LAST OOOOORDERS! The deadlines for free and cheap delivery before Christmas
The deadline for postal and online Christmas deliveries may be sooner than you think. We've collated top retailers' own final cut-off dates, which in most cases comprise two separate deadlines – firstly, for cheapest standard delivery, and secondly, faster 'express' delivery that usually costs more. Many retailers are yet to release their final order dates, but when they do, we'll update you here.
Important: With postal strikes ongoing in the run up to Christmas, we suggest you go sooner rather than later to minimise the risk of disappointment – if you are choosing to send cards or buy gifts online this year, don't leave it to last minute.
Christmas last order dates for 2022 (so you get it by Christmas Eve)
| Retailer | Last date for cheapest delivery, plus cost | Last date for express delivery, plus cost | Last date for click & collect, plus cost |
Adidas* |
Sunday 18 December, 5.30pm £3.99 or free on £25+ or if you're an 'Adiclub' member |
N/A | TBC |
Amazon* |
Varies by product Price ranges depending on size |
TBC |
TBC
|
| AO* | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Argos | TBC £3.95-£6.95 depending on size |
TBC £3.95-£14.95 depending on size and delivery slot |
TBC Free |
Asos* |
Wednesday 21 December, 11.59pm £4.50 or free on £40+. 'Free' for Premier Delivery members (£11.95/yr) |
Friday 23 December, 10pm £5.95, 'free' for Premier Delivery members (£11.95/yr) |
Wednesday 21 December for standard £4.50
£5.95 |
Boots* |
TBC £3.75 or free when spending £25+ |
TBC £4.95 |
TBC Free |
Currys* |
Sunday 18 December smaller items Free
Wednesday 21 December large items £20 |
Thursday 22 December, 9pm £5
Wednesday 21 December, 7pm large items £30 |
TBC |
| Game* | TBC £4.99 |
TBC £7.99 |
TBC £4.99 |
Halfords* |
Thursday 22 December £3.99 or free when spending £20+ *excludes built bikes, online exclusives and metal storage
Tuesday 20 December Bulky Items £39.99
Look on their website for bike specifics.
|
No express delivery | Monday 19 December Free *Reserve & collect is available on Saturday 24 December if stock is available in store |
Harvey Nichols* |
Monday 19 December, 3pm £5 |
Thursday 22 December, 3pm £8 |
Monday 19 December, 3pm Free |
H&M* |
Tuesday 20 December, 11.59pm £3.99, or free for members spending £20+ |
TBC |
Tuesday 20 December, 11.59pm £3.99, or free for members spending £20+ |
John Lewis* |
Tuesday 20 December, 7pm £4.50, or free when spending £50+ |
Thursday 22 December, 4pm £7.50 |
Friday 23 December, 12pm £2.50, or free when spending £30+ |
Kurt Geiger* |
Saturday 17 December, 11.59pm £4.95 |
Tuesday 20 December, 12pm £6.95 |
TBC £1.95 |
| La Redoute* | TBC £3.99 |
TBC £5.98 |
TBC |
| Lookfantastic* | TBC £3.95 or free on £25+ |
TBC £4.95 |
TBC £2.95 or free on £25+ |
Matalan* |
Sunday 18 December, 11.59pm £3.95 or free when spending £40+ |
Tuesday 20 December, 6pm £4.95 |
Sunday 18 December, 11.59pm Free (Standard)
Tuesday 20 December, 6pm £1.99 (Next Day)
|
M&S* |
Sunday 18 December, 10pm £3.50 or free when spending £60+ |
Friday 23 December, 6pm £4.99 |
Friday 23 December, 6pm Free |
Next |
TBC | TBC £4.50 |
TBC Free |
Nike* |
TBC £4.50 |
TBC | TBC Free |
Office* |
Monday 19 December, 11.30pm £3.99 or free when spending £60+ |
Friday 23 December, 4pm £5.99 |
Monday 19 December, 5.30pm Free |
Schuh* |
TBC £3 or free when spending £25+ |
TBC £4.99 |
TBC Free |
Screwfix* |
Thursday 22 December, 8pm*
£5 up to £50 or free when spending £50+ *subject to demand, may be earlier |
Friday 23 December, 8pm*
£10 *subject to demand, may be earlier |
Friday 23 December, 8pm* Free
*subject to demand, may be earlier
1 minute collection is available on Saturday 24 December if stock is available in store
|
Selfridges* |
Sunday 18 December, 11.59pm £5 or 'free' for Selfridges+ members (£10/yr) |
Thursday 22 December, 11.59pm From £8 or 'free' for Selfridges+ members (£10/yr) |
TBC |
| Shoeaholics* | Saturday 17 December, 11.59pm £3.95 |
Tuesday 20 December, 12pm £6.95 |
TBC |
Smyths |
TBC £4.99 for orders under £10 £2.99 for orders between £10-£20 free on orders over £20 |
TBC £7.99 for orders under £10 £5.99 for orders between £10-£20 £2.99 for orders over £20 |
TBC Free |
The Body Shop* |
Monday 19 December, 11.59pm £3.49 or free when spending £35+ |
Wednesday 21 December, 11.59pm £4.99 |
Friday 23 December, 12pm Free |
| The Entertainer* | TBC £3.99 or free when spending £39.99+
|
TBC £5.99
|
TBC Free, minimum £15 spend |
Waterstones* |
Friday 16 December, 3pm £2.99 or free when spending £25+ |
Monday 19 December, 3pm £3.99 |
Saturday 24 December, from two hours after ordering Free |
Wickes* |
TBC £7 or free when spending £85+ |
TBC | TBC Free |
These are the standard options for most, though do note, some may have earlier dates for specific items, so make sure you check.
These are just several of the biggies. Many retailers do list the info on their websites for all to see – so it’s worth checking if you’re after one not listed above.
If opting for click and collect, always leave yourself enough time to collect from the store before it closes, and bear in mind that different branches may have varying closing times.
Late delivery rights
By law, delivery only needs to be “within a reasonable time”, which could be up to 30 days – no use for Christmas. For you to get a refund if an item doesn’t arrive in time, the retailer must have stated goods will arrive by the 25th. If you can’t prove this, you’ve no comeback. You’ve extra rights when buying online though, including being able to return items if you get in touch with the store within 14 days of delivery. For full info, see our Delivery rights guide.
A gentle reminder…
In previous years, retailers have brought forward their last order dates due to couriers struggling to cope with demand or bad weather. Though last order dates are a useful guide, it’s better to take them with a pinch of salt than to trust them as a guarantee.
Basically, if you’re going to buy online, do it sooner rather than later – unless you’re happy to hold on for the chance of a last-minute bargain, despite knowing the risk of it not arriving in time.
Have you had good/bad experiences when ordering Christmas presents online at last minute? Let us know on Twitter.
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