5 July 2026 · 5 min read

Ordering before Christmas: the deadlines to know

The question that matters in December: how late can you order for delivery before Christmas? The real timings, the deadline to remember, and two options when it's already too late.

In December, only one question really matters: will it arrive in time for the 24th? For a made-to-order personalised gift, there's an unavoidable lead time. Here are the real numbers, the deadline to remember, and what options are left if you're getting in late.

The deadline to remember: 3 December

For a comfortable delivery before 24 December, order by 3 December at the latest. That margin covers production, dispatch and the year-end transit hiccups, a period when carriers are overloaded. The earlier you order, the more relaxed you are.

How long between order and delivery

• About 1 working day to prepare and check the album's visual.
• 6 to 9 working days of production and print on demand.
• Then carrier transit, depending on the destination.

That's 7 to 10 working days in total before dispatch, with transit added on top. This timing holds all year, but December's logistical pressure gets added to it, hence the 3 December deadline.

Running late? Two options

Past 3 December, the printed album gets risky, but all is not lost. There are still two last-minute options: the digital version, to create with your photos and print at home right away, and the gift card, given on the day and turned into an album later, at the recipient's own pace.

Our tips to avoid last-minute stress

Gather your photos as early as November, while it's on your mind: it's often the step that drags. Order before the first weekend of December rather than waiting. And if you're giving to several people, group your orders on the same day so you're not chasing deadlines one by one.

The only real risk with a personalised Christmas gift isn't the gift: it's having waited until 20 December to think of it.