Christmas 2026
Christmas postage 2026: last posting dates, prices & tips
When to post your cards and presents so they arrive in time, what it costs, and how to send everything for less.
UK last posting dates
These are estimated dates. Royal Mail hasn't published its official 2026 last posting dates yet. We've based these on previous years and set them slightly early to be safe. We'll update this page as soon as the official dates are announced.
| Service | Post by |
|---|---|
| 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For | Wednesday 16 December estimated |
| Royal Mail Tracked 48 | Friday 18 December estimated |
| 1st Class and 1st Class Signed For | Saturday 19 December estimated |
| Royal Mail Tracked 24 | Sunday 20 December estimated |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed | Tuesday 22 December estimated |
Dates are for delivery by Christmas Eve to most UK addresses. Remote areas, the Scottish Highlands and islands, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands can need earlier posting. Couriers like Evri and InPost set their own dates, usually similar to Tracked 48.
International last posting dates
| Destination | Post by |
|---|---|
| Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Central and South America | Friday 4 December estimated |
| Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and Malta | Saturday 5 December estimated |
| France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Greece and Turkey | Wednesday 9 December estimated |
| USA, Canada, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic | Friday 11 December estimated |
International Tracked services usually allow a few extra days. If you miss these dates, an international courier is often the only way to arrive in time.
Wrapping, cards & postage supplies
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Wrapping paper
Rolls of Christmas wrapping paper. Kraft and recyclable paper is lighter and posts well.
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Ribbon & bows
Flat ribbon is best for posting. Big stick-on bows can push a parcel up a size.
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Christmas cards
Multipacks of cards. Standard sizes post as a Letter; big square cards are Large Letters.
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Christmas stamps
Books of festive 1st and 2nd Class stamps, ready for your card list.
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Tissue paper
Light padding that doubles as wrapping. Adds almost nothing to the weight.
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Postal boxes
Boxes sized for Royal Mail's Small Parcel limit, so presents don't cost a Medium Parcel price.
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Padded envelopes
For books, games and small gifts. Keep under 2.5cm thick for Large Letter prices.
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How to send Christmas presents for less
- Think about size before wrapping. Royal Mail charges by size first. A present in a box 1cm too big jumps from Small Parcel to Medium Parcel – check the limits in our size guide.
- Post soft gifts in mailing bags rather than boxes. Wrapped jumpers and scarves can often travel as a Small Parcel or even a Large Letter.
- Wrap, then pack. Wrapped presents should still go inside a postal box or bag – wrapping paper alone tears in the post.
- Buy postage online. Royal Mail Tracked 48 bought online is £3.75 for a small parcel up to 1kg, cheaper than 2nd Class at the counter, and includes tracking.
- Compare couriers for bigger presents. Use our postage calculator – Evri and InPost are often much cheaper for bulky gifts.
- Avoid the queues. Print labels at home or use InPost lockers, open 24/7.
- Sending abroad? Read our guide to posting parcels abroad and post early.