When Should You Send Christmas Cards in the UK? Posting Dates for Cards, Notecards and Letters

Send UK Christmas cards in the first two weeks of December where possible, especially if you are sending a large batch. For 2026, Royal Mail’s last recommended posting dates are 18 December for 2nd Class and 21 December for 1st Class.

Leaving cards until the final week can make an otherwise enjoyable tradition feel rushed. Whether you are writing to relatives, preparing notecards for friends or sending seasonal greetings to clients, a little planning helps you avoid the last-minute queue at the postbox.

Objective: Help UK readers plan when to send christmas cards, understand Royal Mail’s 2026 posting deadlines and order personalised cards with enough time for delivery.

Personalised

Festive London Themed Flat Notecard Set

1 review

from £20.99

Personalised

Festive Scarlett Themed Flat Notecard Set

No reviews

from £20.99

Personalised

Festive Scarlett Letter Writing Set

1 review

from £26.99

Personalised

Festive Rebecca Letter Writing Set

No reviews

from £26.99

Personalised

Festive Rebecca Themed Flat Notecard Set

No reviews

from £20.99

Personalised

Festive Felicity Themed Flat Notecard Set

No reviews

from £20.99

Personalised

Festive London Letter Writing Set

No reviews

from £26.99

Personalised

Festive Felicity Letter Writing Set

No reviews

from £26.99

Key Takeaways

• Aim to post most Christmas cards during the first two weeks of December.
• Check Royal Mail’s official deadlines before choosing your postage service.
• Order personalised cards early to allow for production, dispatch and delivery.
• Check each address, postcode and stamp before you seal the envelope.
• Keep business greetings polite and personal, and suit them to the person receiving them.
• Send overseas cards earlier because international delivery times vary.

When Should You Send Christmas Cards in the UK?

Aim to send your cards in early to mid-December. That gives you time to write a proper message in each one, check the addresses and get them posted before the last-minute rush.

A simple schedule can help:

• Late November: Make your recipient list, check addresses and order personalised stationery.
• 1-14 December: Write and post most cards, including those going to friends and family who live further away.
• Mid-December onwards: Prioritise any remaining cards and check Royal Mail’s latest deadlines before posting.

If you are sending cards abroad, start earlier. International delivery times depend on the destination and service, so check Royal Mail’s country-specific guidance rather than relying on UK deadlines.

There is no need to wait until December if your cards are ready earlier. Sending them in late November is perfectly reasonable, particularly when you have a large family list or business contacts to reach.

What Are the Last Christmas Posting Dates for 2026?

Checking the last posting date Christmas cards to reach their UK destinations can help you choose the right service and plan your festive mail without a last-minute rush. For UK inland services in 2026, the dates below are listed on its official Christmas posting dates page.

Source: Royal Mail, checked on 16 October 2026. Last posting dates are subject to change. Post early to allow sufficient time for delivery.

These are the latest recommended posting dates, not a reason to delay. Royal Mail advises customers to post early, as seasonal volumes can affect delivery. Special Delivery Guaranteed isn’t the same as a standard 1st or 2nd Class post. Read its terms and guarantee details before you choose it.

For a batch of cards, 2nd Class may be suitable if you plan. If you are posting later, check the relevant service deadline and consider whether a faster service is appropriate.

When Should You Order Personalised Christmas Cards?

If you want personalised Christmas cards UK recipients will recognise as thoughtful and individual, leave time for ordering as well as posting. A card may be ready to send only after its personalisation has been processed and the order dispatched.

Me Loovely states that orders are dispatched within 1–2 working days. Our delivery options page also lists UK standard delivery as 2nd Class post, normally taking 2–3 business days after dispatch.

For planning purposes, use this schedule:

If you order in late November or early December, you won’t be rushing. That leaves more time for dispatch, delivery and writing your messages.

You can view Me Loovely’s personalised stationery collection to find cards and stationery for your Christmas correspondence.

What Is Christmas Card Etiquette in the UK?

Christmas card etiquette UK traditions are generally straightforward: send greetings to people you want to remember, write a message that suits your relationship and sign your name clearly.

Who should receive a Christmas card?

Start with close family and friends, then consider neighbours, colleagues, clients or people who have supported you during the year. You do not need to send a card to all the people you know. A thoughtful message to a smaller group can feel more meaningful than a large, impersonal mailing.

How should you sign your card?

For friends and relatives, use the sign-off that feels natural to your relationship. “With love”, “Best wishes” or “Merry Christmas” can all be good, depending on the recipient.

For couples and families, include the names of everyone sending the card if the recipient may not recognise the household from one name alone. For a card from young children, adding their names can make the greeting feel more personal.

What about business Christmas cards?

Keep client greetings warm and professional. Thank the recipient for their support or partnership during the year, and offer a brief seasonal wish. Avoid overly familiar language unless you already have that kind of relationship.

If you are sending cards on behalf of a company, use a consistent sign-off and check names and job titles. A thoughtful card, addressed correctly, can feel more personal than a generic message sent to a mailing list.

How Can You Prepare Your Cards for Posting?

Before taking your cards to a postbox or Post Office branch, run through a few simple checks.

• Check the address: Include the recipient’s name, street address, town and postcode. Add the country for overseas mail.
• Use the correct postage: Check the size and weight of each envelope before posting, as larger or heavier cards may require a different postage rate. Consult Royal Mail's official Christmas posting guidance if you are unsure which service to use.
• Position the stamp correctly: Place it in the top-right corner of the envelope.
• Write clearly: Neat handwriting or printed labels can help addresses be processed accurately.
• Keep a list: Tick off each recipient as you finish writing and posting their card.

Royal Mail provides further advice on addressing and posting Christmas cards, including postage and envelope guidance.

A final check is especially helpful when you are sending dozens of cards. It is much easier to correct an address before posting than to discover a mistake after Christmas.

Plan Your Christmas Cards Before the Rush

A little preparation makes Christmas correspondence easier to enjoy. Start your list early, choose your cards, check each address and aim to post during the first half of December rather than relying on the final deadlines.

If you are choosing personalised Christmas cards UK recipients will appreciate them. Browse Me Loovely’s personalised stationery collection and allow time for dispatch, delivery and the personal messages that make each card special.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early to send Christmas cards to avoid delivery delays?

The first half of December is the right answer to when you post christmas cards UK query. If you are mailing cards abroad or purchasing personalised designs, get in earlier to allow time for delivery.

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

Royal Mail lists 18 December for 2nd Class, 21 December for 1st Class and 23 December for Special Delivery Guaranteed. Check its official page for updates before posting.

How early should I send Christmas cards?

You can send cards in late November if they are ready. This is particularly useful when you have a large mailing list, personalised stationery or overseas recipients.

When should I order personalised Christmas cards?

Ordering by early December is a practical approach. Me Loovely states that orders are dispatched within 1–2 working days, but delivery takes additional time and is not guaranteed by the order date alone.

Is it rude to send a Christmas card after the deadline?

No, not at all. A belated card might still be a lovely gesture. If you miss Christmas, you can send it as a New Year message.