Christmas Ordering & Delivery FAQs

Planning ahead for Christmas? Whether you're sending a little taste of Arran to someone special, stocking up on your favourite Arran cheeses for the festive season or organising Christmas gifts for colleagues and clients, we're here to make things as easy as possible.

Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked Christmas questions.

When is the best time to order for Christmas?

The earlier, the better! Our Christmas pre-orders are now open, so you can get your festive shopping sorted well in advance.

Simply place your order as normal and select your preferred Christmas dispatch week at checkout. We'll take care of the rest, carefully preparing and packing your order ready for its journey from the Isle of Arran.

Our Christmas 2026 pre-order dispatch options are:

• Week beginning 30th November

• Week beginning 7th December

• Week beginning 14th December

Please remember that these are dispatch weeks, not guaranteed delivery dates.

What is the last date to order for Christmas delivery?

Our Christmas ordering deadline is Sunday 13th December 2026.

All orders placed by the end of Sunday 13th December will be dispatched no later than Thursday 17th December, giving them the best possible chance of arriving in time for Christmas.

We'll continue to accept orders after this date and do everything we can to get them on their way before Christmas, but orders placed after 13th December may not be dispatched in time for Christmas delivery.

As we're based on the Isle of Arran, ferry disruptions, winter weather and courier delays can occasionally affect delivery times. While we can't guarantee delivery before Christmas, we'll do everything we can to get your festive gifts to you in good time.

Can I order now and have my gift delivered nearer Christmas?

Absolutely! That's exactly what our Christmas pre-order service is for.

Order your Arran cheeses, gift boxes or hampers now, select your preferred dispatch week at checkout, and we'll hold your order until it's time to prepare and send it.

It's one less thing to worry about during the busy festive season.

Will my Arran cheese still be fresh for Christmas?

Yes! Our famous Arran cheeses are waxed cheddars, making them ideal for gifting and sending by post.

We keep our cheeses refrigerated until they're ready to be packed and dispatched. They typically have at least two to three months of shelf life remaining when sent, so they're perfect for enjoying over Christmas and beyond.

Once your cheese arrives, we recommend keeping it somewhere cool, ideally in the fridge, just as you would with any cheese bought from your local supermarket.

If you've ordered a gift box or hamper containing cheese, we'd recommend keeping it away from radiators, warm rooms and other sources of heat. As tempting as it might be, it's best not to leave a cheese-filled hamper sitting under a warm Christmas tree for several days!

You can always carefully remove the cheeses from your gift box and pop them in the fridge until it's time to give your present.

When will my Christmas order be delivered?

Your order will be prepared and dispatched during the Christmas dispatch week you select at checkout.

Once your parcel leaves Arran, you'll receive a dispatch confirmation email with tracking information so you can follow its journey.

Although we do everything we can to get your order to you promptly, we cannot guarantee a specific delivery day. Courier schedules, ferry crossings and winter weather can sometimes affect delivery times.

Can I send a Christmas gift directly to someone else?

Of course! We can send your gift box or hamper directly to friends, family and loved ones throughout our UK delivery area.

Simply enter the recipient's address as the delivery address when placing your order.

Don't forget to include a personal gift message at checkout! If you're sending a gift directly to someone for Christmas, please remember to add a message so we can write it on a gift card and include it with your order. That way, they'll know exactly who their lovely surprise is from!

We'll take care of the rest, carefully packing your gift and sending a little taste of Arran their way.

Do you offer corporate Christmas gifts and bulk orders?

Yes, we do! Our Arran gift boxes and hampers make thoughtful Christmas presents for employees, colleagues, customers and valued clients.

Whether you're organising a handful of thank-you gifts or a larger corporate Christmas order, we'd be delighted to help.

Choose from our existing selection of Arran and Scottish food and drink gift boxes, or contact us to discuss a bespoke hamper tailored to your budget and requirements.

We can also arrange for gifts to be delivered directly to individual recipients across our UK delivery area, saving you the hassle of distributing them yourself.

Planning corporate Christmas gifts? Email hello@thearrangiftbox.com with your requirements, approximate quantities and preferred delivery dates, and we'll be happy to discuss the options.

Can I order over the phone?

Yes! If you'd rather speak to someone, need help choosing a gift or have a question about your order, please call us on 01770 303556.

We're always happy to help you find the right gift or talk through your Christmas ordering requirements.

Can I track my Christmas order?

Yes! All our dispatched parcels are sent using tracked delivery services.

We use Royal Mail and Parcelforce, depending on the size, weight and destination of your order.

As soon as your parcel is dispatched, we'll email you a tracking link so you can follow its progress.

Do you deliver outside the UK?

Unfortunately, we're currently unable to offer international delivery.

For now, our delivery service is focused on eligible UK destinations.

Can you deliver to Northern Ireland?

Unfortunately, we're currently unable to send orders to Northern Ireland due to the additional regulatory requirements affecting some of the food and drink products we sell, including cheese and alcohol.

We appreciate this is disappointing and hope to be able to offer this service in the future.

Still have a question?

We're a small team based on the Isle of Arran, and we're always happy to help.

Whether you're unsure which cheese to choose, need advice about Christmas delivery or want to discuss a special gift, just get in touch.

Email: hello@thearrangiftbox.com

Telephone: 01770 303556

Thank you for shopping with The Arran Gift Box and supporting us this Christmas.