Shipping Over a Long Weekend: Holiday Rules for Sending Fresh Flowers

Summary: Ordering around a holiday weekend is totally fine, but shipping carriers run on holiday schedules. This guide explains exactly when you should ship (or hold) your fresh flowers so they don’t get stuck in transit.

Why holiday weekends change everything

Fresh flowers are time-sensitive. The biggest risk during long weekends isn’t your packing, it’s your box sitting in a warehouse because carriers pause pickups and deliveries.

So the goal is simple: avoid shipping when your package could be parked for 1–3 days.

1) Holidays when UPS and FedEx are typically closed

These are the major holidays when UPS and FedEx commonly close or significantly limit services (and many businesses close too):

• New Year’s Day

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Memorial Day

• Independence Day (July 4)

• Labor Day

• Thanksgiving Day

• Christmas Day

Note: Carrier operations can vary by service level and location (for example, some FedEx services may run with modified availability). If you’re ever unsure, call your local shipping location and ask for the overnight cutoff time and holiday pickup/delivery availability.

Sources: UPS Holiday Schedule https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-services/holiday-shipping-scheduleFedEx holiday schedules (PDF) https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fedex/us-united-states/services/2026_Holiday_Operations_Schedule.pdf

2) Holidays when USPS is closed but UPS/FedEx may still operate

USPS closes on additional federal holidays where UPS/FedEx may still be open (often with normal or modified service). The most common examples include:

• Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)

• Juneteenth National Independence Day

• Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day

• Veterans Day

If you were planning to use USPS Express and it’s one of these days, switch to UPS/FedEx overnight.

3) The simple rule: when should you ship vs. hold?

If you have fresh flowers to send and a weekend or holiday is approaching, follow this rule of thumb:

Thursday

Go for it. Ship overnight. Your flowers should arrive Friday (or Saturday at the latest, depending on service availability).

Friday

Go for it, but only with the right service. Use UPS Guaranteed Saturday Delivery.

This is the only option we recommend when you need a true Saturday delivery during our business hours. Other services may say “Saturday delivery” in some areas, but they often do not guarantee it.

Saturday

Hold. Ship on Monday, or if Monday is a holiday, ship the next open business day.

Sunday

Hold. Ship Monday, or next open business day.

Monday

Ship. If it’s a holiday Monday, hold until Tuesday.

Mid-week holidays

If the holiday falls mid-week, services may reopen the next day. Use the same logic above:

• If you can ship and have it delivered next business day, ship.

• If there’s a chance it will sit, hold.

When in doubt, message or call us and we’ll help you decide.

4) Don’t pack early (and what to do if you must)

Do not pack your flowers until the morning you plan to ship.

If you pack early, place the entire packed box in the refrigerator to keep flowers cool and in good condition. Water is not necessary if the flowers are kept cool.

5) Keeping your bouquet fresh over a long weekend

Fresh water setup

• Cut stems at a 45-degree angle under running water

• Place bouquet in fresh, clean water immediately

• Change water every 1–2 days

Refrigeration (if needed)

• If flowers begin to wilt, place the entire vase in your refrigerator overnight

• Make sure your refrigerator is not set to freezing

Flower food

• Add flower food if available (not required)

Ready to ship?

• Remove flowers from water when ready to pack

• Follow our packing video tutorial

• Ship via overnight carrier service, or request our pre-paid label

6) Should you remove fruits and veggies from the fridge? (Ethylene question)

This is not a myth. Many fruits and vegetables release ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone that speeds up ripening and can also speed up aging/wilting in cut flowers.

Is it something to panic about for one night? Usually, no. If your bouquet is only in the fridge overnight, it’s a small risk, especially if the flowers are in a vase and not sitting right next to ripening produce.

But if you want the safest approach (especially for delicate blooms), it’s worth mentioning a simple tip:

• Keep flowers away from ripening fruit (especially apples, bananas, tomatoes, avocados)

• If possible, move produce to a drawer or a different shelf while the flowers chill overnight

Sources:
The Old Farmer’s Almanac (ethylene note) https://www.almanac.com/how-keep-cut-flowers-fresh-and-alive-longer

Brooklyn Botanic Garden (keep away from ripening fruit) https://www.bbg.org/article/cut-flower_care

Questions? We’re here to help

If you’re ordering near a holiday weekend and you’re not sure whether to ship or hold, reach out.

Email: info@wildcoastflowerpreservation.comCall/Text: (954) 296-5937