The United States Postal Service (USPS) has unveiled its 2024 Christmas stamps.
A range of five stamps, including one of Jesus Christ and the Madonna, have been released by the USPS in time for peak posting season. USPS said the stamps “capture the festive spirit of the holiday season.”
The stamp depicting Jesus and his mother is from a 17th-century painting called Sassoferrato by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Salvi.
The other four stamps, which are inspired by Mexican folk art, were created by Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, using original digital illustrations by Michelle Muñoz. They feature Christmas baubles and flowers and read “Forever U.S.A.”
All five are now available to buy at Post Office locations nationwide and online at usps.com.
Sample images of the five stamps released for the Christmas season by the USPS. They have a line through the word “forever” to prevent copying.
USPS
“The Christmas Madonna and Child stamp is a beautiful reminder of the season’s roots,” USPS Vice President of Marketing Sheila Holman Holman said in a news release issued on Saturday, September 14. “It’s a timeless design that brings a touch of reverence and warmth to every piece of mail. We’re proud to offer this special stamp to our customers as they share their holiday greetings.”
“These stamps provide our customers with beautiful images for the holidays and are more than just decorations for their cards and packages—they enable and provide a bridge between families and friends across America,” USPS Vice President of Supply Management Mark Guilfoil said. “Not only do the Holiday Joy stamps capture the spirit of the season, they remind us of the cherished seasonal tradition of sharing love, hope and memories through the mail, helping us stay connected with those who matter most.”
The USPS regularly releases new stamps to commemorate and celebrate holidays for all different faiths. Recent offerings include special stamps for the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, which is celebrated for eight days, usually in December, and Day of the Dead, the Mexican holiday which pays respects and remembers friends and family members who have died.
As postal services become busier over the holidays, which includes Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, the USPS announced it would be increasing prices during the peak season.
Price changes range from 30 cents for smaller items to $16 for larger packages. The temporary measures will begin at midnight CT on October 6, 2024, and remain in place until midnight CT on January 19, 2025 if approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), and cover only packages sent by Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM) and USPS Ground Advantage.
