Christmas temp jobs can be a practical way to earn extra money in the run-up to Christmas, whether you need a few extra shifts or you’re looking for work right now.
Some of the UK’s biggest employers are recruiting for Christmas 2026, with jobs available in shops, warehouses, sorting centres and delivery operations.
We’ve checked official employer announcements and careers pages to find out who’s recruiting, what the jobs could pay and what sort of hours you might be working.
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Claim sign-up bonusVacancies can open and close quickly, and pay and working hours vary by location and role. Always check the individual job advert before applying.
Last updated: 9 October 2026. Latest M&S, Tesco, Boots and Royal Mail recruitment details checked on 9 October. Other listings last reviewed on 6 October 2026.
Christmas jobs 2026 at a glance
| Employer | 2026 recruitment | Pay information | Type of work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sainsbury’s and Argos | 17,500 seasonal jobs | £13.23-£16.04 an hour depending on role and location | Stores, warehouses and driving |
| Royal Mail | Almost 22,000 temporary jobs announced | Varies by shift; one current night role pays £16.44 an hour | Mail sorting, delivery, driving and customer service |
| Tesco | More than 28,000 festive jobs reported | Standard store and fulfilment rate is £13.28, or £14.55 inside the M25 | Store work, including day, early, twilight and night shifts |
| Boots | Around 6,000 seasonal jobs announced | £13.02 an hour, with higher rates at selected London locations in current adverts | Customer service and store fulfilment |
| Poundland | Christmas Temp Sales Assistant vacancies live | Current examples pay £10.85 for ages 16-20 and £12.71 for ages 21+ | Shop floor, tills, stock and deliveries |
| M&S | 11,000 Christmas jobs announced | Current Christmas vacancies checked pay £13.41 an hour | Food, fashion, home, beauty and store operations |
| John Lewis and Waitrose | 10,400 seasonal roles announced | £13 an hour in current shop adverts; check vacancy for pay increase terms | Shops, supermarkets and distribution |
| Next | Autumn and winter seasonal recruitment live | Varies by vacancy, age and location | Sales floor and stockroom |
| Smyths Toys | Christmas temp vacancies live | One current London role pays £13.20 for 21+ and £11.30 for under-21s | Sales, tills, stock and deliveries |
These are current published rates or examples, not a promise of what every vacancy will pay.
Always check the exact pay, hours, location and contract before applying.
When should you apply for Christmas jobs?
Don’t wait until December.
Many employers start Christmas recruitment during September and October, although vacancies continue to appear later.
John Lewis and Waitrose say their Christmas vacancies are being advertised from the end of September through to November. Royal Mail also releases seasonal jobs across different locations as recruitment gets underway.
If there’s nothing suitable near you today, check again in a few days rather than assuming you’ve missed out.
It’s also worth applying early when you do spot something suitable. Some employers can close adverts once they’ve received enough applications.
Which type of Christmas job could suit you?
Not every Christmas job means standing behind a till.
If you like dealing with people, customer assistant, retail and supermarket jobs could suit you.
If you’d rather work behind the scenes, look for mail sorting, warehouse, replenishment and stockroom work.
If you’re happy driving, check delivery jobs with supermarkets, Argos and Royal Mail. These can have extra age, licence and driving requirements.
If you’re fitting Christmas work around another job or other commitments, look for evening, weekend and shorter-hour contracts.
Some employers offer only a few hours each week, while others need workers for longer shifts or more hours during the busiest weeks before Christmas.
Sainsbury’s and Argos Christmas jobs
Sainsbury’s and Argos have confirmed they are recruiting 17,500 seasonal colleagues across the UK for Christmas 2026.
Jobs are available in Sainsbury’s supermarkets and convenience stores, Argos stores, warehouses, online fulfilment and delivery operations.
Seasonal contracts will run for between four and 12 weeks.
Current published hourly rates are:
| Role | Hourly pay |
|---|---|
| In-store jobs | £13.23-£14.54 |
| Argos driver jobs | £14.23-£15.54 |
| Sainsbury’s driver jobs | £14.73-£16.04 |
Rates vary by role and location.
Working hours vary too. Current vacancies include everything from short weekly customer-service contracts to longer warehouse and delivery shifts.
Age requirements can also depend on the job and working hours. Some roles require you to be above school-leaver age, while certain early or late shifts require workers to be at least 18.
You can search current Sainsbury’s and Argos Christmas vacancies.
We’ve also covered Sainsbury’s and Argos’s full Christmas 2026 recruitment announcement, including the 17,500 jobs and current pay rates.
Royal Mail Christmas jobs
Royal Mail has announced plans to recruit almost 22,000 temporary workers across the UK for Christmas 2026.
The recruitment drive includes thousands of mail-sorting positions, around 5,000 delivery and collection jobs, and 2,100 temporary truck driver roles.
Jobs include Seasonal Mail Sorters, parcel delivery drivers, larger vehicle drivers and customer service work.
Some vacancies are handled directly by Royal Mail, while others are recruited through partners including Angard Staffing and Pertemps.
Pay depends on where you work and which shift you choose.
For example, one current Seasonal Mail Sorter vacancy in Peterborough pays £16.44 an hour for a 10pm to 6am night shift.
That rate applies to that vacancy and shouldn’t be taken as the rate for every Royal Mail Christmas job.
Royal Mail’s operation runs around the clock, with part-time and full-time shifts available depending on the site.
Mail sorting can be physical work. Some seasonal sorting vacancies involve handling parcels weighing up to 11kg and pushing or pulling wheeled trolleys.
Previous warehouse or mail-sorting experience isn’t always required.
However, night work and delivery jobs can have extra age, licence or eligibility requirements, so check the individual advert carefully.
Tesco Christmas jobs
Tesco is recruiting more than 28,000 temporary workers across the UK for Christmas 2026, according to a recruitment announcement reported by The Grocer on 9 October.
Most jobs are in Tesco supermarkets and convenience stores, helping customers, working on the shop floor and picking orders for home delivery. A smaller number of warehouse jobs are also available.
Shifts include early mornings, daytime and evenings, so it’s worth checking vacancies near you to see what hours are available.
Tesco says previous experience isn’t necessary, and some temporary workers may have the chance to move into permanent jobs after Christmas, where positions are available.
Tesco says its standard hourly rate for store colleagues and online fulfilment staff is £13.28.
Inside the M25, its published rate is £14.55 an hour.
Pay and terms can vary for some jobs and shifts, so check the individual Festive Colleague vacancy for the exact rate, working hours and contract.
You can search current Tesco jobs and try searching for “Festive Colleague” alongside your town or postcode.
Boots Christmas jobs
Boots has announced plans to recruit around 6,000 seasonal workers across the UK for Christmas 2026.
The announcement, made on 7 October, confirms jobs in stores, warehouses and customer support.
Roles include Christmas Customer Advisors, Retail Operations Assistants, warehouse workers and picker packers.
Boots says opportunities are available for people at different stages of their working lives, including those looking for their first job. Flexible and part-time positions are available.
Boots says previous experience or qualifications aren’t required for its main Christmas Customer Advisor and Retail Operations Assistant roles.
Working hours depend on the store, with current vacancies including short part-time contracts as well as roles offering more hours.
Current Seasonal Customer Advisor adverts we’ve checked pay £13.02 an hour, with higher rates at selected London locations.
Boots also says these roles are paid weekly.
You can search Boots Christmas jobs near you.
Poundland Christmas jobs
Poundland has Christmas Temp Sales Assistant vacancies live in stores around the UK.
The jobs involve keeping shelves stocked, helping customers, supporting deliveries, working on checkouts and keeping the store tidy.
Working hours vary between stores. Some Christmas vacancies offer just a few hours each week, while others have longer part-time contracts. Check the hours shown in the individual job advert before applying.
Current adverts also show different rates by age. Several Christmas Temp Sales Assistant vacancies pay £10.85 an hour for workers aged 16 to 20 and £12.71 an hour for those aged 21 and over.
Those are current vacancy examples rather than a guaranteed rate or number of hours at every Poundland store, so check the individual advert before applying.
Poundland says its Christmas Sales Assistants can be involved in customer service, stocking shelves, deliveries and keeping the checkouts running smoothly.
You can search current Poundland vacancies and look for jobs marked “Sales Assistant (Christmas Temp)”.
M&S Christmas jobs
Marks & Spencer has announced plans to recruit 11,000 temporary staff to help its stores through Christmas 2026.
Applications are open now, with the first new starters joining from 25 October 2026.
The jobs pay £13.41 an hour, although some vacancies offer higher rates or extra pay for certain shifts.
Staff will help customers, restock shelves and keep stores running during the busy Christmas period. M&S says successful applicants will receive training and support.
M&S warns that Christmas staff may be asked to work up to full-time hours during the weeks beginning 13 and 20 December 2026, even if their usual contract is part-time.
Individual vacancies can have different working patterns, so check the advert carefully before applying, particularly if you’re fitting the job around childcare or another job.
Visit the official M&S jobs website, search for Christmas vacancies in your area and apply directly online.
Last checked: 9 October 2026.
John Lewis and Waitrose Christmas jobs
The John Lewis Partnership has announced 10,400 seasonal jobs for Christmas 2026.
That includes 6,000 jobs at Waitrose, 2,600 across John Lewis shops and another 1,800 in distribution centres and the supply chain.
Current Christmas shop vacancies we’ve checked advertise pay starting at £13 an hour, increasing to £13.25 after 90 days.
However, the John Lewis Partnership’s wider Christmas recruitment announcement says the increase applies after 30 days.
If you’re applying for a short Christmas contract, check the individual job advert and confirm when the higher rate would apply.
Next Christmas jobs
Next has an autumn and winter seasonal recruitment campaign running.
Jobs can involve working on the sales floor, in a stockroom or across both areas.
Next says you don’t need years of previous experience and has seasonal jobs for people with different levels of availability.
Some contracts can be very short.
Current seasonal vacancy information shows that fixed-term autumn and winter contracts can range from just one or two days to several months, depending on what the individual store needs.
Pay varies by age, job and location, so use the figure shown in the individual vacancy rather than assuming one Next rate applies everywhere.
Some seasonal workers may also need to be available around the Winter Sale and Christmas period, so check the dates carefully before applying.
Smyths Toys Christmas jobs
Smyths Toys has Christmas temporary jobs appearing on its careers site.
Jobs can include customer service, tills, stocking shelves, deliveries and keeping the shop floor organised.
Retail experience can help, but some current Christmas Temp Sales Assistant vacancies describe it as desirable rather than essential.
One current Old Kent Road vacancy pays £13.20 an hour for workers aged 21 and over and £11.30 for under-21s.
Those are the terms of that particular vacancy rather than a guaranteed rate across every Smyths Toys store.
Stores trade seven days a week, so seasonal jobs may require flexible availability.
You can check current Smyths Toys vacancies and search for “Christmas Temp”.
Other employers worth checking
There are other large employers where seasonal work is available, although we haven’t found the same type of confirmed UK-wide Christmas recruitment campaign.
Amazon
Amazon says its UK frontline operations pay starts at between £15.10 and £16.10 an hour depending on location.
These rates apply to full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal employees.
Seasonal recruitment is taking place in some areas, but that doesn’t mean Christmas jobs are available at every Amazon site.
Check Amazon Jobs and search your local area.
Asda
Asda has current seasonal vacancies, although we haven’t found a national Christmas 2026 recruitment announcement.
Some vacancies are listed as “Permanent Seasonal”, which is different from a short Christmas temp contract.
Use the Asda careers search to see what’s available near you and check whether the job is temporary, permanent seasonal or a standard permanent position before applying.
How to find Christmas temp jobs near you
The fastest way to find a suitable vacancy is usually to start with the employer’s own careers website.
Search using your town or postcode and try terms including:
- Christmas
- festive
- seasonal
- temporary
- fixed term
- customer assistant
- warehouse
- stock
- delivery
Try widening the search distance if you can travel a little further.
Check again every few days too. Employers don’t always release every Christmas vacancy at once, and some adverts close quickly once enough people apply.
You could also sign up for job alerts where an employer offers them.
Local recruitment agencies can be worth checking, especially for warehouse, driving and short-term work.
Be careful with old vacancies appearing through search engines or third-party job boards.
Always click through to the employer’s careers site to make sure the job still exists before spending time on an application.
What to check before applying for a Christmas job
The highest hourly rate won’t always be the best job for you.
Check the full advert and work out what the job will actually mean for your time and your pocket.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Hourly pay | Rates can change by location, age, role and shift |
| Guaranteed hours | A higher hourly rate may not help if you only get a few hours |
| Shift times | Early mornings, nights and weekends may affect childcare or other work |
| Contract end date | Some jobs finish before Christmas while others continue into January |
| Travel costs | Petrol, parking or public transport can eat into what you earn |
| Night or weekend premiums | Some jobs pay extra for certain hours |
| Age requirements | Late shifts, equipment and some duties can have age restrictions |
| Driving requirements | Delivery jobs can have licence, age and assessment rules |
| Pay date | Check when you’ll actually receive your first wages |
It’s also worth being realistic about the work itself.
Sorting parcels, unloading stock and replenishing shelves can be physically demanding.
Customer-facing jobs can get extremely busy as Christmas gets closer.
A job that fits your hours and your strengths can be worth more to you than simply chasing the highest hourly rate.
How to improve your chances of getting a Christmas job
Apply early and read the advert carefully before sending the same application everywhere.
If the employer asks for flexible availability and you genuinely can work evenings, weekends or busy dates, make that clear.
Focus on useful skills such as reliability, customer service, teamwork, organisation and being able to stay calm when things get busy.
You don’t necessarily need years of experience.
Royal Mail says previous mail-sorting experience isn’t required for some seasonal sorting jobs, while Boots says its main Christmas store roles don’t require previous experience or qualifications.
If your CV needs some work first, see our guide to writing a CV that gets you hired faster.
And if this would be your first job or you’re changing direction, our guide to getting a job with little or no experience has more practical tips.
What if Christmas temp work doesn’t suit you?
A fixed rota or busy Christmas shift won’t work for everyone.
If you need something you can fit around another job, children or other commitments, there are other ways to earn extra money.
Our guide to the best side hustles in the UK compares more than 50 options, including online work, local services, reselling and flexible work.
The important thing is to choose something that fits the time you actually have rather than taking on extra work that makes the rest of your life harder.
