Christmas card last posting dates 2026 (UK) and card list planner

The last day to post a 2nd class Christmas card with Royal Mail is Friday 18 December 2026; 1st class is Monday 21 December. Below are all the published dates, a count of how many days you have left, and a free planner that turns your card list into an evening-by-evening writing plan and a printable tick-off sheet. No sign-up, and nothing leaves your device.

Royal Mail last posting dates, Christmas 2026 (UK inland)

Last posting date	Service	Days left
Friday 18 December	2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For
Saturday 19 December	Royal Mail Tracked 48
Monday 21 December	1st Class, 1st Class Signed For and Royal Mail Tracked 24
Wednesday 23 December	Special Delivery Guaranteed

Source: Royal Mail, "Get ready for Christmas 2026" (read 3 November 2026); the Post Office lists the same recommended dates. Royal Mail says last posting dates are correct at the time of publishing and subject to change, and advises posting as early as possible. Parcelforce Worldwide UK inland: Monday 21 December for express48 and express48large; Tuesday 22 December for express10, expressAM and express24.

No post on 25, 26 or 28 December. Royal Mail lists no collections or deliveries on Friday 25 December (Christmas Day), Saturday 26 December (Boxing Day) or Monday 28 December (substitute bank holiday) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The last collection before Christmas is Thursday 24 December and services resume Tuesday 29 December. Sending abroad? Royal Mail does not publish a single date: it says to post international cards and gifts as early as possible and to check its Country Guides.

Plan your cards

How will you post them?

Spare days before the last posting date

Our suggestion, not Royal Mail's: cards post earlier than the deadline.

Start writing on

Your card list (one name per line)

Nothing is saved or sent anywhere. If you close the page, the list is gone, so print it first.

Common questions

What is the last posting date for Christmas cards 2026 in the UK?

Royal Mail's published last posting dates for Christmas 2026 are Friday 18 December for 2nd Class, Saturday 19 December for Tracked 48 and Monday 21 December for 1st Class and Tracked 24. Royal Mail says dates can change and advises posting as early as possible.

Is it too late to post a Christmas card by 2nd class on 19 December?

On Royal Mail's published dates, yes: the last posting date for 2nd Class is Friday 18 December. After that, 1st Class is published until Monday 21 December, and Tracked 48 until Saturday 19 December.

Does Royal Mail deliver on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and 28 December 2026?

No. Royal Mail lists no collections or deliveries on Friday 25 December, Saturday 26 December or Monday 28 December 2026 (England and Wales and Northern Ireland). Services resume on Tuesday 29 December.

How many Christmas cards should I write each evening?

Count the cards on your list, choose the date you want them all posted by, and divide. The planner on this page does the sum for you and shows how many to write on each evening from today until that date.

Sources

TCH Works is not affiliated with Royal Mail. Always check Royal Mail's page for changes before you post.