Best Places to Buy Christmas Gifts Online in 2026: US Stores That Deliver to You Abroad

The best places to buy Christmas gifts online are the stores with a wide range, fair prices and reliable delivery. For shoppers outside the US, there’s one more test: can you actually get the order to your door? This guide lists the best online stores for Christmas gifts by category, says which ones ship abroad, and explains what to do when they don’t.

Best online stores for Christmas gifts at a glance

Here are the stores our customers use most in December, grouped by what they’re best at.

All-rounders

• Amazon: the biggest range and fast delivery to US addresses. It ships some items abroad, but not all. Our Amazon international shipping guide explains the limits.
• Walmart: strong prices on toys, electronics and home goods. Walmart.com only delivers to US addresses. See our Walmart shipping guide.
• Target: good for toys, home and own-brand gifts. Read our Target international shipping guide.

Tech and gadgets

• Best Buy: deep tech discounts in November and December. Best Buy doesn’t ship to known freight forwarders, so we recommend our Assisted Purchase service. Details are in our Best Buy guide.
• Apple: the latest devices, sometimes before other markets. Our Apple USA guide covers how to order.

Fashion and accessories

• Macy’s and Nordstrom: department-store brands, beauty and gift sets. See our Macy’s and Nordstrom guides.
• Gap, Old Navy and American Eagle: affordable basics and gift cards. Our Gap guide has the details.

Beauty

• Sephora and Ulta: holiday gift sets that sell out fast. Read our Sephora and Ulta guides.
• Bath & Body Works: candles and body care gift sets. See our Bath & Body Works guide.

Kids and toys

• LEGO, the Disney Store and Target’s toy aisle are reliable for children’s gifts. See our LEGO guide and Disney Store guide.

Unique and handmade

• Etsy: personalised and handmade gifts from US makers. Many sellers only ship within the US, and made-to-order items take longer. Our Etsy shipping guide explains how to plan.

Home and lifestyle

• Wayfair, Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel: decor, throws and tableware for the host who loves their home.
• Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table: premium cookware and gourmet food gifts.

Sports and outdoors

• Nike, Adidas and Under Armour: trainers, sportswear and fan gear. Our Nike guide and Adidas guide explain how to order from abroad.
• Dick’s Sporting Goods and REI: fitness gear, camping kit and outdoor clothing.

Gaming

• GameStop, Best Buy and Amazon: consoles, controllers and collector’s editions. See our GameStop guide and our PlayStation 5 guide.

Christmas gifts online: how to choose the right store

When two stores sell the same gift, a few simple checks help you pick the best one:

• Price history. A deal that’s only a little lower than the usual price isn’t worth rushing for.
• US delivery speed. Stores with fast, free US delivery get your parcel to our warehouse sooner, which matters in December.
• Returns. Check how long the store gives you and whether it accepts returns from a forwarding address.
• Payment. Some stores reject cards issued outside the US. If yours is refused, use Assisted Purchase.
• Gift options. Many US stores offer gift receipts, and some offer gift wrap.

Why so many US stores won’t ship your Christmas presents abroad

Many US retailers deliver only inside the US, and others ship abroad with a smaller range or higher prices. Some refuse cards issued outside the US. During the holidays, this gets harder because the best deals are often for US delivery only.

A US forwarding address gets around most of these problems. The store sees a normal US delivery, and we send the parcel on to you.

Christmas shopping online from abroad: practical tips

• Make a list with links before the sales start, so you can buy as soon as prices drop.
• Check the seller. On marketplaces, third-party sellers set their own delivery and return rules.
• Check the weight and size. Large items cost more to ship abroad, so use our shipping calculator first.
• Check the voltage and plug on electronics. The US uses 110–120V.
• Keep receipts in your account. You’ll need item values for customs.

Timing matters too. The Black Friday sales are a good moment to buy Christmas presents online, and you can keep shopping into December as long as you leave time for shipping.

Which stores have the best Christmas deals on kitchen appliances?

For kitchen gifts, Best Buy, Amazon and Walmart usually compete hardest on air fryers, coffee machines and blenders, while Williams Sonoma, Crate & Barrel and Sur La Table are better for premium cookware. Before you buy any appliance, check that it works with your country’s voltage. Our Dyson guide shows how to check.

Marketplaces vs brand stores

Marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay give you the widest choice and easy price comparison, but items can come from third-party sellers with their own shipping times and return rules. Brand stores, like Apple, Nike or Coach, usually cost a little more outside sale periods, but you know the item is genuine and the returns process is simpler. For expensive gifts, we’d lean towards the brand store or a major retailer. For small items and stocking fillers, marketplaces are hard to beat.

Places to get Christmas gifts at the last minute

If you’re shopping late, choose stores with quick US delivery, ideally next day or two-day shipping, so your parcels reach our warehouse fast. Amazon, Walmart and Target are usually the quickest. Digital gifts and gift cards are another option for anyone you can’t ship to in time, as they can be sent by email.

For physical gifts, ship everything as soon as it arrives rather than waiting for one late parcel. Express shipping options cost more but save several days. Our Christmas shipping tips go through the timing in more detail.

Holiday gift sets on sale

Gift sets are some of the best value Christmas presents in US stores. Beauty brands bundle full-size and travel-size products, fragrance houses add extras to their perfumes, and candle and body care brands run multi-buy offers. Look at Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s and Bath & Body Works from November onwards. Perfume and aerosols can be restricted on air shipping, so check with us before buying them. Our perfume shipping guide explains the rules.

How to get Christmas gifts from US stores delivered abroad

Step 1: Sign up for a free US address

Register to get your address at our warehouse in New Castle, Delaware.

Step 2: Shop at your favourite US stores

Add your US address at checkout. If a store won’t accept your card or your address, our Assisted Purchase team can place the order for you.

Step 3: Pay no Delaware sales tax

Delaware has no sales tax, so orders delivered to us usually aren’t charged it. See tax-free shopping.

Step 4: Store and combine your parcels

Each parcel appears in your account, with up to 30 days free storage. We then consolidate them into one box.

Step 5: Ship to your door

Choose your shipping option. Processing takes 4–5 working days, and insurance starts at $10, up to 2% of the declared value.

Import duty and VAT are set by your country. GOV.UK, the Canada Border Services Agency and the Australian Border Force explain their rules.

The best online stores for buying Christmas gifts are the ones that stock what you need at a fair price and deliver quickly to our warehouse. Online Christmas gift shopping from the USA is easiest when you keep your list short, buy early and ship everything together.

Frequently asked questions

How we checked this

We checked each store’s delivery policy against our own store guides on 30 October 2026, including Best Buy’s policy on freight forwarders. Store policies can change, so check the store’s website before you order.

Related guides

• Christmas gift ideas
• Gifts from the USA to ship worldwide
• Christmas shipping tips
• eBay international shipping

Ready to fill your basket? Get your free US address and start shopping.