HO, HO, holy cats! Christmas 2023 stamps are here! And of course, I have a backlog of new issues to post. Stamps are rolling in at a fast pace now, so there will be updates almost daily for the month of November. This is becoming a fun tradition here at Bitter Grounds HQ. I sit with some chai and cruise around the world checking out all the fun Christmas stamps and covers while ignoring the cold weather knocking at the window.
2022 offered up the usual nice stamps, but the ones that both surprised and delighted me the most came from Sri Lanka. No artist name was given, which is irritating. The 50.00 blue stamp was the true highlight. I can’t be sure, but if I had to guess, I’d say up to 3 artists were involved in this series. The two stamps and the souvenir sheet each show distinctly different techniques.
It’s a magical combination of traditional Christmas motifs and graceful Sri Lankan artistic styles. I keep cruising by the Sri Lankan post website, hoping to see a 2023 Christmas stamp, but as of today (Nov. 1, 2023) no luck. I’ll keep looking.
Enjoy this year’s offerings.
Cheers
Catpaw
Åland
Greetings from the Islands of Peace
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
offset
Both stamps include elements of Åland handicraft products incorporated in the art.
Peace Angel – note the necklace around the angel’s neck. It is a Blomman flower pendant, a piece designed by Åland jewellery-makers Guldviva and considered a symbol of the Islands since 1992.
Peace Dove – this stamp includes handicrafts from the Island of Husö. The branch candle represents a product produced on the Island – hand-dipped branch candles.
On the FDC – a Blomman flower pendant is used as a star on the Christmas tree
0 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack, sheets of 10
51p Stamp: The Holy Family
56p Stamp: The Annunciation
79p Stamp: Joseph’s dream
87p Stamp: Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem on a donkey
£1.21 Stamp: No rom at the Inn
£1.39 Stamp: Angel Gabriel visits the Shepherds
£1.50 Stamp: The Magi follow the Star of Bethlehem
£4.93 Stamp: Adoration of the Magi
Designer: Martin Hargreaves
Release date: November 1, 2023
Andorra Sp
Christmas – Torró
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
One of the most divine Christmas treats is Spanish nougat. There are two types of Alicante or hard and Jijona, soft. Of the two, jijona is superior, especially when paired with a strong espresso.
Of the various theories that have been formulated about its origin, the most plausible is the one that assigns the sweet to the Arabian Peninsula, where sweets made with nuts and honey are typical. Its subsequent spread reached other areas of the Mediterranean basin such as North Africa, Italy or southern France.
The arrival in the Iberian Peninsula coincided with the incursions of the Arabs and the establishment of Al-Andalus, taking root especially in the southern regions of the Valencian Community, especially in Alicante and Jijona. There are documentary traces of the production of nougat in Sexona, now Jijona, since the fourteenth century. Other documents mention nougat as part of the wedding menu of one of King James I’s daughters. Stamps – Nadal. Torró. (correos.es)
Each year Austria releases a number of stamps that celebrate Christmas, or have a Christmas feel. They issue both religious and secular themes stamps. This year, I’ve pulled them together under this subheading because so many people enjoy collecting Christmas stamps. This year, there are 6 Christmas/Winter themed stamps to look for.
Christmas Sweater
1 stamp, cancel, FDC, info sheet
offset on flocked paper with +Pantone 185C
Part of an ongoing series titled “philatelic winter wardrobe”, that includes toques and mittens.
Designer: David Gruber
Release date: October 21, 2023
Christmas Snow Crystal
1 stamp, cancel
offset
Designer: Marion Füllerer
Release date: November 17, 2023
Christmas – Festive Sledge
1 stamp, cancel
offset
Designer: Kirsten Lubach
Release date: November 17, 2023
Christmas – Holy Family
Parish church Waldhausen in Strudengau
1 stamp, cancel, maxi card
offset
17th c painting by unknown south German artist.
A special presentation will be held at the library in the parish of Waldhausen im Strudengau. It will be jointly hosted by the Strudengau philatelists, the parish of Waldhausen and the municipality of Waldhausen
Special presentation
If you are lucky enough to be in the area and attend, drop me a note and let me know about it.
Artist: Dani Poon Designer: Jo Muré, Australia Post Design Studio (secular stamps and products) Dani Poon (religious stamps)
Release date: November 1, 2023
Belarus
8 stamps, 8 sheets of 4, souvenir sheet of 8, 2 FDCs, cancel, 8 maxi cards
offset
New Year’s wizard
Pleasant expectation
Believe in miracle
Holiday chores
Time for presents
Good news
Sweet present
Delicious treat
Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik
Release date: October 16, 2023
Canada
Secular
3 stamps, 1 booklets of 6, 1 booklet of 12, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset
Religious
1 stamp, booklet of 12, FDC, cancel
offset
Canada Post issues both a secular and a religious stamp for Christmas.
Canadian Winters: Jocelyne Saulnier of Joce Creative
I am super excited to share that I designed Canada Post’s 2023 holiday stamp series. It has been a pleasure to work with the ever talented Tim Zeltner, of i2i Illustrations, who’s beautiful and unique folk art style brought this concept to life: a continuous, magical winter scene featuring a panorama of Canada from West to East.
Joce described working on this project Canada Post | Joce Creative
Designers: Madonna and Child: Adrian Horvath
Horvath designed one of Canada posts most popular sets the 2021 Snow Mammals. Horvath’s first stamp design was the 2016 Star Trek 50th Anniversary set.
Christmas Angels created by Sheltered Workshops for sale
The angels are all handmade and unique. We aim for the process of producing the objects to be creative, and to evolve and contribute to the development of competence and inventive abilities. There is a lot of work behind each angel. No single citizen creates the whole angel himself or herself, but everyone does their part. One makes the body, another the wings, a third the halo, etc. In this way, the angel shows how people with different characteristics can work and progress together. No one is able to do everything. Everyone can do something – and together we can do a lot. Stamps.fo
Designer: Dagtilhaldið Fragdin and Verkhúsið Virkni
Release date: October 23, 2023
Christmas Seals
15 seals on a sheet that form a larger angel, Christmas cards
offset
Designer: Jonna Ljósá
Release date: October 23, 2023
Finland
Winter Joy
1 stamp, sheets of 10, FDC, cancel
offset
Since childhood, Minna has been interested in animals, especially owls.
“My grandmother had a stuffed owl, and I drew friends for it as a child. I still draw owls, and they have already made it to quite a few places. I’m happy that they can also show themselves on winter stamps.”
There is also a story behind the apple tree on the Christmas stamp.
“In front of our cottage’s porch, we have a winter apple tree with apples that are firmly attached to the branches. I look forward to the first snowfall in the fall and the beautiful accumulation of snow on the apples. Red apples are also associated with Christmas, so I decided to include winter apples on the stamp,” Minna says.
“We have six cats at home and I sketched them for the stamps as well, but in the end we ended up choosing squirrels and a Christmas wreath for the Finnish Christmas stamps.” Minna Lehväslaiho writing about 2023’s animal theme.
Designer: Anthoula Lynga
Lynga also designed Greece’s 2023 EUROMED: Kalamata Dance Festivalstamps.
Release date: November 2, 2023
Guernsey
The Christmas Story
3 stamps, 3 booklets of 10
Designer: Alexandra Ball
Release date: November 27, 2023
Jersey
What does Christmas mean to you?
8 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack, 8 sheets of 8, 8 postcards
lithography plus spot litho metallic silver ink
Jersey Post asked 8 local artists to create a stamp that answers the question “what does Christmas mean to you?”
Designers:
Will Bertram
Dean Porter
Glen Fox
Erin Brown
Louise Ramsay
Rosemary Blackmore
Gabriella Street
Lauren Radley
Release date: November 11, 2023
Isle of Man
Manx Winter Wildlife – Christmas 2023
6 stamps, 6 post and goes, 2 FDCs, cancel 6 sheets of 20
offset, 4 colour offset with silver PMS Metallic Silver
Cleeau-Yiarg – Robin at Old Ballaugh Church
Keyrrey Loaghtyn – Loaghtan Sheep at Cregneash
Mwaagh ny Sleityn – Mountain Hare at Peel Castle
Pibbin – Puffin at The Sound
Kayt Manninagh – Manx Cat at Tynwald Hill
Raun – Seal in Laxey Bay
Artist: Rowan Corlett Corlett is a Manx based artist who specialises in the landscapes and wildlife of Man
Release date: October 26, 2023
Jersey
What does Christmas mean to you?
8 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack, 8 sheets of 8, 8 postcards
lithography plus spot litho metallic silver ink
Jersey Post asked 8 local artists to create a stamp that answers the question “what does Christmas mean to you?”
Designers:
Will Bertram
Dean Porter
Glen Fox
Erin Brown
Louise Ramsay
Rosemary Blackmore
Gabriella Street
Lauren Radley
Release date: November 11, 2023
Netherlands
10 stamps, sheets of 20
The artist Linde Faas created each stamp with a different sentiment and mood meant to evoke a warm, nostalgic Christmas memory. She wrote extensively on her Instagram page about each stamp. The first one, The hare and the letter, was a test stamp for the series. As she created it, the theme of “Christmas Magic” came to mind.
The magic of the winter- and Christmas period. Of the nature of winter and of the special moment of receiving a written envelope, not knowing yet what it holds inside.
Each illustration is an attempt to “capture” a slice of Christmas magic.
Designer: Linde Faas
Release date: December 13, 2023
San Marino
Christmas 2023
1 stamp, sheets of 12, cancel
offset
Artist: Botticelli Painting: “Virgin with Child and Angels” (“Madonna of the Magnificat”) 1481, tempura Location: Uffizi Gallery, Florence
Release date: October 24, 2023
The Christmas of Wonders – Special Cancel
First Tower of San Marino covered in snow and surrounded by stars
Issued to coincide with the annual “The Christmas of Wonders” of the Republic of San Marino.
“I was watching how the snow crystals covered the fir trees, and I imagined deer, mice and rabbits running around, happily collecting snow crystals to decorate their own Christmas trees.” Aura Naomi Schoppig Ruiz
On the postal issue “Gifts of St. Nicholas” in the interpretation of the famous Ukrainian illustrator Kostya Lavro, it was possible to combine two significant holidays for Ukrainians. Preserving the traditional children’s image of St. Nicholas, a kind grandfather-magician, the artist skillfully recreated and supplemented it with relevant details. Yes, Nicholas does not fly through the sky on a sleigh, but rides on a Cossack horse. He has a camouflage bag filled with military equipment: planes, tanks, missiles, which are desperately needed by the Ukrainian army for our Victory. We combine special holidays: Ukrposhta presented the postage stamp “Gifts of St. Nicholas”
Designer: Kost Lavro
Release date: December 6, 2023
Holiday Post Marks
Release dates vary: Between December 3, 2023 to January 6, 2024
Ukrainian Christmas Carols in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Christmas snow globes will pop up sometime in fall for the Christmas season. Gregory Manchess created 4 different winter/Christmas themes featuring snowmen, Santa, deer and a Christmas tree.
Artist: Gregory Manchess
Release date: September 19, 2023
Vatican
Holy Christmas MMXXIII
1 stamp, booklet of 2 stamps
offset
Artist: Franciscan friar Michelangelo Cianti Painting: Miracle of Greccio 1902 Location: Franciscan convent of San Bonaventura, in Frascati
This set is the first to feature Santa and his elves in the 58 years Malta has issued Christmas themed stamps. A second set, with a religious theme, will be released in December.
Designer: Fabio Agius Comic artist Agius also designed Malta’s Europa 2022 set. Co-founder of Malta’s Comic Con and Wicked Comics.
Release date: November 29, 2022
Christmas – Nativity of Jesus Christ
3 stamps on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, presentation pack
offset
The three sculptures on these stamps are the work of Joseph Scerri, who also designed the stamp. The original works are made of terracotta and represent three Nativity scenes featuring the shepherds, the magi and the holy family.
Designer: Joseph Scerri
Release date: December 16, 2022
Mexico
2 stamps
offset
Designer: César Flores Nandez
Release date: December 8, 2022 (date may not be correct)
Moldova
Christmas & New Year
2 stamps, sheets of 8, FDC, cancl
Designer: Oleg Cojocari
Release date: December 9, 2022
Monaco
Virgin and Child
1 stamp
offset & intaglio
Designer/engraver: Louis Genty
Genty is a newcomer to stamp design. He created his first stamp in 2021, Napoleon I, or Andorra (Fr).
Interesting note one: Bos relied on freehand lettering for these stamps. “I drew a handful of sketches with different font styles, but in the end, the hand-lettered text was only used three times in the final designs. Namely in the form of ‘Geniet’ (Enjoy), ‘Oh Dennenboom’ (Oh, Christmas tree), and ‘December Greetings.'”
Interesting note two: Bos’ personal favourite is the mitted hand holding letters.
5 stamps in booklets of 10, mini sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, sheets of 20, A and B blocks
4 colour lithography with metallic silver
Designer: Donna McKenna
Release date: October 5, 2022
North Macedonia
1 stamp
Thank you to a reader for filling in details about this icon.
Northern Macedonia. Passionate Icon of the Mother of God (1451). This is an icon of the Mother of God, revered in Orthodoxy, belongs to the iconographic type of the Odigitria. The icon got its name because of the image next to the face of the Virgin of angels holding the instruments of the Passion of Christ. Now the miraculous icon of the Holy Mother of God from the Holy Monastery is in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Sokolniki in Moscow.
Designer/engraver: Dirección general del tesoro público – valores fiscales
Release date: December 2, 2022
Peru
Nativity
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Release date: December 19, 2022
Philippines
I’m looking better images. FDCs are also available.
Designers: This stamp was a collaborative effort by Philippine Post artists Agnes Rarangol, Ryman Dominic Albuladora, Eunice Beatrix Dabu and Israle Viyo
Release date: December 8, 2022
Poland
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Designer: Poczta Polska S.A.
Release date: October 20, 2022
Romania
Nativity & 3 Wisemen
2 stamps FDC, cancel, 2 mini sheets of 6, sheets of 14, special folder
offseet
Souvenir sheet: Nativity of the Lord icon by an anonymous 17th c painter
Designer: Korneyeva M.
Artists: Svetlana Chernykh and Polina Mitroshkina Chernykh and Mitroshkina were winners of the All-Russian competition to design the New Year and Christmas set.
Release date: December 15, 2022
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Snack for Santa
1 stamp, sheets of 25
Designer: Myriam Fauglas This is Fauglas’ first stamp design
Release date: November 5, 2022
San Marino
Star over San Marino
3 stamps, cancel, 3 sheets of 20
4 colour offset using a Pantone and yellow fluorescent invisible ink
Designer: Valentina Ascione – Studio Ascionemagro
Release date: November 12, 2022
Serbia
Winter Fairy Tale
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheets of 6
Designer: Unknown
Release date: December 15, 2022
Slovenia
Three Kings / Wax Cradle and New Year Celebrations
4 stamps, 4 FDCs, 4 cancels
Not sure the Nativity scene translated properly. The original is voščene jaslice and translates into wax crib or cradle.
Designer 3 Kings: Zadruga.traparij Designer Wax Cradle: Edi Berk
Release date: December 11, 2022
Slovensko
Christological motifs in the work of P. M. Bohun (1822 – 1879)
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, booklet, postcard
Designer: Peter Nosáľ Nosáľ is currently Assistant Prof at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava Artist: Peter Michal Bohúň (1822 – 1879)
Bohúň was a Slovak painter who specialised in portraiture. This Encyclopedia of Knowledge has an interesting, but brief bio on him.
The Esteru is a Christmas character from the oral tradition of Cantabria.
The Esteru is a big, warm hearted woodcutter with a beret, a smoking pipe and a long beard, who usually wears wooden albarcas and always takes his axe, his walking stick, and his loyal servant, el Burru (the Donkey). He represents kindness and goodness on the Earth. He lives in the forest in Cantabria and dedicates all year to cut wood, except on Christmas, when he manufactures the toys he will later deliver to all the homes in Cantabria. Esteru – EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki
Release date: December 15, 2022
Christmas Philatelic Expedition
Release date: November 19, 2022
Sri Lanka
Nativity Scenes
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
Release date: December 6, 2022
Sweden
A Magical Christmas
10 stamps, booklet, FDC, cancel, 2 postal envelopes
A series of greeting cards were also produced using the same motifs
Designer: Sabina Wroblewski Gustrin
Release date: November 3, 2022
Switzerland
Sacred Art
2 stamps, FDC, cancel, 2 maxi cards
“Hostienmühle” window in Bern Cathedral
Designer: Bernard Schlup Photography: Kantonale Denkmalpflege Aargau, Aarau (110 stamp), Alexander Gempeler, Bern (230 stamp)
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Time for a trip to the past by way of an accidental Christmas stamp. Get comfortable in front of the fireplace channel, pour your favourite drink, and settle in for the tale of the first Christmas stamp – the Canadian Imperial Penny Post.
In the early years of international mail service, there was a push to institute a penny postage rate for the British Empire. Discussion about establishing a fixed, uniform fee went on for 15 years with little traction. Enter the hero of our saga, William Mulock (soon to be Sir), Postmaster General of Canada from 1896–1905 and owner of a magnificent set of chin whiskers.
Mulock was an interesting person, worthy a lengthy writeup one day. He was fond of smoking Cuban cigars, loved rye whisky and profanity – often at the same time. He was a character who was well known for his salty approach to the Queen’s English, even while seated as a member of Parliament. When Ontario flirted with prohibition in 1916 and, in a fit of wartime patriotic fervour, passed the Ontario Temperance Act, Mulock was having none of this teetotalling nonsense. He is said to have had a custom built concrete bunker installed in his home and stashed away enough whisky to keep him happy into the afterlife. It was this larger than life legacy that sparked one of the most enduring stories about the origins of the Christmas stamp.
Now, let’s get back to that stamp.
Discussions on a common postal rate, were held at the July 1898 Imperial Conference and committee members approved it. Finally, penny postage rates were a reality, with Great Britain, Canada, Newfoundland, Cape Colony, and Natal agreeing to institute the new low fee first. It was hoped other countries and colonies would soon follow.
So, where does the Map stamp come in and why did it have the Xmas 1898 inscription? Patience, we’re getting to that.
Did she really say that?
Here’s where the tale takes an apocryphal turn. In an effort to promote universal penny postage, Mulock decided to create a stamp showing the empire (in red) and present it at the conference. The story goes on to say the delegates were told the stamp would be released on November 9, for the Crown Prince’s birthdate. Upon previewing the new penny postage stamp, Queen Victoria is said to have asked “Which prince?” Mulock, realizing what a blunder this could be, given the Queen’s dislike of her own son, piped up with “why, madam, the Prince of Peace” and hastily changed the release date to closer to Christmas. Thus, accidently creating the world’s first Christmas stamp.
Did this really happen? Given Victoria’s prickly nature and her well known hatred of her eldest, it isn’t unreasonable to believe the story. But no. It’s not true. There are no references in any paperwork I slogged through mentioning this event. It’s one of those stories that sounds great and brings about a chuckle or two. Without Mulock’s reputation as a bigger than life character, it’s doubtful this tall tale would have come about.
The truth is far more mundane, as it usually is.
The original release date was December 7, 1898. An original handwritten note still sits in the Canadian Bank Note Company archives, dating from October of the same year, detailing instructions regarding the creation of this stamp. That places the design idea far too late for the mythical meeting with Queen Victoria.
Mulock oversaw the stamp’s creation, but Warren L. Green, President of the Canadian Bank Note Co, created the design. He based it on George Robert Parkin’s map, with Charles Skinner doing the engraving duties later. The original memo reads:
“This is a rough idea for the new stamp. Mr. Mulock had a number of designs for this and naturally a great many conflicting ideas. The only way I could get anything definite was to sit right down with a pencil and a brush and work right alongside of him until he got something that approached his idea.” Warren L. Green.
So, the design was a collaborative effort, with Mulock being the driving force behind the issue. Queen Victoria didn’t put a spanner into the works. It came out as originally planned, and the new penny postage rates were slated to take effect December 25, 1898.
There is one more twist to the story. I did a bit of research on the date and found two spins on it. One has it, the original date for the stamp was December 25, 1898, to coincide with the introduction of the new rates. Due to pressure from the public, the date was moved to the 7th, and the inscription left on. Another says the stamp wasn’t planned for Christmas day, and the Xmas 1898 was nothing more than acknowledgment of the start of the Christmas postage rate change. Pick your preferred theory.
The scan at the top of this article is the first map stamp I acquired. It’s one of those stamps I looked at as a young collector and dreamt of owning. I still remember the pure delight I experienced when I finally had one. I still get a thrill each time I remember the day I put it into my album.
Here’s another one. I bought it because of the cancel.
The Canadian Fancy Cancellations of the Nineteenth Century book lists it as #880 Ottawa, Canada 1899,circle with 19 thin bars encircling #1. It went into service 140 years ago in 1881 and was used by the Ottawa post offices until 1901. So this cancel was issued near the end of the postmark’s life cycle.
May all your stamps bring similar fond memories to you.
Welcome to Christmas stamps 2021 from around the world. Each November, a rush of new stamps hits the market, just in time for the Christmas delivery schedule. Are you ready for cuteness overload? Hope so, because there are some stamps that are inexcusably adorable.
Sprinkled amongst the usual cute animals ‘n elves are a handful of notable designs that tell stories through an unusual or unexpected design. There are a few outstanding issues that merit highlighting. I’ve posted them at the beginning of this article to draw your attention to them and invite comments on your opinions on my choices. As stamps are released and added, I may amend the introduction to add new finds worth a closer look.
Please keep in mind, this is a work in progress. I opted not to wait until everything is released and hope you enjoy the edits, new editions and on going commentary. You are welcome to leave a comment below about your picks, dissecting my top choices, or to simply to say Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays. I really enjoy reading comments. Except for spammers. No one likes spammers.
Cubist Christmas
A few stamps stand out this year. They include Royal Mail’s set from cubist artist Jorge Cocco. At first glance I wasn’t fond of the stamps but they take time and thought to appreciate the rich, earthy tones and details. It’s turned into one of my top picks.
Have you seen this elf, ma’am?
I’m also fond of Canada’s “mug shot trio” – Holiday Portraits from illustrator Geneviève Godbout. What can I say? I’m a push over for well done cartoons.
Best over all stamp
Greenland’s November 9th stamp has to be the most stunning design of the year. I doubt anything released after the 9th will come close to the singular beauty displayed in this small stamp. Originally, I tagged Jorge Cocco’s Nativity as the best of the year, but one looks at this stamp and wow, I was immediately bowled over.
This singular design by artist Maria Bach Kreutzmann is a showcase of Greenlandic culture and history. I can’t say enough about the details nestled in this stamp. I often speak about the stories stamps tell, and this is a beautiful example of what I mean. I’ll let Kreutzmann explain the meaning behind the various symbols within the stamp:
…I chose to combine it with a woman with Greenlandic tattoos, as I feel this conveys ’new-meets-old-meets-new-again’. Tattoos are a tradition that is
making a comeback. Along with the old tradition of the Christmas star, it just felt right to put them together, also to show tattoos in the context of being ordinary and commonplace. Just as I hope that the tradition of the Christmas star never disappears, I also believe that tattoos are an old tradition that has come back to stay.” Maria Bach Kreutzmann.
What do you think? Have your say. Pick a favourite and leave a comment about why you like it. And don’t forget to return to see if new stamps have been added.
Christmas cheers
Catpaw
Christmas Stamps 2021
Åland
2 stamps, cancel
Designer: Rebecca Elfast
Date of Issue: October. 20, 2021
Alderney Christmas
Set of 7 Stamps, FDC, cancel, Presentation Pack, Sheets of 10
45p Stamp: Luke 2.14
50p Stamp: Luke 1.30
70p Stamp: Luke 1.31
73p Stamp: Luke 2.7
£1 Stamp: Luke 2.10
£1.15 Stamp: Matthew 2.9
£1.20 Stamp: Matthew 2.14
Designer: Joe Smith
Release date: November. 3, 2021
Andorra (Fr)
Christmas Angel
1 stamp, sheet of 15
Artwork taken from Mestre Çanou’s 1606 canopy.
Designer: Àlex Tena and Stéphanie Ghinéa
Release date: November 8, 2021
Argentina
1 stamp, souvenir sheet
When the QR code directs the user to a page with 6 Christmas carols and traditional songs composed by Argentine musicians.
The six audiovisual pieces that make up the video were produced and provided by the governments of Tierra del Fuego, Salta, Santa Fe, San Juan, La Rioja and Catamarca, in a great joint effort. Each piece embodies the culture of each region, and invites us to contemplate its particularities; to immerse ourselves in their music, their landscapes, their customs, their stories and their traditions. Correo Argentino press release Friday, December 24, 2021
Release date: December 22, 2021
Armenia
New Year and Christmas
1 stamp
Designer: Rem Saakyan
Release date: December 24, 2021
Australia
5 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, numismatic cover, cancel, 3 gutter strips of 10, 2 booklets of 20, 4 mini sheets of 5, mini sheet pack, stamp pack, 5 maxi cards
Designer secular stamps: Sonia Young, Australia Post Design Studio Designer religious stamps & product design: Jo Muré, Australia Post Design Studio
Release date: November 1, 2021
Austria
Christmas at Holly Pond
6 postcards and 6 stamps
Release date: November 2, 2021
Merry Christmas
4 postcards and 4 stamps
Release date: November 2, 2021
Package of Christmas stamps & recipes
20 self adhesive stamps
A nostalgic rocking horse and an idyllic watercolour painted by former Bishop Stecher (1921–2013) spread Christmas spirit, as well as a portrait from St. Stephen’s Cathedral showing St. Joseph with the Child Jesus, and an expressive painting from the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Release date: November 2, 2021
Christmas Mittens
1 stamp
Designer: David Gruber
Release date: November 12, 2021
Christmas – Nativity Scene
1 stamp
Multilateral Christmas 2021
1 stamp
This is a joint issue with Liechtenstein, Austria, Switzerland and Germany
Bahamas
4 stamps
Christmas presents
Christmas ornaments
Christmas lights
Holly
Designer: Andrew Robinson
Release date: December 20, 2021
Belarus
Happy New Year! Merry Christmas!
С Новым годом и Рождеством Христовым!
Two sets issued – one religious, the second secular – by different designers.
Angels
1 stamp, booklet of 10, FDC, cancel
Designer: Stéphane Huot Illustrator:Luc Melanson
Release date: November 1, 2021
Canada Holiday Portraits
3 stamps, 3 booklets of 12 (Santa) and 6, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
Stamp Designers: Larry Burke, Anna Stredulinsky | Burke & Burke Illustrator: Geneviève Godbout
Release date: November 1, 2021
Chile
1 stamp
Release date: December 2021
Christmas Island
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 gutter sheets of 10, booklet of 10, 2 FDCs, cancel, numismatic cover, cancel
Snorkeling Santa & Greeting wildlife
Illustrator: Andrew McIntosh Set designer: Simone Sakinofsky, Australia Post Design Studio
Release date: November 1, 2021
Colombia
1 stamp, mini sheet of 4
Release date: December 16, 2021
Croatia
1 stamp, mini sheet of 10, sheet of 20, FDC, cancel
Designer: Ariana Noršić
Release date: November 22, 2021
Curacao
Christmas Around the World
6 stamps
70c – Paskong Pinoy – Philippines
Cat. 1 – Krampus – Austria
Cat. 2 – Yule Lads – Iceland
331c – Pohutukawa – New Zealand
335c – Gävle Goat – Sweden
474c – Hallacas – Venezuela
Designer: Andre van Hoop
Curacao Christmas
6 stamps
Sorry, this is the best image I can find.
Designer: Martine den Boer
Cyprus
3 stamps, 3 sheets of 8, 2 FDCs, cancel, postcard
Cypriot Folk Art of embroidery and basket weaving.
Nativity of Christ from the Leventis Gallery, (1489-1571)
Release date: November 18, 2021
Czech Republic
1 stamp
Designer: Pavel Sivko
Release date: November 10, 2021
Estonia
2 stamps, 2 mini sheets of 10, FDC, cancel, info car
Designer: Indrek Ilves
Release date: October 15, 2021
Faroe Islands
5 stamps on a sheet of 15, 3 Christmas cards
Portion of sales goes to Christmas Seal Foundation
Photographer/designer: Harriet Olafsdóttir av Gørðum
Release date: November 4, 2021
Finland
3 stamps
Red stopper bird
Northern lights
Christmas Lights
Designer: Klaus Welp
Release date: November 3, 2021
France
Notebook Together, let’s celebrate a Christmas that feels good
12 self-adhesive stamps in booklet format
Photogravure
Designer: Arobace
Release date: November 2, 2021
1521 – 2021 Christmas tree tradition – Sélestat
1 stamp, sheet of 12, info sheet, cancel, philatelic souvenir
Photogravure
1521 Christmas tree tradition – Sélestat 2021
The City of Sélestat, a humanist city in the heart of Alsace, carefully preserves in its municipal archives a register of accounts where it is reported that in 1521, it was necessary to pay the forest guards 4 schillings so that they watch over the corn* from St. Thomas, once celebrated on December 21, three days before Christmas. This is the oldest known handwritten mention to date referring to this part of the Christmas tree tradition. 1521 Christmas tree tradition – Sélestat 2021 | The ink square (lecarredencre.fr)
The decorative balls in the image are explained by the city of Sélestat:
After several tracks considered, it is the visual of the chandelier in Meisenthal balls that was retained. “Like a chandelier” is a pendant lamp composed of 173 Christmas balls in Meisenthal glass, created and designed by the City of Sélestat in partnership with the International Center of Glass Art of Meisenthal. This chandelier is visible every year in December in the Romanesque church of Sainte-Foy (12th century) in Sélestat. Suspended in the crossing of the transept, the balls with multiple colors come in counterpoint to the stained glass windows, recreating the shape of a fir tree that the light comes to animate. Official launch of the national stamp – City of Sélestat (selestat.fr)
Christmas balls of Meisenthal glass, this chandelier is a contemporary evocation of the old chandeliers of the church. image courtesy City of Sélestat
I chose to combine it with a woman with Greenlandic tattoos, as I feel this conveys ’new-meets-oldmeets-new-again’. Tattoos are a tradition that is
making a comeback. Along with the old tradition of the Christmas star, it just felt right to put them together, also to show tattoos in the context of being ordinary and commonplace. Just as I hope that the tradition of the Christmas star never disappears, I also believe that tattoos are an old tradition that has come back to stay.” Maria Bach Kreutzmann
1 stamp, postcard, cancel, philatelic card, info bulletin, folder
The info bulletin covers both the secular and religious Christmas issues. It includes articles signed by Cinzia Lacchia, Curator of the Burgundy Museum, and Fabio Gregori, Head of Philately, Corporate Affairs.
Designer: Valerio Pradal
Release date: December 1, 2021
Holy Christmas 2021 – religious subject
1 stamp, postcard, cancel, philatelic card, info bulletin, folder
The info bulletin covers both the secular and religious Christmas issues. It includes articles signed by Cinzia Lacchia, Curator of the Burgundy Museum, and Fabio Gregori, Head of Philately, Corporate Affairs.
Painting: Bernardino Lanino’s “Madonna Enthroned with Child between St. Bernardino of Siena and St. Francis“, also called “Madonna of the Dog” from the the Francesco Borgogna Museum in Vercelli
Designer: Philatelic Center of the Operational Management of the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato S.p.A..
Release date: December 1, 2021
Japan Winter Greetings
10 stamps, 2 sheets of 10, 2 cancels
Red Sheet:
（1） Red Bird
（2） lantern
（3） poinsettia
（4） Winter Letters
（5） Apple
Blue Sheet:
（1） Rotary candle stand
（2） sledge
（3） wolf
（4） gift
（5） reindeer
4 stamps, 4 sheets of 20, FDC, cancel
Offset 2-colour Pantone with hot foil gold embossing
Designer: Sereina Hatt, Vaduz
Release date: November 15, 2021
Lithuania
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
One of the festive stamps depicts an ancient Lithuanian mythological creature – a deer nine-year-old carrying celestial bodies in its horns.
Various mythological sources say that the white deer escapes into the forests during the solstice and returns at Christmas. On this trip, the deer takes nine days, so the deer is called a nine-year-old. It is believed that it bears the sun in its horns, so the deer nine symbolizes the light returned to Earth, and at the same time the most beautiful celebrations of the year – St. Peter’s Square – are brought to each house. Christmas.
The second postage stamp depicts a holiday symbol that is familiar to everyone – a gift. It is decorated with a ribbon, which serves as an extension of the illustration of the nine celestial bodies carried by the deer depicted in the first postage stamp. Lithuanian Post News Release Nov.26, 2021
Designer: R. Auškalnytė
Release date: November 27, 2021
Luxembourg
The end-of-year celebrations – Christmas 2021
2 stamps
Artist: Jens W. Beyrich (FL) Designer: Ben Hemmen, POST Luxembourg (LU)
Release date: December. 7, 2021
Use our Christmas stamps Slogan cancel
Release date: December 14, 2021 to December 17, 2021
Macedonia
1 stamp, sheet of 9
Release date: December 6, 2021
Malta
3 stamps, 3 sheets of 10, FDC, cancel, blocks of 4
Designer: Miguel Farrugia
Release date: November 15, 2021
Mexico
2 stamps on a sheet
Designer: Sergio Barranca Rábago
Release date: December 12, 2021
Monaco
1 stamp, sheet of 10, FDC, cancel
3 postcards were also issued, that included images from 2014, 2015 and 2016 Christmas stamps.
Artists/Designers: Marie-Christine Lemayeur and Bernard Alunni
Release date: November 5, 2021
Netherlands
10 stamps, sheet of 20
The 10 stories on the December stamps together tell 1 big story, in which the animals in the forest are busy with the December festival. “They are working on decorations,” says Geertje. “They are on the road with gifts and mail and they pay attention to each other. Just look at the kissing blue under the mistletoe. Everyone enjoys it. While making the papercuts for the December stamps in the spring, I often thought back to last winter. Then the pond in front of my house was frozen, children were busy skating, big people were having snowball fights and there was a lot of fun. I wanted to convey that feeling. DECEMBER STAMPS 2021 PostNL « Geertje Aalders Illustrations
4 stamps, 2 FDCs, cancel, a & b blocks, self adhesive books, 4 sheets of 20
Designer: Cam Price, New Zealand Post
Release date: November 3, 2021
Norway
2 stamps, FDC, cancel, gold FDC, 2 maxi cards, collector’s pack, presentation pack
no images for presentation pack or the maxis, hopefully coming soon
Artist/Designer: Lisa Aisato
Release date: November 5, 2021
Paraguay
2 stamps
Artist: Martín Vallejos
Release date: December 17, 2021
Philippines
4 stamps, FDC, cancel
Print reads:
Here it is, the Christmas of Hope
We are still together this Christmas
Wholehearted faith in Christmas full of Love
Trust, Believe, Christmas of Miracles
The 2021 Christmas stamp illustrated the Filipino way of celebrating Christmas here and abroad. It was anchored on hope, togetherness, love and faith. These virtues were depicted in the traditional Filipino Christmas parol (lantern), a star-shaped bamboo decoration lit and hung in houses and along streets to brighten the joy of the holiday season. Philippine Post Office features ‘Paskong Pilipino 2021’ in postage stamps | The Manila Times
1 stamp, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, special folder, mini sheet of 8, full sheet of 28
Designer: Mihail Vămășescu
Release date: November 19, 2021
Saint Pierre et Miquelon
Stamps designed by:
Lomig Briant
Alexy Tillard
Clara Robert
Release date: November 8, 2021
San Marino
2 stamps, 2 sheets of 12, cancel
Paintings: “Madonna and Child” by Orazio Gentileschi and “Madonna and Child with Saints Francis, John the Baptist, Jerome and Clare:
From Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica, Roma (MiC) – Bibliotheca Hertziana, Istituto Max Planck per la storia dell’arte/Enrico Fontolan
Release date: September 21, 2021
Serbia
2 stamps, FDC, cancel, 2 sheets of 25
… the Orthodox celebrate it on January 7th, and the Catholic on December 25th, but its message remains the same – the message of peace and love.
We celebrate Christmas for three days. It is primarily family holiday, and there are numerous traditions and customs regarding Christmas. On the day before Christmas and Christmas Eve, the yule log is being brought into house, cresset lit and hay with hidden candies, prunes, walnuts, sugar and coins, spread all over the house. The hay is a symbol of the manger in which Christ was born. The yule log represents longevity and substance of Christianity, as well as of the warmth of the love Christ brought to us when he was born and arrived to the Earth. On the very day of the Christmas, early in the morning the church bells of all Orthodox temples are ringing, announcing the nativity of Christ. People go to church to attend Christmas liturgy and they all greet each other by “Christ has been born” and “Indeed he has”. Пригодна издања – 2021 – еФилателија (posta.rs)
Designers: Kristina Gubien (stamp) Adrian Ferda (cancels, second stamp set)
Release date: December 12, 2021
Slovenia
2 stamps, 2 folders of 12 stamps
B – Birth of Christ
C – three kings
Designers: Zadruga Traparij & Villa Creativa
Release date: Nov. 12, 2021
Spain
Monumental Bethlehem of the Army-Burgos & Christmas Lottery Series: regional nativity scenes
2 stamps
The Monumental Bethlehem of Burgos is one of the largest nativity scenes in Spain. The second stamp was issued for the annual lottery. The first lottery was held December 18, 1812, during the dark days of the Napoleonic Wars.
The Garden Gnomes’ Christmas – Christmas mail 2021
10 stamps in booklet format, coil stamp, FDC, cancel, souvenir sheet
Designer: Maria Trolle www.mariatrolle.se Trolle is a busy artist. She has illustrated numerous books, magazines, children’s books and adult colouring books including her seventh in 2021. She has created over 600 images for her various colouring books.
Release date: November 11, 2021
Switzerland
Christmas Traditions
Designer: Anita Dettwiler and Dani Pelagatti
Release date: November 4, 2021
Ukraine
1 stamp, sheet of 8, FDC, cancel
Designer: Nikolai Kochubey
Release date: December 7, 2021
Uruguay
1 stamp, sheet of 25, cancel
Designer: Alejandro Muntz
Release date: December 17, 2021
Vatican
2 stamps, souvenir booklet
[The artist} of the two paintings is Adam Piekarski, a young homeless Polish painter who frequents the showers that Pope Francis has opened near the colonnade of St. Peter’s so that all pilgrims entering the Basilica can come across this new service. To portray the Magi, the author wanted to be inspired by his companions of misfortune. Two are more or less recognizable, the third is not, since it represents them all. With this small initiative, Vatican philately wanted to make the Nativity of the Lord more concrete by promoting the redemption of these disadvantaged brothers and sisters of ours. Christmas MMXXI (vaticanstate.va)
Canada Post issues 2 sets of Christmas stamps each year, one religious themed and one secular. The 2021 stamps, released November 1, continued with this tradition. Quite a few talented people had a hand in creating both sets.
Angels
The religious set featured the artwork of Luc Melanson and the set design by Stéphane Huot. Huot also designed the 2021 Ballet stamps for Canada Post. The set featured a single stamp, issued in a booklet of 10 along with a FDC. The FDC cancel comes via Christmas Island, Nova Scotia.
Holiday Portraits
The trio of secular stamps is nothing short of pure delight. But, they make me think of Christmas mug shots!
The 3 stamps come in booklets of 12 for Santa and 6 for the reindeer and elf.
Also issued was a souvenir sheet and FDC with a cancel from Noëlville, Ontario.
The FDC is a tour de force of cute overload. It’s just fun. Larry Burke and Anna Stredulinsky from Burke & Burke worked with illustrations by Geneviève Godbout to create this set. If you aren’t familiar with Godbout’s designs, you can see them here Illustration – Genevieve’s Portfolio (genevievegodboutillustration.com). She has a gentle, whimsical style that often features cats and dogs.
Last year’s Maud Lewis set was hard to beat, but I think Godbout’s Christmas portraits are a great follow up to the 2020 cats.
I want to thank everyone who has dropped me a note and still visited the site, despite the lack of fun content. It's been a bit of a hard slog on this end and the double vision really makes things a bit rough. However, it looks like a diagnosis is on the horizon which means treatment.
In the meantime, I'm going to try and write. If I get things a little wonky, just sigh with me. Its hard to take life seriously when everything is blurry and doubled.
