The Post Office has issued a clear warning to customers across the United Kingdom: send your Christmas parcels early to avoid the festive rush. The company predicts that Friday, 8 December will be the busiest day across its nationwide network of branches this season.
Survey Reveals Surge in Festive Sending
This urgent call to action is backed by new survey data commissioned by the Post Office. The findings reveal a significant jump in the number of Britons planning to send gifts this Christmas. The figure has risen sharply to 33%, up from just 20% last year.
Furthermore, the poll highlights the enduring sentimental value of the tradition, with 34% of respondents stating that sending festive parcels and cards is a cherished part of their Christmas. However, the data also exposes a potential last-minute crunch. Only a third of people (33%) intend to post their items by early to mid-December, while a brave (or disorganised) 8% admit they leave all their mailing until the final week before the big day.
A Hub for All Your Sending Needs
Post Office branches serve as a vital one-stop shop for the nation's festive sending. They provide convenient drop-off and collection points for a wide range of carrier services. This includes prepaid parcels for Royal Mail and Parcelforce, as well as for other major delivery firms like Amazon, DPD, DHL, and Evri at selected locations.
Candice Ohandjanian, Post Office Director of Mails and Parcels, commented on the expected boom. "This Christmas is shaping up to be one of the busiest yet," she said, "with nearly three quarters of Brits planning to buy the same number, or even more, gifts for loved ones than last year."
She emphasised the Post Office's role, stating: "The local Post Office remains the main place the public rely on to ensure they arrive safely. Whether it’s expert advice on international shipping, help with customs forms, finding the best delivery option, or simply a convenient spot to collect or drop off parcels, Post Office is here to make Christmas sending stress-free."
Royal Mail Scales Up for Seasonal Demand
Separately, Royal Mail has announced a major recruitment drive to handle the anticipated festive volume. The postal service plans to hire approximately 20,000 temporary workers to bolster its delivery operations throughout the Christmas period.
These new positions will be spread across the company's infrastructure, including:
- Two parcel hubs.
- Four seasonal parcel sorting centres.
- 37 mail centres throughout the country.
This temporary workforce is intended to help Royal Mail manage seasonal surges in demand, covering key shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as well as the traditional pre-Christmas posting rush. The breakdown of the 20,000 roles includes:
- 12,000 mail centre sorting roles in England.
- An additional 2,000 in Scotland.
- 600 in Wales.
- 400 in Northern Ireland.
- A further 3,000 delivery and collection roles across the UK.
- 2,000 temporary HGV and MGV driver positions.
The combined message from the Post Office and Royal Mail is unequivocal: with demand predicted to be substantially higher than in 2024, planning ahead and posting early is the best way to ensure gifts arrive in time for Christmas Day.
