Christmas is coming - and it'll be here sooner than you think if your loved ones are serving or deployed overseas this Yuletide.
BFPO have revealed their deadlines for sending cards and parcels out to ships and units so that they reach their destination in time for December 25.
At least eight Royal Navy vessels, plus three RFA support ships, will be away from home on Christmas Day - some alongside in foreign ports, others at sea on patrol.
In addition, elements of several naval air squadrons - Bagger Sea Kings, Wildcat flights - and small detachments of Royal Marines acting as board and search experts are deployed with some of the ships away, such as HMS Diamond in the Gulf region.
And there's at least one nuclear submarine away on deterrent patrol… but she won't be surfacing for Santa.
That anomaly aside, you have until Monday November 27 to get cards, letters and presents in the post so BFPO can distribute them to the four corners of the earth in time.
To help with the cost of getting those gifts to family members, the Christmas Families Free Mail Service will run from Friday October 27 until Friday November 24.
There will be no charge sending letters and parcels up to 2kg to eligible units, including: Operation Kipion (Gulf/east of Suez); Falkland Islands; Operation Litten (counter people-trafficking in the Aegean); Diego Garcia; HM Ships Blyth, Bangor, Clyde, Diamond, Enterprise, Ledbury, Middleton and Protector, RFAs Cardigan Bay, Fort Rosalie and Mounts Bay.
If a ship or unit is not deployed, first-class post can be sent as late as December 21.
More details about BFPO's festive service can be found at: British Forces Post Office last dates of posting
