When To Buy and Ship Gifts so They Arrive in Time for Christmas

If you've already started thinking about what you're going to get each person on your list for Christmas, we're going to get along wonderfully. If you've already started shopping or have most of it already done, we should be best friends, okay?

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Vice President Kamala Harris recently stated, in not so many words, that supply chain issues could ruin Christmas for the kiddos this year. The comment by our Vice President raised eyebrows and has left both sides fighting (shocking, huh?) over her claim that if you want your children to have toys for Christmas this year, you need to start your Christmas shopping like yesterday.

My friends and family (lovingly...I hope) mock me regularly because I am a Type A (or if you go off the Enneagram test, type 3) personality. Part of my personality is the need (let's call it with it is- a controlling nature) to get things done as far in advance as possible so that they're out of the way and I can move on to the next thing.

While our fellow Americans are arguing over the words of our Vice President, those of us who are Type A personalities and have already finished our shopping and have moved on to the next celebration so happy to have dodged what could have been a major Christmas meltdown.

When Should You Start Shopping for Christmas?

In all seriousness though, unless you're planning to walk straight into a brick and mortar store and walk out with your purchase, you might want to start Christmas shopping now. Part of the reason is because of global supply chain issues and part of the reason is that mail delivery services are experiencing exactly what every other business in America is dealing with - a lack of employees which means that Prime two-day order has been showing up on day four or five, right?

Why Is It Better To Ship Christmas Presents Early?

Now, think about all the people who are going to wait until November or early December to shop for Christmas. If the United States Post Office, UPS, FedEx, and others are already bogged down, it's only going to get worse. By starting your Christmas shopping right now, you'll be ahead of the game and (hopefully) not left scrambling on Christmas Eve.

When Should You Ship Out Gifts so They Arrive in Time for Christmas?

According to USA Today, the deadline to send your package to a location inside the United States if you want it to arrive by Christmas is December 15 for all ground deliveries by the United States Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx, and the U.S. Postal Service. But again, I urge you to remember how backed-up packages got last Christmas and realize there's a good chance that will happen again this year.

When Should Your Mail Christmas Cards so They Arrive in Time for Christmas?

Oh, and when should you mail out Christmas cards this year (assuming you still do)? If you don't want people to be getting your card in June of 2022, you should plan to send them out by December 1.

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