Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world
Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email
Post Office has revealed the busiest day in the festive period that customers should avoid to steer clear of Christmas upset.
In 2021, the two weeks ahead of Christmas saw Post Offices more than double their trading activity and the delivery firm is expecting a similar pattern this year.
A record £801 million in cash was withdrawn at Post Office counters over the festive period last year, with that figure expected to be surpassed this year.
Consumers across the country are hoping to avoid the rush as Post Office points to Monday, 12 December as the day when branches are busiest.
So customers eager to send off cards, gifts and parcels are being encouraged to avoid that day to not be disappointed.
One in six are planning on making homemade gifts this year according to a survey by Post Office, with the number one reason being to save money.
The poll of 2,005 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 10 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.
With the research showing that more than one in 10 have had a parcel rejected, the Post Office is reminding consumers how to ensure their parcels are accepted.
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 the Post Office focusing on the long-standing love affair of Britons and queues showed people may not be as patient as once thought. Although 10 per cent would be willing to wait in a queue for an hour or more, the average time Britons are willing to wait in a queue was shown to be 24 minutes.
Given the Communication Workers Union has announced strike action in the run-up to Christmas, Post Office is warning of potential delays in delivering items. 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.
Laura Joseph, Post Office customer experience director, said: “The lead-up to Christmas is often a busy time for all with a long to-do list in preparation for the big day. We all want to make sure our Christmas cards and presents to loved ones arrive in time and our Postmasters across our 11,500 branches can help with that.
“Over the festive period Postmasters will be supporting communities across the UK and so too can Post Office customers. Once again, Post Office will this year be giving 1p from every over-the-counter cash withdrawal to the Trussell Trust to help fight poverty and hunger this winter.”
Ms Joseph also added her top tips for a smooth drop-off at the Post Office:
