A Guide To Last-Minute Christmas Shopping, Shipping In Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE, WI — Many of us know the feeling: It’s Christmas Eve in Wisconsin. Gifts are wrapped, and as we carefully arrange them under the tree, we realize we forgot to buy a present for our mother-in-law or our favorite uncle, Bob. Now what?

Luckily, several retail stores in the Milwaukee area will be open on Christmas Eve — and, in some cases, Christmas Day — so you can pick up those last-minute gifts and other necessities.

Before you step out to shop, you should note: Store hours can vary by location. A good rule of thumb is to call ahead to your store of choice before leaving the house.

See Also: Last-Minute Holiday Gifts For Everyone On Your List

Here’s a look at retail stores that will be open in southeast Wisconsin this Christmas, according to lists compiled by Parade, Good Housekeeping and others.

Retail Store Hours

Bed, Bath & Beyond: Stores will be open for reduced hours on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.

Costco: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day.

CVS: Many locations, including those open 24 hours, will be open regular hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Dick’s Sporting Goods: Open until 6 p.m on Christmas Eve; closed on Christmas Day.

Family Dollar/Dollar Tree: Select stores will open for reduced hours on Christmas Day. Call ahead to your local store to confirm hours.

GameStop: Most stores will be open until 6 p.m. Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day.

Hobby Lobby: Open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day.

Home Depot: Open regular hours on Christmas Eve; closed on Christmas Day.

Ikea: Most stores will have reduced hours Christmas Eve, so call ahead to your preferred location; closed Christmas Day.

JCPenney: Most locations will be open until 6 p.m. Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day.

Kohl’s: Stores will be open regular hours on Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day.

Lowe’s: Open regular hours Christmas Eve; closed on Christmas Day.

Macy’s: Hours will vary on Christmas Eve, so call ahead to confirm hours at your preferred location; closed Christmas Day.

Marshalls: Most stores will be open until 6 p.m. Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day.

Old Navy: Hours vary by location, but most stores will be open until 7 p.m. Christmas Eve; closed on Christmas Day.

PetSmart: Most stores will be open until 6 p.m. Christmas Eve; all stores will be closed Christmas Day.

Target: Stores will be open Christmas Eve, though hours may vary; closed on Christmas Day.

TJ Maxx: Most stores will be open until 6 p.m. Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day.

Walgreens: Stores will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, though hours will vary by location. Call ahead to confirm hours at your preferred store.

Walmart: Stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve; all stores are closed Christmas Day.

Wisconsin Mall Hours

For other last-minute gifts, you can visit these Milwaukee area malls, many of which will be open for limited hours on Christmas Eve.

• Mayfair Mall, Wauwatosa.
  • Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
  • Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Closed on Christmas Day.
• The Corners of Brookfield, Brookfield.
  • Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
  • Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Closed on Christmas Day.
• Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets, Pleasant Prairie.
  • Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
  • Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Even. Closed on Christmas Day.
• Regency Mall, Racine.
  • Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Closed on Christmas Day.
  • Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
• Southridge Mall, Greendale.
  • Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
  • Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Closed on Christmas Day.

Last-Minute Shipping Deadlines

If you still need to ship a gift to someone special, it’s best not to wait until Christmas or Christmas Eve. Here are the 2021 holiday shipping deadlines you need to know:

U.S. Postal Service

• USPS Retail Ground: Wednesday, Dec. 15
• First-Class Mail: Friday, Dec. 17
• Priority Mail: Saturday, Dec. 18
• USPS Priority Mail Express: Thursday, Dec. 23

If you’re shipping abroad or to a member of the U.S. military, special deadlines apply.

UPS

• UPS Ground Shipping: Monday, Dec. 20
• UPS 3 Day Select: Tuesday, Dec. 21
• UPS 2nd Day Air: Wednesday, Dec. 22
• UPS Next Day Air: Thursday, Dec. 23

FedEx

• FedEx Ground/Home Delivery: Wednesday, Dec. 15
• FedEx Express Saver: Tuesday, Dec. 21
• FedEx 2Day: Wednesday, Dec. 22
• FedEx Overnight: Thursday, Dec. 23