News · Christmas 2026
Christmas 2026 games tables: plan around delivery
· By the Baizewick team
Late autumn is when games tables sell fastest. The table is rarely the hard part. The hard part is the measuring, the route in and a delivery slot before the holidays.
Work backwards from the delivery slot
Every retailer sets its own lead times and last delivery dates, and they change through the season. Check the retailer’s stated lead time on the product page, and ask for the last date they can deliver and install before Christmas.
Heavy tables that need a two-person team or an installer usually have fewer slots than parcels. If you want a slate table installed and levelled before Christmas, ask early.
This week: measure twice
- Measure the room and check what fits with the room size checker.
- If you want more than one game, test the layout with the layout planner.
- Measure every door, corner and stair on the way in, and run the numbers through the delivery route checker.
- Ask the retailer for the packed size of the largest box.
Choose a table you can actually get in
A flat-packed MDF table or a folding table tennis table goes through most doors. A slate table arrives in heavy sections and needs the retailer’s team. If the route is tight, that may decide the table for you. Our slate vs MDF guide explains the trade-offs.
Plan the hiding place
A boxed pool table does not fit under a tree. If it is a surprise, plan where the boxes will wait, and whether you will assemble it on Christmas Eve. Some tables take a few hours and two people to build.
Know your rights
For most online purchases, UK consumers can usually cancel within 14 days of delivery. Bespoke items, such as a custom cloth colour, may be exempt. Read the retailer’s terms before ordering anything made to order.