You Still Have Time: A Procrastinator’s Handbook for Navigating the Holidays

      Hey, finishing things last minute with Shipt is still getting it done!

      Something that may make me a bit unlikable? I had a near “storybook holiday” upbringing. Cookie exchanges, Christmas caroling (who still does that?), camping out in parking lots on Black Friday, and every present perfectly wrapped under the tree.

      However, now that I'm almost 30 with divorced parents, Q4 deadlines, and a cat who keeps climbing the tree, I’ve learned a tough lesson: Adults don’t experience the magic of the holidays—we create it. Somewhere between Halloween candy and the office Secret Santa announcement, I blinked, and everything felt chaotic (figuratively, for now).

      The good news? You don’t need a complete holiday overhaul—just a few shortcuts that genuinely help. After years of navigating the holidays in the most chaotic manner possible, I’ve finally found a method that works for Type B individuals like me. Consider this your calm, “you still have time” guide to making it through the holidays—even if you're starting late.

      Create a realistic holiday plan (even if you’re behind)

      Let’s be clear. The issue isn’t that you’re bad at celebrating the holidays—it’s that the holidays require project management skills akin to a Fortune 500 CEO. Before you spiral, try this reset:

      Establish one “errand hour” each week: And outsource the rest. Once I stopped trying to manage everything alone, I realized how many holiday stressors could be handled without leaving my house—thanks to services like Shipt, which offers same-day delivery from over 100 national retailers (like Target, Meijer, PetSmart, and Michaels!) and local grocery stores you love.

      Identify your top three priorities: Not nine. Not 23. Three. Maybe that’s hosting Friendsgiving, mailing out cards, and completing your shopping. Everything else becomes optional.

      Decide what you can purchase instead of make: Store-bought pies are acceptable. Pre-cut vegetables are fine. No one earns a trophy for running themselves ragged.

      Manage holiday grocery runs without leaving home

      Holiday grocery shopping is a unique level of chaos. The aisles are packed, items on your list disappear off the shelves, and there’s a 99 percent chance you’ll forget at least one crucial ingredient (usually the one you need most). Here’s how Shipt has helped me out in a pinch:

      Same-day grocery delivery: Ideal for that sudden cookie bake added to my social calendar.

      Real-time communication from Shipt shoppers: Whether it’s special requests or last-minute changes, they’re here to assist you, ensuring you get the softer or firmer avocados, preventing a situation where you end up with guacamole that can’t be mashed.

      Thoughtful substitutions when something is out of stock: My usual chocolate chips replaced with a festive holiday mix that kept my cookies tasting just right.

      For instance, last weekend, while baking cookies, I realized I was completely out of brown sugar. Instead of halting everything, donning boots, and facing the store, I simply added it to my Shipt order while the butter softened—and had it delivered the same day, keeping my kitchen chaos under control. If you've ever frantically searched for “delivery from local stores near me” (and according to Google Trends, you have), this will save your season.

      Streamline your last-minute decor, gifts, and hosting needs

      For many of us, the holiday season is filled with small emergencies: broken lights, missing ingredients, forgotten gifts, and the sudden need for double-sided tape at 11 p.m. Thankfully, most of this can be dealt with surprisingly little effort—without leaving home. For example:

      “My holiday decor isn’t scenic”: Order decorations, crafting supplies, and essentials.

      “I’m a last-minute addition to the gift exchange group chat”: Explore retailers for gift sets, housewares, and something for everyone.

      “My pet needs a stocking too”: Pet toys, treats, or festive accessories. Check. Check. Check.

      “I want to send the perfect gift to my long-distance loved one”: Shipt’s new gift delivery feature makes it simple to share holiday moments—near or far—by sending essentials or surprise treats same day with a personal note and digital greeting card, all handled with care. Just select “this is a gift” at checkout.

      “I need a specific item”: Browse local grocers and specialty shops to find exactly what you’re looking for.

      All of the above can be ordered through Shipt for same-day delivery—allowing you to stay in your comfy clothes while knocking items off your to-do list.

      Shipt

      Save even more during the Season of Savings, running from November 16th through December 28th!*

      How to get started with Shipt in under 5 minutes

      You don’t need a full tutorial. You just need this:

      Download the Shipt app

      Enter your ZIP code

      Browse local and national stores

      Add items to