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Royal Mail tells Brits to ‘shop well in advance’ as it confirms 2023’s Christmas post deadline

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 3rd November 2023

Royal Mail has confirmed the final cut-off date you’ll need to send your post by this year if you want it delivered before Christmas Day.

With the nights drawing in, the air getting chillier by the day, Manchester‘s legendary Christmas Markets only a week away from opening for 2023, and the festive season therefore practically within our sights, Royal Mail is gearing up for what’s always its “busiest period” of the year.

A recent study by retailer John Lewis has revealed this week that a fifth of Brits apparently begin planning for the most wonderful time of the year as soon as 1 November rolls around.

And for many of us, a big part of that festive preparation is knowing when the final date we’ll need to head to the Post Office or your nearest post box by to make sure your cards and gifts are delivered in time to be opened on Christmas Day is.

Luckily, the postal service has just confirmed that all-important date, and is also advising us to shop early too to make sure we don’t miss out.

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Three different post deadline dates, one for 1st Class, 2nd Class, and ‘Special Delivery’, have been confirmed.

Royal Mail has confirmed the Christmas post deadline date for 2023 / Credit: Royal Mail

Christmas Post Deadline Dates 2023

Monday 18 December

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  • 2nd Class
  • 2nd Class (Signed For)

Tuesday 19 December

  • 1st Class
  • 1st Class (Signed For)

Friday 22 December

  • Special Delivery Guaranteed®

The company is encouraging the UK public to order online gifts and shopping “well in advance”, and also to post any festive greetings and cards early this year in a bid to help its postmen and women deliver the bumper festive mailbag and ease the load.

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The annual Christmas stamps collection for 2023 has also been unveiled this week too, with inspiration for designs being taken from traditional carols and songs this year.

Royal Mail’s confirmation of the final cut-off date for sending 2023’s Christmas post comes after it revealed last month that it’s looking to hire 16,000 temporary workers across UK in the run-up to Christmas.

The festive season is always its “busiest period” of the year, the postal service claims.

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The temporary positions will be located in 37 mail centres across the UK, with a variety of different roles and shifts available.

Featured Image – Phil Hearing (via Unsplash)