Plan for delays as christmas is only 10 days away. The countdown begins as packages are in transit and under the christmas tree it's starting to look empty. If you are ordering online plan for packages to arrive outside of average transit windows. All carriers are experiencing delays as the online orders continue to come in all at the same time. The holidays are just around the corner and so are your orders. More and more people are ordering online than ever before and it is causing quite the delay. Don’t be left giving coal to the ones you love, prepare for a couple days of delay for your christmas orders to arrive. UPS recently came out with a statement saying that they too were experiencing delays in their terminals. What is the best solution to all the delays? Try to order your stockings stuffers and presents in advance and well before the Christmas shipping deadline to make sure that your nicknacks arrive just in time.

The holidays are in full effect and so are the joys that come with it. If you are deciding to do your holiday shopping online make sure that you consider the last days for Christmas delivery. Selecting the right shipping will help with your parcels delivery right before the holidays. When you are ready to check out make sure that you understand the chances you have with ground shipping. It can take twice as long as it is a slower shipping as well as adding the holiday delays on top of it. Keep in mind you can select which carrier or shipping you would like for your online order at the checkout. It might be worth spending more money on shipping so you are guaranteed your gifts. Deciding to go with a faster shipping might save the holidays.

USPS recommendations for ordering before the below date to receive your parcel before the 25th.

• Dec. 14: USPS Retail Ground shipments
• Dec. 19: First Class
• Dec. 20: Priority Mail
• Dec. 22: Priority Mail Express
• Alaska: Deadline for First Class and Priority Mail shipments is Dec. 20; Priority Mail Express is Dec. 21.
• Hawaii: Deadline for First Class and Priority Mail shipments is Dec. 15; Priority Mail Express is Dec. 20.

Fedex recommends placing orders online before the below dates for holiday gifts.

• Dec. 15: Ground
• Dec. 19: Express Saver
• Dec. 20: Two-day
• Dec. 21: Overnight shipping deadline

UPS is also experiencing delays and recommends submitting and placing orders before the 18th to get it by Christmas day.

• Dec. 18: UPS 3 Day Select
• Dec. 20: 2nd Day Air
• Dec. 21: Next Day Air

Remember it is the holidays and carriers understand the importance of your online orders. The holidays are a special time of year and so are the gifts. Try to have patience with your orders placed as it is the holiday season and delays are occurring with all carriers. Double the amount of online orders compared to last year has created an overwhelming delay. Have no fear: as long as you ordered before these holiday shipping deadlines, your parcels are still in transit and on their way to your merry little house.

Resources:

www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm

www.ups.com/ca/en/service-alerts.page

www.fedex.com/us/servicealerts/