Avoid Late Gifts, Meet These Holiday Shipping Deadlines

It's just a matter of days before the big day arrives - Christmas Day is here Monday, December 25. Now, the real panic begins -- to get those packages shipped in time before Christmas!

The mad rush in holiday travel begins this week. Some 104 million folks will hit the road with Saturday, December 23 through 28 being the most congested days to drive, according to AAA. Meanwhile, another 39 million are expected to fly during the holidays. In fact, American Airlines says Friday, December 22 is expected to be its busiest air travel day with some 12.7 million passengers.

While getting to grandma's house is one task, making sure holiday packages get delivered before Christmas is another one. Let's face it, no one likes to get a holiday gift AFTER the holiday. The key is meeting the holiday shipping deadlines. There isn't a lot of time left, so check out the deadlines these primary carriers have in place. Good luck!

With Christmas falling on a Monday this year, don't look for an overnight delivery from FedEx on Christmas Eve. You'll need to ship FedEx SameDay on Friday, Dec. 22, to get your package delivered before Christmas.

Just like FedEx, UPS shipping deadlines will be a day earlier than normal. You'll need to send your very last packages by Dec. 21 to make sure they arrive by Dec. 25.

If you'd like your holiday packages to arrive by Christmas, you've missed most of the The U.S. Postal Service deadlines.  However, you can still get packages delivered before Christmas if you use Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express. And that includes Alaska and Hawaii.

Amazon has a pretty good track record in meeting the demands of holiday shipping deadlines. So consider removing some of the stress of shopping, then shipping. Perhaps opt to do the one-stop-shop at Amazon and have your holiday package sent directly to the recipient.

Physical gifts can be cool for a moment, but the memories they create are what truly last a lifetime. This holiday season, why not do your friends and family a favor by skipping the usual physical presents? Maybe consider giving a unique Christmas experience instead?

An experiential gift is just as thoughtful as something you can hold in your hand. The difference is that it won't end up gathering dust, getting re-gifted, or donated. That's because experiences, whether it's a subscription, an activity, or a class, let people give people memories. Whether the giftee does it on their own, with their family, or even with you, it offers opportunities for learning and exploration.

If you're searching for an exciting experience for adults or children, ther are lots of choices. You could start with something as simple as covering the dinner tab for a couple. Another option is going big by planning a fantastic trip as the ultimate gift for your spouse. For kids and teens, they can dive into fun activities. These can be learning to play an instrument or mastering the art of making their favorite dessert.

Another advantage of opting for experiential gifts is that they make ideal last-minute presents. They can be conveniently purchased online. And if all else fails, a gift card is always an option.

Let's face it: most of the stuff we buy just because we like it or think we need it tends to fade into the background pretty quickly. This is especially true when they're given as gifts. We've all had those times when we eagerly tore into a physical gift at Christmas or a birthday, only to realize it didn't quite live up to the hype. It's even worse when you know that time and money were spent on something you're not too thrilled about.

Experiences can enrich our lives, contributing to personal growth and opening our minds to new horizons. Meanwhile, dust collectors, especially the ones from distant relatives, don't quite measure up. You know that feeling, right? It's like saying, "Thanks, Aunt Rose, but I could've done without that Christmas scarf and hand lotion from the buy-one-get-one special at the mall."

So, when the holiday season or other celebrations roll around, and you're stuck with gift-buying, consider giving experiences instead of physical items. To help you get started, here are some experiential gifts that would make great Christmas gifts.

Gifting an annual membership to a zoo, museum, aquarium, or perhaps, for those aged 21 and above, a wine club or mug club membership can make for a wonderful holiday gift. It's a simple and thoughtful gesture that can benefit almost everyone this season. Offering your friends or family several months or a full year at a location they cherish is an excellent method to provide them with extra savings and a valuable present they can enjoy throughout the year.

Offer the gift of a year-long adventure with the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. This pass grants free entry to all 115 National Parks with entrance fees, along with over 3,000 other federal lands. The pass includes the pass holder and up to three accompanying adults (aged 16 and above), with free admission for children under 15. Similar passes are available at various state parks, city and county parks, as well as botanical gardens nationwide, either for online purchase or directly on-site. It's a thoughtful present for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

Imagine the excitement of receiving a personalized video message from your beloved celebrity, something you can hold onto for a lifetime. Cameo provides a platform where you can hire celebrities and athletes to create personalized videos, making them memorable gifts. The pricing for Cameo videos is set individually by thousands of actors, artists, and influencers and can range from as low as $1 to as high as $15,000 for personal videos, depending on the celebrity's status and demand.

It's reassuring to know that you're offering your loved ones something they can personally choose and appreciate. Movie gift cards are a great option as they usually have no expiration date and can be used to buy movie tickets and concessions at the specific theater or theaters from which they are purchased. The recipient can use it for any movie they desire, without having to dip into their own funds.

Consider giving tickets to a theme park amusement park as one of the most enjoyable experiential gifts. When presenting tickets as a gift, there's room for creativity in how you package the gift, whether in a sizable wrapped box or as part of a unique scavenger hunt.

There are plenty of enjoyable indoor activities to explore, including options like indoor rock climbing, trampoline centers, indoor skydiving, game centers, arcades, and escape rooms. A gift of this kind can be especially convenient for those times when you're looking for indoor entertainment, especially during bad weather.

Concert or show tickets are a great gift choice. They provide a one-of-a-kind experience and make for a thoughtful way to celebrate your best friend and their interests. Even if they've seen the band before, each performance is unique and memorable.

If you have a sports enthusiast in your circle, giving them tickets to a baseball game is a thoughtful gesture to express your care. It's also an excellent means of enjoying quality time together while rooting for your favorite team. To make the experience even better, you can go the extra mile by including a food voucher along with the tickets.

Offer the perfect gift of relaxation and beauty, whether it's a spa day, a massage, a facial, or a visit to the salon for hair styling, a wash, or a manicure and pedicure. Depending on the recipient, this could be something you can enjoy together. It's an opportunity to unwind and connect, spending quality time together, catching up on life, sharing some laughter, and reminiscing about the past.

Lessons in various experiences, such as cooking classes, dance lessons, or sewing lessons, can be beneficial to many. This kind of gift is well-suited for people who enjoy learning and trying out new experiences. By gifting classes or lessons, you provide someone with an additional means of self-expression.