How to make sure your Christmas gifts arrive for the big day (Picture: Getty)

Christmas Day is a magical time for many of us.

It’s quality time with family or friends, a chance to feast on some lovely food, wear festive jumpers, maybe enjoy a tipple or two – and more often than not, dive into a pile of presents.

Unless you do all your Christmas shopping online last-minute, of course, and none of the gifts arrive on time. Not very magical at all.

Luckily, lots of retailers give an exact date when you’ll need to order Christmas shopping by, so you can do your best to ensure your gifts will be under the tree by December 25.

So, when is the last date you can order a gift in 2022 – amid the postal strikes and delivery delays?

Here’s what Royal Mail, Amazon, John Lewis and more major retailers have said so far…

Royal Mail last Christmas posting dates

Your presents don’t send themselves, so you’ve got to act quickly (Picture: Getty)

For 2022, Royal Mail says you should send off anything for Christmas off ‘as early as possible’.

This is due to ongoing strike action taking place on various December dates.

If you’re sending something by second class (including signed-for), or by Royal Mail 48, send it by Monday, December 12.

Gifts and cards being sent first class (including signed-for), Royal Mail 24 or Royal Mail Tracked 48 Hours need to be send off by Friday, December 16 for a Christmas delivery.

For a parcel to arrive by Christmas Day, your latest option is to send by Special Delivery Guaranteed on Wednesday, December 21.

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That’s cutting it a bit fine, perhaps, so you can send by Royal Mail Tracked 24 Hours until Monday, December 19.

You’ll need to be aware of your nearest post office’s opening times, too, so you can get it sent off on the right day.

Finally, if you’re wondering how much all your stamps are going to cost you, here are the latest prices.

Amazon last Christmas posting dates

Thursday, December 19 is your last Christmas posting date for most Amazon purchases.

However, if you use Amazon Prime, you may be able to send off certain gifts as late as Saturday, December 24, using Same Day Delivery, though naturally this isn’t a complete guarantee.

Make sure your Amazon purchase arrives for Christmas Day (Picture: Getty)

It should state clearly as you checkout with your item(s) when they are expected to arrive, so you can check before you click ‘buy’.

Unfortunately, you can’t last minute order on December 25, aka the big day, even with Prime.

Argos last Christmas posting dates

The last day you can order from Argos is Saturday, December 24.

Yep, you can get some last-minute shopping done and presents delivered on Christmas Eve – if you buy before 1pm on the day, and are able to nab an Express Delivery slot.

ASOS last Christmas posting dates

The last day you can order from clothing hub ASOS on Standard Delivery is Wednesday, December 21.

The sooner you order, the easier it’ll be to land by Christmas (Picture: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

If your loved one is after new shoes or you’re looking for a sparkly Christmas outfit to wear on Christmas Day, best to move quickly.

That said, if you can get your order in before the website’s cut-off date on Friday, December 23, then you could get a Next Day Delivery.

This seems to be the date for Britain, as Northern Ireland’s cut-off for Next Day Delivery is listed as Thursday, December 22.

Boots last Christmas posting dates

No last-minute buys from Boots, unless you’re shopping in-person.

To get your Christmas gift in on time, you’ll need to order as soon as possible, as they mention delays in deliveries due to Royal Mail strikes.

Buying your tech for Christmas Day online? Keep this in mind (Picture: Belinda Jiao/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Curry’s PC World last Christmas posting dates

If you order by Sunday, December 18 on Standard Delivery, small items should arrive by Christmas Day.

On Next Day Delivery, get your small item order in by Thursday, December 22.

If you’ve ordered a large item such as a huge TV or washing machine as a gift to yourself (fair enough), then get your order in by Wednesday, December 21 for both Standard and Next Day Delivery.

Curry’s PC World does note that these dates aren’t 100% guaranteed. It could be affected by bad weather, for example.

With any major tech gifts, you’re best off ordering earlier to avoid disappointment.

John Lewis last Christmas posting dates

John Lewis orders made by 7pm on Tuesday, December 20 should arrive in time for Christmas.

That’s Standard Delivery, meaning you’ve got time to shop until 4pm on Thursday, December 22 for Next Day and other delivery types.

You can see the full John Lewis Christmas delivery schedule here.

Marks & Spencer last Christmas posting dates

If you’re looking for M&S Christmas food, you’re out of luck. It’s no longer available to order online.

It’s still available in shops, though. And as for gift orders from the non-Foodhall section, they should be ordered no later than 6pm on Friday, December 23 for Next Day Delivery.

For Standard Delivery, order by 10pm on Sunday, December 18.

Get your Marks & Spencer gifts sorted to arrive on time (Picture: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

Selfridges last Christmas posting dates

Hoping to give the gift of something fancy from Selfridges this year?

You’ve got until Friday, December 23 to order for UK Same Day Delivery, or until Thursday, December 22 for Next Day Delivery.

Standard Delivery items must be ordered by Sunday, December 18 in order to be delivered by Christmas, says Selfridges’ website.

Very last Christmas posting dates

For a Christmas delivery from Very, you’ll need to order by 10pm on Wednesday, December 21.

Very.co.uk says that this applies to most small, in-stock items, so if you’re after a larger item, it might be wise to purchase in advance of this date.

Whatever the case, you should see your expected delivery date as you check out, so you can decide before you buy.

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Don’t delay – or ‘Santa’ won’t arrive by Christmas Day.