Quick Answer: To get a Christmas gift basket from Biggest Little Baskets in time for December 25, 2026, order by Monday, December 7 for standard shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S., or by Monday, December 14 for local delivery in Reno and Sparks. After that, call us about rush production and express shipping. Orders of 10 or more gifts need about three weeks, so place those by Monday, November 23.
Key Takeaways
- Every basket at Biggest Little Baskets is assembled by hand, and in November and December orders take 5–7 business days to prepare before they ship or go out for delivery.
- Local delivery within about 20 miles of Reno skips the carrier entirely, which makes it the safest choice for late orders. It's $15 per address, or free when that address receives $275 or more.
- Standard shipping is a flat $9.99 to the contiguous U.S. and free on $275 or more to a single address, but carrier delays and Sierra snow are out of anyone's hands, so build in a few extra days.
- Rush production ($50) moves your order to the front of the line. For express delivery in two days or less, we quote the actual carrier cost before you order.
- Large and custom orders need more lead time because we source each product from our vendors after you confirm.
Every December, someone calls us on the 22nd hoping for a miracle. Sometimes we can pull it off. Most of the time, the people who get exactly the gift they wanted are the ones who ordered a couple of weeks earlier. Here's every date you need for Christmas 2026, plus how to choose between local delivery and shipping when time is short.
Why December Orders Take Longer
Nothing we send comes off a warehouse shelf. Each basket and gift box is assembled, wrapped and finished by hand in our Reno studio. Most of the year, orders ship in 3–4 business days. In November and December, plan on 5–7.
Larger orders take longer for a different reason. For 10 or more gifts, we order products from our vendors once you confirm, and most vendors need 10–14 days before assembly can start. That's why volume orders take about three weeks and custom or multi-address programs take four to six. If you're planning a company-wide gift, see our corporate gifting page and get in touch today.
Local Delivery vs. Shipping: Which Is Faster?
If your recipient lives in Reno or Sparks, local delivery is almost always the better choice in December. We hand-deliver within about 20 miles of our studio, so your gift never sits in a carrier's holiday backlog.
Shipping reaches anywhere in the contiguous U.S., but once a package leaves our hands, it's on the carrier's schedule. Snow over the Sierra, ice storms and late-December volume can all add days. For anything shipping out of state, order by December 7 and treat that date as firm.
What If You've Missed the Deadline?
You still have options:
- Rush production ($50). Your order moves to the front of the line in our studio. Just note this covers our time, not the carrier's fee.
- Express shipping. For delivery in two days or less, we bill the actual carrier cost based on weight, size and destination. Call or email first and we'll give you a real number.
- Switch to local delivery. If your recipient is in the Reno area, local delivery cuts out transit time entirely.
- Choose a ready-to-send gift. Simpler pieces come together faster than large custom baskets.
Rush availability depends on the item, order size and our production schedule that week, so reach out at 775-225-8445 or contact@biggestlittlebaskets.com before you place the order.
Good Picks for Late Orders
If you're ordering close to the deadline, these ready-to-send gifts are a smart place to start:
- The Sweet Pause Gift Box ($105): chocolate-covered dates, Mission hot chocolate and a waffle towel.
- Holiday Hostess Gift Box ($115): an easy choice for the party you're headed to next week.
- The Marlowe Medium Gourmet Gift Basket ($145): cookies, chocolate, popcorn and crackers to share.
- Petite Treat Gourmet Gift Basket ($75): for coworkers, neighbors and teachers.
You'll find more in The Holiday Edit and our Holiday Gifting Guide.
Three Things That Delay Holiday Gifts (and How to Avoid Them)
- A wrong or incomplete address. The most common mistake we see is the sender's own address entered by accident. Double-check apartment numbers, suite numbers, gate codes and business names.
- Shipping to an office over the holidays. Many offices close between Christmas and New Year's. Send to a home address, or make sure someone will be there to receive it.
- Leaving no buffer. Weather and carrier delays are out of our hands. A few extra days on the front end is the best insurance there is.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last day to order a Christmas gift basket for delivery in Reno? For local delivery in Reno and Sparks, order by Monday, December 14, 2026. After that, call us about rush production. Local delivery is $15 per address, or free when that address receives $275 or more.
When should I order a gift basket to ship for Christmas? Order by Monday, December 7, 2026 for standard shipping to the contiguous U.S. Holiday orders take 5–7 business days to prepare before they ship, plus carrier transit time.
Can I get a gift basket delivered the same day in Reno? Sometimes. Same-day and next-day delivery depend on the gift and our production schedule, and December is our busiest month. Call 775-225-8445 as early in the day as you can.
Do you ship gift baskets to Alaska or Hawaii? Standard shipping covers the contiguous United States. Contact us about other destinations before you order.
How far in advance should I order corporate holiday gifts? One to nine gifts ship within a few business days most of the year. Ten or more take about three weeks, and custom or multi-address programs take four to six weeks, because we source products from vendors after you confirm.
Is free shipping available on Christmas gift baskets? Yes. Orders of $275 or more to a single address get free standard shipping, or free local delivery within our Reno delivery area. On multi-address orders, the $275 applies to each address.
Related reading: Last-Minute Gift Baskets in Reno: Same-Day & Next-Day Options · Holiday Gift Baskets for Families vs. Couples vs. Someone Who Lives Alone · The Two Corporate Gifting Tips That Matter Most