6 essential Christmas dates from last post deadlines to defrosting the turkey

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – and with just over two weeks until the big day, some of us may be feeling a little overwhelmed by everything we’ve still got to do.

With presents to buy, cards to post and Christmas dinner to prepare, the tasks can soon mount up, and it’s easy to lose track of what needs to be done when.

To help things run a little more smoothly, we’ve compiled the key dates to add to your festive to-do list so you can (hopefully) find time to relax with a mince pie or two.

Last date to write to Santa to get a reply

If your kids plan to write to Santa this year, it’s best to do it today. Letters sent via Royal Mail must arrive by 10 December to give Father Christmas enough time to reply.

Royal Mail Santa address:

Santa/Father Christmas
Santa’s Grotto
Reindeerland
XM4 5HQ

If you miss the deadline, though, don’t worry – if you’re not concerned about a reply, letters can still be placed up the chimney until Christmas Eve.

Some charities also have a direct line to the big man and can still get a letter or email to your child before Christmas. These include Alder Hey Children’s Hospital (£5) and The Childhood Trust (free, with the option to donate). We’ve also rounded up a few other ways to get personalised letters from Santa here.

Last postal dates for Royal Mail

You’ve written the cards and wrapped the presents to send to family – just make sure you post them in plenty of time.

Royal Mail states that “it’s always advisable to post as early as possible” but to ensure your festive deliveries get there in time for Christmas, these are the last posting dates.

Prices for parcels and different services vary, but as a guide, a first-class stamp costs £1.70 and a second-class stamp is 87p.

Last dates to send parcels by Evri

Parcel delivery service Evri, allows you to collect and return items via courier, locker or one of its ParcelShops, based in more than 9,000 shops across the UK. This year, its last posting dates for Christmas are:

Cheap veg goes on sale at supermarkets

Many of the major supermarkets reduce the price of popular festive veg in the days before Christmas, so it’s a good time to stock up. So far, the supermarkets that have announced their reductions and when they’ll be available include:

Aldi

From 18-24 December Aldi will be selling the following veg staples for just 8p each

Lidl

From 18-24  December, Lidl is reducing these Christmas staples to 8p each

Other supermarkets are yet to announce if they’ll be reducing their veg, but last year Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda cut prices to 15p on the 18 or 19 December, and Morrisons reduced them to 10p around the same time.

Date to defrost the turkey

If you’re cooking a frozen turkey this year, make sure you take it out of the freezer in time. Whole turkeys can take between three and five days to thoroughly defrost, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

If a turkey isn’t fully defrosted, it may cook unevenly and could put you at risk of food poisoning.

The exact time a turkey takes depends on its size. There may be instructions for defrosting on the packaging, but if not, the FSA says allow around 10-12 hours per kg.

Turkeys should ideally be defrosted on the bottom shelf of the fridge rather than at room temperature.

Supermarket closing times on Christmas Eve

If you’ve got any last-minute bits and pieces to get in ahead of Christmas, remember, most major supermarkets will be closing early on Christmas Eve. Times can vary depending on location, so always check first, but this is when many supermarkets will be shutting:

Christmas Eve closing times

• Sainsbury’s – 6am to 7pm (convenience stores 6am to 9pm)

• Tesco – 6am to 7pm (Tesco Express 7am to 10pm)

• Waitrose – check individual store

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