The holiday shopping season is a blur of deals and gift-giving. But now that the dust has settled, you might be staring at a pile of clothes that don't fit or gadgets you don't need.
Retailers know that gifts bought in November aren't opened until late December. That's why they offer Extended Holiday Return Policies. However, these grace periods have hard deadlines, and in 2026, many of them are ending soon.
Here is the master list of major retailer deadlines for items purchased between October and December 2025.
Amazon
- Purchase Window: Items purchased between November 1 and December 31, 2025.
- Return Deadline: January 31, 2026.
- Exceptions: Third-party sellers may set their own rules, though most follow Amazon's lead.
- Note: Open electronics often carry a restocking fee if not defective.
Target
- Purchase Window: Items purchased between October 6 and December 25, 2025.
- Return Deadline: 90 days after December 25 (approx. March 25, 2026).
- Electronics Exception: Electronics and entertainment items usually have a 30-day window starting Dec 26. Deadline: January 24, 2026.
- Apple Products: 15-day window starting Dec 26. Deadline: January 9, 2026.
Walmart
- Purchase Window: Items purchased between October 1 and December 31, 2025.
- Return Deadline: The standard return window (usually 90 days) begins on December 26, 2025.
- Calculated Deadline: March 26, 2026 (for general merchandise).
- Electronics: 30-day window starts Dec 26. Deadline: January 24, 2026.
Best Buy
- Purchase Window: Items purchased between November 1 and December 31, 2025.
- Return Deadline: January 14, 2026.
- Members: Best Buy Plus and Total members get 60 days from purchase, which often extends well into February or March.
Costco
- General Policy: "Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee" – essentially unlimited time for most items.
- Electronics (Major Appliances, TVs, Computers): 90 days from the date of purchase (or delivery).
- Holiday Twist: No specific holiday extension needed because the 90-day window for electronics bought in Nov/Dec naturally extends into Feb/Mar.
Nordstrom
- Policy: No formal time limit. Nordstrom handles returns on a "case-by-case basis" with the ultimate goal of customer satisfaction.
- Holiday Note: While there is no hard deadline, returning holiday items by early February is recommended to ensure smooth processing.
Apple
- Purchase Window: Items received between November 8, 2025, and December 25, 2025.
- Return Deadline: January 8, 2026.
- Standard Policy: Outside this window, Apple maintains a strict 14-day return policy.
Don't Let The Date Slip
Retailers are automated. If you try to generate a return label on Amazon on February 1st for a Christmas gift, the button simply won't be there.
Pro Tip: Use the Purchy app to scan your email receipts. It automatically identifies return deadlines based on the retailer and purchase date, sending you a notification 3 days before your window closes. Never get stuck with unwanted gifts again.