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A “last day to ship” email template you can copy

The last-day-to-ship email is a high-urgency send, because it hands shoppers a deadline that’s real. Here’s a template, subject lines that work, and how to word it so it’s true.

Updated October 25, 2026 · By Doorbuster Studio

The template

Hi [First Name],

If you’d like it under the tree on time, [day, date] is the last day to order from [Shop Name] with [shipping method].

Here’s the timing:
- Order by [day, date, time and time zone]: ships by [date] with [carrier and service]
- After that, we can’t promise Christmas delivery

Still deciding? These are our most-gifted items, all in stock:
[Product 1] [price]
[Product 2] [price]
[Product 3] [price]

[Order now -> link]

Need it faster? [Local pickup / gift card option / expedited shipping at checkout].

Thank you,
[Your name], [Shop Name]

How to make the date true

• Use your carrier’s own published holiday shipping calendar for the service you actually use, and count back from there, then add a buffer day. Carriers publish and update these dates every year; check them in early December rather than copying last year’s.
• Say the time and the time zone. “Order by Thursday” is vague; “Order by Thursday 2pm Eastern” is a promise you can keep.
• Don’t promise delivery you don’t control. “Ships by” is accurate; “arrives by” depends on the carrier.
• Only name products that are in stock. Nothing kills the email faster than a sold-out button.

Subject lines

• Order by Thursday for Christmas delivery
• Last day to order for Christmas (really)
• Ships by Friday: last call for gifts
• [First Name], your gifts are 48 hours from the cutoff

The follow-up after the cutoff

When the shipping window closes, don’t go quiet. People who missed it still want to give something. Send a short second email with the options that still work:

Hi [First Name],

Shipping for Christmas has closed, but you can still give something from [Shop Name]:

- Pick up in the shop: [hours], [address]
- Local delivery: [area and cutoff]
- A gift card, emailed instantly: [link]

[Shop the gift cards -> link]

Thank you,
[Shop Name]

See also our free email kit (Small Business Saturday, gift guide and last day to ship) and our December email run if you’d like the whole sequence written for you.