This 1973 Christmas stamp of Canada features a dove as Christmas ornament.

Many nations of the world issue Christmas stamps, postage stamps with a Christmas theme and intended for use on holiday mail such as Christmas cards. These stamps are regular postage stamps, unlike Christmas seals, and are valid for postage year-round. They usually go on sale some time between early October and early December, and are printed in considerable quantities. Canada 8c Christmas stamp of 1973, scanned by User:Stan Shebs This image of a postage stamp may be copyrighted and/or have other restrictions on its reproduction imposed by the issuing authority. ... Canada 8c Christmas stamp of 1973, scanned by User:Stan Shebs This image of a postage stamp may be copyrighted and/or have other restrictions on its reproduction imposed by the issuing authority. ... A selection of Hong Kong postage stamps A postage stamp is evidence of pre-paying a fee for postal services. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... Some christmas cards A Christmas card is a greeting card that is decorated in a manner that celebrates Christmas. ... The US Christmas seal of 1925 features holly and mistletoe behind the candles. ...

History

This stamp's Christmas connection is in the "XMAS 1898" at the bottom of the map.

It is a matter of some debate as to which is the first Christmas stamp. The Canadian map stamp of 1898 bears an inscription "XMAS 1898", but it was actually issued to mark the inauguration of the Imperial Penny Postage rate. The Christmas connection has long been reported to have been the result of quick thinking; Mulock was proposing that it be issued on 9 November, to "honor the Prince" (meaning the Prince of Wales), but when Queen Victoria asked "what Prince?" in a displeased manner, Mulock realized the danger, and answered "Why, the Prince of Peace, ma'am". Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x917, 247 KB) Canada 2-cent Xmas map stamp of 1898, scanned August 2005 by User:Stan Shebs File links The following pages link to this file: Postage stamps and postal history of Canada User:Stan Shebs/Gallery/Philately Christmas stamp... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x917, 247 KB) Canada 2-cent Xmas map stamp of 1898, scanned August 2005 by User:Stan Shebs File links The following pages link to this file: Postage stamps and postal history of Canada User:Stan Shebs/Gallery/Philately Christmas stamp... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the title Prince of Wales. ... Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May 1819–22 January 1901) was a Queen of the United Kingdom, reigning from 20 June 1837 until her death. ...

Hungarian nativity stamp, 1943

In 1937, Austria issued two "Christmas greeting stamps" featuring a rose and zodiac signs. In 1939, Brazil issued four semi-postal stamps with designs featuring the three kings and a star, an angel and child, the Southern Cross and a child, and a mother and child. In 1941 Hungary also issued a semi-postal whose additional fees were to pay for "soldiers' Christmas". The first stamps to depict the Nativity was the Hungary issue of 1943. These were all one-time issues, more like commemorative stamps than regular issues. Hungary 20f Christmas stamp of 1943, scanned by User:Stan Shebs This image of a postage stamp may be copyrighted and/or have other restrictions on its reproduction imposed by the issuing authority. ... Hungary 20f Christmas stamp of 1943, scanned by User:Stan Shebs This image of a postage stamp may be copyrighted and/or have other restrictions on its reproduction imposed by the issuing authority. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Rose (disambiguation). ... The term zodiac denotes an annual cycle of twelve stations along the ecliptic, the apparent path of the sun across the heavens through the constellations that divide the ecliptic into twelve equal zones of celestial longitude. ... Year 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A German semi-postal of 1972, 60pf postage + 30pf surcharge A semi-postal stamp or semipostal stamp is a postage stamp issued to raise money for some purpose (such as a charitable cause) and thus sold over and above the cost of postage. ... The Three Wise Men are given the names Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar in this late 6th century mosaic from the Basilica of St Apollinarius in Ravenna, Italy. ... This article is about the supernatural being. ... Southern Cross is the English name of Crux Australis, a constellation visible in the Southern Hemisphere. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... For the Nativity of Jesus, see Nativity of Jesus. ... This 1998 stamp of the Faroe Islands marks the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ...

First Christmas stamp of Australia, 1957

The next Christmas stamps did not appear until 1951, when Cuba issued designs with poinsettias and bells, followed by Haiti (1954), Luxembourg and Spain (1955), then Australia, Korea, and Liechtenstein (1957). In cases such as Australia, the issuance marked the first of what became an annual tradition. Many more nations took up the practice during the 1960s. Australia 4p Christmas stamp of 1957, scanned by User:Stan Shebs This image of a postage stamp may be copyrighted and/or have other restrictions on its reproduction imposed by the issuing authority. ... Australia 4p Christmas stamp of 1957, scanned by User:Stan Shebs This image of a postage stamp may be copyrighted and/or have other restrictions on its reproduction imposed by the issuing authority. ... Binomial name Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the Korean peninsula and civilization. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969. ...

By the 1990s, approximately 160 postal administrations were issuing Christmas stamps, mostly on an annual basis. Islamic countries constitute the largest group of non-participants, although the Palestinian Authority has issued Christmas stamps since 1995. For the band, see 1990s (band). ... Muslims performing salah (prayer) For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... The West Bank The Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA) is a semi-autonomous state institution nominally governing the bulk of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which it calls the Palestinian Territories). It was established as a part of Oslo accords between the PLO and Israel. ...

Designs

Peru's 1970 stamps reproduced paintings by anonymous Peruvian artists.

Although some tropical islands produce large-format Christmas stamps primarily intended for sale to stamp collectors, for the rest of the world, Christmas stamps are "working stamps" that will be used in large numbers to send greeting cards and postcards. Accordingly, the stamps tend to be normal-sized, and offered in one or a few denominations, for instance to cover differing domestic and international rates. Download high resolution version (500x640, 82 KB)Peru 1. ... Download high resolution version (500x640, 82 KB)Peru 1. ... Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects, such as envelopes (cover)s. ...

The choice of designs is highly variable, ranging from an overtly religious image of the Nativity, to secular images of Christmas trees, wreaths, Santa Claus, and so forth. A country may maintain a unified theme for several years, then change it drastically, in some cases seemingly to follow "fashion moves" by other countries. For instance, during the 1970s many countries issued Christmas stamps featuring children's drawings, with the young artist identified by name and age. For the Nativity of Jesus, see Nativity of Jesus. ... A Christmas tree from 1900. ... A wreath is a ring made of flowers, leaves, and sometimes fruits, used as an ornament, hanging on a wall or door, or resting on a table. ... A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ...

The choice of secular or religious designs is frequently a bone of contention; church leaders often see secular designs as diluting the meaning of the holiday, while postal officials fear that overly religious designs could lead their secular customers to avoid the stamps, leaving millions unsold, and even expose the postal administration to charges that they are violating laws prohibiting the promotion of a particular religion.

UK Xmas stamps typically have few or no inscriptions, but evocative artwork; this design is from a 1983 set of five.

In the United States, annual discord over "secular" versus "religious" designs was resolved by issuing some of each; typically a group of 4-6 related secular designs, plus a Madonna and Child design. To avoid difficulties attendant upon contracting for original designs with a religious theme, the designs are based on an Old Master paintings hanging in U.S. galleries, thus qualifying as depictions of art. UK 28p Christmas stamp of 1983, scanned by User:Stan Shebs This image of a postage stamp may be copyrighted and/or have other restrictions on its reproduction imposed by the issuing authority. ... UK 28p Christmas stamp of 1983, scanned by User:Stan Shebs This image of a postage stamp may be copyrighted and/or have other restrictions on its reproduction imposed by the issuing authority. ... In Jörg Breu the Youngers painting, the Madonna and Child fix the spectator with a gaze that invites the pious to contemplation and prayer The Madonna and Child is one of the central icons of Christianity. ... An Old Master (or old master) is one of the great European painters who lived 1500 through 1800, or a painting by one of these painters. ...

Usage

The usual usage of Christmas stamps is to quickly apply them to a stack of Christmas cards to go out. In the age of email, Christmas stamps may represent some individuals' largest remaining use of stamps in a year, and it is not unusual to see "leftovers" appear on regular mail during the first months of the new year, Except in Australia where Christmas stamps are only valid during the holiday season and cannot be used for regular mail, but only Christmas cards. This is because the Australian Christmas stamp is valued 5c lower than regular postage stamps.

Collecting

German christmas stamp from the Christmas post office at Himmelpfort

Christmas is a popular theme for topical collecting. Because of the quantities printed, almost all Christmas stamps are easy to come by and of negligible cost. Collecting challenges would be to get covers with apropos postal markings, such as a postmark on Christmas day (not all post offices get the day off), from a location such as North Pole, Alaska, North Pole, New York, Santa Claus, Indiana, or Christmas Island, or slogan postmarks with a Christmas theme. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 739 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 811 pixel, file size: 71 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 739 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 811 pixel, file size: 71 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Topical or thematic stamp collecting is the practice of collecting postage stamps relating to a particular subject or concept. ... In philately, a cover is an envelope or package, typically with stamps that have been cancelled. ... A postal marking is any kind of annotation applied to a letter by a postal service. ... North Pole is a city located in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska. ... North Pole is a small village located in Essex County, New York in the Adirondack Mountains. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

The Christmas Philatelic Club was formed in 1969 by Christmas stamp collectors, and has issued its bimonthly journal, the Yule Log since that time. A number of collectors treat Christmas collecting as a subcategory of religion on stamps. Also: 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... A chocolate yule log. ...

Other holiday stamps

Main article: Holiday stamp

In Japan, there is a longstanding tradition of a New Years stamp. A number of Easter stamps have been issued, but these are clearly aimed at collectors. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article is about the Christian festival. ...

The United States has occasionally issued stamps for New Years and Thanksgiving. During the 1990s, stamps for Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Eid, and Chinese New Year have become a regular part of the holiday program, although the designs tend be used for several years, distinguishable only by a different denomination or year date. The New Year is an event that happens when a culture celebrates the end of one year and the beginning of the next year. ... The art of diplomacy, painted by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863-1930). ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... Kwanzaa (or Kwaanza) is a week-long Pan-African festival primarily honoring African-American heritage. ... Grand Rabbi Israel Abraham Portugal of Skulen Hasidism lighting Hanukkah lights Hanukkah (‎, also spelled Chanukah), also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday beginning on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, which may fall anytime from late November to late December. ... The word Eid can mean several things: There are two Islamic festivals of Eid: One is called Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر) that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, The other is Eid ul-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى) or Eid-e Qurban (Persian: عید قربان) which is celebrated to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim... Chinese New Year (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), or Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. ...

Valentine's Day stamps are a more recent tradition in some countries. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

References

• Waller Sager and Kathleen Berry, 75 Years of Christmas Stamps (1971)
• Kathleen Berry, Six More Years of Christmas Stamps (1977)
• Everleigh Foster, Christmas Stamps of the World (American Topical Association Handbook 120, 1990)

External links

• Christmas Philatelic Club homepage
• Christmas Stamps 1991-2003 (PDF file)
• "Secular Christmas stamps attacked", Telegraph July 2004
• Last Christmas Stamps over the world
• A Christmas stamp joke
• Australia Post website, Outlining the cost of Postage Stamps (Including Holiday Stamps)
• Stamp Magazine online The first Christmas stamps