Consumers across the UK hoping to avoid the seasonal rush are in luck as new Post Office data shared today has revealed the peak posting day in the run up to Christmas.

Post Office are anticipating Monday 12 December to be the day when branches are busiest as Brits hurry to send off cards, gifts and parcels as the nation gears up for Christmas.

In 2021, the two weeks ahead of Christmas saw Post Offices more than double their trading activity and Post Office are expecting a similar pattern this year so customers are advised to plan ahead and post early.

The news is a timely reminder for consumers across the UK with Christmas posting on their to do list as recent research conducted by Post Office revealed that looking like an effort hasn’t been made was the biggest concern if cards and gifts don’t arrive before Christmas Day.

What Brits decide to post may look different this December. One in six are planning on making homemade gifts this year according to the survey, with the number one reason being to save money.

The poll of 2005 adults also highlighted the role that cash will play this Christmas with concerns about the cost-of-living front of mind for consumers.

Four in ten plan to use cash to purchase Christmas gifts this year, of these, two thirds will do so to manage budgets and keep track of spending whilst over a quarter are set to gift cash.

A record £801 million in cash was withdrawn at Post Office counters over the festive period last year, with that figure expected to be surpassed this year.

With the research showing that more than one in ten have had a parcel rejected, Post Office are reminding consumers that knowing how to make Christmas parcels easily accepted in branch is key to a smooth trip in branch.

The most common reasons for being caught out were shown to be trying to send parcels containing batteries, parcels not being wrapped correctly and illegible writing.

Further research from Post Office focusing on the long-standing love affair of Brits and queues showed that we might not be as patient a nation as once believed. Although 10% would be willing to wait in a queue for an hour or more, the average time Brits are willing to wait in a queue was shown to be 24 minutes.

Customers visiting Post Offices needn’t worry as the average wait time in branch is just 2 minutes and 36 seconds with over 94%  of Post Office customers finding that wait acceptable.

With the Communication Workers Union having announced strike action in the run-up to Christmas, Post Office are warning of potential delays in delivering items. These delays could impact gift givers across Powys. Post Office branches will continue to operate as normal throughout these periods but are recommending that customers visit branches and send off deliveries earlier than planned.

Post Offices in Brecon, Llangorse, Talybont on Usk, Hay-on-Wye, Clyro, Painscastle, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells, Crossgates, Presteigne, Knighton, and Old Radnor may be affected by these delays.