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Don't Get Left Holding the Bag

With 2020 shaping up to be an incredibly busy holiday season, it may be a good idea to start doing your shopping as soon as possible to ensure that the gifts you're shipping arrive in time. A recent survey from TopCashback found that 88 percent of Americans plan to complete the majority of their holiday shopping online. Add this to the increased shopping Americans are doing online for everyday household items amid a pandemic and well…you have a hectic holiday shipping scenario at best.  "Delays must be factored in when deciding when and where to shop — especially this year with people not just purchasing gifts but essentials as well," says Rebecca Gramuglia, retail expert for TopCashBack. Here are the key dates to remember for the major shipping services - U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx - as well as some popular retail sites in order to ensure delivery by Dec. 25.

(These deadlines apply within the contiguous United States and are typically earlier for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and military bases.)

Related: This Is What Holiday Shopping Will Look Like This Year

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FedEx

  • Tuesday, Dec. 15, for FedEx Ground and Home Delivery 
  • Monday, Dec. 21, for FedEx Express Saver 
  • Tuesday, Dec. 22, for FedEx 2Day and 2Day A.M. 
  • Wednesday, Dec. 23, for FedEx Extra Hours, FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, and FedEx First Overnight
  • Friday, Dec. 25, for FedEx SameDay, FedEx SameDay City Priority, and FedEx Same Day City Direct

Check details at FedEx.

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Barnes & Noble

  • Wednesday, Dec. 16, for member free shipping and non-member standard shipping of books, DVDs, music toys, games, and home and gift items
  • Monday, Dec. 21 for non-members express shipping of books, DVDs, music toys, games, and home and gift items
  • Tuesday, Dec. 22, for member and non-member expedited shipping of books, DVDs, music toys, games, and home and gift items

Check details at Barnes & Noble.

Related: Clever and Creative Gifts for Book Lovers

Best Buy
Harry & David
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L.L. Bean

  • Wednesday, Dec. 9, midnight EST for shipping to a PO box
  • Friday, Dec. 18, midnight EST for free shipping (with a minimum $50 purchase) and express shipping orders of holiday wreaths and centerpieces
  • Saturday, Dec. 19, by midnight EST for free shipping of general orders (minimum $50 purchase), and express shipping of general orders, to a street address.

Check details at L.L. Bean.

Related: 11 Stores With Comfortable Clothes That You Can Wear for Years

Overstock.com

Overstock.com

  • Tuesday, Dec. 14, by 10 a.m. MST for ground shipping
  • Thursday, Dec. 17, by 10 a.m. MST for 3 Day Select 
  • Monday, Dec. 21, by 10 a.m. MST for 2nd Day Air 
  • Tuesday, Dec. 22, by 9 a.m. MST for Next Day Air 

Check details at Overstock.com.

Yankee Candle