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 threats of supply issues and complications in logistics, regardless of the deadline, we still suggest you go sooner rather than later to minimise the risk of disappointment – don't leave card-sending and present-shopping to the last minute.
Christmas last order dates for 2021 (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* |
Tue 21 Dec £3.99 or free on £25+ or if you're an Adidas member |
TBC | Tue 21 Dec Free |
Amazon* |
Varies by product Price ranges depending on size |
Thu 23 Dec for One-Day delivery 'Free' for Prime members (£79/yr) (i)
Fri 24 Dec for Same-Day delivery |
TBC Free |
AO* |
Sun 19 Dec, 11.59pm large appliances Free
Wed 22 Dec, 11.59pm small appliances and other electricals Free |
Wed 22 Dec £5 |
Wed 22 Dec Free |
Argos* |
Thu 23 Dec, 8pm £3.95-£6.95 depending on size |
Fri 24 Dec, 1pm £3.95-£14.95 depending on size and delivery slot |
Fri 24 Dec Free |
Asos* |
Mon 20 Dec, 11.59pm £4 or free on £35+. 'Free' for Premier Delivery members (£9.95/yr) |
Thu 23 Dec, 11.59pm £5.95, 'free' for Premier Delivery members (£9.95/yr) |
Sun 19 Dec for standard £4
£5.95 |
Boots* |
Sat 18 Dec, 11.59pm £3.75 or free on £25+ |
Wed 22 Dec, 11.59pm £4.95
|
Mon 20 Dec, 11.59pm Free |
Currys* |
Sat 18 Dec, 9pm smaller items Free
Wed 15 Dec, 7pm large items Free |
Wed 22 Dec, 9pm £5
Mon 20 Dec, 7pm large items £5 |
Fri 24 Dec, 12pm in store products Free
Tue 21 Dec, 9pm products delivered to store for collection Fee |
Game* |
TBC £4.99 |
TBC £7.99 |
TBC £4.99, or 'click and reserve' (pay when you arrive) free |
Halfords* |
Wed 22 Dec, 8pm £3.99 or free on £20+ *excludes built bikes, online exclusives and metal storage
Fri 17 Dec, 8pm Bulky items £39.99 |
No express delivery | Fri 24 Dec, 12pm in store products Free |
Harvey Nichols* |
Fri 17 Dec, 3pm £5 |
Tue 21 Dec, 3pm £8 |
Fri 17 Dec, 3pm Free |
H&M* |
Mon 20 Dec, 11.59pm £3.99, or free for members spending £20+ |
Mon 20 Dec, 7pm £5.99 |
TBC £3.99, or free for members spending £20+ |
John Lewis* |
TBC |
TBC £6.95 |
TBC £2 up to £30 or free on £30+ |
Kurt Geiger* |
Fri 17 Dec, 11.59pm £4.95 |
Mon 20 Dec, 12pm £6.95 |
Fri 17 Dec, 11.59pm Free |
La Redoute* |
TBC From £3.99 |
TBC |
TBC £1.99 or free on £50+ |
Lookfantastic* |
Tue 21 Dec, 11.59pm £3.95 or free on £25+
Tue 21 Dec, 11.59pm via InPost lockers £1.95 or free on £25+ |
Thu 23 Dec, 5pm £4.95 or free on £100+ |
Tue 21 Dec, 11.59pm £2.95 or free on £25+ |
Matalan* |
Sun 19 Dec, 11.59pm £3.95 or free on £50+ |
TBC £4.95 |
Sunday 19 Dec, 11.59pm Free |
M&S* |
Sat 18 Dec £3.50 or free on £50+ |
Thu 23 Dec £4.99 |
Thu 23 Dec Free |
Next |
Thu 23 Dec £3.99 |
Thu 23 Dec £5.99 (you can choose a specific time slot) |
TBC Free |
Nike* |
Mon 20 Dec, 11.59pm £4.50 or free on £50+ or for members |
TBC | Mon 20 Dec, 11.59pm Free |
Office* |
Mon 20 Dec, 11.30pm £3.99 |
Thu 23 Dec, 4pm £5.99 |
Mon 20 Dec, 5.30pm Free |
Schuh* |
Mon 20 Dec, 11.59pm £3, free on £25+ |
Wed 22 Dec, 11.59pm £4.99 |
Fri 24 Dec Free |
Screwfix* |
TBC £5 up to £50 or free on £50+ |
No express delivery |
TBC Free |
Selfridges* |
Sun 19 Dec, 6pm £5 or 'free' for Selfridges+ members (£10/yr) |
Thu 23 Dec, 12pm From £8 or 'free' for Selfridges+ members (£10/yr) |
Wed 22 Dec, 10pm Free |
Shoeaholics* |
Fri 17 Dec, 11.59pm £3.50 |
Mon 20 Dec, 12pm £6.95 |
Fri 17 Dec, 11.59pm £2.95 |
Smyths Toys |
TBC Islands, Scottish Highlands, large and bulky items £4.99 TBC rest of the UK £4.99 up to £10, £2.99 on £10-£20 or free on £20+ |
TBC £7.99 up to £10, £5.99 on £10-£20 or £2.99 on £20+ |
TBC Free |
The Body Shop* |
TBC £3.49 or free on £30+ |
TBC £4.99 |
TBC Free |
The Entertainer* |
TBC £2.99 or free on £39.99+ |
TBC £5.99 or £2.99 on £39.99+ |
TBC Free (min spend £10) |
Waterstones* |
Mon 20 Dec, 11.59pm £2.99 or free on £25+ |
Wed 22 Dec, 3pm £3.99 |
Fri 24 Dec, from two hours after ordering Free |
Wickes* |
TBC £4 or free on £75+ |
No express delivery | 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.
(i) Subject to one or more of a number of factors, including delivery capacity and availability, store opening hours or product exclusions, so go quick.
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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