Every year from Thanksgiving on, we hear the same thing: "Is it too late for Christmas?" Usually it is not, but the window closes faster than people think, especially with Thanksgiving falling late in the month. In 2026, Thanksgiving is November 26, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday, December 4 and runs through December 12 according to Hebcal, and Christmas is on a Friday. Here are gift ideas that work, what they cost, and the dates to order by.
The 2026 order-by calendar
Our turnaround starts when your deposit is paid and your mockup is approved. Printed apparel takes 7 to 10 business days, rush 5 business days for 25% more; embroidery takes 10 to 15 business days; signs 5 to 7; vinyl 3 to 5. These dates assume pickup at our front door in Paramus and count weekdays only, skipping Thanksgiving week's Thursday and Friday.
| You want it by | Printed apparel | With rush | Embroidery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Dec 3 (first night of Hanukkah is Dec 4) | Order by Nov 17 | Order by Nov 24 | Order by Nov 10 |
| Wednesday, Dec 23 (pickup before Christmas) | Order by Dec 9 | Order by Dec 16 | Order by Dec 2 |
These are the latest safe dates, not the ideal ones. Earlier is better: blanks in popular colors and sizes can run low in December. We are open for pickup Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11 to 3, and you can book a pickup time once your order is ready.
If it has to ship
Add shipping time. For delivery by December 25 within the lower 48 states, USPS lists December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express, per its 2026 holiday deadlines. To give printed orders time to be made and shipped before those dates, order by about December 2. Apparel shipping from us is $9.99 for up to 12 pieces.
Gift ideas by budget
Prices are as of November 2026 for one colored item with a front print, from our online designer. There is no minimum on printed items, and no NJ sales tax on clothing, per the NJ Division of Taxation.
| Gift | Good for | Price for 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Gildan 5000 tee with a photo or inside joke | Siblings, cousins, Secret Santa | $23.00 |
| Rabbit Skins toddler tee | Nieces, nephews, a first Christmas | $24.00 |
| Rabbit Skins infant bodysuit | New babies, "baby's first Hanukkah" | $25.50 |
| Gildan 18000 crewneck | Ugly-sweater style designs, grandparents | $34.00 |
| Gildan 18500 hoodie | Teens, college kids, the whole family | $41.50 |
| Lane Seven LS19001 heavyweight hoodie | Someone who cares about how it feels | $47.50 |
| Comfort Colors 1566 garment-dyed crewneck | A softer, vintage-looking gift | $51.50 |
| Independent IND5000P Legend hoodie | The big gift: 13.5 oz heavyweight fleece | $69.50 |
Not sure which hoodie to give? Our Bergen County hoodie guide compares them, and the GSM guide explains why some feel so much heavier.
Ideas that people actually wear
- Family Christmas shirts. Everyone in the same design for the photo, with names or "Grandma," "Dad," "Baby" on the back. Each back can be different at no setup cost.
- A town or street hoodie. Your town's name, your street, or the year you moved in. Local pride gifts are a hit with people who moved away.
- The family pet. A clean photo of the dog on a crewneck. Use the sharpest photo you have, not a screenshot.
- Grandkids' drawings. Scan or photograph a kid's drawing on white paper in good light and print it on a tee or hoodie for a grandparent.
- Ready-made local designs. For something done for you, our shop has Paramus, Bergen County and 201 tees, hoodies and embroidered hats, made to order. Check each product page for timing.
Gifts for teams, staff and clubs
Coaches, small business owners and club organizers often order a batch of the same gift. Embroidered beanies and hats are popular for this, and they start at 6 pieces: a Sportsman cuffed beanie is $22.50 each for 6 and $15.00 each for 12, and a dad hat is $20.50 each for 12. Digitizing your logo is a one-time $35.00, waived at 24 pieces. Remember embroidery needs the longer lead time above. For company-wide orders, send us your logo and headcount and we will reply with options.
Signs and decals for the season
Holiday yard signs, a "Happy Holidays" banner for a shop, or a store-hours decal with holiday hours are quick: signs take 5 to 7 business days and cut vinyl 3 to 5. Design them in the sign designer or the vinyl designer. Signs and vinyl are taxed at 6.625% in New Jersey.
Getting it right the first time
- Get the size right. When in doubt, size up on hoodies. People rarely complain a hoodie is too roomy.
- Check names and dates twice before you approve the mockup.
- Order a spare for a gift you forgot. It happens to everyone.
- Do not wait for the last date in the table. If anything needs a second proof, those extra days matter.
Wrapping and giving
A custom shirt is easy to wrap well. Fold it so the design faces up, tie it with string or ribbon, and add a tag with the person's name. For a hoodie, roll it instead of folding so the print does not crease. If the gift is a surprise for someone in the house, pick up at our front door during the day, and keep the box out of sight until you wrap it.
Gifts for kids and babies
For little ones, comfort and sizing matter most. Toddler tees and infant bodysuits are soft and easy to wash, and a simple design with the child's name or "My First Christmas" is a classic. Kids grow fast, so size up one if the gift is meant to last through spring. For siblings, use the same design in coordinating colors for the family photo.
Start your holiday order
Build your gift in the designer and see the price right away. If you are past the dates above, read our rush order guide, or send us your date and we will tell you honestly what is possible.