Christmas delivery 2026: recommended order-by dates

Ordering a Christmas gift? Here are our recommended order-by dates.

UK — Please order by 11:59 pm UK time (GMT) on Tuesday 15 December 2026 for Royal Mail Tracked 48.

For orders under £10 sent by First Class, please order by 11:59 pm UK time (GMT) on Wednesday 16 December 2026.

These are Phoenix customer order-by recommendations, allowing the full two business days after your order date for preparation, excluding weekends and England and Wales bank holidays, plus an extra working day for festive post. Our usual handling time is 1–2 business days, with Royal Mail collections Monday to Friday.

USA — Our Christmas recommendation is being checked against the service available for your order and destination. Please check the delivery estimate before ordering a Christmas gift, and order as early as you can.

EUROPE — Recommendations are being checked country by country. Delivery availability, local holidays, customs and postal disruption can vary. Please confirm the estimate for your destination before ordering for Christmas. Prepaid duties do not guarantee faster delivery.

Christmas arrival is estimated, not guaranteed. Postal delays, customs checks and local disruption can affect arrival even when you order before a recommended date.

WHOLESALE — Wholesale orders need seven business days for preparation and have separate order-by recommendations. Please use the guide on our wholesale website when planning stock.

Guidance checked: 2 November 2026. We review Royal Mail guidance weekly during November and December, before publishing changes and as each date approaches. If a recommendation changes, this guide will be updated.

Thank you for making Phoenix part of your season. A little early planning leaves more room for the festive post.