Every year, we have the best of intentions when it comes to Christmas shopping. However, more often then not, we're still running around at the last minute worrying about whether we've missed the deadline for the post. So, whether it's a card for your auntie in Donegal or a box of Taytos for your bestie in Australia, here's what you need to know!

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IRELAND AND NI According to the An Post website, the last date for standard and registered letters and parcels in the Republic is December 21st if you want to guarantee that your post arrives by Christmas Day. If you stump up for Express Post, you can send your letters up to December 22nd. For Northern Ireland, the standard and registered post closing date is December 19th and December 21st for ExpressPost. UK If you want to post something to the UK, you have up to December 19th for standard and registered letters and parcels, and  the international courier service will be available until the 22nd of December. Europe Have a nice surprise for a friend in Europe? You have a little while left. Parcels by standard post must be sent by December 12th, while registered post can be sent until December 18th. Letters by standard post are fine until December 19th, as is post through the international courier service. US The deadlines for registered post and standard post parcels is Saturday December 7th, standard letters are fine until December 11th and the international courier services runs until December 21st. Australia and the rest of the world December 7th is the deadline for both letters and parcels under registered and standard post so if you really need to get something over, get moving now or contact your nearest post office about the courier service, which is fine up to December 18th, or click here. Post offices will be open as normal until 1pm on Wednesday December 24th and will reopen on Monday January 9th.