Royal Mail reveals Christmas card posting deadlines for 2023

The post service has also encouraged customers to order online gifts well in advance to ensure their Christmas goes smoothly (Picture: Getty Images)

The deadline to get your Christmas cards in the post has been revealed as Royal Mail unveiled a collection of new festive stamps.

The new stamps are based on classic carols, including We Three Kings, Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger and O Holy Night.

They’re the first stamps to picture the silhouette of King Charles III – making this Christmas one to remember.

Royal Mail customers have been urged to send their Christmas tidings in the post by December 18 for second class, December 19 for first class and December 22 for special delivery.

The director of external affairs and policy for Royal Mail David Gold said: ‘For many, the launch of the annual Christmas stamps is the signal to begin writing those Christmas cards.

‘The charming style of these designs, which were inspired by the carols that are so familiar to us all, set the perfect tone for the festive season.’

This year’s festive stamps have been unveiled as well (Picture: PA)

Royal Mail customers have been urged to send their Christmas tidings in the post by December 18 for second class, December 19 for first class and December 22 for special delivery (Picture: Getty)

The post service has also encouraged customers to order online gifts well in advance to ensure their Christmas goes smoothly.

For international tracked posting, customers sending any mail to Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Bulgaria, the Caribbean, China, Far and Middle East, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, and Spain are urged to send all post by December 6.

To reach Cyprus and Malta in time for Christmas, make sure your letters and gifts are sent by December 7.

And to reach the USA, Turkey, and most other European countries by yule time, post your letters by December 8.

If you’re hoping to collect presents for Christmas and New Year, be aware that from December 23 to December 26, you won’t be able to pick up any – with the exception of regular Saturday collection customers being able to pick up on December 23.

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Last year, Christmas was chaotic as Royal Mail went on strike during the peak holiday season.

Customers were urged to send their letters much earlier than normal – the last date for second class was December 12, first class was December 16, and the final date for tracked December 19.

Luckily this year, customers should be able to send their mail without worry of strikes.

But one postman isn’t concerned about getting his packages delivered on time – he’s more concerned about his hands getting mauled by a tabby cat.

Royal Mail threatened to stop delivering to a couple over claims their naughty cat was attacking posties through the letterbox.

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