Sending Christmas Gift Baskets-Is Anyone Home?

In a previous post I talked about the time it takes to send Christmas gift baskets.  After I finished the post, I thought, hmmm…I wonder if anyone has thought about:

1) Many businesses close up the week before Christmas, although with Christmas being on Sunday this year, they might close more towards the middle of the week.

2) Many businesses stay closed the entire Christmas season, again, because New Year’s Day is on a Sunday, I would anticipate many businesses staying closed until at least the 3rd of January.

3) Couriers, who do the actual gift deliveries, many times have reduced holiday hours during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. As well, they cease offering guaranteed service for several days before the holiday, as well as between.

4) Many people travel or are away from home during the days leading up to the holidays, the days in between and for several days following.

What does this mean to you, the gift basket sender?  Well, unfortunately, if you request delivery too close to the holiday, or heaven forbid, place your order too late for it to arrive anytime but right before or during the holiday season, you risk your gift basket sitting in a couriers’ warehouse for days on end, or more than likely, your gift will be returned to the gift basket company you ordered from.  Due to their nature, Christmas gift baskets are  non-refundable and shipping charges due to non-delivery issues are never refundable.  You could be out a whole wad of cash, real quick!

What to do? What to do?  First, the easiest thing you can do is order your gifts early.  Most companies allow you to ask for future ship dates and some even offer early order discounts.  By doing this, you will also ensure that you will get the item you want before it sells out.  Remember, these are perishable items and no gift basket company wants leftover stock if they can help it!  If you have waited too long or just remembered someone you had previously forgotten, call the gift basket company.  Any reputable company will be happy to honestly tell you what your options are and give you options that can save the day!