Santa might blitz his Christmas shopping in one night, but the rest of us are usually winging it with half-wrapped gifts and a roll of emergency tape. Not this year. Dodge the Christmas Eve panic with our guide to the key last order dates and posting deadlines for Christmas 2025.
ยAs the festive rush kicks in, online shopping makes gifting way easier โ but the delivery cut-offs? Not so much. Some retailers stop guaranteeing Christmas delivery as early as the 18th, while others let you sneak in an order on the 23rd.
ยUse this guide to stay ahead of the rush: weโll walk you through the last order dates for big retailers and the all-important last posting dates for Royal Mail and Evri.
ยJump to the dates you need:
- Retailer Christmas Delivery Deadlines
- Supermarket Delivery Slots
- Royal Mail Last Posting Dates 2025
- Evri Last Posting Dates 2025
- Christmas Discount Codes
Get Your Christmas Gifts in Time: Last Order Deadlines by Retailer
Every retailer cuts off Christmas delivery at a different time, which is great for choice and terrible for your stress levels. To save you from 11pm panic-Googling on 22 December, hereโs a tidy roundup of the final order dates, deadlines and delivery-cost quirks that matter.
ยUse the tables below to spot when to order, which shops give you a little extra breathing room, and where next-day or click & collect is actually worth it โ not just an expensive gamble.
Supermarket delivery slots
Top picks if your gift list includes food, booze or last-minute party essentials. These run Christmas delivery slots that fill up fast, so theyโre worth watching early.
ย|
Brand |
Last Delivery Date | Order Deadline | Delivery Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iceland | 20โ24 December (delivery slots) | Amend order until 11pm the night before | Delivery free over ยฃ40; otherwise typically ยฃ3โยฃ5 depending on slot and location. |
| Morrisons | 20โ24 December (delivery slots) | Amend order until 11pm the night before | Delivery ยฃ3โยฃ5 depending on slot; minimum order ยฃ25. Delivery Pass holders get free delivery. |
| Ocado | 20โ24 December (delivery slots) | Amend order until 11:59pm the night before | Fees vary by slot demand (ยฃ2.99โยฃ6.99 typical). Smart Pass members get reduced-rate or free delivery. |
| Sainsbury's | 18โ24 December (delivery slots) | Amend order until 11pm the night before | Delivery ยฃ1โยฃ5.50 for ยฃ40+ spend; ยฃ7 under ยฃ40. Delivery Pass holders save more. |
| Tesco | 20โ24 December (grocery slots) | Varies by slot | Slot-based delivery fees. Non-food varies by seller. |
| Waitrose | 20โ24 December (delivery slots) | Amend order until 11pm the night before | Delivery usually ยฃ3โยฃ6, free on higher-value orders; click & collect free. |
Big retailers & department stores
Grab everything from tech to slippers in one go โ while still having a shot at Christmas delivery. These are the go-to stops when youโre juggling lots of gifts.
ย|
Brand |
Last Delivery Date | Order Deadline | Delivery Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Up to 23โ24 December | Varies per item | Prime items show an Arrives before Christmas badge. Delivery fees vary by speed and item. |
| Argos | 24 December | Order by 5pm for same-day Fast Track | Fast Track ยฃ3.95; click & collect until Christmas Eve on in-stock items. |
| John Lewis | 20 December (Standard) 22โ23 December (Next-Day / Click & Collect) |
Order by evening | Standard ยฃ4.50 free over ยฃ50; next-day ยฃ7.50. |
| M&S | 20 December (Standard) 22โ23 December (Next-Day) |
Varies by service | Standard ยฃ3.99 free over ยฃ60; next-day ยฃ5.99. |
| Debenhams | 19 December (Standard) 22โ23 December (Next-Day) |
Next-day orders by 8pm | Standard ยฃ3.99; next-day ยฃ4.99. Beauty brands sometimes have different rules. |
| House of Fraser | 19 December (Standard) 22 December (Next-Day) |
Express orders typically by 8pm | Standard ยฃ4.99; next-day ยฃ6.99. Some concessions ship separately. |
| Selfridges | 19 December (Standard) 22โ23 December (Express) |
Express orders usually by 6pm | Standard ยฃ5.95; next-day ยฃ7.95. Luxury or marketplace items may cut off earlier. |
| Very | 23 December | Order by 7pm | Next-day ยฃ4.99. |
Fashion & footwear
Buying party outfits, festive pyjamas or that pair of trainers everyone will pretend they donโt want but really does? These are your reliable fashion stops.
ย|
Brand |
Last Delivery Date | Order Deadline | Delivery Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASOS | 21 December (Standard) 23 December (Next-Day) |
Standard end of day; next-day by 23 Dec | Standard ยฃ4.50 free over ยฃ40; next-day ยฃ5.95 or free with Premier. |
| Boden | ~19 December | Standard cut-off | Standard ~ยฃ3.95; express ~ยฃ6โยฃ7. |
| Boux Avenue | ~19 December | Standard cut-off | Standard ยฃ3.95; next-day ยฃ5.95. |
| Cotton Traders | ~19 December | Standard cut-off | Standard ยฃ3.99 or free over ยฃ35; express ยฃ5.99. |
| Charles Tyrwhitt | ~19 December | Standard cut-off | Standard ยฃ4.95; express ยฃ9.95. |
| Footasylum | 19 December 22 December (Next-Day) |
Order next-day by evening | Standard ยฃ3.95 free over ยฃ30; next-day ยฃ4.99. |
| Joseph Turner | 18โ19 December | Standard cut-off | Standard ยฃ4.95; express ยฃ9.95. |
| Next | 23 December (Next-Day Delivery) | Order by 11:45pm for next-day to home or store | Standard ยฃ4.95; next-day to store often free or 25p; home next-day ยฃ4.95. |
| Nike | 19 December (Standard) 21โ23 December (Express) |
Order express by evening | Standard ยฃ4.50 free for Members; express ยฃ8. |
| Office Shoes | 19 December 22 December (Next-Day) |
End of day | Standard ยฃ3.99; next-day ยฃ5.99. |
| River Island | 19โ20 December 22โ23 December (Next-Day) |
Varies | Standard ยฃ4 free over ยฃ15; next-day ยฃ5. |
| Schuh | 19 December (Standard) 22 December (Next-Day) |
Order by late afternoon | Standard ยฃ3.99 free over ยฃ80; next-day ยฃ4.99. |
| Teva | Follows retailer timelines | N/A | Delivery depends on the retailer selling Teva. |
| White Stuff | ~19 December 22 December (Next-Day) |
Varies | Standard ยฃ3.95; next-day ยฃ6.95. |
| Yours Clothing | 19 December 22โ23 December (Next-Day) |
Order by 8pm | Standard ยฃ3.99; next-day ยฃ5.99. |
Beauty, skincare & pampering gifts
For the people getting a little something from the beauty aisle โ and yes, that absolutely includes you.
ย|
Brand |
Last Delivery Date | Order Deadline | Delivery Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| allbeauty.com | 19 December (Tracked) 22 December (Next-Day) |
Order by midnight | Tracked ยฃ3.95 or free over ยฃ25; next-day ยฃ7.95. |
| Boots | 19 December (Standard) 21 December (Express) |
Varies by service | Standard ยฃ3.75 free over ยฃ25; next-day ยฃ4.95. |
| Charlotte Tilbury | ~19 December | Standard cut-off | Standard ยฃ3.95; next-day ยฃ5.95. |
| Nealโs Yard Remedies | 18โ19 December | Standard cut-off | Standard ยฃ3.95; next-day ยฃ6.95. |
| Superdrug | 20 December (Standard) 23 December (Next-Day) |
Next-day orders by 8pm | Standard ยฃ3 or free over ยฃ25; next-day ยฃ5.50. |
| Ann Summers | 19โ21 December | Standard & express timelines vary | Standard ~ยฃ3.99; next-day ~ยฃ5.99. |
Toys, books, games & fun
Essential when youโre juggling kids, games nights and last-minute wish lists.
ย|
Brand |
Last Delivery Date | Order Deadline | Delivery Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Entertainer | 18โ20 December 22โ23 December (Next-Day) |
Varies | Standard ~ยฃ3.99; next-day ~ยฃ5.99. |
| Smyths Toys | 20โ24 December (varies by region) | Click & collect until Christmas Eve on in-stock toys | Home delivery from ยฃ4.99; click & collect free, often within 1 hour. |
| Waterstones | 18 December (Standard) 19 December (Express) |
Order by end of day | Standard ยฃ3.99 free over ยฃ25; express ~ยฃ6.99. |
| IWOOT | 20 December (Standard) 22โ23 December (Next-Day) |
Varies | Standard from ยฃ2.99; express ยฃ4.99โยฃ6.99. |
| Prezzybox | 20 December (Standard) 22โ23 December (Next-Day) |
Order next-day by afternoon | Standard ยฃ3.99; next-day ยฃ5.99. |
| Zavvi | 19 December (Standard) Up to 24 December (Express) |
Varies | Standard from ยฃ2.99; express ยฃ4.99โยฃ6.99. |
Food, drink & home gifts
Nice for hampers, chocolate, homeware or anything that makes the house look a bit more put-together than you feel.
ย|
Brand |
Last Delivery Date | Order Deadline | Delivery Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGA Cookshop | 17 December | Standard cut-off | ยฃ4.95 or free over ยฃ50. |
| B&Q | 19โ21 December | Depends on item/size | Delivery fees vary by product size and courier. |
| Chocolate Trading Company | Midโlate December | Varies by courier | Standard ยฃ3.95; next-day available on many items. |
| Funky Hampers | 16โ18 December | Earlier dispatch for food items | Standard ยฃ3.95โยฃ4.95; express available. |
| Graham & Green | 16โ18 December | Earlier for large items | Standard from ยฃ4.95. Large-item surcharges may apply. |
| Majestic Wine | 20โ21 December | Depends on region | Delivery from ยฃ4.95; free click & collect. |
| Thorntons | 18 December (Standard) 23 December (Express) |
Order express by 23 Dec | Standard ยฃ3.95 free over ยฃ40; express ยฃ5.95. |
Quick tip:
if youโre cutting it fine, favour next-day or click & collect over standard delivery. And before you check out, always see if thereโs a vouchercloud code to shave a few quid off โ future you and your bank account will thank you.
ยLast Christmas Posting Dates for 2025
With Christmas Day falling on a Thursday in 2025, the posting window is a little tighter than it looks at first glance. The last 2nd Class post for Christmas 2025 is as early as Wednesday 17 December, so if youโre a โcards and parcelsโ person, it pays to plan ahead.
ยBelow youโll find the key Royal Mail and Evri deadlines for getting cards and gifts delivered in time for Christmas Day.
ยRoyal Mail Christmas Posting Dates 2025
Royal Mailโs last posting dates for Christmas 2025 run from 17โ23 December, depending on how speedy (and spendy) you want your service to be. The earlier you send, the cheaper it usually is โ so if you can avoid the last-minute rush, your wallet will feel the benefit.
ยHere are the key UK inland deadlines for Christmas delivery:
ย|
Royal Mail Postage Type |
Last Postage Date (2025) |
|---|---|
|
Wednesday 17 December 2025 |
|
Friday 19 December 2025 |
|
Saturday 20 December 2025 |
|
Sunday 21 December 2025 |
|
Tuesday 23 December 2025 |
You technically have until 23 December with Special Delivery Guaranteed, but thatโs also the priciest route. If youโd rather not pay rush-post prices, aim for 2nd Class or Tracked 48 and post earlier in the month instead.
ยEvri Christmas Delivery Dates 2025
Evriโs Christmas 2025 deadlines are similar to Royal Mailโs tracked options, especially if youโre using ParcelShops or lockers. The later you leave it, the more likely you are to be paying for faster services โ and setting a reminder for that 11am cut-off isnโt a bad shout.
ย|
Evri Service |
Last Postage Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| Courier collection | Friday 19 December 2025 |
| Standard delivery from a ParcelShop or Evri locker | Friday 19 December 2025 (drop off before 11am) |
| Next-day delivery from a ParcelShop or Evri locker | Saturday 20 December 2025 (drop off before 11am) |
Your parcels should still arrive in time if you send them on 20 December via next-day, as long as you hit that 11am cut-off. But as ever at Christmas, earlier is cheaper, calmer and much less โliving dangerouslyโ.
ยFollow Our Christmas Discount Codes
From festive feasts to last-minute stocking fillers, our Christmas discount codes are here to help you save while you spoil everyone (including yourself). Check out deals at top brands like Fragrance Shop, Currys and Debenhams and make Christmas 2025 feel a bit more magical โ without the scary January bank balance.
