
LAST OOOOORDERS! The deadlines for free and cheap delivery before Christmas
The deadline for postal and online Christmas deliveries may be sooner than you think. We've collated top retailers' own final cut-off dates, which in most cases comprise two separate deadlines – firstly, for cheapest standard delivery, and secondly, faster 'express' or next-day delivery that usually costs more. We'll update this info as more retailers announce their cut-offs.
If you are choosing to send cards or buy gifts online this year, don't leave it to the last minute.
Retailer | Last date for cheapest delivery, plus cost | Last date for express delivery, plus cost | Last date for click & collect, plus cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Friday 19 December | Sunday 21 December | Thursday 18 December | |
TBC | Tuesday 23 December | TBC | |
12pm Sunday 21 December | 7pm Tuesday 23 December | TBC | |
12pm Tuesday 23 December | TBC | TBC | |
Monday 22 December | TBC | Wednesday 24 December | |
Wednesday 17 December | Monday 22 December | Sunday 21 December | |
Sunday 21 December | Tuesday 23 December | Friday 19 December for Evri Parcelshop or locker (standard), InPost (standard) & Royal Mail (standard) Monday 22 December for Evri Parcelshop or locker (next day) & Royal Mail (next day) | |
Monday 15 December | Friday 19 December Tuesday 23 December for next day delivery. £5.99 | N/A | |
10pm Sunday 21 December | 1pm Tuesday 23 December | 5pm Monday 22 December | |
Tuesday 16 December | Thursday 18 December | Friday 19 December | |
Wednesday 17 December for small items Monday 22 December for large items | Monday 22 December | Wednesday 24 December | |
Tuesday 16 December | Tuesday 23 December | N/A | |
Saturday 20 December (excluding N. Ireland) | 1pm Monday 22 December | Wednesday 17 December | |
N/A | 6pm Tuesday 23 December (except N. Ireland, Channel Islands & Scottish Isles) | N/A | |
Friday 19 December | 9pm Sunday 21 December | Friday 19 December | |
Wednesday 17 December | Wednesday 17 December | Saturday 20 December | |
Wednesday 17 December | TBC | TBC | |
Friday 19 December for small items Thursday 18 December for large items | 2pm Monday 22 December | Tuesday 23 December | |
8pm Friday 19 December | 2.30pm Tuesday 23 December | TBC | |
12pm Friday 19 December | 3pm Sunday 21 December | N/A | |
Saturday 20 December | Tuesday 23 December | Tuesday 23 December | |
Friday 19 December | Tuesday 23 December£4.99 | TBC | |
8pm Monday 22 December | N/A | 2pm Wednesday 24 December for stock already in store. 11pm Monday 22 December for delivery to a store. | |
Sunday 21 December | TBC | TBC | |
1pm Monday 15 December | N/A | N/A | |
Saturday 20 December | Monday 22 December | Friday 19 December | |
3pm Friday 19 December | Tuesday 23 December | TBC | |
Friday 19 December | Monday 22 December | TBC | |
Friday 19 December | Sunday 21 December for Express 48 hour Monday 22 December for next day | Friday 19 December | |
8pm Friday 19 December | 8pm Saturday 20 December | 8pm Sunday 21 December Free
| |
Thursday 18 December
| Friday 19 December | Monday 22 December | |
10pm Friday 19 December for small items 8pm Saturday 20 December for large items | 7pm Tuesday 23 December for small items 7pm Tuesday 23 December for large items | 10pm Friday 19 December for standard delivery 7pm Tuesday 23 December for next day delivery | |
Thursday 18 December | Friday 19 December | Wednesday 24 December |
These are the standard options for most, though do note, some may have earlier dates for specific items, so make sure you check.
These are just several of the biggies. Many retailers list the info on their websites for all to see – so it’s worth checking if you’re after one not listed above.
If opting for click & collect, always leave yourself enough time to collect from the store before it closes, and bear in mind that different branches may have varying closing times.
Late delivery rights
By law, delivery only needs to be “within a reasonable time”, which could be up to 30 days – no use for Christmas. For you to get a refund if an item doesn’t arrive in time, the retailer must have stated goods will arrive by 25 December. If you can’t prove this, you’ve no comeback. You’ve extra rights when buying online though, including being able to return items if you get in touch with the store within 14 days of delivery. For full info, see our Delivery rights guide.
A gentle reminder…
In previous years, retailers have brought forward their last order dates due to couriers struggling to cope with demand or bad weather. Though last order dates are a useful guide, it’s better to take them with a pinch of salt than to trust them as a guarantee.
Basically, if you’re going to buy online, do it sooner rather than later – unless you’re happy to hold on for the chance of a last-minute bargain, despite knowing the risk of it not arriving in time.
Check out our Christmas MoneySaving guide for festive shopping tips.











