As the holiday season reaches its peak, shoppers are scrambling to find the perfect gifts and ensure they arrive on time. To help alleviate some of the stress, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to the holiday shipping and return policies for major retailers, including Amazon, Apple, Target, Walmart, and more.

From same-day delivery to extended return windows, each retailer has its own set of rules and deadlines to navigate. To make things simpler, we've rounded up the policies for each major retailer, highlighting the key details you need to know to get your gifts on time and make returns a breeze.

Amazon, for instance, offers same-day delivery on select products in qualifying ZIP codes through December 24th, with Prime members eligible for free same-day delivery on qualifying products. Non-Prime buyers will find shipping options on the order page of each specific product. When it comes to returns, most items purchased between November 1st and December 31st can be returned until January 31st, 2025, with some exceptions applying to Apple products and other items.

Apple, on the other hand, offers free delivery of in-stock items by Christmas Eve if you order by 9PM ET on December 21st. The tech giant also provides two-hour delivery for an added fee from local stores in most metro areas, or you can opt to pick up purchases yourself by visiting your local Apple Store. Returns are accepted through January 8th, 2025, for products purchased online between November 8th and December 25th, with some exceptions applying to T-Mobile- and Verizon-financed iPhones.

Target offers free two-day shipping on many orders if you spend $35 or more or use your Target RedCard. Select purchases made by December 23rd at 1PM ET will arrive before Christmas, with same-day shipping available on December 24th for an added fee. Returns are accepted through January 24th, 2025, for electronics and entertainment items purchased from November 7th through December 24th, with a generous 90-day window for third-party products and up to a year for Target-branded products with a receipt.

Walmart provides free next-day delivery in eligible ZIP codes, free two-day delivery, or free standard shipping on orders of $35 or more. Same-day delivery and pickup are available on December 24th for orders made by 12PM local time, with an Express Delivery fee of $10 applicable for orders placed by 4PM local time. Returns are accepted through January 31st, 2025, for most items purchased between October 1st and December 31st, with some exceptions applying to phones and other items.

The guide also covers the holiday shipping and return policies for B&H, Best Buy, Costco, GameStop, Dell, DJI, Google, HP, Microsoft, Newegg, Sam's Club, and Sonos, providing a one-stop resource for shoppers to plan their holiday purchases with confidence.

With this comprehensive guide, you'll be able to navigate the complexities of holiday shipping and returns with ease, ensuring that your gifts arrive on time and that you're prepared for any returns or exchanges that may be necessary. Happy shopping!