# When to order return gifts: a 3-week countdown for kids' parties Source: https://www.celebrationgifting.in/blog/when-to-order-return-gifts Published: 2026-10-10 Publisher: Celebration Gifting (https://www.celebrationgifting.in) > Order return gifts two weeks before the party. We dispatch within 2 to 3 business days, then delivery takes 1 to 2 days in Hyderabad and 3 to 5 days to Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and other cities. Allowing for weekends, the last safe order day is 8 days before the party in Hyderabad and 11 days before elsewhere. ## Key takeaways - Two weeks before the party is a safe order date for every city in India. - The last safe day is 8 days before the party within Hyderabad and 11 days before for Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and other cities. - Orders placed on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday wait longest, because a weekend falls inside the business days before dispatch. - Three weeks out, fix the guest list and the budget per pack, and add 10 packs for siblings and drop-ins. When to order return gifts comes down to three numbers: we dispatch within 2 to 3 business days, delivery then takes 1 to 2 days within Hyderabad, and 3 to 5 days to every other city, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi. Work back from the party and the rule is simple. Order two weeks ahead, and no later than 8 days before the party in Hyderabad or 11 days before anywhere else. Here is the countdown we suggest, and you can start a pack now in [Build Your Pack](/buildyourpack). | When | What to do | |---|---| | 21 days before | Fix the guest list, add 10 spare packs, and set your budget per pack | | 14 days before | Order: safe for every city | | 11 days before | Last safe day outside Hyderabad | | 8 days before | Last safe day within Hyderabad | | When the packs arrive | Count them, open one, keep the rest closed | | Party day | Hand them out as the children leave | ## When to order return gifts: how many days before the party? Two weeks before is safe for every city. The last safe day is 8 days before the party within Hyderabad and 11 days before for other cities, and both still leave a day between delivery and the party. | Delivering to | Dispatch | Delivery after dispatch | Order at least | |---|---|---|---| | Hyderabad | 2 to 3 business days | 1 to 2 days | 8 days before the party | | Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi | 2 to 3 business days | 3 to 5 days | 11 days before the party | | Anywhere else in India | 2 to 3 business days | 3 to 5 days | 11 days before the party | Why 8 and 11 days, when 2 to 3 business days plus delivery sounds shorter? Because dispatch is counted in business days, so a weekend inside that window adds two days. An order placed on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday waits longest, and the dates above allow for that worst case. For a party on Sunday 6 December 2026, that means ordering by Saturday 28 November for delivery within Hyderabad, or by Wednesday 25 November for any other city. ## What should you decide three weeks before the party? Two numbers: how many packs, and how much to spend on each. Count the children you are inviting, then add 10 packs. That is the buffer we suggest for the siblings, cousins and neighbours' children who arrive on the day. Our minimum order is 5 packs and there is no maximum. Then set a budget per pack. Packs start at ₹150, which covers up to ₹125 of products and a ₹25 gift bag; our guide to [return gifts under ₹150](/blog/return-gifts-under-150) shows what fits. For bigger packs, our [premium combos](/blog/premium-return-gifts-for-kids) start above ₹250. Three weeks out is also the time to settle anything personal, because these details go in with the order: - **Names on bottles.** The 330 ml rabbit water bottle can be engraved with each child's name. A short list of names fits in the Special Instructions box at checkout, which takes 200 characters; send a longer list to our team on WhatsApp. - **Your own text on the bag.** The customised theme bag is printed on one side with any theme and text you choose. - **The thank-you card.** Every pack includes a printed card. Keep your message to 160 characters; our team confirms the wording with you on WhatsApp after you order. ## Why order two weeks ahead if 8 or 11 days is enough? Because the last safe day has no slack. Business days skip public holidays as well as weekends, so a festival week can push dispatch back by a day or two. If your party falls around Diwali, our [Diwali return gifts guide](/blog/diwali-return-gifts-for-kids) has order-by dates worked out for 8 November. Two weeks also leaves time for the guest list to change. If more children say yes after you order, you can place a second order, but it needs at least 5 packs, it starts the dispatch clock again and it carries its own delivery charge. Spare packs in the first order are simpler. ## What happens after you place the order? Three things happen before the packs reach you: 1. Our team messages you on WhatsApp to confirm the thank-you card message. 2. The order is dispatched within 2 to 3 business days. 3. The courier delivers in 1 to 2 days within Hyderabad, or 3 to 5 days to other cities. Delivery is charged once per order. As of October 2026 it is ₹250 under ₹5,000, ₹150 from ₹5,000 to ₹9,999, and free from ₹10,000. ## What should you check when the packs arrive? Count the packs against your order, then open one and check the items and the card. Keep the rest closed until the party, so nothing goes missing from the bags. Piggybanks, bottles and many other items come in assorted colours, sent based on availability, so the packs will not all look identical. If anything else looks wrong, message us on WhatsApp the same day, while there are still days to spare before the party. ## Ordering late? Start from a combo If you are inside the two-week window, a ready-made combo saves the time you would spend choosing items one by one. Based on Celebration Gifting orders, water bottles, stationery, paint kits and books are what parents reorder most, and these two combos are built on the first two: **Return gift combo:** [Smart Value Pack](https://www.celebrationgifting.in/combos/niceglassbottle-combo), ₹185 per pack **Return gift combo:** [School Fun Hamper](https://www.celebrationgifting.in/combos/school-fun-hamper), ₹235 per pack Both come in a Happy Birthday bag. New to the builder? Read [how to use Build Your Pack](/blog/how-to-build-a-custom-return-gift-pack) for a step-by-step walkthrough. ## Quick answers ### How many days before a birthday party should I order return gifts? Two weeks is safe anywhere in India. The last safe day is 8 days before the party for delivery within Hyderabad and 11 days before for other cities, which still gets the packs to you a day early. ### How long does delivery take to Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai or Delhi? 3 to 5 days after dispatch, the same as every other city outside Hyderabad. Dispatch takes 2 to 3 business days from your order. ### Can I order return gifts a week before the party? Within Hyderabad, only just: order at least 8 days ahead to be safe. Outside Hyderabad a week is too short in the worst case, so allow 11 days. ### Can I add more packs after ordering? You can place a second order of at least 5 packs. It has its own dispatch and delivery time and its own delivery charge, so it is better to include spare packs in the first order. ### What is the minimum order? 5 packs, with no maximum. Delivery is free on orders from ₹10,000. --- Celebration Gifting is an India-based return gift company that builds personalised birthday return gift packs for kids, from ₹150 per child, delivered across India.