By the Democratique Socks team · Published 28 October 2026
Short answer: For delivery before Christmas in Denmark, order by Thursday 17 December 2026 (Friday 18 December if you choose a DAO or GLS parcel shop). For the Nordics and nearby EU countries, order by 14–16 December; for the rest of Europe by 4–14 December depending on the country; and for the USA, Australia and Asia by 1 December at the latest. The dates below are the carriers' own recommendations — earlier is always safer.
Please note: All dates in this article are the carriers' recommendations, not guarantees from Democratique Socks. We dispatch quickly, but once a parcel has left our warehouse, delivery is in the hands of the carrier. We cannot be held responsible for parcels that arrive after Christmas, and unforeseen delays — weather, peak volumes, customs or capacity problems at the carrier — can always occur. If the socks are for a specific day, order well before the last date.
December is the busiest month of the year for every parcel carrier in Europe. Volumes can be several times higher than normal, and the margin for error shrinks with every day closer to the 24th. The good news is that we do our part fast: 99.2% of our orders leave the warehouse the same bank day. The rest depends on where the parcel is going and which carrier takes it there.
Christmas delivery in Denmark
Orders to Danish addresses are delivered by DAO, GLS or Bring, depending on the delivery option you choose at checkout. Because 19 December 2026 is a Saturday, the last practical order day for parcel-shop delivery is Friday 18 December.
| Carrier / service | Carrier's recommended last drop-off | Order from us by |
|---|---|---|
| DAO – daoSHOP (parcel shop) | Saturday 19 December | Friday 18 December |
| DAO – daoHOME (home delivery) | Tuesday 22 December | Monday 21 December |
| GLS (domestic) | Saturday 19 December | Friday 18 December |
| Bring | Friday 18 December | Thursday 17 December |
Good to know about DAO: DAO delivers to parcel shops up to and including 23 December, and to home addresses every day, including 24 December.
Good to know about Bring: Bring expects very high pressure in the run-up to Christmas, with the last delivery days falling towards 23 December. Ordering in the middle of week 51 or earlier is the safe choice.
Christmas delivery outside Denmark
For international orders, the deadline depends heavily on the destination country, because of transit time and — outside the EU — customs clearance. Find your region below.
PostNord (including Tracked Large)
| Destination | Recommended last dispatch |
|---|---|
| Nordics and nearby EU countries (e.g. Sweden, Germany) | Approx. 14–16 December |
| Rest of Europe outside the EU | Approx. 4–8 December |
| Rest of the world (USA, Australia, Asia etc.) | Last week of November, at the latest 1 December |
GLS International
GLS delivers quickly and reliably across Europe through its own network, but recommends sending in good time because of the very high Christmas volumes.
| Destination | Recommended last dispatch |
|---|---|
| Nordics and neighbouring countries (Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium) | Approx. 16–17 December |
| More distant European countries (e.g. Spain, Italy, Greece) | Approx. 14 December |
| Rest of the world | 4 December at the latest |
FedEx Express and Economy
FedEx works with fixed global deadlines for delivery before 24 December 2026:
| Service / region | Last dispatch date |
|---|---|
| FedEx Regional Economy (Europe) | Wednesday 16 December |
| FedEx International Connect Plus (Europe/USA) | Friday 18 December |
Because we usually dispatch the same bank day, the dispatch dates above are also the latest days to order from us. To be on the safe side, order at least one bank day earlier — and if you are close to a deadline, order in the morning rather than late in the evening.
Customs: allow extra time outside the EU
Orders to countries outside the EU — for example the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, the USA and Canada — have to clear customs, which can add days to the journey in December. Duties, VAT and courier brokerage fees may also apply; see our page on shipping costs, taxes and duties. Customs rules also changed in 2026: since 1 July 2026, the EU charges a flat duty on low-value e-commerce parcels arriving from outside the EU. Orders delivered within the EU do not pass through customs.
Five tips for getting your parcel in time
- Order early. The single most effective thing you can do. A week's margin removes almost all risk.
- Check the address. A missing floor number or a misspelt street is one of the most common causes of delays in December.
- Choose home delivery close to the deadline. In Denmark, DAO delivers to homes right up to 24 December, while parcel shops stop on the 23rd.
- Pick up quickly. Parcel shops get crowded and parcels have a limited collection period. Collect as soon as you get the notification.
- Send it to yourself. We don't offer gift wrapping, so have the socks delivered to your own address and wrap them at home — it also means you can check the parcel arrived.
Last-minute ideas that still feel considered
Running late? A single pair in a colour they would never buy themselves makes a perfect small present. And if the bright blue in our campaign caught your eye, these are the ones to start with.
Order in time for Christmas
- Free shipping on orders over DKK 400 / €75 / £75 / $100.
- 15% off when you add 10 or more products to your basket — handy if you are ticking off the whole family at once.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last day to order for Christmas delivery in Denmark?
Order by Friday 18 December 2026 for parcel-shop delivery with DAO or GLS, and by Thursday 17 December with Bring. DAO home delivery (daoHOME) runs a little longer, with a recommended order date of Monday 21 December. These are the carriers' recommendations and not a guarantee.
When should I order for delivery in Europe before Christmas?
For the Nordics and neighbouring countries such as Sweden and Germany, order by around 14–16 December. For more distant EU countries like Spain, Italy and Greece, order by around 14 December. For European countries outside the EU, order by around 4–8 December.
When should I order for delivery to the USA, Australia or Asia?
Order by the last week of November and no later than 1 December 2026. Transit times are longer and parcels must clear customs, which takes extra time in December.
Do you guarantee delivery before Christmas?
No. The dates are the carriers' recommendations. We dispatch most orders the same bank day, but once a parcel has left our warehouse, delivery depends on the carrier, and unforeseen delays can occur. We cannot be held responsible for late delivery, so we recommend ordering well before the last date.
Does DAO deliver on Christmas Eve?
DAO delivers to home addresses every day, including 24 December. Parcel shops receive deliveries up to and including 23 December.
Do you offer gift wrapping?
No. We don't offer gift boxes or gift wrapping — all orders ship in our standard packaging. If it's a present, have it sent to yourself and wrap it at home.
Related reading: Socks again? Finally. Why socks are the best Christmas gift · Sock size guide · Shipping costs, taxes and duties
