While we can always rely on jolly old St. Nick to deliver gifts in a timely and predictable manner, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is likely to pose problems for reindeer-less shipping outfits this holiday season. With more and more folks choosing the safety of online shopping, some delays are to be expected. So how do you avoid disappointment this Christmastime and ensure that your presents arrive safely at their various destinations long before Santa & Co.? Well, we’ve got gift giving tips during the COVID pandemic.

Shop and Ship Early

This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but it’s an important one nonetheless. We all have that one friend who tackles Christmas preparations with the organization and timing of a military operation; this year, take their lead! The sooner you shop and ship, the less likely your gifts are to get caught in a holiday backlog.

If you haven’t already started shopping, we recommend you start browsing Zazzle’s gift guide for everyone on your list!

Don’t Be Thrifty, Ship It Swiftly

If you do procrastinate and leave your shopping until the last minute, or you simply want added peace of mind, it’s best to spend a little extra money on faster shipping methods. Here at Zazzle, we don’t just offer Express shipping: our North American customers can also avail of ZIP and ZIP Plus—shipping methods so swift that they’d leave the Flash himself feeling breathless!

Know That Shipping Esti-mates Are Your Best Friends.

When time is of the essence, it’s best to avoid gifts that will take longer to manufacture or ship, so let shipping estimates guide your choices. If you’re shopping with us, you can find estimates very easily without even adding items to your cart. Simply look for the blue ‘shipping options’ link to the right of the main product image on desktop display, or scroll down to the ‘shipping details’ section on your mobile device. We’ve also just launched a fantastic new tool for shipping deadlines that will allow you to select your delivery deadline and browse only the products that will arrive on or before that date!

Send a Gift and a Greeting All in One

Another handy Zazzle feature can be found in the checkout area. If you plan on shipping a gift directly to the recipient, simply click the ‘This is a gift!’ option and you’ll be given the opportunity to add your own personal message or greeting. When you select this option, we’ll also make sure that the price of the gift is omitted from the invoice so that the recipient won’t be embarrassed by your incredible generosity.

After selecting the ‘This is a gift!’ option, input the address of your recipient in the Shipping Address area for this product to be sent directly to them. Keep in mind that it won’t be properly wrapped; however, the surprise factor of opening their mailbox and finding a Zazzle package is a gift in itself!

Re-imagine the Old-fashioned

Due to the pandemic, personally delivering gifts to nearby friends and family poses greater challenges this year than it would have in previous years. However, if you do choose to go this route, there are steps that you can take to minimize the risk of transmission. Firstly, it’s important to call ahead and ensure that the recipient is comfortable with you dropping by. You can also use this call as an opportunity to plan the visit. Whether you decide on a simple curbside drop-off, a honk of the horn and a wave, or you arrange to stay for a quick chat through the window, stay mindful of Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines at all times.

Pro Tip: Wearing a mask is the new fashion trend! Protect yourself and those around you by wearing a face mask. If you are going to be face-to-face with your recipient, be aware of the social distancing measures, stay 6 ft. or more apart and frequently sanitize before and after meeting up!

E-Ship for Safety and Convenience

While COVID-19 is primarily spread through close person-to-person contact, and there is little evidence to suggest that the virus is regularly transmitted through the handling of mail or packages, you may prefer to choose a completely hands-off method of delivery. Contactless, lightning fast, and environmentally friendly to boot: email is the ideal way to send gifts this Christmas. Tickets for future events, vouchers for online courses, subscriptions to services like Disney+, and gift cards are all fantastic quarantine gifts to send to friends and family via email. At Zazzle, you can buy gift cards for as little as $10 all the way up to a whopping $150. Just because you’re sending a gift digitally, doesn’t mean it will lack the personal touch either. Before completing your purchase, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of cool designs and add a message or greeting. It may not be a neatly-wrapped box complete with a big red bow, but a personalized email bearing gifts is just as thoughtful and special.

Christmas 2020 might be a little different than its predecessors, but with these shipping tips and a little extra planning, you should emerge from this holiday season with as much kudos as the aforementioned Mr. Claus. Happy gift giving, and a very Merry Christmas from everyone at Zazzle!