parcels on doorstep
parcels on doorstep

Last Order Dates For Christmas 2022: Last Day Cutoffs

Here’s everything you need to know about last orders for Christmas.

The last order dates for Christmas are in. Want your gift to arrive before Christmas? Whether you’re sending them directly to your loved ones or to wrap up yourself, last-minute shoppers beware…don’t assume you can always get next-day delivery! The demand will be high, so you’ll need to prepare.

Some retailers have last order dates for Christmas as early as the 15th of December, meaning you won’t be able to get your gifts sent on time if you order after that date. If you want to save on special delivery (or worse, not having anything to give this season), we’ll keep you clued up on the last order dates this Christmas from the most sought-out retailers.

Here’s our list of major Christmas retailers and their last order dates for Christmas 2022, Christmas delivery costs to keep out for and Royal Mail’s final posting dates for 2022.

Jump to:

  1. How to find last order dates
  2. Last Royal Mail dates for Christmas
  3. Last order dates for Christmas

How to find last order dates

Search the retailer

The retailer you wish to buy for will often have a dedicated “last Christmas delivery” section on their site, Alternatively, you could find their social media account (we find Twitter is best for this) and ask the question directly.

Double check time and cost for Christmas Delivery

Are there local postal strikes in the area that could affect your mail provider? You may wish to select a different courier that can get your gifts in time for Christmas. You’ll also need to weigh up the costs for doing this.

Try click and collect

If you time it right, you can pick up your Christmas presents instead. These options are usually free too, but be sure to check the delivery dates and times to ensure you don’t miss the cut-off.

Look out for discount codes

Student Beans offers tons of delivery discounts for brands such as Amazon Prime, where you can order right up until the 24th December (yes, that means same-day delivery!) in some locations — making it perfect for Amazon last Christmas delivery. Sign up to Student Beans to gain free access to our offers. All you need is your student email to prove your student status!

Last Royal Mail dates for Christmas

last order dates for Christmas unwrapping gift

The Royal Mail’s last order date for Christmas delivery is slightly earlier than most retailers, depending on the service you use to postcards and gifts.

In 2021, standard second-class parcels and cards had to be sent for delivery by 18th December or 21st December for first class. You can however send items via special delivery up until the 23rd of December. It’ll cost you more though, so bear that in mind.

For Royal Mail’s last order dates for Christmas 2022, these are the dates you need to be aware of:

Final Date

Royal Mail Service

Friday 16 December Royal Mail Bulk Mail Economy
Monday 19 December 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed For, Royal Mail 48®
Wednesday 21 December 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For, Royal Mail 24®, Royal Mail Tracked 48®**
Thursday 22 December Special Delivery Guaranteed®, Royal Mail Tracked 24®**
Friday 23 December Special Delivery Guaranteed®, Saturday Guarantee

Last order dates for Christmas

Below are all the dates you need to know for major retail outlets people will be purchasing from this year.

Retailer

Last order for cheap delivery

Delivery cost

Christmas panic delivery date

Student deals?

Amazon 23rd December Free (with £20+ spend) 23rd December (free with Prime) Amazon student discount
Boots 19th December Free (£30+ spend) 23rd December (£4.95) Boots student discount
ASOS 20th December Free (£35+ spend) 22nd December (£5.95) ASOS student discount
GAME 20th December £4.99 23rd December (£7.99) GAME student discount
Schuh 19th December Free (£25+ spend) 23rd December (£4.99) schuh student discount
JD Sports 19th December Free (£70+ spend) 22nd December (£4.99) JD Sports student discount
The Hut 21st December Free (£50+ spend) 23rd December (£5.99) The Hut student discount
Buyagift.com 21st December £1.99 23rd December (£7.50) Buyagift student discount
John Lewis 19th December Free (£50+ spend) 22nd December (£6.95) John Lewis student discount
boohoo 22nd December £3.99 23rd December (£5.99) boohoo student discount
Superdrug 19th December Free (£15+ spend) 22nd December (£4.90) Superdrug student discount
The Body Shop 19th December Free (£30+ spend) 21st December (£4.99) The Body Shop student discount
Thorntons 19th December Free (£15+ spend) 22rd December (£5.95) Thortons student discount
IWOOT 20th December Free (£30+ spend) 22nd December (£5.99) IWOOT student discount
House of Fraser 19th December £4.99 22rd December (£7.99) House of Fraser student discount
New Look 16th December Free (£29.99+ spend) 22rd December (£4.99) New Look student discount
Hotel Chocolat 19th December £4.95 22nd December (£5.95) Hotel Chocolat student discount
Urban Outfitters 19th December Free 21nd December (£5.99) Urban Outfitters student discount
French Connection 17th December Free (£50+ spend) 21st December (£5.95) French Connection student discount
The Fragrance Shop 21st December Free (£40+ spend) 22nd December (£3.99) The Fragrance Shop student discount
Firebox 17th December Free (£50+ spend) 22nd December (£5.49) Firebox student discount
LOOKFANTASTIC 20th December Free (£25+ spend) 23rd December (£4.95) LOOKFANTASTIC student discount
Zavvi 15th December £1.99 22nd December (£5.99) Zavvi student discount
Myprotein 21st December Free (£40+ spend) 23rd December (£5.95) Myprotein student discount
Ann Summers 19th December Free (£40+ spend) 21st December (£5.95) Ann Summers student discount
WHSmith 20th December Free (£30+ spend) 22nd December (£4.99) WHSmith student discount
Apple TBC TBC 22nd December (Free Delivery) Apple student discount
Burton 21st December Free (£30+ spend) 22nd December (fee unknown) Burton student discount
PrettyLittleThing 21st December £3.99 22nd December (£5.99) PrettyLittleThing student discount
Interflora 23rd December £7 24th December(£9) Interflora student discount
H. Samuel 17th December Free (£40+ spend) 23rd December (£4.95) H.Samuel student discount
Paperchase 16th December Free (£30+ spend) 21st December (£4.50) Paperchase student discount
River Island 20th December Free (£50+ spend) 23nd December (£5) River Island student discount
& Other Stories 18th December Free (£70+ spend) 21st December (£10) & Other Stories student discount
Footasylum 21st December Free (£49+ spend) 22nd December (£4.99) Footasylum student discount

Can you get a delivery Christmas Eve?

The latest you can get delivery is the 23rd of December 2022 for most retailers. However, retailers like Amazon have been known to deliver on Christmas Eve in the past. Personally, we wouldn’t chance it — get ahead this Christmas with Student Beans discounts.

Sign up to Student Beans to gain access to all of the brands we mentioned above. Plus,