Amazon, M&S, John Lewis and more: Last order dates for Christmas deliveries

With the festive period just around the corner, time is running out to get gift orders delivered in time for Christmas.

With the cost of living crisis in full effect, and money tight, many households will be looking to keep costs as low as possible this Christmas. Key to that will be ensuring that gifts for loved ones are delivered not only on time for the big day, but also as cheaply as possible. 

But each retailer has their own process in place, covering when orders need to be made in order for the items to be delivered by Christmas Day.

Here we run through the last order dates, and the delivery costs to be aware of, for some of the big retailers in the UK. You may also be interested in our article on key dates you need to know about amid Royal Mail strikes.

Amazon

For non-Prime members, you have until 19th December to get your orders in if you want to receive your goods before Christmas. If you’re a Prime member then you may be able to leave placing the order until Christmas Eve, though not all items will be eligible for same-day delivery.

Argos

With Argos you can order up until Christmas Eve itself, with its fast track same day delivery service, costing £5.95. Other delivery slots cost from £3.95 if you order in advance, while there’s also a free click and collect service ‒ your order is held for up to seven days.

ASOS

For standard deliveries at ASOS, you will need to place your order by 21st December, while for next day delivery you have until 22nd December.

Standard deliveries at £4.50, but are free if you spend over £40. Next day delivery costs £5.95.

B&M

The final order date for B&M for both regular and medium sized parcels is 15th December. For regular deliveries you will need to pay £3.95, while for medium deliveries it will set you back £7.95.

Body Shop

With regular deliveries, shoppers have until 19th December to place orders with Body Shop in time for Christmas.

Standard deliveries cost £3.99, though if you go for express delivery ‒ which costs £4.99 ‒ you have until 21st December to get those orders in.

Boohoo

With Boohoo, you need to order by 21st December in order to get your items in time for Christmas with standard deliveries. Those orders cost £3.99.

However, you have until 23rd December if you’re willing to pay for express delivery, which costs £5.99.

Boots

You have until 19th December to get your orders in for Christmas at Boots. Standard deliveries cost £3.75, but you can get free delivery when you spend above £25.

Currys/PC World

With Currys and PC World you have until 18th December for standard delivery. That’s free on orders above £40 for all day deliveries, or £10 for orders below that level.

You can opt for next day delivery instead, and have until 22nd December to place your order. That will cost either £5 or £10 depending on the order slot you go for.

Debenhams

You have a couple of options for Christmas deliveries with Debenhams. With standard deliveries you have until 21st December, while with next day deliveries you have until 23rd December.

Standard deliveries cost £3.99, while next day deliveries cost £5.49.

Dunelm

With Dunelm you need to get your orders in by 19th December to receive your goods by standard delivery.

Or you can hold off until 22nd December if you’re paying for express delivery, though this will cost you £5.95. Standard deliveries are free for orders over £49, or else £3.95.

H. Samuel

Orders need to be in by 22nd December for standard delivery with H. Samuel, or 23rd for next day delivery. The latter is free on orders above £40.

Hotel Chocolat

Picking up pressies for a loved one with a sweet tooth? At Hotel Chocolat you can order until 19th December with standard delivery, which is £3.95 for one item or £4.95 for multiple items. 

Or you can go for the next day delivery option until 22nd December, though this will set you back £6.95 for one item or £8.95 for multiple.

House of Fraser

With House of Fraser you have until 19th December to get orders in for Christmas for standard deliveries. 

Or you have until 21st for express delivery and 22nd for next day delivery. Standard delivery costs £4.99, express costs £7.99 and next day costs £9.99.

John Lewis

John Lewis shoppers need to get their orders in by 20th December for standard deliveries, which are free on orders above £50. Next day delivery is available until the 22nd December, though it will cost you £7.50.

Lush

You’ve got until 19th December to place orders with Lush for standard deliveries, or the 22nd for next day deliveries.

Standard delivery is free when you spend £45 or else £3.95, while next day orders cost £6.95.

Marks & Spencer

There are different last order dates depending on the department of M&S that you’re shopping with. On clothing and beauty for example you have until 18th December for standard deliveries, while with wine you have until 19th.

New Look

At New Look, you have until 16th December for standard deliveries, while with express deliveries you have until 21st December.

Standard deliveries are free when you spend over £45, or else cost £2.99, while express deliveries will set you back £3.99. That said, if you spend over £100, they are free.

River Island

If you’re ordering from River Island then you have until 20th December for standard delivery. It costs £4, but is free if you spend more than £50.

Alternatively you can order until 22nd for next day delivery, which costs £6.

Schuh

If you’re ordering gifts on Schuh, then you need to get your order in by 23rd December. You will have to pay £4.99 for delivery though.

Selfridges

Standard deliveries at Selfridges will be with you in time for Christmas so long as you get your order in by 18th December, while next day deliveries allow you to order until 22nd.

Superdrug

At Superdrug you have until 18th December to get your order in for standard deliveries. Or you can hold off until the 22nd for next day deliveries.

Standard delivery costs £3 but is free if you spend over £25 (or £15 if you are a member). Next day deliveries meanwhile will set you back £4.90.

Ted Baker

You will need to get your order in by midnight on 15th December to get your orders from Ted Baker through standard delivery, while with next day deliveries you have until 22nd December.

Standard delivery is free on orders over £100, or else costs £3.95. Next day delivery costs £5.

Waterstones

Picking up a book for a loved one? At Waterstones you need to get your order in by 16th December for second class, or 19th December by first class. Delivery is free on orders over £25.

Zavvi

With Zavvi, standard deliveries cost £3.99 for orders under £20 (or £2.99 for orders above £20) and you have until 20th December to place your order in time for Christmas.

Or if you’re willing to pay the £5.99 for premium next day delivery, you have until 22nd December.

Don’t leave it to the last minute for Christmas deliveries

One really important point to bear in mind this year is that leaving your Christmas orders to the last minute is a real gamble.

Many retailers utilise courier companies like Evri or DPD for orders, but not all do ‒ you may find that your deliveries are held up as a result of the Royal Mail strikes.

On top of the difficulties arising from industrial action, there are also the issues from adverse weather conditions. We’ve already seen significant disruption across the country because of the snow and freezing conditions, and if there is any more to come that could cause further delays in how long it takes for your order to be processed and delivered.

While many of us end up leaving at least some of our Christmas present shopping until late in the day, this year more than ever it’s a good idea to be more proactive and get those orders in early.