7 Smart Holiday Return Deadlines 2026

The holidays bring joy, generosity, and—let's be honest—a fair share of gifts that miss the mark. Whether it's a sweater two sizes too small or a gadget someone already owns, knowing exactly when you can return holiday purchases is essential for stress-free gift-giving season.

Here's the good news: most major retailers extend their return windows during the holidays, giving you extra time to handle exchanges and returns after the wrapping paper settles. The catch? Every store has different cutoff dates, receipt requirements, and exceptions that can trip up even experienced shoppers.

We've done the research so you don't have to dig through fine print during the busiest time of year. Below are seven essential holiday return deadlines for 2026 that every smart shopper needs to bookmark.

Target's holiday return policy is among the most generous in retail. Items purchased between November 1 and December 25, 2026, can be returned through January 24, 2027. This applies to most merchandise, giving you a full month after Christmas to handle any gift mishaps.

What makes Target particularly shopper-friendly is their Target Circle program, which automatically tracks your purchases when you use your account. No receipt? No problem—if you paid with a linked card or used your Circle account, they can look up your purchase instantly.

Keep in mind that electronics have a tighter window even during the holidays, typically 30 days from purchase rather than the extended deadline. Apple products, for instance, follow Apple's own return policy regardless of where you bought them. Always check the receipt or ask at Guest Services if you're unsure about a specific item category.

Walmart pushes their holiday return deadline further than most competitors. Purchases made between October 1 and December 31, 2026, can be returned until January 31, 2027. This extended timeline recognizes that holiday shopping often starts early and gifts may sit wrapped for months before being opened.

The Walmart return policy applies both in-store and online, though the process differs slightly. In-store returns are typically faster, while online orders can be returned by mail or at any physical location. Third-party Marketplace sellers may have different policies, so always verify before assuming the standard Walmart terms apply.

Pro tip: Walmart's app now lets you start returns digitally, generating a QR code that speeds up the in-store process. During the post-holiday rush, this can save you significant time in the returns line.

Best Buy's holiday return policy extends their standard 15-day window for purchases made between October 27 and January 2. Everything bought during this period can be returned through January 14, 2027—giving you roughly two weeks after New Year's to handle electronics returns.

This deadline is particularly important because electronics are among the most commonly returned holiday gifts. Best Buy's policy covers everything from headphones to laptops, though certain items like cell phones and devices with carrier contracts may have additional restrictions.

Best Buy Totaltech members enjoy an even better deal with 60-day return windows year-round, which often extends beyond the standard holiday deadline. If you're a frequent electronics buyer, the membership might pay for itself in return flexibility alone.

Amazon extends their return window significantly during the holidays. Most items shipped between November 1 and December 31, 2026, can be returned until January 31, 2027. This generous policy applies to items sold and shipped by Amazon as well as many third-party sellers.

The key word here is "most." According to Amazon's holiday return policy, certain categories like grocery items, hazardous materials, and digital content follow different rules. Luxury stores items, Amazon Pharmacy products, and live plants also have separate return terms that the holiday extension may not cover.

Amazon makes the return process remarkably easy with multiple options: UPS drop-off, Whole Foods locations, Amazon Fresh stores, Kohl's partnerships, and scheduled carrier pickups. Many returns don't even require a box or label—just bring the item and your QR code to a participating location.

Costco stands apart from other retailers with their famously lenient return policy that doesn't require a holiday extension—because it's already exceptional year-round. Most items can be returned at any time for a full refund, with your membership tracking all purchases automatically.

However, even Costco has limits. Electronics must be returned within 90 days of purchase, meaning holiday gifts bought in early November could fall outside the window by February. Diamonds over 1 carat require original documentation, and custom products, cigarettes, and alcohol (where prohibited by law) cannot be returned.

The Costco return policy also applies differently to major appliances, which have specific delivery and installation considerations. If you're gifting a big-ticket Costco item this holiday season, verify the specific return terms before wrapping it up. The membership-based tracking means you'll never need a receipt, but knowing the deadlines prevents disappointment.

Macy's offers one of the more straightforward holiday return policies among department stores. Purchases made from November 1 through December 31, 2026, can be returned until January 31, 2027. This applies to most regular-price and sale merchandise across all categories.

What sets Macy's apart is their handling of beauty products during the holidays. While many retailers restrict cosmetic returns, Macy's allows returns of gently used beauty items within the holiday window—a crucial policy when gifted makeup shades don't match the recipient's preferences.

LastStyle items, furniture, mattresses, and area rugs follow different timelines, typically requiring returns within 7 days for furniture and 120 days for mattresses. Fine jewelry and watches have receipt requirements that standard merchandise doesn't, so keep those gift receipts handy for high-value items.

Kohl's extends their already generous 180-day return policy during the holidays, with purchases made November 1 through December 25, 2026, returnable through January 31, 2027. For most holiday purchases, this provides more than enough time to handle gift exchanges.

Kohl's truly shines in receipt flexibility. They can look up purchases made with Kohl's Card, Kohl's Pay, credit cards, or debit cards used previously. Even without a receipt, they'll often issue merchandise credit based on the item's lowest recent selling price. This makes Kohl's one of the most forgiving retailers when gifts arrive without gift receipts.

Kohl's Rewards members get additional benefits including digital receipt storage and easy tracking of Kohl's Cash earned on purchases. During the holiday return season, having your purchases digitally tracked eliminates the scramble for paper receipts entirely.

The single most valuable step you can take during holiday shopping is requesting gift receipts at checkout. This small action saves enormous headaches later, allowing recipients to make exchanges without revealing how much you spent or requiring your direct involvement.

Most retailers now offer digital gift receipt options that can be emailed directly to recipients or stored in your account for later. These digital versions are actually preferable—they can't be lost in discarded wrapping paper or accidentally thrown away with packaging. According to the National Retail Federation, holiday return rates typically run 15-20% higher than the rest of the year, making gift receipts more important than ever.

Holiday shopping doesn't have to mean holiday stress—not when you know exactly what your return options are. By keeping these seven deadlines in mind, you can shop with confidence, knowing that imperfect gifts can be easily exchanged in the new year.

The key takeaway? Most major retailers give you until at least mid-January to handle holiday returns, with many extending through the end of January 2027. Mark these dates in your calendar now, and you'll never miss a return window when it matters most.

For comprehensive breakdowns of return policies throughout the year—not just during the holidays—check out our complete Ultimate Guide to Retail Return Policies. We update it regularly as retailers change their terms, ensuring you always have the latest information at your fingertips.

Happy shopping, and even happier returning when needed!