Holiday Shipping Survival Guide: Ensure On Time Delivery

The holiday season is fast approaching, and if you’re a product-based business, you know how crucial it is to get those orders delivered on time.

No one wants a customer reaching out on December 26th wondering where their “Christmas miracle” went! 😬 But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. At Mrs. Shippie, we specialize in providing heavily discounted UPS and LTL shipping rates to help businesses like yours crush holiday shipping deadlines with ease. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about shipping for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s to guarantee holiday delivery for your customers.

Thanksgiving is the first big holiday where timing matters. Here’s what you need to know:

● Wednesday, Nov. 27: UPS is operating normally, so ship as usual! If you’re sending out Next Day Air® packages, they’ll arrive on Friday, Nov. 29. 2nd Day Air®? Expect delivery on Monday, Dec. 2, unless you’re shipping for Saturday, Nov. 30.

● Thursday, Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving Day: Time to rest and enjoy the feast! No UPS pickups or deliveries will take place (unless you need UPS Express Critical® — more on that later).

● Friday, Nov. 29: It’s back to business as usual with normal pickup and delivery service.

Pro Tip: UPS offers service guarantees for anything besides Ground and SurePost®, so take advantage of their faster services to guarantee delivery.

For many businesses, Christmas is the busiest time of the year. Make sure you’re hitting these deadlines so your customers wake up to gifts under the tree:

● Friday, Dec. 20: This is the last day to send 2nd Day Air® packages and guarantee delivery by Tuesday, Dec. 24. Shipping with 3 Day Select®? Packages will arrive on Friday, Dec. 27 — too late for Christmas, so plan ahead!

● Monday, Dec. 23: If you’re down to the wire, this is the last day to send out Next Day Air® packages to guarantee delivery on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Whew! Just in time for Christmas Eve.

● Tuesday, Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve: While UPS will deliver as usual, pickups are limited to Air and International Air packages (prearranged).

● Wednesday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Day: No UPS pickup or delivery. It’s a holiday, so your packages are kicking back and sipping hot cocoa until the next day. 😎

With Christmas behind you, don’t forget that New Year’s Eve is another big shopping moment. Here’s how to make sure you’re covered:

● Saturday, Dec. 28: This is your last chance to send out 2nd Day Air® packages and have them arrive by Tuesday, Dec. 31. Perfect for those last-minute gifts or end-of-year orders.

● Tuesday, Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve: UPS will be working hard, but only Air and International Air packages will be delivered. Make sure you schedule pickups ahead of time for these!

● Wednesday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day: UPS won’t be moving packages today — they’re ringing in the new year too! But, UPS Express Critical® service is still available for those emergency shipments.

1. Use UPS’s Service Guarantee: Avoid the stress of late deliveries by using services like Next Day Air® and 2nd Day Air®. UPS guarantees delivery on time, so you can focus on selling, not stressing!

2. Plan Ahead: From Nov. 18 to Jan. 10, expect a few delays on Ground and Standard shipments, so plan accordingly. Double-check transit times on UPS’s website when shipping.

3. Keep Track of UPS Holidays: There’s no UPS service on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day. Make sure to schedule around these dates!

At Mrs. Shippie, we’re not just about great shipping rates — we’re about making your holiday season smooth and stress-free. Whether you’re sending out those last-minute Christmas Eve orders or gearing up for a busy New Year, we’ve got the expertise and services you need to make sure your packages arrive on time.

Need help with your shipping strategy? Get in touch with us today for discounted rates and personalized shipping solutions that take the stress out of the holidays. Let’s work together to make this your most successful holiday season yet!