-Class Mail (including greeting cards and packages up to 15.99 ounces) | 1–5 business days | December 17 |
| Priority Mail | 1–3 business days | December 18 |
| Priority Mail Express | Next-day to 2-day guarantee | December 20 |
For more details, visit the USPS website here.
UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines
What to Know: If you’re a business, or shipping heavy packages or internationally, UPS might be the right option for you. There are also are a few more specific quick-ship options than USPS.
| Shipping Type | Shipping Description | Last Day to Ship for Christmas 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | 1–5 business days | Varies by distance. Check ups.com/ctc for details. |
| UPS 3-Day Select | 3 days | December 19 |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | 2 days | December 22 |
| UPS Next Day Air | Next day | December 23 |
These are specific to domestic shipping, so for international details and more info, see UPS’s full chart here.
FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines
What to Know: Similar to UPS, FedEx can handle business shipping as well as international and heavy shipping. It’s best known for its fast delivery, so if you’re in a pinch then FedEx can likely make it happen.
| Shipping Type | Shipping Description | Last Day to Ship for Christmas 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx Ground Economy | 2–7 business days | December 15 |
| FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery | 1–5 business days | December 17–23 |
| FedEx Express Saver | 3 business days | December 20 |
| FedEx 2Day and FedEx 2Day AM | 2 business days | December 22 |
| FedEx First Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx Standard Overnight, Extra Hours | Next business day | December 23 |
| FedEx SameDay | Same-day delivery (select areas) | December 24 |
These relate to domestic shipping, so for international info or more FedEx specifics, click here.
Amazon Holiday Shipping Deadlines
What to Know: For Prime members, most items will need to be ordered by December 22 for delivery by Christmas Eve; by December 23 for one-day shipping; or by December 24 for same-day delivery (where available). However, some items may have different cutoff dates, so it’s wise to check each product’s specific shipping information.
DHL Holiday Shipping Deadlines
What to Know: The last day to ship for Christmas delivery is December 17, but DHL recommends scheduling packages to arrive by December 24 at the latest to avoid holiday delays. Delivery times can vary based on the destination, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the estimated arrival window. For urgent shipments or deliveries on public holidays, DHL’s Same Day service is your best option.
Sending gifts overseas? DHL Express is one of the fastest and most reliable options for international shipping. Just keep in mind that customs can slow things down, so shipping ahead of time is always the safest bet.
Looking for Gift Guides and More?
Now that you have these shipping deadlines bookmarked, it’s time to start shopping! We have a few resources to help with that, too, including our comprehensive guide to the best Black Friday and Cyber Week sales. We’ve also curated gift ideas for everything you need, including stocking stuffers, white elephant presents, and more.
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Tierney McAfee
Tierney McAfee is a writer and editor with a passion for all things home, lifestyle, and entertaining. Her work has been featured in People, Country Living, The Pioneer Woman, The Spruce, and more, covering everything from interior design and holiday decor to DIY projects and the best products for home and lifestyle. Always in search of the next big trend or hidden gem, Tierney is all about transforming inspiration into style. When she’s not busy writing, she’s testing out new recipes, hunting for vintage treasures, or plotting her next outfit.
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