Hundreds of hampers from Chrisco have been delayed after containers were held up because of the Kaikoura earthquake.
A spokeswoman for the Christmas hamper company, Vickie Martin, said 753 customers had been affected after the 7.8 magnitude quake near Kaikoura damaged Wellington's port.
This meant Chrisco couldn't get two containers of stock onto the wharf, but assured the good would arrive by Christmas.
"Because of that [the earthquake] everything got bumped out and we had to reschedule delivery."
Martin said they advised all affected customers by text or phone that the new delivery date would be December 9.
Both delayed containers had now arrived in Wellington and are now in the Courier Post network for delivery.
Martin confirmed Chrisco would take a 20 per cent cancellation fee up to a maximum of $250 if concerned customers cancelled an order after 21 days, but if Chrisco was unable to deliver the goods in time for Christmas, customers would get a full refund.
Wellington woman Roxanne Caldow claimed she paid off $4000 worth of Chrisco's goods in October.
She said two of her deliveries had arrived, but presents for her 9 and 10-year-old children haven't.
"It was a bit of a dog's breakfast. It's painful. I don't have a backup plan."
Caldow got nervous the presents wouldn't arrive by Christmas so she asked for a refund.
She said she was told she would lose 20 per cent of the order's value, which would be "a big hit" to her financially.
"You can't predict a natural disaster but I asked 'can I just get the money back' because Christmas is coming and I don't want it to be bad for my kids. Then I won't have a Christmas.
"I would hate for it to happen to anyone else."
The delay adds stress to an already hard year. Caldow and her mum Julie are beneficiaries living in a motel with Caldow's children.
"We've been homeless for six months and am finding it hard to get a house.
"With depression and anxiety it hasn't been too good on me and my family."