Order Cutoffs
The USPS is still taking a little longer than we’re used to. That means our order cutoffs for Dec 25 delivery will important once again. While I can’t technically guarantee delivery times of packages, here’s some best practices of the latest you should PLACE an order for Christmas delivery (dates are subject to change):
Standard First Class/Ground Advantage USPS Shipping ORDER CUTOFF — Dec. 8
Upgraded Priority USPS Shipping ORDER CUTOFF — Dec. 11
Here’s the USPS First Class Mail Delivery Standards:
Please bear in mind that I will likely accept and ship orders after these dates if you are fine with delivery potentially after the holiday. Orders placed after the cutoff dates will be assumed to accept these shipping expectations. A gentle reminder that this estimated schedule does not guarantee the delivery date of any orders as it is outside of my immediate control.
Shipping Speeds or Method
The shipping method selected at checkout dictates the speed your package moves once USPS has picked it up (during normal times of year). Please remember this is separate from our processing/production time which is the time to create and pack your order. With the extremely high volume of packages this year, the USPS is not guaranteeing any of the usual delivery estimates and shipments are being delayed. I wish I could hand-deliver every order to you but once it leaves my studio, it is in the hands of the trusty USPS where I have no control over shipping time or can I guarantee the arrival time of any package.
FAQ
My package shipped but where is it?!
It’s on it’s way! I know… it’s really frustrating *again* this year. All our packages and gifts (my personal ones, too!) are experiencing delays. The good news is that if they have an “Arriving Late” or “In Transit” status in your tracking, that means it’s not lost! It’s just being fashionably (rather, unfashionably) late.
Do you have any more details on what’s happening with it?
Since I use the same tracking link you have, no. I wish I knew more — I’d be a much less stressed out business owner, that’s for sure!
How can I speed up delivery?
The best tip I’ve heard so far is to turn on those notifications! Some say their package magically gets moving again when there is someone is watching.
Why hasn’t my package moved at all in a week (or more)?
It appears they are not being super diligent about scanning in every package at every step of the way like usual. This is just probably due to the quantity of what they’re dealing with and not that there’s any problem with your order or that it really hasn’t been moving along the entire time!
My gift won’t arrive in time for Christmas now and it’s all your fault!
I’m so sorry! I am doing my best, I swear. Most orders ship within one business day and custom orders are shipped in 7-10 (sooner if possible) as it takes time for me to carefully create and pack your order by hand. If I could go get your present and wrap it up myself for under your tree, I would actually do that… but there’s not enough coffee in the world to be able to do that!
When I was little, I would sometimes get wrapped gifts with little pictures of my present-to-be and yell “look what’s coming!!!” and whoa — it was way more memorable and exciting than the gift (can you tell?)! I’ll be wrapping up photos of my delayed gifts for friends and family myself and made this little 5x7” festive printable you can use for the same thing here: Festive Delayed Gift Note.
I also created brand new handlettered watercolor 5x7” and 8x10” artwork for you to print (and even quickly frame) that you can gift in the meantime while you wait for your order to arrive. Scroll down a bit to download the Worth the Wait print!
Your friends and family will totally understand as supply chain issues and shipping delays have been happening all over this year. Plus, getting more gifts after the actual holiday is always more exciting anyway!
Is there anything else I can try?
I always suggest calling your local post office’s Postmaster. They can offer much more up-to-date info than I ever could and they’ll need to talk to you about your package anyway (mostly because it’s considered your property).
Delayed Gift Options
I created a little gift of appreciation of all my patient, supporting clients. Here’s the links to both the note and a free watercolor handlettered art print you can gift while your order is on its way to you. Or hey, just print one for yourself, just because!
Download the Festive Delayed Gift Note (5x7)
Download the handlettered Worth the Wait Art print (JPG + PDF: 5x7)
Download the handlettered Worth the Wait Art print (PDF: 8x10) (pictured below)
I know that this is incredibly frustrating. Trying to get things in time for important celebrations is hard during normal times and hopefully we can get back to a real “normal” soon. I'm working as hard as I can to get your orders to you on time. I'm am overwhelmingly grateful for your support during this holiday season and appreciate you choosing and trusting me, Abbey, by purchasing such special gifts for special people in your life!