Final dates to order Christmas delivieries

Christmas is closer than you think, and there are only six days left to secure those last-minute gifts for your loved ones and Secret Santas. Not everyone has the time to browse, and if you’d rather not have to brave overcrowded town centres, there’s still time to order online from your favourite high street retailers – but you need to act fast.

Many offer next-day and nominated day delivery, but there are specific dates and times you need to order by to ensure the presents arrive under the tree before the big day.  Of course, every retailer has their own cutoff date for delivery by Christmas, and with so many out there, it can get complicated trying to remember everything. 

If you’re not sure what the deadlines are, fear not – we’ve done the heavy lifting for you, compiling all the crucial dates and times you need to know to ensure that last-minute delivery before Christmas.

However, these deadlines are contingent upon courier capacity and potential unforeseen delays, so shoppers should place their orders sooner rather than later to avoid any festive disappointment.

Marks and Spencer is always a great shout when it comes to gifting, as there are countless options, from fashion and beauty gifts to its famous festive hampers and letterbox gifts. 

Marks and Spencer customers can place their orders for next-day delivery by Tuesday, December 23. This applies to the retailer’s own-brand fashion, beauty, and home items, as well as flowers.

The retailer’s click-and-collect service is also available until December 23. For standard delivery, orders should be placed by Saturday, December 20, to ensure arrival before Christmas.

If you’re after a hamper, the deadline is Monday, December 22, for nominated day delivery. For other brands stocked by Marks and Spencer, the last ordering date varies for Christmas delivery.

Click here for more details on M&S delivery cutoffs.

Next is another comprehensive destination for fashion, beauty and homeware, making it an ideal choice for getting multiple gifts in one go. Luckily, there’s still some time to shop online. 

The very latest shoppers can order for standard delivery is 8pm on Monday, December 22. Meanwhile, online orders for click and collect can be placed until 11 pm on Monday, 22nd, for in-store collection on Tuesday, December 23.

If you do end up down to the wire, there’s a later option: the final deadline is December 24 at 2 pm for same-day store collection – just be sure to check individual store closing times.

The retailer warns that any orders placed between December 23rd and December 28th will not be delivered until Monday, December 29th.

Much like Next, Debenhams is a one-stop shop retailer for all kinds of gifts, which makes it ideal for big orders covering everything from fashion and beauty to homeware. 

The retailer is currently running a massive site-wide sale, and shoppers can get up to an extra 25% off by using the code MYSTERY at checkout.

Orders over £50 receive £5 off, and free express delivery with the code SAVE5, but the cutoff for qualifying orders is midnight on Friday, 19 December. 

Typically, orders for next-day delivery must be placed by midnight the night before, but the retailer advises that during peak periods, the delivery time may be longer than normal.

Click here to explore the sale and see what’s available for delivery by Christmas.

Known for its sophisticated prints, high-quality materials and classic designs, Boden is a favourite for gift-giving. The retailer is hosting its own massive seasonal sale across womenswear, kids’ and babywear, making it an excellent choice not only for Christmas gifts but also for anyone planning their New Year’s Eve outfit.

The cutoff date for standard delivery has passed, but shoppers can still order for express delivery by 5 pm on Sunday, December 21.

Click here to check out the Boden sale. 

Roman Originals is another fantastic option for classic styles and occasion wear, and is also known for its generous sales. Currently, knitwear and coats are 20% off with the discount code SNUG.

The retailer is offering shoppers a bit more flexibility, with online orders accepted until Tuesday, December 23, for next-day delivery, making it one of the more lenient options on the list.

Click here to explore the Roman sale, which includes everything from casual wear to party pieces.

River Island  has several delivery options, including next-day delivery, which is probably the safest one. 

The cutoff for click and collect orders is midnight on Friday, December 19, and customers who want to risk standard delivery must place their orders by midnight on Saturday, December 20.

The retailer points out that during busy periods, standard delivery may take longer than normal, so  next-day delivery is probably your best bet, and the deadline is Monday, December 22. 

River Island has up to 50% off on partywear and gifts at the moment, making it a great option for last-minute partywear orders or gifts for women, men, and children. Click here to explore the sale.

If you are still looking for a great outfit for Christmas dinner or New Year’s Eve, New Look is another beloved high street brand with numerous options. It’s also a top destination for fashionable gifts at affordable prices, and can please everyone from teens to mums. 

Shoppers can visit their local store right up to Christmas, but there are no clear cutoff dates for click and collect orders.

Your best bet is to stick to the deadline for next-day delivery, which is 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 22. Express delivery orders through Evri can be placed by 8pm the previous day. Click here for more information.

If you would prefer to get your loved ones something meaningful and timeless, jewellery is a great idea, and there’s still time to get something from Abbott Lyon. 

The brand’s festive delivery cutoff is December 22, meaning you can still purchase a necklace, bracelet, ring, or earrings for your loved ones in time for Christmas morning.

Shoppers should note that non-personalised and engraved items typically take between two and four working days, while personalised items may take several weeks. This means that not all products qualify for this deadline. 

Luckily, the brand has helpfully highlighted the products that are guaranteed for delivery before December 25 – have a look here.

If you’ve got a teen or younger person, getting them something from Dr Martens is guaranteed to put you on their ‘nice’ list for the year. The trusted brand has made trendy yet reliable footwear for decades, and fans of the brand can get a brand new pair of boots by Christmas if they know their size. 

The brand’s Christmas cut-off dates are December 19 by 5pm for standard delivery and December 22 by 5pm for next-day delivery.

The brand has cautioned shoppers who miss these deadlines that any next-day delivery orders placed on the 23rd are expected to arrive on the 27th.

Customers who miss the deadline can use the click and collect service to collect from select physical stores, which can normally be picked up on the same day, according to the brand.

Of course, we couldn’t leave out our favourite health and beauty retailers, and Boots is one of the most popular out there. From Advent calendars to its weekly updated Star Gifts, there’s something for everyone, and for every budget. If you need some last-minute gifts or stocking fillers, you can choose from beauty and skincare gift boxes, or grab someone’s favourite perfume at a discount.

Shoppers have until 10pm on December 21 to order for standard delivery, and all click and collect orders must be placed by 5pm on December 22.

For next-day delivery, the cutoff is 1pm on December 23.

Another great option for beauty enthusiasts is LookFantastic, where shoppers can also find curated gift sets, as well as fragrance and skincare favourites. It’s also a great destination if you’re working on your festive makeup looks, and shoppers can currently get up to 20% off on selected beauty products with the code SAVE. 

Shoppers can get free standard delivery when they spend £25 after discount before 11:59 on December 20.

For next-day delivery, orders must be placed by midnight on December 22.

Cult Beauty is another reliable destination for those still on the hunt for beauty gift sets, skincare essentials or stocking fillers.

Orders must be placed by December 22 to qualify for next-day delivery, making it perfect for fans who have left beauty purchases until the last minute.

From electronics to books and even fashion, Amazon is usually one of people’s go-to retailers when they’re shopping for last-minute gifts, so we’d be remiss not to include it in this list. 

The retail giant is one of the most reliable year-round for timely deliveries, and many prefer it for how convenient it is to navigate. 

Although each item has a different cutoff date for orders, customers can view a countdown on the purchase page, which shows exactly how many days before Christmas their item is expected to arrive.

At the same time, Prime members can enjoy free next-day delivery.