Royal Mail, Hermes and DPD give advice on making sure Christmas presents arrive on time

As Christmas approaches it’s important to make sure that everyone’s present is delivered on time.

Although this Christmas will be drastically different to last year’s, some families may still not all be together.

If you’re planning on sending gifts to loved ones, then it is important to know the deadlines for when to send, and also the different companies’ policies this festive season.

Here we can tell you some of the main delivery services operating this Christmas season:

Hermes

Hermes has revealed its 2021 Christmas courier deadlines.

Senders are advised to leave plenty of time before the big day to avoid disappointment. For your gifts to arrive before Christmas, make a note today.

UK latest recommended posting dates for Christmas 2021 are:

Monday 20th December – Last day for Hermes courier collection.

Midday Tuesday 21st December – Last day to send a standard delivery parcel from Hermes ParcelShop or locker by 12 noon.

Midday Wednesday 22nd December – Last day to send a next-day delivery parcel from Hermes ParcelShop or locker by 12 noon.

Christmas is by far the busiest period for delivery services in the UK and this year is shaping up to be no different. Last year almost 72 million packages were delivered by Hermes between Black Friday and Christmas Eve, an increase of 30 million from 2019.

To prepare for expected record peak volumes Hermes has announced more than 7,500 employed and agency colleagues will be hired to support the company.

The delivery service has invested £31 million into infrastructure, meaning the company now has the capacity to process 3.7 million parcels daily: 550,000 a day more than last year.

The parcel delivery service is also encouraging senders to make sure parcels are well wrapped before sending them.

Read more: How you can get free products from M&S and Costa this December

Royal Mail

Royal Mail’s Parcel Collect service is a convenient way to send parcels or returns this Christmas. With this service, postmen and postwomen collect parcels and returns from customers while they carry out their daily rounds.

As well as offering even higher levels of convenience, the move enables online sellers and online shoppers to mail or return a pre-paid item by post from the comfort of their own home. Royal Mail’s Parcel Post Boxes are another option for sending parcels or return items.

Royal Mail is encouraging customers to order their online gifts and shopping well in advance, and to post their festive greetings early, to help its postmen and women deliver the bumper festive mailbag.

UK latest recommended posting dates for Christmas 2021 are:

Saturday 18 December – 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed For, Royal Mail 48.

Tuesday 21 December – 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For Royal Mail 24.

Thursday 23 December – Special Delivery Guaranteed.

Read more: Where can you buy a real Christmas tree in North Wales?

DPD

DPD have advised people to “pack like a professional” and warned that, while they always take the utmost care with every package, there is the possibility of damage if certain goods are incorrectly packaged.

They’ve asked people to use high quality boxes or parcel bags and make sure the goods are protected with appropriate packaging.

All delivery companies have a restricted items list. Make sure you check the list as there will be certain goods that they can’t carry, and you won’t be covered if something goes wrong.

Make sure you send your parcel in plenty of time if you wish for it to arrive in time for Christmas. You can use the DPD Quote Tool to get an estimated time of delivery throughout England, Wales, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

Essential Tips to Pack like a Pro

• Use suitable packaging. Avoid using flimsy materials like bin bags for external packaging.

• Pack empty spaces Use scrunched up newspaper and cardboard to fill any empty space inside your parcel.

• Tape it up Use a strong tape to cover all openings, secure loose edges, and cover corners for added defence.

• Labelling: Cover up old labels and include your own details inside the box.

• Think green Recycle old boxes or envelopes if you can but be sure to make sure these are in a sturdy condition and suitable for delivery.

Who will you be spending Christmas with this year? Let us know in the comments