With the festive season fast approaching, Britons are being urged to take note of crucial final posting dates to ensure their Christmas cards and gifts arrive before December 25th. Both Royal Mail and the courier service Evri have issued their deadlines for the 2025 holiday period, aiming to help customers avoid disappointment.
Royal Mail's Festive Cut-Off Dates
The national postal service has outlined a series of deadlines based on the type of service selected. The earliest final posting date is for second class mail, which is Wednesday, December 17th. For those relying on first class post, items must be sent by Saturday, December 20th. Customers requiring the highest certainty can use the 'Special Delivery Guaranteed' service right up until Tuesday, December 23rd, though this naturally comes at a premium.
Royal Mail is preparing for the annual influx by hiring extra temporary staff to manage the volume of festive and everyday mail. The service has also highlighted that Monday, December 8th is predicted to be the busiest posting day across the UK this Christmas, underscoring the need to act early to beat the rush.
Evri's Parcel Delivery Deadlines
Meanwhile, the parcel delivery giant Evri has also confirmed its schedule for pre-Christmas deliveries. For standard UK delivery or courier collection, the final date to send parcels is Friday, December 19th. If you are using an Evri ParcelShop or Locker and require a next-day delivery service, your last opportunity will be Saturday, December 20th.
Evri bosses have advised customers to plan ahead thoroughly. They recommend aiming to post items several days before the stated deadlines to account for any unexpected delays and to guarantee peace of mind during the hectic festive period.
Act Early to Avoid Festive Disappointment
Both services have emphasised that these deadlines are guides and can be impacted by external factors such as severe winter weather or potential industrial action. Therefore, the universal advice is to post your Christmas items as early as possible.
With millions of cards, presents, and parcels expected to crisscross the country in December, adhering to these cut-off points is the surest way to ensure your festive greetings and gifts reach their destinations in time for Christmas Day. Planning ahead and acting early remains the simplest strategy to navigate the seasonal postal surge successfully.
