The Post Office is reminding the nation that the final dates for posting cards and gifts within the UK in time for Christmas Day are rapidly approaching. Monday, 18 December, is the final recommended date for posting Second Class, and Wednesday, 20 December, for First Class.

But don’t despair if things get in the way and you miss the last first-class date: Post Office’s new ‘buy-in-branch’ service in partnership with DPD and Evri means that additional next-day delivery services alongside Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed are also available over the counter up until Thursday 21 and Friday 22 December.

It comes as new Post Office research found that 78 per cent of people are planning to post a Christmas card this year, showing the beloved British tradition is still alive and well. And for those stuck on what to write or how to address their Christmas cards – some inspiration can be drawn from new insights on the nation’s festive writing etiquette.

Post Office research found that ‘Merry Christmas’ is officially the most popular greeting, with 53 per cent of us choosing it as our preferred phrase. ‘Happy Christmas’ followed with half the votes (25 per cent) – but it is becoming passé: just 16 per cent of Gen Z and millennials (16-34 years) selected it as their preferred greeting, compared to 65 per cent of baby boomers (55+ years).

Instead, ‘Happy Holidays’ is on the rise, with Gen Z (16-24 years) eight times more likely to use the phrase than baby boomers (55+) (8 per cent vs 1 per cent) – though it doesn’t yet compete with old favourites.

‘Glad Tidings’ and ‘Good Tidings’ are on the critically endangered list, with just two per cent of the population selecting one of them as their go-to phrase. ‘Dear’ (44 per cent) and ‘To’ (41 per cent) are still the agreed ways of addressing Christmas cards, with just eight per cent opting for ‘Hi’. We’re a warm-hearted nation, with ‘Lots of love’ (35 per cent) and ‘Love’ (25 per cent) remaining the most popular sign-offs.

When it comes to addressing envelopes, Post Office found people stick to tradition, with 42 per cent using a title and surname, e.g., ‘Mr and Mrs Bloggs’, and 20 per cent preferring title, first name and a surname, e.g., ‘Mr and Mrs Joe Bloggs’.

However, Gen Z and millennials are three times more likely to only use the recipient’s first name compared to baby boomers (55+ years) (9 per cent vs 3 per cent).

Laura Joseph, Post Office Customer Experience Director, said, “It has been fascinating to see the different ways we address our Christmas gifts as the nation gears up for the big day. But whether it’s ‘Merry Christmas’, ‘Happy Christmas’ or ‘Season’s Greetings’, it loses its meaning if it arrives late. So, it’s important to plan ahead and use our Branch Finder and Last Posting Date tools to make sure you post your gifts before the final posting dates.

“Many Post Office branches are open longer hours, with some open seven days a week. We also have new in-branch parcel services with DPD and Evri, which will offer greater flexibility and convenience for customers during the Christmas period. Our branches can recommend the best postage service for your needs, and there’s lots of helpful information you can check on our website before wrapping up to head out the door.

“You could even take advantage of our Parcels Online service, which enables you to compare and purchase postage online, and all you need to do is drop it off in-store.”

The last posting dates for arrival for Christmas Day are:

Monday 18 December

  • Royal Mail, 2nd Class
  • Royal Mail 2nd Class Signed For

Tuesday 19 December

  • Evri Standard (if posted before 11 am)

Wednesday 20 December

  • Royal Mail, 1st Class
  • Royal Mail 1st Class Signed For
  • Parcelforce Worldwide express48 and express48 Large

Thursday 21 December

  • Special Delivery Guaranteed®
  • Parcelforce Worldwide express24. expressAM
  • Evri Next Day (if posted before 11 am)
  • DPD Next Day

Friday 22 December

  • Special Delivery Guaranteed® (Guaranteed Saturday delivery for an extra fee)
  • DPD Next Day with Saturday delivery

In anticipation of the peak posting rush, Laura has shared top tips to customers and communities ahead of posting this Christmas to avoid common mishaps:

Pack your items before you leave. Branches have limited work surfaces for packing, so think ahead, avoid stress, and save time by getting your parcels post-ready at home. Parcels with strings or bows on the outside don’t travel well, so make sure you have sturdy outer packaging on your parcel.

Make sure you’re certain your gifts are approved for posting. There are some popular gifts like alcohol, nail polish, and perfume that have restrictions about how much and where they can be posted. In some cases, there are different rules for posting within the UK and abroad. Check the pages on our website for details on prohibited items.

Get tracking and insurance, just in case. Using tracked and signed-for services lets you follow your parcel’s journey and be assured it’s arrived safe and sound. For cash and high-value goods, it’s always worth taking up the insurance which comes with services like Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed.

Avoid the lunchtime rush. Many of our branches have longer opening hours, so save time by visiting branches early in the day or the evening. We’re open on the weekend, too – 4,000 branches are open on Sundays.

Consider all your branch options. Don’t just look at branches nearest to you; there are likely to be several options within a few miles that could be convenient for you. Use our branch finder tool to see all your options before you pop out to post.

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