When to order a custom pet portrait for Christmas 2026
By Piri & Co. Last updated 18 October 2026.
Status: We check Australia Post's Christmas sending dates and our own print times every week, and update this page until Christmas.
Order by Friday 4 December 2026 to have a printed portrait arrive before Christmas, and approve it as soon as it lands in your inbox. If you're posting to Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania or a regional area, order by 27 November. After 11 December, choose the digital version as your Christmas gift and let the print follow. Here's how a custom pet portrait from a photo fits around the Christmas post.
Our Christmas order dates
| Order by | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Fri 27 November | Comfortable for everywhere in Australia, including WA, NT, Tasmania and regional areas, with time for a round of changes. |
| Fri 4 December | Our recommended last day for metro areas. Approve your portrait the day it arrives. |
| 5 to 11 December | Possible but tight. Approve the same day, and there's no guarantee it arrives by 25 December. |
| After 11 December | Give the digital portrait on the day. It comes by email once you approve it, and the print follows after. Or order the digital file on its own, from $18.90. |
Why 4 December?
Three steps add up:
- Your portrait: emailed to you often within a few hours, and always within 1 to 2 business days.
- Your approval: as fast as you reply. You have up to 72 hours, but every day you wait is a day off the delivery window.
- Printing and delivery: 5 to 7 business days after you approve.
Order on 4 December, approve by the following Tuesday, and seven business days later is Thursday 17 December. That leaves a buffer for the Christmas parcel rush, which is the busiest time of year for Australia Post.
If you ask for a change, add a day or two. That's why 27 November is the safer date if you want room for a revision.
Australia Post Christmas sending dates
Australia Post publishes its official Christmas cut offs each October. Until the 2026 dates are confirmed, here are last year's for reference:
| Service | Last sending date, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Parcel Post, between states | Fri 19 December |
| Parcel Post, same state | Mon 22 December |
These are the dates a parcel needs to leave the printer, not the date you order. Remote and regional areas need extra days.
Left it late? Give the digital version
Every print order includes the digital file, emailed to you once you approve the portrait. Send it to them on Christmas morning, or show it on your phone when they open the card that says the print is on its way. It's the same portrait, just arriving early.
If you'd rather skip the print altogether, the digital portrait is $18.90 for one pet, $23.90 for two and $28.90 for three. It's made for phones, screens and sharing, and it's the one Christmas gift from us that can't miss the post.
Tips for ordering at Christmas
- Choose the photo before you order. A clear, well lit photo of their face is all we need, and it saves a back and forth. Our dog photo guide helps.
- Watch your inbox. Check spam if you haven't seen the portrait within two business days.
- Reply the same day. Even if it's just "perfect".
- Gifting? The portrait comes to you, not them, so the surprise is safe.
Frequently asked questions
What's the absolute last day to order a print for Christmas?
Our recommended last day is 4 December for metro areas. Orders up to 11 December may still make it, but we can't promise it.
Do you deliver on weekends before Christmas?
Delivery depends on Australia Post, which usually adds extra delivery days in December. We'll update this page when the 2026 details are out.
What's the fastest option if I've left it late?
The digital portrait. It comes by email, often within a few hours of ordering, so it can't be held up by the Christmas post.
Sources: Australia Post Christmas sending dates; Piri & Co shipping policy; Piri & Co FAQs.