Should I Start Thinking About Christmas?

Now we are in November (how did that happen!?) and the festive season is fast approaching, it is time to start thinking about our plans for the big day. But, what will Christmas be like this year?

Last year, Christmas lost some its sparkle with lockdown restrictions meaning we couldn't all celebrate together with our family and friends. This year Christmas is looking brighter, although a bit confusing! With companies already seeing a surge in sales for products and talks of possible rule changes and delivery shortages, no wonder Christmas 2021 is appearing to be far from tree-mendous.

Luckily, at Interparcel, we offer a range of services that make sending and receiving parcels easy, affordable and on time. If you are a small eCommerce business, we also offer efficient shipping solutions to manage and fulfil orders in one place to ensure your business run smoothly during this busy period. So, before we start to hear Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' blare through our speakers, let's make sure you know what to expect when sending parcels this merry season.

Sending gifts in the UK

With a potential back-log of deliveries, it makes sense to get ahead of the curve and deliver Christmas gifts to loved ones across the UK before the big day. That way, if plans change, at least your present will make it!

We offer a range of services to suit all types of budgets and urgencies. Your Christmas gift can be collected from your doorstep and delivered contact-free. Parcelforce is one of our most popular shipping services and you can send packages between 28kg with dimensions limits of 140cm - 250cm. Their solutions are perfect for shipping Christmas presents and decorations like Christmas trees, alcohol, or toys. Alternatively, you can use our Evri locker service to drop-off a parcel at an easily accessible outdoor locker available 24/7.

If you are an online store, many of our eCommerce businesses have found that using a parcel courier like us offers them reliable sending and access to low-cost rates to deliver Christmas gifts. We also offer Branded Tracking so you can give your customers a consistent branded experience- at no extra cost. You can also keep your customers up to date by opting for our free email notifications when booking.

However, it is essential you check our Prohibited and Restricted items guide before booking with us, otherwise you could face surcharges, delays or confiscation by authorities. Our handy video has some examples of prohibited items, explains how to package your parcel properly and goes through the booking process with us from start to finish. Watch the video here.

Sending presents worldwide

With airline rules constantly changing, its no wonder that some of us many not feel safe to travel abroad this winter. If you have a gift to send internationally or an order to fulfil for a customer overseas, we have a range of reputable international couriers, such as Landmark Global and Fedex, who can get your order to their doorstep- quicker than you may think!

Of course, sending a parcel abroad comes with some extra paperwork, but we make the booking process as simple as possible. When you book with Interparcel, we provide you with all the customs documents you will need to successfully clear Customs. All of our services also come with a level of transit cover between £20 - £100, but when shipping expensive Christmas gifts, it's worth opting for a higher level of protection. You will be able to add this amount to the booking process for a small fee.

Watch out for those cut off dates!

Don't end up on Santa's naughty list this year by leaving your shipping too late! Each courier's requirements differs slightly and international shipments needs to be sent earlier than domestic deliveries. We will be posting our last posting dates very shortly, so keep an eye out!

Create an account with us

Get ahead of the season of gifting and make an account with us today. It is simple, quick, and most importantly- it's free! If you have any questions about creating an account or sending a parcel with us, speak to our friendly parcel experts by phone, live chat, or email 8 am - 8 pm Monday to Friday, or 9 am – 1 pm at the weekend.