Behind the scenes of Channel Island Christmas post

"Pretty much we are delivering to every household, every single day during the Christmas period," said Julie Thomas.

The managing director of Jersey Post spoke to the BBC as parcels were wheeled around the company's headquarters, vans were loaded up by cheerful posties and Christmas music blared through the sorting office.

She said the post office was a third busier in the lead up to Christmas than it was at any other time of year.

"Normally we would be processing something like 30,000 items a day and delivering them, at Christmas that becomes between 50,000 and 65,000," she said.

Ms Thomas said the company increased its headcount to deal with the Christmas rush.

She said the 270 postal workers employed year-round cannot book annual leave from the 25th November until after Christmas.

She said they are joined by about 12 casual workers and the company increases its overtime budget.

Gregg Stuart, operations manager for Guernsey Post, said the team had been preparing for the Christmas rush.

He said: "It's our busiest time of year and obviously everyone's flat out working as hard as they can to get Christmas delivered to islanders.

"The posties are doing a great job, they're obviously slightly tired and jaded after a few weeks of getting through Black Fridays and things like that, but they're still keeping their heads up and servicing as best they can."

"Compared to how the rest of the year is, it's absolutely manic, it's crazy," said Ashley Ellis who is experiencing his first Christmas as a postie.

He said being the person to deliver the presents people have ordered for loved ones was "brilliant".

"It's a great feeling," he added.

Jersey Post employee Bernie Manning became a postal worker when his business was forced to close during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: "At the moment it's very long days and early mornings.

"Luckily enough it's only at Christmas... I normally take a week off in February."

Ms Thomas said sending Christmas post early was "really important" to ensure those cards or presents arrived on time.

She asked customers to look on the Jersey Post website where there are final posting dates for each destination, to make sure items arrive before Christmas.

Ms Thomas said the company was "cautious" with its last posting dates.

"We do that for a reason because obviously something can always go wrong, particularly on an island, so help us to help you by posting early," she said.

Dawn Gallienne, head of corporate engagement at Guernsey Post, said many of the last posting dates for destinations such as Australia and Europe had passed but "there is still time to send items closer to home".

She said Monday 16 December was the last posting date for letters to Alderney, parcels and letters to Sark and large parcels to the UK, Isle of Man and Jersey.

She said: "If you're sending letters to Santa, be sure to post by Thursday 19 December.

"You can use the special Santa post box at Envoy House or you can post it in any post box, no stamp needed."

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].