Last-Minute Shipping Options for Louisiana Christmas Delivery 2025
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? If you celebrate the holidays, many of us are way behind on shopping, and the window for shipping gifts to friends and family across the country is closing fast.
With the major carriers announcing their official holiday deadlines, now is the critical time to finalize your list and get your packages ready to go. It seems every major shipping company announces all their holiday deadlines toward the end of November, and most of these are for the procrastinators among us.
Can you actually ship something out on December 23rd and still get it to your family by Christmas? Yes, but you'll need the right service and a lot of luck that no crazy storm pops up, nor a technical glitch that sends your mail to the wrong town.
While there are no guarantees, you absolutely want to know which major shipping companies can help you get those gifts home in time for Christmas morning.
Christmas Falling on a Thursday May be a Huge Help
Christmas Day 2025 falls on a Thursday, December 25th. This schedule is beneficial because you have the entire workweek leading up to Christmas, allowing carriers a little more flexibility with their 1-Day and SameDay services on Tuesday and Wednesday.
2025 Domestic Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Here are the critical "ship-by" dates for expected delivery before Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25th).
US Postal Service (USPS) Deadlines
The USPS offers favorable deadlines for last-minute shipping this year:
- Wednesday, December 17: Last day to ship using USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail services.
- Thursday, December 18: Last day to ship using Priority Mail service.
- Saturday, December 20: Last day to ship using Priority Mail Express.
UPS Shipping Deadlines
UPS requires slightly earlier planning for its mid-tier services:
- Friday, December 19: Last day to ship via UPS 3 Day Select.
- Monday, December 22: Last day to ship via UPS 2nd Day Air.
- Tuesday, December 23: Last day to ship via UPS Next Day Air.
Note: Deadlines for UPS Ground vary significantly based on the origin and destination. Check the UPS website's "Calculate Time and Cost" tool for your route, but generally, expect a deadline between December 17th and 19th.
FedEx Shipping Deadlines
FedEx offers options that stretch all the way to Christmas Eve:
- Monday, December 15: Last day to ship via FedEx Ground Economy.
- Friday, December 19: Last day to ship via FedEx Express Saver.
- Monday, December 22: Last day to ship via FedEx 2Day and FedEx 2Day AM.
- Tuesday, December 23: Last day to ship via FedEx Standard, Priority, or First Overnight services.
- Wednesday, December 24: Last day to ship via FedEx SameDay service (this is the most expensive and latest option).
Note: For standard FedEx Ground and Home Delivery, deadlines vary greatly by transit time, but range from December 17th (for 5-day routes) to December 23rd (for 1-day routes). Aim for before December 19th to be safe. If are shipping 3-Day Select you need to mail out by December 19th and 2nd Day Air needs to be shipped by December 20th. Next Day Air needs to be mailed out by December 23rd.