When should you order Christmas gifts online?
Our suggestion for 2026: Monday 16 November. Here's how we worked it out, and what to do if you're cutting it fine.
See the timeline ↓- Tracked delivery
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- Run from Melbourne, VIC
- Secure Shopify checkout
Every December, someone discovers that "ships in a few days" and "arrives before Christmas" aren't the same thing. Online delivery estimates are usually given in business days, which don't include weekends or public holidays. This guide explains how it works, why we suggest ordering by Monday 16 November 2026, and what to do if you're late.
How long does delivery take?
- Dispatch: orders from us are dispatched in 3-5 business days. Our products ship from our supplier's warehouse overseas.
- Transit: then usually 7-20 business days to arrive in Australia (estimate).
- Tracking: every order is tracked and your tracking number is emailed when it ships, but the first update can take 2–4 days to show.
Add those together and it's about 10 to 25 business days from order to arrival. Counting on from Monday 16 November 2026 (weekends excluded), that's an estimated arrival between about Monday 30 November and Monday 21 December, and no national public holidays fall in between. That's why we suggest Monday 16 November: Dispatched in 3-5 business days, then usually 7-20 business days to arrive (estimate). Order by Mon 16 Nov 2026 for the best chance of Christmas delivery. It's a suggestion, not a guarantee: peak season (November–December) and customs can add a few days, and some parcels take longer than the usual window.
Why "business days" matter
- Weekends don't count, so 3-5 business days of dispatch plus 7-20 in transit (about 10 to 25 business days in total) is roughly two to five calendar weeks.
- Public holidays don't count either, and carriers get very busy from late November.
- Customs and peak-season volumes can add a few days to international parcels.
Regional and remote addresses
If you're sending to a regional or remote area, allow extra time on top of the usual window, and order earlier than 16 November if you can. The same goes for parcels to New Zealand, the US, the UK and Canada, which can take longer.
A simple Christmas ordering timeline
- Early November: make your list, sort Kris Kringle draws and order anything coming from overseas. For teacher gifts for the end of term (Fri 11 Dec), we suggest ordering from us by about Fri 6 Nov.
- By Monday 16 November: our suggested order-by date for the best chance of Christmas delivery from us.
- Black Friday (Fri 27 November): this is after our suggested order-by date, so we can't suggest that orders placed then will arrive before Christmas.
- Early December: buy local or in store for anything you haven't ordered yet.
- Christmas week: experiences, vouchers and homemade gifts are your friends.
Left it late? Options that still work
- Give a "coming soon" card. Print a photo of the gift with a note that it's on its way.
- Choose an experience. A day out, a class or tickets can be arranged at the last minute.
- Make something. Homemade treats or a framed photo are often the most remembered gifts.
Gift ideas to order early
Need ideas before the cut-off? Start with Kris Kringle gift ideas under $50, Secret Santa ideas for work or gifts for dog lovers.
What if a parcel doesn't arrive?
Every order from us is tracked. If your order hasn't arrived within 30 business days of dispatch, or tracking hasn't moved for 10 business days, email us and we'll send a replacement or a full refund. Full details are on our shipping page.
Christmas delivery and order-by date
Dispatched in 3-5 business days, then usually 7-20 business days to arrive (estimate). Order by Mon 16 Nov 2026 for the best chance of Christmas delivery. Our products ship from our supplier's warehouse overseas. That's a suggestion, not a guarantee: some parcels take longer, regional and remote addresses can take longer, and courier networks get busy in December. Delivery charges may apply.
Shipping & delivery detailsGood to know before you order
Tracked delivery
Every order is sent with tracking, and your tracking number is emailed when it ships. Delivery times are estimates, not guarantees. Delivery charges may apply.
Shipping policyReturns and refunds
We don't offer refunds if you simply no longer want an item. If an item is faulty, not as described or doesn't arrive, we'll repair, replace or refund it at our cost under the Australian Consumer Law. Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.
Refund policySecure Shopify checkout
Payments are processed through Shopify's secure checkout. Our goods come with guarantees that can't be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.
Terms of serviceRun from Melbourne, VIC
AutoPilot Commerce is a small Australian online store run from Melbourne. Got a question before you buy? A real person replies within 1–2 business days.
Contact usFrequently asked questions
When should I order Christmas gifts online in Australia?
For orders from us: Dispatched in 3-5 business days, then usually 7-20 business days to arrive (estimate). Order by Mon 16 Nov 2026 for the best chance of Christmas delivery. Some parcels take longer. It's a suggestion, not a guarantee, and regional areas can take longer.
What's the last day to order before Christmas?
It depends on the store and where it ships from. Check each store's delivery times, remember they're usually in business days, and allow extra time in peak season. For our store, order by Monday 16 November 2026 for the best chance of Christmas delivery.
Do business days include weekends?
No. Business days are usually Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, so a delivery estimate in business days is longer in calendar days.
What happens if my parcel doesn't arrive?
Every order from us is tracked. If it hasn't arrived within 30 business days of dispatch, or tracking hasn't moved for 10 business days, email us and we'll send a replacement or a full refund.