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Ania Grogan, 57, from Worcestershire, sent cards to her daughter Jessica Grogan, who is studying at Arts University Bournemouth and lives in the Winton area, BH9.
But despite posting them a week in advance, none of the 15 birthday cards reached her.
Ania said she has been left “annoyed and upset” by the situation and cried when she realised her daughter would spend her birthday without receiving a single card from home.
She said: “I was crying last week. We made sure we sent everything one week earlier, so she gets them on time. There are 15 cards waiting to reach her.”
Jessica told her mum that neighbours in the area were also experiencing severe delays, with some not receiving any post at all.
Ania said residents were told the issue is due to staffing shortages.
Ania added: “People are saying they are not getting their post.
“My daughter hasn’t received any parcels in two weeks.”
Ania said the most difficult part was knowing her daughter had to celebrate her 21st birthday away from home, without family and without the cards they had lovingly prepared.
She added: “As a mother, it’s hard.
“Can you imagine your daughter away from home, she doesn’t get any cards either? It’s not very nice at all.”
She added that the family paid extra for quicker delivery, hoping to ensure the cards arrived on time, but the delays meant Jessica is still left waiting.
“She couldn’t come home because she is working and studying.
“She has university and her job. She is still waiting for her birthday cards.”
Councillor Duane Farr, Kinson ward and is leader of the BCP Reform UK Group, said he was approached by several residents concerned about missing post on Facebook in his ward and other areas.
Cllr Farr said he lives in BH11 and was also waiting for items to arrive.
He said: “It seems the posties are under a lot of pressure due to a shortage of staff; however, it seems this isn’t a new problem.
“Residents and businesses who rely on the Royal Mail service to receive and send mail would appreciate an update of when things will hopefully improve and how they could collect any post or parcels if urgently needed.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We take any reports of delay seriously and are looking into the concerns raised in parts of Bournemouth.
“We want to reassure customers that the overwhelming majority of mail is being delivered on time, and where a route is affected we prioritise delayed items the following day.
“As we head into the Christmas period, our teams are well prepared to keep deliveries consistent and reliable.”
