National Free Shipping Day is observed annually in mid-December. This promotional holiday serves as a final call for online shoppers, offering free shipping with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve on orders placed with participating retailers.
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History of National Free Shipping Day
The event was established in 2008 by Luke and Maisie Knowles, the founders of the website Coupon Sherpa and FreeShipping.org. They noticed that online shopping traffic dropped precipitously after December 10, as consumers were afraid their packages would not arrive in time for the holidays without expensive expedited shipping. To combat this decline and extend the shopping season, Knowles launched a coordinated effort where merchants agreed to waive shipping fees and promise delivery by December 24.
The first observance was a massive success, with hundreds of retailers participating and sales exceeding expectations during a recession year. It quickly grew into a billion-dollar shopping event, often surpassing Black Friday in sales volume for specific online sectors. Over time, it shifted from a strictly variable date based on shipping logistics to a widely recognized calendar event, giving both large chains and small businesses a way to capture last-minute holiday revenue.
Why is National Free Shipping Day important?
This day provides a crucial solution for procrastinators and busy professionals who miss the earlier shopping windows of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It eliminates the anxiety of “will it arrive on time?” by providing a clear guarantee from merchants. For consumers on a budget, it removes the friction of high shipping costs, which are often the primary reason shoppers abandon their online carts.
From an economic perspective, the day is vital for the e-commerce industry. It successfully pushed the online shopping deadline deeper into December, allowing retailers to clear inventory before the end of the year. It also levels the playing field, allowing smaller merchants who cannot afford to offer free shipping year-round to compete with retail giants for one high-volume day.
- It saves shoppers significantly on delivery fees.
- The day guarantees gifts arrive before Christmas.
- It reduces the stress of last-minute shopping.
- Consumers can avoid crowded physical stores.
- It supports online businesses during the final push.
How to Celebrate National Free Shipping Day
The most effective way to celebrate is by tackling your remaining holiday gift list. Before the day begins, make a list of items you still need to purchase and identify which retailers are participating. Many stores release special codes specifically for this 24-hour window, so checking coupon sites or retailer homepages is essential to ensure the discount is applied at checkout.
Beyond buying gifts, this is an excellent time to purchase heavy or bulky items for yourself that would normally incur steep shipping charges. Items like furniture, winter coats, or kitchen appliances become much more affordable when the delivery fee is waived. It is also a supportive gesture to specifically look for small businesses participating in the event, as the shipping subsidy often comes directly from their profit margins to win your business.
- Create a final shopping list before the date.
- Search for specific free shipping coupon codes.
- Buy heavy items like electronics or home goods.
- Verify the “delivery by Christmas” guarantee at checkout.
- Share the best deals you find with friends.
National Free Shipping Day Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 1 | Monday |
| 2026 | December 1 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | December 1 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | December 1 | Friday |
| 2029 | December 1 | Saturday |
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