Guernsey Post announces that some of the iconic symbols of the festive season are to feature on this year’s Christmas stamps for Guernsey and Alderney, to be issued on 8 November.
Both stamp sets have been printed using foil inks and are finished in rich colour pallets to add to the festive theme. The Guernsey set features a gold and green colour pallet whilst Alderney’s stamps are finished in blue and silver.
Both sets feature some of the traditional – and well-loved - images associated with the festive season including the Christmas tree, which arrived in Britain sometime in the 1830s. Also depicted are Christmas presents, which, in the Christian religion, symbolise the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh that were given to baby Jesus by three Kings.
Holly features on the 38 pence stamps, which, along with other greenery, was originally used in pre-Christian times to help celebrate the Winter Solstice Festival, ward off evil spirits and celebrate new growth. Today, holly adorns Christmas cards and is a popular decoration around the home.
Other iconic Christmas symbols to feature on both stamp sets are Father Christmas and his reindeer; the snowman; and, the Christmas star, which symbolises the star of Bethlehem.
Bridget Yabsley, acting head of philatelic at Guernsey Post said: - “These festive foiled stamps have been created for Guernsey and Alderney and feature some of the great iconic symbols that we associate with Christmas, which is undoubtedly a very special time of year that is celebrated around the world.”