Christmas temp jobs UK 2026: who is hiring and what they pay
Christmas temp jobs in the UK for 2026: Royal Mail, John Lewis, Waitrose, Boots, supermarkets and warehouses, with pay rates, when to apply and how to turn a temp role into a permanent one.
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Christmas temp work is one of the easiest ways to earn extra money fast. Shops, warehouses and delivery firms need thousands of extra people from November to January, and many of them do not need experience.
Who is hiring for Christmas 2026
| Employer | Roles | Advertised pay | Types of work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Mail | 20,000+ | About £13.68 for driving posties, about £15.14 for late sorting shifts, about £16.44 overnight | Posties, delivery drivers, mail sorters, customer service |
| John Lewis Partnership | 10,400+ (about 6,000 Waitrose, 2,600 John Lewis, 1,800 distribution) | £13.00 nationally, £14.55 in London, rising after 30 days | Shop floor, tills, stock, warehouse |
| Boots | Around 6,000 | Customer advisors from £13.02, up to £15.10 in parts of London | Stores, warehouses, picking and packing, customer support |
| Supermarkets | Thousands across the big chains | Usually at or a little above the minimum wage | Tills, shelf stacking, online picking, delivery drivers |
| Online retailers and warehouses | Large seasonal intakes | Often higher for nights and weekends | Picking, packing, sorting |
Figures are from employers' announcements and job adverts reported by thinkmoney in autumn 2026. Pay varies by location and role, so check each advert.
When to apply
Big employers start advertising in September and most roles are filled by mid November. Openings still appear right up to mid December, especially for nights, weekends and the post-Christmas sales. If you are reading this in November, apply this week.
Which Christmas job suits you?
- Want the most money per hour? Look at night shifts in sorting centres and warehouses.
- Want daytime hours? Shops and supermarkets offer day and weekend shifts.
- Like being active? Delivery and picking roles keep you moving all shift.
- Have a driving licence? Driving roles often pay more, but check whether you need to use your own vehicle.
- Good with people? Customer advisor and personal shopping roles suit you.
How to stand out
- Be available when they need you: say clearly that you can work weekends, evenings and the week before Christmas.
- Keep your CV short: one page, with any customer service, cash handling or warehouse experience at the top.
- Apply to several: big employers move fast and often offer the first suitable applicants.
- Turn up to the interview ready to start: have your right-to-work documents and bank details to hand.
Turning a temp job into a permanent one
Retailers keep on their best seasonal staff every January. Be reliable, offer to cover extra shifts and tell your manager early that you would like to stay on.
Money and tax
The National Living Wage is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over from 1 April 2026, and £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds. It rises to £13.21 (and £11.27 for 18 to 20 year olds) from April 2027. Christmas employers pay through PAYE, so tax and National Insurance come off your wages automatically.
If this is your second job, it will usually be taxed on a BR code, which means 20% from the first pound because your main job uses your tax-free allowance. Students working only in the holidays may be overtaxed at first and can claim it back from HMRC.
Other ways to earn at Christmas
- Self-employed seasonal work: Santa's grotto helpers, gift wrapping, decorating homes and offices, and festive market stalls.
- Selling online: clear out toys and gadgets before Christmas when demand is highest.
- Delivery driving: courier firms take on extra drivers for the parcel peak.
If you earn more than £1,000 from self-employed side work in the tax year (£3,000 from April 2027), you need to register for Self Assessment.
Free toolSide hustle tax calculatorSee how much tax and National Insurance you owe on side income, and what to set aside each month.Common questions
When do Christmas temp jobs finish?
Most run until Christmas Eve or the end of the January sales. The contract will say, so ask at interview.
Do Christmas temp jobs pay holiday?
Yes. Temps build up paid holiday like any other worker, usually paid at the end of the contract if you have not taken it.
Can I get a Christmas job at 16?
Some supermarkets and shops hire from 16, though night shifts and some warehouse roles need you to be 18. The minimum wage for under-18s is £8.00 an hour from April 2026.
This is general information, not personal tax or financial advice. Tax rules change and depend on your circumstances, so check GOV.UK or speak to an accountant before acting.