If I purchase an Ipad for my child for Christmas, do I have to purchase Apple Care now, or can I do it like next week?

You can buy it within 60 days, or a year if Apple offers that in your country. Click here and see the 'How to buy' section.

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The standard AppleCare limited warranty starts on the day of purchase.

In most countries where AppleCare+ is available, if required, the optional (additional fee) AppleCare+ plan must be purchased within 60-days from the day of purchase. As such for a device that you buy today (7th November), you have no reason to rush - as you’ll have until early January to purchase the additional cover.

Cover can be purchased directly from qualifying devices, from settings, after initial activation.