Time running out to send Christmas cards by 2nd class post

Time really is running out to get your cards and parcels to family and friends in time for Christmas.

With meeting people over the festive period looking more and more difficult owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and surging infections caused by the omicron variant; getting gifts and good wishes to loved ones could be more important than ever this year.

But Saturday December 18 is the last date you can post items second class in order to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas Day.

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Many post boxes in residential areas will have the mail collected from them early on Saturday morning, but there will be a later collection from larger post offices.

If you miss the date for second class then there is time to catch the first class service. The last posting day for first class items is Tuesday 21 December.

Items sent by Royal Mail Tracked 24 can be sent up to Wednesday and those sent by Special Delivery Guaranteed can be sent on Thursday December 23.