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Beat the Christmas Rush
Beat the Christmas Rush
Keep Your Dispatch Operation Running Smoothly This Festive Season
Every year, the Christmas Mail Rush places extraordinary pressure on businesses of all sizes. Increased customer demand, busy promotional periods, congested delivery networks and the expectation of fast dispatch all combine to create a challenging landscape. Understanding what the Christmas rush is and preparing for it early can help you avoid unnecessary stress while protecting your service levels and customer satisfaction.
Here’s Springpack’s top tips to help you stay ahead of the Rush for Christmas, we have pulled together essential posting dates, best practice packaging advice, recommended products and expert guidance from the Springpack team.
Christmas Posting Cut Off Dates for 2025
To ensure your parcels reach customers in time for Christmas, it is important to plan around the recommended final posting dates. Delivery networks are always under heightened strain at this time of year, and delays are common. The following Christmas cut offs apply to the UK’s three major postal carriers:
Royal Mail Last Posting Dates 2025
17 December: 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed For
19 December: Royal Mail Tracked 48
20 December: 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For
21 December: Royal Mail Tracked 24
23 December: Special Delivery Guaranteed
Parcels sent after this time may not be delivered in time for Christmas
19 December: Courier Collections & Parcel Drop Off – by 11 AM
20 December: Next Day services – Drop off by 11 AM
Parcels sent after this time may not be delivered in time for Christmas
16 December: Last day to send parcels
17-23 December: Deliveries will be made into local stores, collections during these days might not be delivered in time for Christmas
24-28 December: Drop-offs may be open, but not collections or deliveries
29 December: First day for collections/deliveries
Staying aware of these dates can help you plan customer communications and internal targets, reducing disappointment and pressure as Christmas approaches.
Prepare With Smart Stock Planning
One of the most common challenges during the Christmas Mail Rush is the sudden rise in order volumes. Black Friday, Cyber Monday and last minute Christmas buying habits all feed into a steep increase in demand. To stay ahead, businesses need to ensure they have enough essential stock on hand, without allowing a warehouse to become overcrowded.
Packaging is often overlooked until it runs out, and by then it is too late. A reliable packaging supplier with a Just in Time delivery service can make all the difference. Springpack offers rapid replenishment and has the capacity to make daily deliveries if needed. This allows businesses to run leaner warehouses without sacrificing service continuity.
Check Your Packaging Specifications
Just as Santa makes a list and checks it twice, now is the perfect moment to review your packaging specifications. Products that ship safely during quieter periods may need extra protection when networks are congested. Parcels are handled more frequently during the Christmas rush, increasing the risk of damage if packaging is not fit for purpose.
Springpack can support you in reviewing specifications, suggesting alternatives and ensuring that the packaging you choose is suited to the demands of the season. This avoids unnecessary returns and helps keep customers happy.
Seasonal Staffing and Packaging Guidelines
Many warehouses rely on seasonal staff to get through busy periods. New team members may not be fully familiar with your dispatch procedures, which can slow down operations or lead to inconsistencies. To solve this, Springpack can create packaging guidelines and training materials at no extra cost. Clear instructions help seasonal staff pick orders efficiently, pack parcels correctly and maintain a professional standard throughout the festive period.
Plan for Reverse Logistics and Handling Returns
High customer returns are another challenge associated with Christmas. With gifting at its peak, return volumes often rise in January. Ensuring you have a reverse logistics plan will help you avoid bottlenecks and customer frustration. Correct packaging selection, accurate labelling and clear internal processes all contribute to a smooth returns operation.
Recommended Packaging to Beat the Christmas Rush
Choosing the right tools for your warehouse is key to staying fast, organised and cost efficient. Below are some ideal products that can support your operation during the busiest time of the year.
Cardboard Pick Bins
Pick bins help teams stay organised and speed up order selection. They are ideal for creating clear picking zones and minimising errors.
Ecommerce Boxes with Crash Lock Bases
Pick bins help teams stay organised and speed up order selection. They are ideal for creating clear picking zones and minimising errors.
Air Cushion Packaging
Air cushions can be inflated on demand and stored in overhead hoppers, freeing up valuable warehouse space. They add very little extra weight, which helps control transport costs at a time when shipping needs are so high. Their ability to be produced as required makes them particularly valuable during unpredictable seasonal fluctuations.
Linerless Labels
Linerless labels have no backing paper, which reduces waste and increases application speed. They are ideal for teams needing to print and apply large volumes of labels quickly and sustainably.
They also reduce the risk of slips and falls from the super slippery silicone lined backing paper, which is surprisingly more common than you may think…
These solutions are well suited to businesses searching for Christmas packaging boxes, Wholesale packaging materials for retail shops or Sustainable Christmas Packaging alternatives.
Plan for Contingencies
Finally, no Christmas preparation strategy is complete without a contingency plan. Carriers can experience delays, stock may move faster than expected and seasonal staff might require extra training. Having backup plans ensures your operation remains stable even if unexpected challenges arise.
A good contingency plan covers:
• Secondary carriers
• Emergency packaging stock
• Additional temporary labour
• Alternative packing solutions
• Reallocation of warehouse space
Springpack can work with you to build resilience into your plan, ensuring you have the flexibility to adapt if market conditions change quickly.
Get Ready for the Festive Season
The Christmas Mail Rush does not need to be stressful. With thoughtful preparation, the right packaging products and support from a responsive packaging supplier, you can keep orders flowing smoothly throughout the season. Springpack is ready to help you navigate the busy period with reliable deliveries, expert advice and high quality packaging designed to protect your products and your reputation.
If you would like to discuss your Christmas packaging boxes, stocking plans or bespoke training materials, the Springpack team is here to help.
If you are interested in Packaging, Springpack are experts in the field. Our team of Packaging Experts have all of the answers to your packaging questions. Why not get in touch with us today?
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Author: Alice Jeavons
Springpack is a UK packaging company delivering sustainable solutions that empower customers. We prioritise exceptional service, building strong relationships and developing innovative packaging solutions tailored to unique needs. Sustainability drives us, from eco-friendly materials to reusable practices minimising waste and emissions. As a family-run business, we’ve grown from humble beginnings to industry forerunners. Our passion lies in making a positive impact in our community and the lives of customers, employees, and stakeholders through outstanding service that exceeds expectations.