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The first Christmas stamp that was issued by Canada on the December 7, 1898 was a set of two two-cent stamps showing the map of the British Empire. Austria, however, was the first country to issue, in 1937, a set of two stamps, showing the Rose and the signs of the Zodiac, specifically for the postage on Christmas greeting cards. While the U.S. launched its first Christmas stamp on November 1, 1962 with the wreath and candles design, the U.K.’s debut Christmas stamp issued on December 1, 1966 showed Snowman and the King of the Orient design.

Several countries began issuing Christmas stamps. Postal departments in many countries have made releases for the festival season an annual affair. Australia Post, for instance, which began issuing Christmas stamps in 1957, has done so every year. And to commemorate 50 years, it issued, on November 1 this year, a set of five stamps utilising five classic designs from previous issues. In Australia, unlike other countries, Christmas stamps, valued five cents lower than regular postage stamps, are valid only during the season, and can be used only for Christmas cards, and not for regular mail.

While Christmas stamps are normal sized, some Central American countries issue large format ones only as a philatelist’s collectible. Christmas stamp designs have included such themes as Madonna and Child, Nativity scenes, angels, Santa Claus, cherubs, baby Jesus, three wise men, the Gospel, Popes, cathedrals, stars as also those from stained glass window paintings and children’s paintings.

There are also interesting novel or locally more suited designs such as the Australian 1990 stamp that shows baby Jesus surrounded by the local cute koala bear and kangaroo. Cartoon characters, birds, flowers or butterflies too have been featured on Christmas stamps.

Besides stamps Christmas seals have also been in use. Bearing Christmas designs, such seals are labels pasted on envelopes during the Christmas season to create awareness about and raise funds, as for instance, for TB.

The first Christmas seal was issued in Denmark in 1904 based on a postal clerk, Einar Holboll’s idea.

Thereafter many countries came up with such seals organised by health organisations like the Red Cross. India, however, has never issued a Christmas stamp, though churches such as the St. Andrew’s Church (1997) and spiritual personages such as St. Thomas (1964 and 1973) and Francis of Assisi (1983) have been portrayed in its stamps.

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