Wondering what to do with a gift that requires you to ship it yourself?
Delivery services including Atlanta-based UPS, Roadie and Delta Cargo, along with FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service, have released their final deadlines ahead of the Christmas Eve weekend, and they're asking shoppers to package and send their gifts as soon as possible.
UPS touts its Ultimate UPS Holiday Winter Holiday Gift Guide as a gifting solution for last-minute shoppers. Dec. 19 is the last day to lock in three-day shipping, and Dec. 21 is the final day for overnight shipping this year. Here’s the UPS holiday shipping deadline grid for the U.S.
The shipping company lists Dec. 22 as the last day to ship "same day" in the U.S. — but this may not apply for shipments to and from various regions. Check the FedEx deadline matrix.
This company says it will transport and deliver "any item, any size, anywhere with the largest local same-day delivery footprint in the nation." Granny wants to give an old sofa to her college-aged grandson? A handmade birthday cake delivered to a friend? Roadie might be able to accommodate unusual requests. Get info here.
The classic mail carrier in many cases boasts the most affordable options. However, it requires more time for most shipments and its deadline for priority shipping before Christmas Eve is Dec. 18, with the Priority Express deadline on Dec. 20. Overnight deliveries or gifts with very sensitive handling may be best accommodated by another carrier. See USPS deadlines and options here.
These utilize existing Delta Air Lines flights to connect shipments to airports across the country for pickup. With Dash, "anyone can ship packages less than 16 ounces, and TSA Known Shippers can ship packages up to 100 pounds." Other shipment requests can be coordinated ahead of time with Delta Cargo. Also, because items travel on flights, additional restrictions and rules apply. Learn more here.
