Sending Christmas presents abroad? Don’t miss the last An Post dates

Making up Christmas parcels to send to loved ones abroad can be fun - so long as you don’t forget to keep an eye on the last posting dates.

Those writing to friends and family in the UK, Europe and the United States still have time to pop something in the post, but today (December 7th) is the last day to send standard post letters and parcels to the rest of the world.

If you've left it too late to send something by standard post to arrive by Christmas Day, don't panic; An Post’s international courier service (ICS) can send post wherever you like if it is with them by December 16th.

For post going to the United States, Friday December 9th is the last day An Post will accept parcels, and Monday 12th is the last day for letters, but its courier service will be available until December 20th.

Letters, parcels and registered mail to Britain should be in the box by December 19th to get there before Christmas, with couriered items accepted until December 21st. Mail going to Northern Ireland should be posted by December 20th or December 21st if you use the courier service.

Parcels to the rest of Europe can be sent up to December 13th and letters up to December 19th. The courier service will accept post until December 21st.

Wrapping parcels

An Post has plenty of good advice for those making up parcels such as put an "air mail" sticker on post going overseas, include the sender's name and address on the front top left-hand corner of the post, but don't put batteries or liquids in the packet.

It also advises using suitable tape, preferably the kind used to seal shipping packages, rather than cellophane, masking tape or string.

Keep an eye your stamps too. The cost has gone up since last year so it may be worthwhile checking out the rates here. You can also buy Christmas stamps online from An Post.

Check out last postal dates for all types of post and all regions at AnPost.ie.