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Every December, Royal Mail publishes last recommended posting dates for Christmas - and every year, plenty of cards and letters arrive late because someone missed the cut-off for their chosen service. Here's how to plan your 2026 Christmas post so nothing arrives after the big day.
Why Christmas has earlier deadlines than usual
Royal Mail handles a huge surge in volume every December, and the postal network needs extra time to process it. That's why the "last posting date" for each service in December falls earlier than the normal delivery aim you'd expect the rest of the year - Second Class in particular needs more lead time in December than its usual 2-3 working day aim.
Typical order of UK Christmas deadlines
While exact 2026 dates should be confirmed on Royal Mail's official Christmas posting dates page nearer the time, the order is consistent every year:
- Second Class - the earliest UK deadline, typically in the third week of December
- First Class - a few days later than Second Class
- Tracked 48 / Tracked 24 - similar to or slightly later than First Class
- Special Delivery Guaranteed - the latest UK deadline, often as late as 23 December, reflecting its guaranteed next-day delivery
International Christmas deadlines are much earlier
If you're sending cards or gifts abroad, international deadlines fall well before UK domestic ones - often by two to four weeks, depending on the destination. European destinations generally have later cut-offs than the rest of the world, since transit times are shorter. Always check the specific country you're sending to, as international deadlines vary significantly by destination.
Practical tips for hitting the deadline
- Post international cards and gifts first, ideally by late November to early December
- Use Second Class for anything you're organised enough to send early - it's the cheapest option if you're not against the clock
- If you're cutting it close, First Class or Tracked buys you a few extra days over Second Class
- For anything that absolutely must arrive before Christmas Day, Special Delivery Guaranteed is the only service with an actual delivery guarantee
Sending Christmas letters and cards online
If you've left it late, or simply don't want to queue at a busy December Post Office, you can type or upload your Christmas letter here and we'll print, fold and post it via Royal Mail the same working day if ordered before the cut-off - useful for a round-robin family letter, a card to someone abroad, or a last-minute note you don't have time to write and post yourself.
A personalised letter from Santa
If you are posting for a child, a personalised letter from Santa can be posted on the working day you choose. Pick a date comfortably before the last posting date for your service, and remember that delivery times are targets, not guarantees.
Skip the Christmas Post Office queue
Type or upload your letter, choose a Royal Mail service, and we print, fold and post it - no queuing required. From £2.99.
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