Households across the United Kingdom are facing a critical deadline today if they want their festive greetings and parcels to arrive in time for Christmas. Saturday, 20 December 2025, is the final opportunity to send first-class letters and packages via Royal Mail with a guarantee of pre-Christmas delivery.
Final Festive Posting Dates
For any items posted after today using the standard first-class service, Royal Mail cannot assure they will reach their destination before the 25th. However, there remains a slight extension for those using premium tracked services. Customers can still post items using the Royal Mail Tracked 24 service until tomorrow, Sunday, 21 December.
Arif Matadar, a Postmaster, highlighted the seasonal rush, stating that Post Offices become vibrant community hubs during this period. He urged senders to ensure all addresses are written clearly to help mail reach its destination safely during the busy festive period.
Staff Gift Downgrade Sparks Discontent
The pressing deadline for the public coincides with internal controversy at the postal service. This year, Royal Mail has altered its traditional Christmas gift to employees. Instead of the customary book of 50 or 100 first-class stamps given in previous years like 2024, workers will receive 50 second-class stamps.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has expressed significant irritation over this change. A union spokesperson criticised the move, stating it typifies the company's long-term treatment of its workforce. They emphasised that despite this disappointment, postal workers would continue to provide a first-class service to the nation.
A New Era Under Czech Ownership
This festive season marks the first Christmas since Royal Mail's parent company, International Distribution Services (IDS), was acquired by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský. The change in corporate ownership provides a backdrop to the altered staff benefit.
In defence of the decision, a Royal Mail spokesperson outlined the various ways the company recognises staff effort during its busiest period, including a frontline bonus and free stamps. They stated the shift to second-class stamps was intended to reflect recent changes to the universal service obligation and to help maintain smooth mail movement for customers throughout the festive season.
The combination of a stringent public deadline and a perceived downgrade in staff recognition paints a picture of a postal service navigating a period of significant change and pressure during the most demanding time of its operational year.
