Fall means pumpkin spice, holiday lights, and one very important thing for small businesses: peak shipping season. Whether you’re sending Halloween merchandise, Black Friday sale items, or last-minute Christmas gifts, planning ahead helps avoid delays and customer complaints. That’s where this guide to holiday shipping for small businesses comes in.
At Shiplicity, we simplify online shipping for Western U.S. businesses, such as California and Arizona businesses, with discounted GLS rates, helpful tools, and real human support. Let’s make this your easiest (and most profitable) holiday season yet!
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Holiday Calendar Overview: What Days Actually Affect Shipping?
When you’re planning your shipping calendar, it helps to know which holidays are official carrier closure days and which just come with a surge in volume. Here’s a quick breakdown to guide your timeline:
Holiday | Date | Impact | Planning Tip |
| Halloween | October 31 | No closures; high volume for themed products | Ship by mid-October |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | GLS operates as usual, but some other carriers may close; schedules can vary regionally | Confirm carrier schedules; avoid same-day pickups/deliveries if possible |
| Thanksgiving | November 27 (Thursday) | No shipping Nov 27–30 for most services | Ship by Nov 25 |
| Black Friday / Cyber Mon. | Nov 28 (Fri) / Dec 1 (Mon) | Massive volume spikes | Batch-process orders early |
| Hanukkah | Begins Dec 21 (2025) | Not a closure, but date-sensitive | Ship by Dec 17 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | National holiday – no pickups/deliveries | Ship by Dec 18 |
| New Year’s Eve/Day | Dec 31 – Jan 1 | Carriers close early (31st) + no service on Jan 1 | Avoid scheduling near these days |
Note: Service availability may vary by carrier and region. The above dates reflect general industry patterns and GLS’s published service schedule as of 2025. GLS’s official holiday closures are New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Always confirm carrier schedules in advance, especially around regional holidays like Veterans Day
Why Holiday Shipping Requires Extra Planning
Between carrier delays, fall and winter weather issues, and customer demand, the holiday season can overwhelm even the most organized small businesses. Here’s what makes holiday shipping for small businesses especially tricky:
- Volume spikes: Everyone is shipping more, which can cause backups.
- Holiday closures: Carriers like GLS adjust pickup and delivery schedules.
- Customer expectations: Late gifts can mean lost trust.
With the right game plan, you can avoid those headaches and stay ahead of the holiday rush.
How to Get Ahead with Pre-Holiday Promotions and Shipping Prep
Before the Halloween decorations hit the shelves, it’s smart to start prepping your shipping strategy. This isn’t just about scheduling, but rather about making your promotions and shipping timelines work hand-in-hand.
If you’re planning fall flash sales, bundle deals, or early-bird discounts, give customers clear expectations around when they’ll receive their orders. Use banners, product pages, and emails to communicate “order-by” dates and let Shiplicity handle the logistics behind the scenes.
You can use Shiplicity’s platform to generate shipping labels in advance for common orders. This saves time during your busiest weeks and helps you stay one step ahead of customer demand.
Don’t Let Weather Slow You Down
Shipping delays at this time of year aren’t just due to volume and closure; weather often complicates things too. In parts of the Western U.S., late fall and winter storms can impact regional shipping routes and road conditions. That’s why choosing a carrier that knows the Western U.S. like GLS does makes all the difference in shipping duration.
At Shiplicity, we tap into GLS’s regional delivery expertise and offer tools to help you track, pivot, and communicate in real time. If delays do pop up, you’ll know, and your customers will too.
Set up proactive email alerts for your customers using order info from your Shiplicity dashboard. It builds trust and keeps expectations clear, even if the weather throws a curveball.
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What to Expect During Halloween: The Spooky Season Starts It All
Key Dates: Ship by mid-October for Halloween inventory, costumes, and decor.
While it’s not the biggest holiday for gifts, Halloween kicks off seasonal shopping. If you sell themed products, make sure they arrive well before October 31. Consider using Shiplicity to schedule pickups so you can focus on order prep and customer service.
Tip: Add estimated delivery windows to product pages so your customers know when to expect their spooky gear.
Shipping at Thanksgiving: Planning Around Closures
Key Dates: Aim to ship by November 15 to avoid last-minute slowdowns.
Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday, and many carriers, including GLS, pause operations over the holiday weekend. Make sure your shipments are out before that Wednesday. Let your customers know your holiday hours and adjust delivery promises accordingly.
Tip: Use Shiplicity’s dashboard to track orders and monitor cutoff dates with ease.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday: The Surge Begins
Key Dates: Black Friday – November 28, Cyber Monday – December 1
This is when the volume really picks up. If you’re running promotions, prepare for a spike in orders and potential delays. The earlier your shipments go out, the better.
Tip: Batch-label your top-selling products using Shiplicity’s tools so you can print and pack faster when orders flood in.
Reminder: GLS Ground delivery can get most packages across the Western U.S. in 1-4 days—faster than many national carriers.
Christmas & Hanukkah: The Big Deadline
Key Dates: Ship by December 18 to ensure on-time arrival before December 25; Hanukkah 2025: Starts evening of December 21
This is the peak of holiday shipping. Any delay can mean missed gifts and very unhappy customers. Don’t leave it to chance.
Tip: Ship early and clearly communicate order-by dates on your site, email campaigns, and social posts.
New Year’s: Don’t Forget the Final Holiday
Key Dates: Plan for closures around December 31–January 1
Most carriers, including GLS, pause pickups on New Year’s Day. If you’re shipping gifts, Boxing Day sales, returns, exchanges or restocking inventory, factor that in.
Tip: Use Shiplicity’s tools to schedule a return pickup or print a return label to include in your shipments.
Plan for Returns: January Counts Too
Holiday sales might spike in December, but January returns can flood in just as fast as customers find what gifts fit, repeat or simply don’t work. Having a return strategy ready before the season hits is one of the smartest moves you can make.
A simple, transparent return process earns repeat buyers and reduces friction during what’s already a busy time for your shoppers.
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How to Communicate Holiday Shipping Deadlines to Customers
Shipping delays are frustrating, but missed expectations? That’s what really loses trust. The good news is that clear communication can save you from most holiday headaches.
Start by deciding your internal “order-by” deadlines for each major holiday, then share them across every customer touchpoint:
- Product Pages: Add a note like “Order by Dec 18 for delivery by Christmas” near the shipping details.
- Checkout Page: Reinforce shipping timelines during purchase to avoid surprises.
- Email Marketing: Send a countdown email campaign with final ship dates for each holiday.
- Social Media: Post reminders in your Stories and feed, especially in the 5–7 days before key cutoffs.
Use Shiplicity’s intuitive tools to track shipments in real time so your team can give accurate updates. And if delays happen (they sometimes do), proactive communication goes a long way in keeping your customers happy.
Quick Holiday Shipping Checklist
- Review key shipping dates for each major holiday
- Communicate order deadlines clearly on your website and in customer emails
- Use Shiplicity to schedule GLS pickups ahead of time
- Batch print shipping labels for high-volume shopping days like Black Friday
- Include return labels in packages to streamline post-holiday returns
- Monitor weather and adjust shipping timelines as needed
- Add “order-by” shipping deadlines to your promotional content and product pages
Frequently Asked Questions about Holiday Shipping
1. When should I start planning holiday shipping?
Start in early October or even September to be fully prepared for Halloween and beyond.
2. What’s the best shipping option for fast holiday deliveries in California and Arizona?
GLS Ground via Shiplicity offer fast, affordable delivery within the Western U.S. Whether shipping from LA or Phoenix, we have solutions for your business.
3. How do I avoid shipping delays during the holidays?
Ship early, avoid holiday closure days, and communicate clearly with customers.
4. Can I schedule pickups instead of dropping off?
Yes! With Shiplicity, you can schedule GLS pickups right from your dashboard.
5. How does Shiplicity help small businesses during the holidays?
We simplify your process with discounted GLS rates, easy shipping tools, and real support from real people.
Let’s Make This Holiday Season a Success
Holiday shipping for small businesses doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right prep and the right partner, it can actually be the smoothest part of your holiday strategy. Shiplicity gives you everything you need to ship smarter, save time, and keep your customers happy from Halloween to New Year’s and every festive moment in between.
Sign up for your free Shiplicity account today and take the hassle out of holiday shipping.
