Last order dates for Christmas 2024
Make sure your Christmas shopping is ordered in time to avoid disappointment on Christmas Day. Here's our rundown of top retailers' last order dates.
Last-minute shopping is much easier these days thanks to online shopping. But don't think you can get next-day delivery right up to Christmas. In most cases, you can't.
Some big retailers have last-order dates for Christmas as early as 16th December! So save yourself from paying £5+ for last-minute delivery or the unbearable awkwardness of having no presents to give on Christmas Day.
Use our extensive list of all the major Christmas retailers and their last order dates for Christmas 2023 as a guide on what you can expect for Christmas delivery costs and Royal Mail's final posting dates for 2024.
How to find the last order dates:
- Search for your favourite retailer below or browse the list.
- Always double-check the delivery time and cost for your specific item as it can vary.
- Click and collect is available at most stores and could be a cheaper last-minute option.
- Look out for free delivery codes in our retailer deals section.
- See the guidelines for recommended last posting dates for Christmas for different carriers on this eBay page.
- Top tip: Get free Amazon Prime Student and you could potentially order right up until 24th December (yes, that means same-day delivery!) in some locations.
Last order dates for Christmas
| Online Shop | Last order date (cheapest) | Delivery Cost | Desperate delivery date | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Varies | Free (£20+ spend) | 23rd Dec (free on Prime) | |
| Argos | 19th Dec | £3.95 | 24th Dec (£5.95) | |
| Boots | 19th Dec | Free (£25+ spend) | 21st Dec (£4.95) | |
| ASOS | 20th Dec | Free (£40+ spend) | 23rd Dec (5.95) | |
| Game | 15th Dec | £4.99 | 21st Dec (£9.99) | |
| Schuh | 18th Dec | Free (£25+ spend) | 21st Dec (£4.99) | |
| JD Sports | 19th Dec | Free (£70+ spend) | 21st Dec (£4.99) | |
| TheHut.com | 20th Dec | Free (£100+ spend) | 22nd Dec (£6.49) | |
| Buyagift.com | N/A | Free E-Voucher | 25th Dec (E-Voucher) | |
| John Lewis | 19th Dec | Free (£50+ spend) | 22nd Dec (£7.50) | |
| boohoo | 19th Dec | £3.99 | 22nd Dec (£5.99) | |
| Superdrug | 16th Dec | Free (£25+ spend) | 21st Dec (£4.90) | |
| Body Shop | 18th Dec | Free (£35+ spend) | 21st Dec (£4.99) | |
| Thorntons | 18th Dec | Free (£40+ spend) | 21st Dec (£5.95) | |
| IWOOT | 20th Dec | £3.99 | N/A | |
| M&S | 17th Dec | Free (£60+ spend) | 23rd Dec (£5.99) | |
| House of Fraser | 19th Dec | £4.99 | 22nd Dec (£9.99) | |
| New Look | 17th Dec | Free (£50+ spend) | 21st Dec (£5.99) | |
| Hotel Chocolat | 20th Dec | from £3.95 | 22nd Dec (from £4.95) | |
| Urban Outfitters | 20th Dec | Free (£30+ spend) | 21st Dec (£5.99) | |
| Waterstones | 18th Dec | Free (£25+ spend) | 20th Dec (£3.99) | |
| French Connection | 20th Dec | Free (£75+ spend) | 21st Dec (£5.95) | |
| The Fragrance Shop | 20th Dec | Free | 22nd Dec (£4.99) | |
| Firebox.com | 19th Dec | Free (£50+ spend) | N/A | |
| eBay | Varies | Varies | N/A | |
| LookFantastic | 20th Dec | Free (£25+ spend) | 22nd Dec (£5.95) | |
| Zavvi | 20th Dec | £1.99 (£10+ spend) | N/A | |
| Next | 22nd Dec | £4.95 | N/A | |
| Very.co.uk | 19th Dec | £3.99 | 22nd Dec (£4.99) | |
| Findmeagift.com | 19th Dec | from £2.99 | 21st Dec (from £6.99) | |
| Myprotein | 20th Dec | Free (£45+ spend) | 22nd Dec (£7.99) | |
| VistaPrint | 10th Dec | Free (£40+ spend) | 20th Dec (£12.99) | |
| Ann Summers | 19th Dec | Free (£40+ spend) | 21st Dec (£5.95) | |
| WHSmith | 20th Dec | Free (£25+ spend) | 21st Dec (£5.99) | |
| Apple | 22nd Dec | Free | N/A | |
| Dorothy Perkins | 18th Dec | Free (£50+ spend) | 22nd Dec (£5.49) | |
| Burton | 18th Dec | Free (£60+ spend) | 22nd Dec (£5.49) | |
| Currys/PC World | 18th Dec | Free (£40+ spend) | 22nd Dec (£6.99) | |
| Virgin Experience Days | 25th Dec | Free e-voucher | 25th Dec (Free e-voucher) | |
| Bunches | N/a | N/A | 22nd Dec (£5.99) | |
| Missguided | 19th Dec | £4.99 | 22nd Dec (£9.99) | |
| MandM Direct | 18th Dec | Free (£100+ spend) | 21st Dec (£7.99) | |
| Office Shoes | 19th Dec | Free (£70+ spend) | 22nd Dec (£5.99) | |
| Sports Direct | 19th Dec | £4.99 | 22nd Dec (£9.99) | |
| Benefit | 19th Dec | Free (£40+ spend) | 21st Dec (£4.95) | |
| Matalan | 19th Dec | Free (£49.99+ spend) | 21st Dec (£4.99) | |
| Feelunique | 19th Dec | Free (£20+ spend) | 21st Dec (£4.95) | |
| Pretty Little Thing | 20th Dec | £3.99 | 22nd Dec (£5.99) | |
| Interflora | 23rd Dec | £7 | 24th Dec (£10) | |
| H Samuel | 18th Dec | Free (£20+ spend) | 22nd Dec (£4.95) | |
| Selfridges | 18th Dec | £5.95 | 22nd Dec (£8.95) | |
| Zara | 19th Dec | Free (£50+ spend) | 21st Dec (£4.95) | |
| River Island | 20th Dec | Free (£50+ spend) | 22nd Dec (£6) | |
| Mango | 18th Dec | Free (£30+ spend) | 20th Dec (£8.95) | |
| Lush | 18th Dec | Free (£40+ spend) | 21st Dec (£6.95) | |
| Etsy | Varies | Varies | N/A | |
| H&M | 19th Dec | £3.99 | 21st Dec (£5.99) | |
| Footasylum | 20th Dec | Free (£70+ spend) | 21st Dec (£5.99) | |
| All Saints | 19th Dec | Free | 23rd Dec (£9.95) |
Royal Mail Christmas delivery dates 2024
The Royal Mail may be delivering a couple of cards or presents for you this Christmas. Their last order date for Christmas delivery is usually slightly earlier than most retailers.
In 2023, parcels and cards needed to be sent for delivery by 18th December if you want to use second class, or 20th December for first class.
Usually, if you're desperate, you can still send items via special delivery up until 22nd December (but it'll cost you).
More information on delivery dates is available on the Royal Mail website.
Looking for some Christmas money-saving tips? Check out our Christmas deals, tips for Christmas on a budget and gift ideas for under £5.
