Traditions operates as a family-owned year-round holiday store born out of a deep love for Christmas and family traditions. Gary and Barbara Thomas instilled this spirit early on, from blaring Christmas music at dawn to scouring holiday shops during family road trips. What started as a seasonal aisle in Gary’s grocery store grew into a full-blown business after the 1994 Northridge earthquake, when the family salvaged and restored discarded furniture to decorate their first store. To their surprise, the furniture itself began selling. The current catalog presentation highlights vintage-inspired décor full of stars, stripes, and classic Americana charm to brighten the home, with bestseller placement for Lori Mitchell’s Patriotic figures that bring a whimsical twist to classic Americana décor. With their playful proportions and signature folk-art style, these charming characters add warmth, personality, and a touch of nostalgia to any celebration. Joe Spencer’s Patriotic dolls combine classic Americana style with handcrafted charm. Featuring his iconic folk-art aesthetic and expressive detailing, each piece offers a unique way to celebrate the season while adding warmth and personality to home décor. Store reviews by real customers are presented alongside the catalog experience.
Free Shipping Thresholds and Select Product Coverage
Free shipping is offered on select products. Free shipping is also offered on orders of $99+ lower 48 states only. Products that ship for free are sent via the cheapest shipping method which is typically UPS Ground, Or USPS Ground Advantage. If multiple items are ordered alongside the product that ships for free, then the shipping rate displayed is ONLY for the additional items. Free shipping + the cost to ship the other items applies in that scenario. Free shipping cannot be combined with other discounts or coupons. Some exclusions apply.
When an expedited shipping method is selected, 2-Day, Overnight, or Priority Mail Express, the order is pushed to the front of the line and we do our best to ship it out the same day it is received. We are not responsible for late shipments. While carriers do their best, delivery estimates are not guaranteed during the holidays.
International shipments are handled daily. Real-time shipping rates during checkout are offered from several different carriers. Taxes/Fees may be due upon delivery, unless stated otherwise. Deliveries are usually made within two weeks. That said, please allow up to 21 days for delivery in the event of issues with customs or weather delays.
Order Accuracy and Shipping Responsibility
Please make sure that you enter the correct address during checkout. Address validation is built in, while mistakes are rare, they can still happen. If we receive a returned package, we're happy to credit you for your order. However, you will still be responsible for shipping. Likewise if we have to send out your package again, you will be responsible for the cost of shipping.
Combining orders is no longer possible. Please note that we can no longer combine orders.
Returns Authorization and Refund Mechanics
We do accept returns. However, the return must be authorized by emailing or calling us within 30 days of receiving your order. We will not authorize or accept returns after this period. All returns must be sent back to us in the same condition that we sent the item to you. We can send you a return label via download or email. You will be refunded upon receipt minus shipping costs. The package must be insured. If you return an item to us and it is uninsured, and it breaks upon shipping back to us, we will not issue a refund. However, if you do ship the items back to us and they arrive in the same condition that we sent the item to you, we will then credit your credit card for the amount of the items returned, not the shipping costs.
Items returned to us will be refunded to the credit card used for the original order. Shipping charges will not be credited back to your card. If free shipping was used with your purchase, you will be credited for your items minus the cost to ship them to you. It may take up to a week for credits to apply.
If multiple items are ordered alongside the product that ships for free, then the shipping rate displayed is ONLY for the additional items. Free shipping + the cost to ship the other items applies. Free shipping cannot be combined with other discounts or coupons. Some exclusions apply.
International returns are limited. We apologize, but we cannot send return labels to our international customers. Returns must be sent back to us via the recipient's local carrier.
Damaged Item Protocol
If an item is damaged in shipping, first of all we are so sorry. Unfortunately things happen in transit, but we are here to help. PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY at 800-538-2446. We must be contacted within 10 days of receiving the order, otherwise we may not be able to replace the item. Please note that we require an image of the damaged product, the outside packaging with label, and inside packaging be sent to us either via email or text. You must hold on to all packaging material and items including damaged pieces until the matter is resolved.
If you purchased Traditions Premium Shipping Protection click HERE. Otherwise read below. We apologize, but we cannot be held responsible for stolen packages or missing packages marked as delivered by the shipping companies. We do our best to follow up with our shipping companies, but more often than not, the matter will not be resolved. Please make sure you are shipping your package to a safe location.
International customers should note that a credit may be issued instead of replacement.
Special Orders and Non-Returnable Items
Special orders require a 50% deposit at the time the order is placed. The remainder of the balance will be charged to the credit card you provide when the item is shipped to you. If we special order an item for you, it will not be accepted for return.
If you do ship the items back to us and they arrive in the same condition that we sent the item to you, we will then credit your credit card for the amount of the items returned, not the shipping costs. Items must be returned within 10 days of approval.
Catalog Access and Shopping Context
The store catalog interface shows messaging for returns and cart status. Making a return? Tap here to get your return label and see our policy. You have no items in your shopping cart. Was added to your shopping cart. Out of stock.
Holiday shopping behavior informs how free shipping thresholds interact with purchase decisions. A sale or discount is the leading reason to convince you to shop as shown in Table 6.
Table 4: Why Plan to Shop Thanksgiving Weekend?
| Percent | |
|---|---|
| The deals are too good to pass up | 57.0 |
| It’s tradition; I shop Thanksgiving weekend all/most years | 27.8 |
| I like to start my holiday shopping over Thanksgiving weekend | 23.5 |
| It’s something to do over the holiday weekend | 22.4 |
| It’s a group activity with friends/family | 14.8 |
| I like to finish my holiday shopping over Thanksgiving weekend | 14.2 |
| It’s a people-watching event | 7.9 |
| I wanted to see what the fuss is about | 4.9 |
Table 5: Why Plan Not to Shop Thanksgiving Weekend?
| Percent | |
|---|---|
| I don’t enjoy the experience | 47.0 |
| I never shop during Thanksgiving weekend | 44.8 |
| The deals aren’t good enough | 13.1 |
| I can get good deals all season long | 10.9 |
| I have already completed my holiday shopping | 8.4 |
Table 6: What Would Convince You to Shop Over Thanksgiving Weekend?
| Percent | |
|---|---|
| A sale or discount on an item I want | 27.8 |
| A free shipping offer | 11.9 |
| If a family member or friend invited me/wanted me to go | 11.6 |
| If I could know for sure the items I wanted would be available | 10.9 |
| An online or in-store event | 10.6 |
| A gift-with-purchase offer | 8.4 |
| If the best deals lasted all day long | 7.2 |
| The option to buy or reserve an item online to pick it up in-store | 6.5 |
| Limited-time merchandise | 6.1 |
| To support a special cause or event | 4.4 |
| Nothing would change my mind about shopping over |
Free shipping offers rank as a measurable motivator in the Thanksgiving weekend shopping consideration set, with 11.9 percent indicating a free shipping offer would convince them to shop over Thanksgiving weekend. The data shows a sale or discount on an item wanted leads at 27.8 percent, while free shipping sits as a secondary but distinct lever.
Conclusion
The Traditions catalog free shipping framework centers on two clear triggers: select product eligibility and a $99+ order threshold limited to the lower 48 states. Free shipping is fulfilled via the cheapest available method, typically UPS Ground or USPS Ground Advantage, and is explicitly non-combinable with other discounts or coupons. When a free-shipping product is mixed with additional items, the displayed shipping rate applies only to the non-free items, creating a partial free shipping scenario that requires careful cart composition.
Returns are authorized within a strict 30-day window from receipt, with refunds issued to the original credit card minus shipping costs and contingent on insured return shipping and condition matching. International customers face additional friction, as return labels are not provided and returns must be self-managed via local carriers. Special orders carry a 50 percent deposit and are non-returnable, and damaged-in-transit claims require immediate contact within 10 days, photographic documentation of product, outer packaging with label, and inner packaging, and retention of all materials until resolution.
Expedited options exist for same-day processing push, but carrier performance during holidays remains outside Traditions responsibility. Address accuracy is enforced at checkout with validation, yet the buyer remains liable for re-ship costs when address errors generate returns. The catalog presentation reinforces a year-round holiday identity with Americana and folk-art bestsellers, while the shipping and returns policy provides the operational guardrails that define the cost and risk profile for customers using free shipping thresholds in seasonal purchase cycles.