TODAY is the cut-off date for online orders at some of the biggest shops if you want your goodies to arrive before Christmas.
Last orders are being taken for home delivery at John Lewis, Currys PCWorld and Next among others.
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In most cases, you’ll have to pay extra because these very last dates are for next-day delivery, which is a premium service.
Deadlines for ordering with standard delivery – which is often free – have already passed at many shops.
There’s not guarantee they’ll arrive in time though due to disruptions to deliveries because of coronavirus and the introduction of Tier 4 restrictions over the weekend.
Retailers are warning customers that orders may be delayed and they might not arrive before December 25 even with orders made before the cut-off dates.
Click and collect is still available at some stores closer to Christmas Day, even in areas where Tier 4 has closed stores for shopping.
It’s worth checking if this is an option and often it’s cheaper than speedy delivery too.
We’ve got a full round-up of last Christmas delivery dates here, but these are the shops where you need to order by December 22 – TODAY – if you want your presents on time.
John Lewis
You’ll need to order by 4pm for delivery before Christmas at John Lewis and that’s with next-day delivery which costs £6.95.
You also have until 4pm to order online and pick up in store with click and collect.
The standard delivery last order date has already gone and after 4pm your only option will be to buy in store if you need an item before Christmas, unless you’re in a Tier 4 area.
Where the tightest restrictions are in place, John Lewis is closed except for picking up click and collect orders, though Waitrose food halls remain open.
Currys PCWorld
Online orders from Currys need to be placed before the end of the day for delivery before Christmas.
That’s with next-day delivery which costs £5 (the standard delivery deadline has passed).
This applies to small items, which Currys says is “Just about everything under the sun except for major kitchen/laundry appliances and TVs over 40 inches”.
Currys also says this is subject to availability and that delivery is not guaranteed.
The retailer says on its website: “Please be aware that factors beyond our control (such as adverse weather) may delay your order.”
You can also order items online and pick them up in store with click and collect for free.
You can do this up until 3pm on Christmas Eve as long as the product is in stock.
How to protect yourself while online shopping
- GUT FEELING: Stick to popular retailers such as Amazon, Currys and Argos.
If you are looking at less well known sites, trust your instinct. Do not shop anywhere that looks unprofessional, has odd pop-ups or is selling items at prices that seem too good to be true. - FAKE NEWS: Do not reveal any unnecessary personal information. All you need to give is your name, address and payment details.
Avoid clicking on links on emails. Phishing scams can stem from messages that seem legitimate, but send you to bogus sites that collect information to steal your identity.
Instead, type the URL directly into the search bar. - NOT SO SMART: Use your computer instead of your mobile. Most phones do not have anti-virus software, and it is harder to tell whether shortened URLs used on social media are legitimate.
Also, wait until you are home and on a password-protected wifi network as public hotspots do not protect your data. Regularly update your browser to boost your security. - HACKED OFF: Using the same password for every retailer you sign up for may seem like the easy option but it makes hackers’ job easy.
Use complicated passwords, make them different for each site and change them every few months. - ADDRESS IT: Check that the website you are using has HTTPS in the URL, as the “S” indicates that the way your information is being sent is secure. Another sign of a secure site is a small padlock on the screen.
Most Currys stores are open until 5pm on December 24 and you can check your local store openings here.
Currys advises you to go alone to pick up an order, and to wrap up warm in case there are queues as it’s a busy time and there is social distancing.
Next
You can’t order any later than today from Next for delivery before Christmas.
Next offers next-day delivery as standard and it costs £3.99.
Tuesday is also the cut-off for flower and plant delivery and some wines.
You can still order online and collect in store up until Wednesday December 23, if the item is in stock, and that’s for free and within one hour in some cases.
Check your local store opening times before heading to pick anything up and remember there are likely to be rules in place for visiting stores during coronavirus.
Office
You need to get your order in before 8.30pm today for delivery before Christmas Day.
That’s with next-day delivery which costs £5 – standard delivery and click and collect deadlines have already gone.
Same-day delivery is available in some areas up until Wednesday (December 23) if you order by 1pm, which will set you back more at £7.95.
The Entertainer
You need to get your skates to get anything from the toy store before Christmas.
Last orders are 3pm today for express delivery because standard order deadlines have already gone.
You can still click and collect at stores for orders over £15, including in Tier 4 areas, up until midday on Christmas Eve where the item is in stock.
Express delivery costs £5.99 and click and collect is free.
House of Fraser
You need to place an order with House of Fraser before 6pm today for Christmas delivery.
This is with next-day delivery which costs £7.99.
The deadlines for both standard delivery and click and collect have already gone.
Sports Direct
The deadline for ordering from Sports Direct is also 6pm today and that’s with next-day delivery which costs £7.99.
You can no longer order with standard delivery or do click and collect in time for Christmas.
Waterstones
It’s 3pm today for last orders from Waterstones book shop with delivery by first class post.
After that, you can still do click and collect and pick up in store right up until Christmas Eve as long as the item is in stock.
But in Tier 4 areas click and collect is available only until the end of December 23 with last orders at 2pm.
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You can check local Watersones store opening times before you head out here.
First class delivery costs £3.99 while click and collect in store is free.
Boohoo
Order by the end of today at online retailer Boohoo for arrival before Christmas.
This costs £3.99 for next-day delivery or is free with Premier which is £9.99 and gives you unlimited next-day delivery and free returns for a year
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