Shipping

Still scrambling to do some online Christmas shopping? Don't fret! There are many major sites that offer fast, last-minute holiday shipping, some of which is completely free. Most rules apply to general merchandise and not to special items or gift cards, so make sure you check with the site directly before you buy, but all guarantee delivery on either Dec. 24 or 25. Here, we've gathered a list of some holiday shipping policies that will please even ultimate procrastinators.

Amazon: Buy your gifts using free super saver shipping and standard shipping until Dec. 19. And if you're part of the Amazon Prime club, you'll enjoy free two-day service until Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. EST. The absolute last chance to order to get gifts on time? Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. EST.

Apple: Get free shipping if you order certain iPad, iPhone, iPod, and MacBook models by midnight Dec. 18. Some products have earlier deadlines, so check with the site to make sure. Next-day shipping is available for many items if you order before midnight Dec. 21.

Banana Republic, Gap, and Old Navy: All three retailers are offering free shipping on orders of at least $50 if you order by Dec. 19 at 11:59 p.m. EST. One-day shipping is also an option until Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. EST.

Best Buy: The last date to order with standard shipping is Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. EST. You can still try expedited shipping until Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. EST, but there's no guarantee that it will get there on time, although the retailer promises to try its best.

Bloomingdale's: Standard delivery is up and running until 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 20. The deadline for express delivery? Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. EST.

Brookstone: Shop the site and use standard shipping until 5 p.m. EST Dec. 19. Next-day service is an option until 6 p.m. on Dec. 21; enjoy free shipping on orders of at least $99.

JCPenney: Order from the department store by Dec. 19 to use standard delivery service. For last-minute shipping, Christmas delivery is available if you shop by noon EST on Dec. 22.

Macy's: Use standard shipping until 11:59 p.m. EST Dec. 20 (get free shipping with a $99 minimum purchase). Express service is offered up until Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. EST. Macy's guarantees you'll get it on time so much so that it'll even give you a gift card for the value of the order if you don't receive it by Christmas Day.

Victoria's Secret, Williams-Sonoma, and more after the break.

In case you needed convincing, here's another reason to skip the in-store shopping this season — Walmart announced this morning that it would foot the bill for ground shipping on all purchases from now until Dec. 20. Couple that with some amazing Black Friday deals that are sure to pop up after the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, and you can pocket some serious savings.

There is one catch though. Find out what it is after the break.

Thanks to SavvySugar, I'm always reminded of one of the greatest online shopping days of the year, which is Free Shipping Day. Next to Cyber Monday Free Shipping Day is a great way to save big during the holidays because you can pick up some last minute gifts without having to pay any hefty shipping fees.

This year, the popular day falls on Dec. 17 and there's already 700 online retailers signed up to offer free shipping. Even better, you'll get your items just in time to be wrapped and placed under the tree, since products are guaranteed to be delivered by the 24th. Just make sure you go to the Free Shipping Day website next Thursday to find the free shipping code from your favorite retailer!