Royal Mail issues last posting dates before Christmas

With the Christmas countdown well and truly on, Royal Mail has issued a crucial reminder for Brits sending festive post. As we're within the last ten days before Christmas Day, the postal service is swamped with an exceptional level of parcels and cards.

Each year, Royal Mail sets out key dates to ensure deliveries make it in time for Christmas celebrations.

Posted on X, formerly Twitter: "If you're sending items for Christmas, we have some latest posting dates coming up for our UK Inland Services. Please post as early as possible to ensure your items reach their destination in good time."

It's crucial to keep these final postage dates in mind:

For 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For - your cut-off is Wednesday, December 18, reports the Manchester Evening News.

For those opting for 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For, and Royal Mail Tracked 48 - make sure everything's sent by Friday, December 20.

Royal Mail Tracked 24 needs to be dispatched by Saturday, December 21.

And, if you're leaving it to the very last minute, Special Delivery Guaranteed is available until Monday, December 23.

Remember that Royal Mail does not operate collections or deliveries on Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26), or New Year's Day (January 1), with normal services resuming around these public holidays.