Key takeaways
- Total time is production (most orders 3–7 business days) plus tracked shipping (about 6–12 business days, depending on the country).
- Business days exclude weekends and public holidays, so the calendar time is longer than the numbers suggest.
- Order early for Christmas and Valentine's Day; Lunar New Year (February 6, 2027) slows workshops and carriers in China.
- UK Mothering Sunday is in March (March 7, 2027); the US, Canada and Australia celebrate Mother's Day in May (May 9, 2027).
- Prices for the UK and EU include VAT; for the US, Canada and Australia, duties and taxes follow the shipping option shown at checkout.
How long do personalized gifts take to arrive?
A personalized gift goes through two stages before it reaches you: it is made with your text, then it travels to your door. Here is how that adds up for most Ink & Peony orders:
| Stage | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Making | Your piece is personalized with your name, initials, date or birth flower, then packed | Most orders: 3–7 business days |
| Tracked shipping | Your parcel travels from China to your address with tracking | About 6–12 business days, depending on the country |
| Total | From order to delivery | Roughly 9–19 business days, or about two to four weeks |
Business days exclude weekends and public holidays, so the calendar time is longer than the numbers suggest. The delivery estimate on each product page is the best guide to current timing, and our shipping page has details by country.
Why do personalized gifts take longer than regular gifts?
Ready-made gifts sit on a warehouse shelf waiting to be shipped. Ours don't exist until you order. Each piece is designed by our team and made by specialist workshops in Guangzhou and Hangzhou, China, once your personalization comes in: names engraved on the hearts of a Namesake Heart Charm Bracelet, a name and birth flower printed on a Birth Flower Makeup Bag, or a monogram digitally printed in the corner of a Peony Garden Silk Scarf. That extra time is what makes the gift hers alone.
When should you order personalized gifts for holidays?
Work back from the day you will give the gift, then add a buffer for busy seasons. As a guide:
| Occasion | Date | Aim to order |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas | December 25 | As early in November as you can |
| Valentine's Day | February 14 | By early January |
| Mothering Sunday (UK and Ireland) | Three weeks before Easter; March 7 in 2027 | By mid-January |
| Mother's Day (US, Canada, Australia) | Second Sunday in May; May 9 in 2027 | By early April |
| Weddings and bridesmaid gifts | Your date | Four to six weeks before you give them |
| Birthdays and anniversaries | Varies | At least four weeks ahead |
Christmas
November and December are among the busiest weeks of the year for workshops and carriers worldwide, so the earlier you order, the more comfortable your margin. Check the delivery estimate on the product page before you check out, and browse our Christmas gifts for pieces that personalize well.
Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year
Valentine's Day often falls close to Lunar New Year, China's most important holiday, when many workshops and carriers pause for a week or more. In 2027, Lunar New Year falls on February 6, so order Valentine's gifts in early January to stay well ahead of the break.
Mother's Day in the UK vs the US
The UK and Ireland celebrate Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday of Lent, three weeks before Easter, so the date moves each year and usually lands in March. In 2027 it is on March 7, a month after Lunar New Year, so ordering by mid-January is the safest plan. The US, Canada and Australia celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May, which is May 9 in 2027. Dates differ across the rest of Europe, so check your local date. Our Mother's Day gifts are ready to personalize for either.
Weddings
For bridesmaid gifts, order four to six weeks before you plan to hand them out, and count back from the shower or rehearsal dinner if you are giving them early.
What can slow down a personalized order?
- Peak seasons, especially November and December and the weeks before Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.
- Chinese public holidays, including Lunar New Year (late January or February), the Labor Day holiday in early May and the National Day Golden Week in early October.
- Customs processing in the destination country, which can vary in length.
- Address problems, such as a missing apartment number or ZIP or postal code.
- Personalization questions, if we need to confirm unclear text with you before production.
- Weather and carrier disruptions along the route.
Is shipping tracked?
Yes. Every order ships with tracking, and we send tracking details once your parcel is dispatched. It is normal for tracking to update less often at certain points, for example while the parcel is processed for export or clears customs, and when it is handed to the local carrier in your country. If tracking has not changed for an unusually long time, contact us with your order number. Our FAQ answers other common delivery questions.
Will I pay customs duties or VAT on an order shipped from China?
UK and EU
Prices for the UK and EU include VAT. The VAT is part of the price you see on the product page and at checkout, and our shipping page has current details for your country.
US, Canada and Australia
Import duties and taxes are handled according to the shipping option shown at checkout. Because customs rules change from time to time, please check our shipping page for the current details for your country before you order. We don't quote specific duty rates here, as they depend on your country's rules at the time of import.
How can you make sure your gift arrives on time?
- Check the delivery estimate on the product page before you order.
- Count back from the moment you will give it, not the event itself, whether that is a shower, a dinner or a flight.
- Proofread your personalization. Spelling, capitalization and dates are made exactly as entered; our personalization guide has tips.
- Use a complete address, including apartment or unit number and postal code.
- Ship to yourself if you want to wrap the gift or add a handwritten card.
- Add a buffer of at least a week before major holidays.
Order early, give with confidence
The most thoughtful gifts are often the ones planned a little ahead. Choose a piece, add her name, and give it time to be made and shipped. Browse our Christmas gifts now, or bookmark this guide for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and the weddings coming up next year.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a personalized gift take to make?
Most Ink & Peony orders are made in 3–7 business days. Each piece is personalized after you order, so this production time comes before shipping. Busy periods such as November and December, and Chinese public holidays such as Lunar New Year, can add time. The delivery estimate on each product page is the best guide to current timing.
How long does shipping from China take?
Tracked shipping usually takes about 6–12 business days after dispatch, depending on the destination country and customs processing. Together with production, most orders arrive in roughly two to four weeks. Tracking may update less often at first while the parcel is processed for export, which is normal. See our shipping page for current details.
When is Mothering Sunday in the UK?
Mothering Sunday in the UK falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent, three weeks before Easter Sunday, so the date changes every year and usually lands in March. In 2027 it is on March 7. Mother's Day in the US, Canada and Australia is the second Sunday in May, which is May 9 in 2027.
Do I have to pay import duties or VAT?
Prices for the UK and EU include VAT. For the US, Canada and Australia, import duties and taxes are handled according to the shipping option shown at checkout. Because customs rules can change, please check our shipping page for the current details for your country before you place your order.
When should I order personalized Christmas gifts?
Order as early in November as you can. Most personalized orders need 3–7 business days to make plus about 6–12 business days of tracked shipping, and the weeks before Christmas are among the busiest of the year for workshops and carriers. Check the delivery estimate on each product page before you order.
Can I track my order?
Yes. Every Ink & Peony order ships with tracking, and we send tracking details once your parcel is dispatched. Expect some quiet periods, such as while the parcel is processed for export or clears customs. If tracking has not updated for an unusually long time, contact us with your order number and we will look into it.
