What Stores Extend Return Deadlines for Holiday Gifts?

Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Apple and Macy's extend return deadlines for holiday gifts. Most extensions push returns for November and December purchases into January. An extended holiday return window means a store adds extra weeks beyond its normal policy for gift purchases.

The dates below reflect the current holiday terms for early November buying decisions.

Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 02, 2026.

How late do general gift returns run?

Amazon covers most items bought Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 until Jan.

31 of the next year. Apple-brand products have an earlier cutoff of Jan. 15, according to Value Added Resource in the Amazon holiday return summary.

Walmart covers most eligible in-store and online purchases made Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 until Jan.

31 of the following year. The longer window helps people who buy gifts early in October, as reported by Men's Journal in the Walmart holiday return report. Macy's covers purchases made Oct.

6 through Dec. 31 through Jan. 31.

The holiday period replaces its normal 30 to 90-day window for gift returns.

What is different at Best Buy?

Best Buy covers most purchases made Oct. 30 through Dec. 31 through Jan.

15. Plus and Total members receive extra time through Jan. 31, according to Best Buy Corporate in the Best Buy holiday calendar.

Membership status therefore affects the recipient's deadline. Gift givers who have Plus or Total membership should keep the membership receipt with the gift. Recipients should check whether the purchase used member benefits before assuming the later date.

How does Target handle electronics?

Target gives electronics and entertainment items, excluding Apple and Beats, bought Nov. 1 through Dec. 24 a holiday window from Dec.

26 through Jan. 24. The return period starts after Christmas rather than on the purchase date.

Apple products, Beats products, prepaid phones and unlocked phones bought Nov. 1 through Dec. 24 have a shorter Target deadline.

Those items must be returned by Jan. 8, 2026, according to ConsumerAffairs.

What are Apple's holiday dates?

Apple extends its normal 14-day policy for products received Nov. 12 through Dec. 25.

Those products may be returned through Jan. 8, according to 9to5Mac in the Apple holiday return notice. Purchases received after Dec.

25 fall under standard terms. The distinction matters for late December orders that arrive after Christmas. Buyers should confirm the received date, not only the order date.

Which items are excluded?

Holiday extensions do not cover every category. Exclusions include Best Buy activatable devices and holiday décor, Walmart wireless phones and appliances, and Amazon final-sale or customized items.

• Check the category rule before buying phones, devices, décor, appliances or customized gifts.
• Keep the gift receipt and original packaging until the recipient decides.
• Confirm whether Apple-brand items use the shorter Jan. 8 or Jan. 15 cutoff at the store used.