Post haste for cut-off dates: how to make sure your packages arrive on time for Christmas

These days cards have been replaced by parcels. Millions of them. None of which are going to fit through that tiny slot. Note that Thursday is the last day to send cards and letters before Christmas post cut-off dates. Photograph: Dan Peled/AAP

Once upon a time, the festive season kept our postal system solvent by means of Christmas card deliveries. Remember them? Those A7-sized thin items that fit easily in your letterbox.

These days those relics have been replaced by virtual greetings with animated fireworks and musical accompaniment. And by parcels. Millions of them. None of which are going to fit through that tiny slot.