ROYAL Mail has issued information about postage dates for the festive period.
The mail company is encouraging customers to post their festive greetings early, and order their online gifts and shopping well in advance, to help its postmen and women deliver the bumper festive mailbag.
The latest recommended posting dates for mail to arrive in time for Christmas are:
Tuesday December 20 for Second Class mail
Wednesday December 21 for First Class mail
Thursday December 22 for Special Delivery
Friday 23 December Special Delivery Saturday Guaranteed
New figures also show that traditional cards are more popular than cards with contemporary designs.
Research shows that 72 per cent of people who celebrate Christmas would prefer to receive a traditional card this Christmas.
Only six per cent would prefer a festive greeting via social media and 10 per cent via text, according to new research from Royal Mail.
Snow scenes topped the list of popular designs – with almost a quarter – 23 per cent of people preferring a wintry image on their cards.
The world's first Christmas card, commissioned by Henry Cole in 1843.
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