2020 Holiday Shipping Cut-Off Dates: How To Save Money On Gifts This Season

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December 2020 Calendar
Photo credit: iStock Aired December 02, 2019

Starting on this year's Christmas gift shopping? While you might score a sweet deal on an Instant Pot for your mom or a new set of speakers for your brother, those savings can go to waste if you forget about one thing: shipping costs. (And yes, they can surely add up and end up costing you even more than what the gifts cost originally — especially if you wait for last minute to order!)

If you shop online for gifts (don't we all?), it’s important to be smart about when you shop so that you don't get trapped by higher holiday pricing. Plus, who doesn't want to save money during the holiday season when the wallet is starting to get a bit light?

According to budget blogger Lauren Greutman, here are important dates to keep in mind if you want to get your gifts by Christmas without breaking the bank on shipping costs:

USPS

2020 Holiday Shipping Deadlines for Contiguous U.S. (Lower 48 States)

December 15: USPS Retail Ground Service

December 18: First-Class Mail Service

December 19: Priority Mail Service

December 23: Priority Mail Express Service

2020 Holiday Shipping Dates for Alaska & Hawaii

December 15 (Hawaii), December 18 (Alaska): First-Class Mail Service

December 15 (Hawaii), December 19 (Alaska): Priority Mail Service

December 21 (Hawaii and Alaska): Priority Mail Express Service

UPS

December 15: UPS Ground

December 21: UPS 3 Day Select

December 22: UPS 2nd Day Air

December 23: UPS Next Day Air

FedEx

Wednesday, December 9: FedEx SmartPost (certain exceptions apply)

Tuesday, December 15: FedEx Ground

Tuesday, December 15: FedEx Home Delivery

Monday, December 21: FedEx Express Saver

Tuesday, December 22: FedEx 2Day Services

Wednesday, December 23: FedEx Overnight Services

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