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Christmas Day is a magical time for many of us.
It’s quality time with family or friends, a chance to feast on some lovely food, wear festive jumpers, maybe enjoy a tipple or two – and more often than not, dive into a big pile of presents.
Unless you do all your Christmas shopping online last-minute, of course, and none of the gifts arrive on time. Not very magical at all.
Luckily, lots of retailers give an exact date when you’ll need to order Christmas shopping by, so you can all-but-guarantee your gifts will be under the tree by December 25.
So, when is the last date you can order a gift in 2021 – a year of Covid restrictions and major stock shortages?
Here’s what Royal Mail, Amazon, John Lewis and more major retailers have said so far…
Royal Mail last posting dates
For a parcel to arrive by Christmas Day, your latest option is to send by Special Delivery Guaranteed on Thursday, December 23.
That’s cutting it a bit fine. But you can send by Royal Mail Tracked 24 Hours until Wednesday, December 22.
First class post, including first class signed-for packages and Royal Mail Tracked 48 Hours, need to be sent by Tuesday, December 21.
Second class mail (including signed-for) has to be sent off by Saturday, December 18.
You’ll need to be aware of your nearest post office’s opening times, too, so you can get it sent off on the right day.
These are all dates for UK shipping, too. International dates for Christmas are much earlier, and can be viewed in full at Royal Mail’s last Christmas 2021 posting dates.
Amazon last posting dates
Thursday, December 23 is your last Christmas posting date for most Amazon purchases.
However, if you use Amazon Prime, you may be able to send off certain gifts as late as Friday, December 24, using Same Day Delivery.
It should state clearly when the item will be expected to arrive, so you can check before you click ‘buy’.
Unfortunately, you can’t last minute order on December 25, aka the big day, even with Prime.
Argos last posting dates
Like Amazon, the last day you can order from Argos is Friday, December 24.
Yep, you can get some last-minute shopping done and presents delivered on Christmas Eve. Phew.
ASOS last posting dates
The last day you can order from clothing hub ASOS is Thursday, December 23.
If your loved one is after stylish new shoes or you’re looking for a sparkly Christmas outfit to wear on Christmas Day, best to move quickly.
It is expected that for select postcodes, a Christmas Eve order might be possible. But don’t count on it.
Boots last posting dates
No last-minute buys from Boots, unless you’re shopping in-person.
To get your Christmas gift in on time, you’ll need to order no later than Sunday, December 19.
Curry’s PC World last posting dates
If you order by 7pm on Monday, December 20, your gift should arrive by Christmas Day.
Curry’s PC World does note that this is a guide, not a guarantee. It could be affected by bad weather, for example. Out of stock or pre-order items don’t count, either.
With any major tech gifts, you’re best off ordering earlier to avoid disappointment.
John Lewis last posting dates
Generally speaking, John Lewis orders made by Wednesday, December 22 should arrive in time for Christmas.
However, the John Lewis website clearly states that delivery cut-off times ‘may vary’ over the Christmas period. It depends on the item, and if it is available on Next Day Delivery.
To know the exact arrival date of your desired gift, look at the checkout, as it should give you an estimate before you buy.
Standard delivery items, purchased by 7pm from December 19 onwards, should arrive in early in January.
Marks & Spencer last posting dates
If you’re looking for M&S Christmas food, you’re out of luck. It’s no longer available to order online.
It’s still available in shops, though. And as for gift orders from the non-Foodhall section, they should be ordered no later than Wednesday, December 22.
Next last posting dates
Last orders for Next, to arrive by Christmas, as due on the daytime of Thursday, December 23.
Selfridges last posting dates
Londoners hoping to give the gift of something fancy from Selfridges this year have until Christmas Eve to get their orders in.
This date doesn’t apply people living elsewhere in the UK, just the capital – so make sure you’re London-based and have checked the expected delivery date before you commit to the purchase.
Smyths Toys last posting dates
It’s not yet clear what Smyths Toys last posting dates for a Christmas Day arrival is.
But it’s heavily-advised that parents buy their children’s toys as early as possible this year – due to stock shortages and the general disruption we’ve faced in recent months.
To get ahead of the curve, find out what this year’s top Christmas toys will be.
Very last posting dates
For Christmas deliver from Very, you’ll need to order by 10pm on Tuesday, December 21.
Very.co.uk has a full list of expected (general) home delivery dates based on the type of purchase you’d like to make, too.
The website also states: ‘You will be presented with the accurate delivery time for each item in your basket at checkout. At busy times this may be a little longer than normal.’
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