How far ahead should we order corporate merchandise?

About 4 to 5 weeks for a standard order to one address, 5 to 6 weeks for kits shipped to individuals, and longer for 5,000+ pieces. Use the planner for your date.

What is an in-hands date?

The date the merchandise needs to be with you or your recipients, ready to use. The planner works backward from it.

Do you count weekends and holidays?

Business days only. Production and carriers are closed on major holidays, listed above.

Can you rush an order?

Next day rush on select items. Tell us the date and we confirm before you approve.

Why should the goods arrive early?

A 2 business day buffer covers carrier delays and gives time to check the order.

What happens if we approve the proof late?

Every day of delay moves the ship date by a business day.

Order deadline planner

Enter the date you need merchandise in hand. The planner works backward through mockup, proof approval, production, kitting and shipping, and shows the date to start, using business days and carrier holidays.

Choose your in-hands date to see the date to start.

Business days only, skipping weekends and the production and carrier holidays listed below. Your quote states a firm in-hands date.

Order-by dates for 2026 and 2027 occasions

Assumes 250 to 999 pieces (apparel) or 1,000 to 4,999 kits, standard production, ground shipping and arrival 2 business days early. Rush is available on select items.
Occasion	In hands	Apparel to one address: send brief by	Kits to individual addresses (1,000 to 4,999): send brief by
Holiday gifts 2026	Fri, Dec 11, 2026	Tue, Nov 10, 2026	Tue, Nov 3, 2026
January sales kickoff 2027	Mon, Jan 11, 2027	Mon, Dec 7, 2026	Mon, Nov 30, 2026
Employee Appreciation Day 2027	Fri, Mar 5, 2027	Thu, Feb 4, 2027	Thu, Jan 28, 2027
Administrative Professionals Day 2027	Wed, Apr 21, 2027	Tue, Mar 23, 2027	Tue, Mar 16, 2027
Teacher Appreciation Week 2027	Mon, May 3, 2027	Fri, Apr 2, 2027	Fri, Mar 26, 2027
Nurses Week 2027	Thu, May 6, 2027	Wed, Apr 7, 2027	Wed, Mar 31, 2027
National Safety Month 2027	Tue, Jun 1, 2027	Fri, Apr 30, 2027	Fri, Apr 23, 2027
Customer Service Week 2027	Mon, Oct 4, 2027	Thu, Sep 2, 2027	Thu, Aug 26, 2027
Thanksgiving gifts 2027	Fri, Nov 19, 2027	Thu, Oct 21, 2027	Thu, Oct 14, 2027
Holiday gifts 2027	Fri, Dec 10, 2027	Tue, Nov 9, 2027	Tue, Nov 2, 2027

How the planner counts time

Stage	Business days
Mockup	1
Proof review (your team)	2
Production	About 10
Large run planning (5,000 to 9,999 / 10,000+)	+5 / +10
Kitting and packing	2 to 5
Ground	1 to 5 (5 used for planning)
3 Day Select	3
2nd Day Air	2
Next Day Air	1

Weekends never count. Orders ship the business day after production or kitting ends, on a day when both production and carriers are open. Custom made and overseas items take about 12 weeks and are scheduled at quote.

Production closed, 2026 and 2027

Thu, Jan 1, 2026: New Year's Day
Mon, May 25, 2026: Memorial Day
Fri, Jul 3, 2026: Independence Day (observed)
Mon, Sep 7, 2026: Labor Day
Thu, Nov 26, 2026: Thanksgiving
Fri, Nov 27, 2026: the day after Thanksgiving
Thu, Dec 24, 2026: Christmas Eve
Fri, Dec 25, 2026: Christmas Day
Thu, Dec 31, 2026: New Year's Eve
Fri, Jan 1, 2027: New Year's Day
Mon, May 31, 2027: Memorial Day
Mon, Jul 5, 2027: Independence Day (observed)
Mon, Sep 6, 2027: Labor Day
Thu, Nov 25, 2027: Thanksgiving
Fri, Nov 26, 2027: the day after Thanksgiving
Fri, Dec 24, 2027: Christmas (observed)
Fri, Dec 31, 2027: New Year's Day (observed)

Carriers closed, 2026 and 2027

Thu, Jan 1, 2026: New Year's Day
Mon, May 25, 2026: Memorial Day
Mon, Sep 7, 2026: Labor Day
Thu, Nov 26, 2026: Thanksgiving
Fri, Dec 25, 2026: Christmas Day
Thu, Dec 31, 2026: New Year's Eve
Fri, Jan 1, 2027: New Year's Day
Mon, May 31, 2027: Memorial Day
Mon, Jul 5, 2027: Independence Day (observed)
Mon, Sep 6, 2027: Labor Day
Thu, Nov 25, 2027: Thanksgiving
Fri, Dec 24, 2027: Christmas (observed)
Fri, Dec 31, 2027: New Year's Day (observed)

Ways to save time

Approve the proof the day you receive it.
Pick in-stock blanks.
Use one decoration location.
Ship to one address and let us split the order later.
Tell us the date first, before the details are final.

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead should we order corporate merchandise?: About 4 to 5 weeks for a standard order to one address, 5 to 6 weeks for kits shipped to individuals, and longer for 5,000+ pieces. Use the planner for your date.
What is an in-hands date?: The date the merchandise needs to be with you or your recipients, ready to use. The planner works backward from it.
Do you count weekends and holidays?: Business days only. Production and carriers are closed on major holidays, listed above.
Can you rush an order?: Next day rush on select items. Tell us the date and we confirm before you approve.
Why should the goods arrive early?: A 2 business day buffer covers carrier delays and gives time to check the order.
What happens if we approve the proof late?: Every day of delay moves the ship date by a business day.

Sources

UPS holiday schedule 2026
FedEx 2026 holiday operations schedule (PDF)
UPS domestic shipping services (Ground 1 to 5 business days)
merch.com lead times (overseas 8 to 12 weeks)

Verified October 2026.

Where this fits.

Corporate holiday gift deadlines for 2026 Event programs How it works Request a quote