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Last-Minute Christmas Lights: What to Do and When to Order

Updated November 1, 2026 · General information, not electrical or safety advice

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Real dates, not fake urgency

We checked the USPS holiday shipping page on November 1, 2026. Its recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25, in the lower 48 states, are:

Source: USPS. These are recommended dates, not guarantees, and actual delivery can vary with origin, destination, acceptance time and other conditions. Alaska, Hawaii and territories have different dates; see the USPS page.

That is about six weeks away as of today. If you order your lights this week, you are not late.

Orders from a store

• A store that ships to you picks its own carrier and cutoff. Use the delivery date shown at checkout, not a general rule. We could not open Amazon's or UPS's holiday cutoff pages, so we do not quote their dates. Check UPS's holiday schedule yourself if your order ships with UPS.
• Shopping in a store skips shipping altogether (our suggestion).
• Order clips and cords at the same time as the lights, so you are not waiting on one small part (our suggestion). Use the calculator to count first.

No time? Use what you have

1. Test your old strands on the ground. Public Storage says to plug each one in, check for burned-out bulbs, damaged cords and loose connections, and sort into working, needs repair and indoor-only piles.
2. Replace the fuse. The Department of Energy says the fuse is usually in the plug, behind a small plastic door, and can be replaced. That often fixes a strand that is completely dark. Check the box for the right rating.
3. Start small. Light only the door, the front windows or one tree. Our calculator shows how little string a few windows take: a 3 by 5 foot window needs about 16 feet (Christmas Light Emporium).
4. Skip the ladder. This Old House lists alternatives to rooflines: pathway lights, projection lights and net lights. Family Handyman suggests a light projector can replace strings of lights and is quick to install, and says zip ties string lights on banisters and fences without marring the surface.
5. Go indoors. Windows, mantels and trees are easy: see hanging lights inside.
6. Use a clip-free hold for now. Family Handyman suggests clothespins on the bottom lip of a soffit or fascia, with the caution that they may not hold in wind, heavy snow or where squirrels are active.

Do not skip safety to save time

Outdoor-rated lights, a GFCI outlet and a helper on the ladder still apply. See safety.

Common questions

What is the last day to order Christmas lights for delivery before Christmas?

It depends on the seller and the carrier. For USPS, the recommended send-by dates for delivery before December 25 are December 17 for Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Use the delivery date shown at checkout.

What if my lights arrive late?

Light what you can with what you have: test old strands, replace fuses, and start with the door, windows and a tree. This page lists ladder-free options.

Are the USPS dates guaranteed?

No. USPS calls them recommended send-by dates, and says actual delivery dates may vary.

Related guides

• Christmas light calculator
• Lights inside
• Lights around windows
• LED vs incandescent lights