Last-minute gift giving can be a challenge, but Apple is cutting costs to get your goods to you as quickly as possible.

For a limited time, Apple has reduced the cost of delivery within two hours to $5, about half the normal rate. In most urban areas, same-day delivery is also available if ordered by a certain time. This reduction in delivery fees seems to be Apple's response to the increasing number of people staying home during this holiday shopping season amidst the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

To receive same-day delivery from Apple, customers must order items that are in stock at their local Apple Store. Apple also states that same-day delivery is limited to eligible products, but a quick look at Apple's online store suggests that it is a fairly large net at this time. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and was able to order an iPhone 12 mini, AirPods, and Apple Watch Series 6 on the same day from Apple's website.

Apple gear may be harder to come by as we get closer to Christmas, but Apple stores also stock third-party items and accessories.

Speaking of shopping deadlines, the last day to purchase most Apple hardware and have it shipped before Christmas is December 22. (Same-day delivery is also available in some cities for in-stock items.) According to a list on Apple's website, order deadlines for some products are fast approaching.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac mini must be ordered by today (December 14) if wanted by December 24. The deadline to order the engraved AirPods and AirPods Pro is also this week, December 16. If you want an engraved iPod touch, you must order by December 15. [The iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, and HomePod mini won't be in your hands by Christmas Eve, but Apple says that same-day delivery options and in-store pickup The shipping deadline for all iPad models except the iPad mini has also passed, and Apple's smallest tablets must be ordered by December 16 to be shipped to your home before Christmas.