Holiday Shipping Guide for Gift Shoppers and Small Business Owners

Dear valued customers and fellow business owners,

As the holiday season approaches, we want to make sure you’re fully prepared to get your gifts where they need to be, right on time. Whether you’re a customer looking to receive orders by December 24 or a small business owner fulfilling those orders, this guide provides the deadlines and tips you need to navigate this busy season smoothly.

Key Shipping Deadlines (with a 2-3 Day Cushion)

To ensure delivery by December 24, here are the recommended shipping deadlines with a built-in 2-3 day buffer for potential holiday delays.

Domestic U.S. Shipping Deadlines

USPS:

• Ground Advantage & First-Class Mail: December 15

• Priority Mail: December 16

• Priority Mail Express: December 18

FedEx:

• Ground Economy: December 10

• Express Saver: December 16

• 2-Day Services: December 17

• Overnight Services: December 20

UPS:

• 3-Day Select: December 16

• 2nd Day Air: December 17

• Next Day Air: December 20

International Shipping from China via DHL

DHL Express:

• Express Worldwide: December 17

• Express Economy Select: December 14

Lulu Print-On-Demand Deadlines

For print-on-demand books or calendars through Lulu:

• Standard Production & Shipping: December 10

• Express Production & Shipping: December 15

Amazon KDP Self-Publishing Deadlines

For books printed through Amazon KDP:

• Standard Production & Shipping: December 8

• Expedited or Priority Shipping: December 12

Recommendations for Customers and Small Business Owners

1. Know Your Shipping Costs in Advance

For small business owners, especially those using print-on-demand, run a test order to check shipping costs. This helps you ensure your pricing margins account for all potential holiday surcharges.

2. Check Your Price Margins

With added fees and rush charges, confirm your pricing covers these costs. Adjust prices if needed to keep your margins intact, and consider incentives for larger orders to help offset shipping expenses.

3. Use Trackable Shipping Options

Opting for trackable methods adds peace of mind for you and your customers, reducing inquiries about order status and helping manage any issues promptly.

4. Communicate Deadlines Early

Share these deadlines with your customers as soon as possible. Clear, early communication goes a long way in managing expectations and encouraging early orders.

5. Confirm Availability for Print-On-Demand Products

For those relying on print-on-demand, check product availability with your provider, as some items may experience delays or go out of stock due to seasonal demand. If an item becomes unavailable, consider offering alternatives or notifying customers proactively.

6. Be Transparent with Handmade Orders

For handmade items, factor in the time it takes to craft each item. If there’s a risk of not completing orders in time, be upfront with customers. Let them know if you’re unable to fulfill certain orders and suggest alternate products or delayed delivery options where possible.

7. Prepare for Returns

Customers, review the return policy on seasonal items to understand your options post-holiday. Business owners, have a clear return policy ready and make it accessible on your website to ensure customers are informed.

8. Offer Payment Plan Options

If available, inform customers about flexible payment options like Afterpay, Affirm, or PayPal’s Pay-in-4. Letting customers know they can split payments can make purchases easier and encourage sales.

9. Set Up Shipping Incentives

Consider offering free shipping on orders over a set amount. This encourages customers to increase their order value, making shipping costs more manageable for both parties.

10. Test Your Process

Finally, test your entire order-to-delivery process to catch any potential hiccups. From the moment an order is placed to the time it’s shipped, ensure each step is running smoothly for a seamless customer experience.

We hope this guide helps make your holiday shopping and shipping a little easier. Remember, the earlier you plan, the smoother things will be. Let’s all work together to make this a stress-free, joyful holiday season for everyone.

Warm wishes,

Christine, Owner and Creative Executive Officer of Baring My Soul Creations

P.S - Subscribed members, you may have Loyalty Points that you can use to lower your costs on my website, Baring My Soul Creations. Plus, there are many business owners in the Baring My Soul Creatives Facebook Group, who have very nice and unique gift items. Thank you in advance for supporting Black-Owned Businesses this Holiday season! 🫶🏾🛍️🤗