Christmas 2026: when to send, and how a gift goes back
Bought online, a gift arrives on the date the store shows at checkout; that is the date to trust. Mailing it on yourself is where the carriers' dates matter: these are the last days they recommend for delivery by December 25, 2026.
USPS
| Service | Lower 48 | Alaska, Hawaii |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Advantage | ||
| First-Class Mail | ||
| Priority Mail | ||
| Priority Mail Express |
FedEx
| Service | Send by |
|---|---|
| Ground Economy | |
| Ground and Home Delivery, 5-day transit | |
| Ground and Home Delivery, 3-day transit | |
| Express Saver | |
| 2Day | |
| Overnight |
Source: FedEx's 2026 dates for delivery by December 24, as reported by Value Added Resource.
The slowest service sets the date to beat: by December 17 a gift can still go the cheapest way. After December 19, it is overnight or a gift card.
Returns after the holidays
How long is the holiday return window? For the 2025 holidays, Amazon let most items bought from November 1 to December 31 be returned until January 31, 2026; Apple products until January 15. Amazon usually announces each year's window in November. Until it does for 2026, the usual 30 days from delivery applies.
How does the person who got the gift return it? With the gift receipt, which carries a link to start the return. They are refunded to their Amazon gift card balance once the item is back, in the condition it arrived.
Still shopping
Black Friday and today's deals list what is marked down now. Stocking stuffers, Secret Santa gifts and the gift finder narrow it down by who it is for.