I’m pretty sure I must be from another planet. My wife agrees for multiple reasons. Hers aside, it’s more because so many of my memories from childhood are entirely foreign to most customs of today’s world. Take Thanksgiving. I recall, in public grade school, we would draw pictures of Pilgrims and Indians feasting together. Another class might put on a fun Thanksgiving play or pageant. Today, not a chance. Children are now given conjecture about the decimation of Native Americans by thieving European religious zealots. Yikes.
A few weeks later we would immerse ourselves in Christmastime. Just imagine. Halls would be filled with endless crayon drawings of Santa and snowflakes. We’d hear a chorale by older kids singing Christmas songs. Now, my old public school is barred from mentioning Christmas including any vestige of a tree, Santa, reindeer, etc. Those are said to be too polarizing and exclusionary....
The US Postal Service went through a similar catharsis in the 1980s. That’s when someone there opted to remove the word “Christmas” from the seasonal stamps. In 1962, the first official “Christmas” stamp was issued. It showed a green wreath near two candles above the word “Christmas.” It was followed in 1963 with a stamp showing a towering, lit Christmas tree. Eventually, dozens of Christmas stamps were issued. Hundreds more were released in countries around the world. Some collectors enjoy specialized, topical collections of just Christmas stamps.
During the 1980s and ‘90s, politically correct controversy arose when the word “Christmas” was removed and replaced with “Season’s Greetings,” or just “Greetings.” Postal patrons and collectors rebelled. To assuage the growing angst, the USPS made it a point to also produce an accompanying annual stamp featuring a classic Renaissance-era painting of the Madonna and Child.
Still, it became bitter. When patrons asked clerks at some post offices for the Christmas stamps, if the clerk responded “which version?” agitated buyers would snap back, “There’s only one valid Christmas stamp!” Equally goading, in an effort to be religiously all-inclusive, the USPS began issuing stamps recognizing wintertime observances of Hanukkah, Eid and Kwanzaa.
Whatever the leaning, especially for young kids, there’s no denying the unbridled magic of the Christmas season – particularly that of days gone by. The smell of a pine tree in the house; visions of Santa arriving; offering cookies and milk; delectable holiday meals and desserts; and, of course, dreams of special presents out of the financial reach of most kids were just that…the stuff of dreams.
Fond memories include the annual Christmas stamps. A few featured images of some of those toys. Others had pictures of Santa, reindeer, Christmas cookies and other memorable icons.
For 2023, the USPS is reaching back to a fixture of wintertime charm with four stamps showcasing vintage snow globes. For well over a century, these have enchanted young children and adults. All eagerly shake them to create a mini snowstorm encapsulating a cozy scene.
Snow globes have also been cinematic mainstays – from cheery moments in Mary Poppins to the final scenes on the TV show St. Elsewhere or the unforgettable film Citizen Kane. In movies or real life, those most enchanted by the globes are young children (or the young at heart) who can envision themselves within the tiny world of falling snowflakes. In that regard, it’s always Christmas.
The four new “holiday” stamps may not have the word “Christmas” printed on them (the USPS labels them simply as “Snow Globe” stamps), but they do feature several images forever connected to the holiday. One shows a deer. (representing a reindeer) with another displaying a snowman wearing a colorful scarf. Either of those could simply represent winter. But, the other two showcase a fully decorated Christmas tree and an image of Santa beginning his climb down a chimney carrying a large sack of presents. No gray area there.
Each of the new “Forever” stamps costs 66-cents – a 10 percent jump from the 60-cent rate last January. All are now available at most post offices throughout the country.
Speaking of postal rates, here’s another flashback…in the early 1960s, the USPS went one step further at Christmas. In 1962, postage was four-cents. Just a year later, rates rose 25-percent to five-cents. But, in an effort to cater to the millions of people sending Christmas cards, if envelopes containing the cards weren’t sealed, the postage was a penny cheaper. Not a bad gift.
For more collecting information and advice, log on to: http://prexford.com/.