Post Office urges people to send festive mail before 'busiest day'

With Brits planning on sending more gifts this year compared with last (33 per cent 2025 vs 20 per cent 2024), the Post Office is urging the public to post early to avoid the rush and ensure gifts arrive in time for the big day.

The announcement comes alongside new research from the Post Office revealing that the act of sending Christmas parcels and cards feels like an important festive tradition for over a third (34 per cent) of Brits, while more than a quarter (27 per cent) agree wrapping gifts is one of their favourite festive milestones to get them into the Christmas spirit.

However, only three in ten (33 per cent) plan to post their gifts and cards by early to mid-December, while eight per cent of Brits also admit to leaving their festive mailing to the last minute and sending everything in the week leading up to Christmas.

Now the Post Office is urging people to plan ahead, using local branches to send parcels as early as possible to help ensure gifts arrive on time and avoid last-minute stress.

Post Office branches can be used to collect or drop off prepaid parcels, not only with Royal Mail and Parcelforce, but Amazon, DPD, DHL and Evri in selected branches as well.

Postmaster Abdul Basit said: “If you’re sending presents abroad, which now includes to Northern Ireland, then you’ll need to have a customs form.

“You can fill this out online – bring your reference number in, and we can print this off for you.

“A lot of post offices have Amazon lockers, so you can have your packages delivered to your local post office and pick them up at your convenience.

“The same applies for DPD, Evri, Parcelforce, and Royal Mail.

“Remember, Post Office will never text you asking for payment, and Royal Mail will only ever message you to let you know your parcel is ready for collection.”

For the last posting dates visit www.postoffice.co.uk/last-posting-dates.