Time is running out to ship gifts before Christmas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Christmas is four days away and some are still working to ship their last-minute gifts. For some delivery companies, it's peak season, creating challenges for getting those packages delivered before the holiday.

The U.S. Postal Service is expecting to deliver between 850 and 950 million packages between Thanksgiving and the New Year. The USPS says packages have to be mailed Wednesday by Priority Mail Express to be delivered by Christmas.

USPS asks people sending packages to keep these tips in mind: 

• Mail and packages that weigh more than 10 ounces and/or are more than a half-inch thick using stamps as postage cannot be dropped into a collection box or left for a carrier to pick up. Instead, take them to a worker inside the post office. This requirement does not apply to Click-N-Ship customers.
• Certain items may have restrictions or prohibitions when it comes to sending through the mail. See the list of hazardous, restricted and perishable mail or ask a postal service employee for more information on what can and can’t be sent through the mail
• Battery-operated devices may turn on and make noise in transit. To prevent this, remove batteries from any battery-operated device, if possible, or make sure the device is turned off. Wrap and place the batteries next to the items in the package. Customers should include new batteries in the unopened, original manufacturer’s packaging, if at all possible

Peggy Jean's Pies is one of the businesses thats finishing up its holiday orders. Rebecca Miller, the owner of Peggy Jean’s Pies said the store has shipped over 1500 pie jars so far.

Miller still has 600 more to ship and will need to be done by Tuesday for them to hopefully arrive on time for the holiday.

Miller said she shipped 248 pie jar sets Wednesday Dec. 15, which is the most they’ve ever done in one day. "This week we have probably shipped over 1500 hundred jars, then we still got about another 600 to go next week but Tuesday is really our deadline we feel like to get them out the door” said Miller.

Miller said her shop is short-staffed and they will have worked constantly to complete her 600 hundred orders.

She said shipping costs will also be a concern.

“Shipping is higher. I mean right now like UPS won’t offer delivery guarantee because of labor shortage delays, covid delays, all of those things,” said miller.

Miller is not the only one seeing the increase, Julie Starr, a woman who was shipping her daughter in California a gift said the rates seem higher.

“I was surprised they’re a little high but you know you have to expect that at the last minute. I think I paid 25 dollars to ship a five-pound package,” said Starr.

Miller said they won’t take any new pie jar orders this week. However, people can stop in Peggy Jean's Pies on Wednesday to buy pies but will have to order for pickup on Thursday and Friday.

This Tuesday is the last day to send via UPS' 3 Days Select shipping method, but packages sent later in the week can still arrive in time through 2-Day Air or Next Day Air. UPS ground is also an option but shippers will need to check UPS Website.

FedEx Express offers individuals a few last-minute shipping options. Those options can be found here.

And Amazon Prime members can still get some of their items before Christmas if they order by Wednesday.