Christmas jobs (also called seasonal roles or temporary festive work) are a golden opportunity for students, part-timers, or anyone wanting extra income, experience, or festive fun. But to land a good one, you need to know when Christmas jobs are advertised, when they start, and when to apply — especially with big employers like Royal Mail, John Lewis, and Sainsbury’s moving early.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the timeline, what to expect, how students can take advantage, plus tips to make your application stand out.
Christmas Jobs Explained and Who’s Hiring
Christmas jobs are short-term roles covering the busiest time of year — from late November through December and sometimes into early January. Employers in retail, supermarkets, logistics, postal delivery, warehouses, hospitality, and event support hire extra staff to cope with high demand.
Some major employers you’ll commonly find advertising Christmas roles include:
- Royal Mail — for mail sorters, sortation, seasonal delivery support, etc.
- John Lewis & Waitrose — retail assistants, customer service, stock replenishment, warehouses.
- Sainsbury’s (and its brands) — shop floor roles, picking & delivering online orders, restocking, in stores or fulfilment/logistics.
When are Christmas Jobs Advertised?
To secure one of the better Christmas jobs, timing is key.
- Employers often start advertising seasonal Christmas roles in late summer to early autumn, typically August and September.
- Some large retailers open up vacancies in early September. For example, John Lewis Partnership announces Christmas roles starting around 10 September for its John Lewis stores; Waitrose roles follow from the end of September through to November.
- Royal Mail typically opens up its seasonal/casual Christmas roles (mail sorters, etc.) around September and October, allowing time for registration, onboarding and training.
- Sainsbury’s regularly launches one of the UK’s largest seasonal recruitment drives in autumn, with tens of thousands of roles.
So if you’re wondering when to start looking for Christmas jobs, anywhere from August / early September is definitely not too early.
When Do Christmas Jobs Start?
Once Christmas jobs are advertised, you might wonder when you’ll actually be expected to start. In most cases, employers don’t wait until December to bring people on board. Many roles — particularly in logistics, stock preparation, and training — begin as early as October or November. The goal is to have staff ready and confident before the busiest shopping weeks, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
The real peak comes in late November through December, when demand skyrockets. This is when you’ll find yourself working the longest or most frequent shifts. While some contracts end just after Christmas Day, others continue into early January, especially in areas like warehousing and postal services. For example, Royal Mail often keeps seasonal staff on until after the New Year to handle the final surge in deliveries.
If you’re aiming for a retail role, be prepared for employers to expect full availability in the fortnight leading up to Christmas. These final two weeks are critical for shops and supermarkets, and being flexible with your hours can make you an attractive candidate
When Can You Apply?
The answer is simple: as soon as possible. With adverts now live in mid-September, waiting even a couple of weeks can dramatically shrink your options. Employers like Royal Mail and John Lewis are already processing thousands of applications, and roles are often filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you haven’t already, update your CV today, pull together any references, and make sure your right-to-work documents are in order. The sooner you get your application in, the better your chances of securing the shifts you want. For students/university, make sure to check for part-time, fixed-term, flexible hours roles. Many shops/supermarkets will accommodate student schedules. Also note: student job fairs or campus recruitment sometimes help with seasonal roles.
Christmas Jobs for Students
For university students, Christmas jobs are ideal. Contracts are short, hours are flexible, and the experience looks great on a CV. Retail and supermarket roles are particularly popular because they allow evening and weekend shifts during term time and more hours once exams are finished.
Employers value reliability, enthusiasm, and transferable skills over years of experience. Simply showing that you’re dependable and ready to work during the busiest weeks can set you apart. Not sure how to highlight your strengths? Our complete guide to soft skills for job seekers in 2025 explains how to showcase qualities like teamwork and communication – exactly the skills Christmas employers are looking for.
Spotlight on Big Employers
Three names dominate the Christmas jobs landscape: Royal Mail, John Lewis, and Sainsbury’s.
At Royal Mail, recruitment for mail sorters and delivery support is already underway in September. Contracts typically run until early January, making them perfect for those who want steady shifts beyond Christmas week.
John Lewis started advertising roles from 10 September, with Waitrose positions opening later in the month. Together, they’re hiring thousands of people across stores, warehouses, and logistics. These roles often extend into January to cover the busy sales period. Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s is running one of the largest seasonal recruitment campaigns in the country, creating more than 20,000 temporary roles. Contracts vary between three and twelve weeks, covering everything from shop floor assistance to online order picking.
Tips to Maximise Your Chances
Want to stand out? Here’s how to strengthen your application:
- Set up job alerts — stay ahead of the competition by getting notified the moment new roles are posted. Check out our job search filters to make finding the right fit even faster.
- Register your interest early — companies like Royal Mail and John Lewis let you sign up for seasonal updates.
- Prepare your CV and documents — having them ready means you can apply at speed. Need help? Read our blog on how to write CVs that get noticed in 2025 for practical advice.
- Stay flexible – evening, weekend, and December shifts are in the highest demand. Our part-time jobs section lists roles that fit around your availability.
- Highlight enthusiasm and reliability — especially if you’re a student, letting employers know you can cover holiday breaks or busy weekends makes a huge difference.
Final Thoughts
It’s mid-September, which means the festive hiring season is already in motion. Major employers like Royal Mail, John Lewis, and Sainsbury’s are actively recruiting, but the best roles and most convenient shifts won’t stay open for long.
Christmas jobs aren’t just about extra income. They’re a chance to gain new skills, build experience, and make the most of the busiest season of the year. With vacancies live now and start dates only weeks away, the key is timing.
Apply early, keep your availability flexible, and you’ll give yourself the best shot at landing a role that works for you. Start your search now. Explore live Christmas vacancies before they’re gone.
FAQs
Q: When is the peak application time for Christmas jobs?
A: Typically September to early November. Many roles are filled before December begins.
Q: Do Christmas jobs start before October?
A: Some training or prep work (stocking, preparation, logistics) may begin in late September or early October. But most public-facing work starts late October / through November.
Q: Can university students apply?
A: Yes — many roles are part-time/fixed-term and work around students’ availability. Apply early and check term or exam dates.
Q: Are there Christmas jobs specifically at Royal Mail, John Lewis, and Sainsbury’s?
A: Absolutely. Royal Mail hires seasonal sorters and delivery support. John Lewis & Waitrose run large recruitment drives. Sainsbury’s offers thousands of roles across stores, delivery, and fulfilment.