Is it too late to order Christmas presents online?

If you've found yourself in the same boat as the rest of the country’s lastminute.com shoppers and are frantically trying to purchase Christmas presents online, here’s what you need to know to ensure St Nick’s internet elves make their deliveries in time for the big day.

LOOK FOR 'IN STOCK'

If an online store has to wait for stock from suppliers, you'll have to wait too. To avoid the risk of having no presents to place under your Christmas tree, only add items that are 'in stock' to your cart.

Keep in mind that some online stores will only ship an order in its entirety. So, even if most of the gifts in your order are 'in stock', the one or two that aren't might result in the delivery being delayed.

HOW LATE CAN YOU PUSH YOUR ORDER? 

Many of the top online stores will be delivering goods right up until Christmas Eve but how far down the line can you place your order and still get your presents in time? This depends on whether the gift you order is in stock, where you live, how much you're willing to pay for delivery and, in some cases, how you choose to pay.

Some online stores offer express delivery services that'll allow you to order close to Christmas but keep in mind that you'll pay more for it.

If you live in one of the main centres, you can order in-stock items for standard delivery right up until Tuesday December 18 from Loot and Zando. You'll need to get your order for fashion, beauty and homeware gifts in by Monday December 17 at Woolworths. Takealot, Superbalist and Yuppiechef are calling last orders on Wednesday December 19.

If you live in an outlying area, keep in mind you'll need to get in your orders sooner than those living in main centres.

Be sure to double check each store's festive season delivery schedule before you check out. And remember the golden rule: the sooner you order, the better!

LEFT IT TOO LATE FOR DELIVERY?

Don't stress - if you live in Cape Town you can still get your hands on festive gifts you've ordered online, provided you're willing to go to collect them.

You can order up until Friday December 21 on Yuppiechef and collect your order from one of their physical stores a day or so later.

Takealot gives lastminute.com shoppers the most leeway: you can order in-stock items right up until 7am on Monday December 24 and collect your gift from their Cape Town warehouse that day.