From the cookies of last year, to the cross-stitch of this year, the theme has been about home made creations for these Christmas stamps.
Both were designed by Hélène L’Heureux
the iconic gingerbread people images on the stamps are so realistic, you can almost smell the ginger and nutmeg—and taste the creamy sweet icing, according to the Canada Post website.But now we know why. This week, Canada Post announced their radical plans to overhaul their flailing business which is losing customers at an alarming rate by raising the price by almost 60% to $1.00 for a domestic stamp. All domestic stamps have had a P on them since 2007, meaning you can use them any time for the current rate. But, when I went to stock up on the older-than-Christmas stamps (for Postcrossing, not any nefarious reason) I discovered you can no longer buy them.
There is more to the story but you can google Canada Post to read about it.
With all the snow we've had falling, I thought I'd also include this snowflake stamp from 1971. It was designed by Lisl Levinsohn, who thought it a bit ironic that a Jewish designer was asked to create a Christmas stamp. If you look closely at the centre of the snowflake you can see a six pointed star. While not exactly a Star of David, it is a fun secret inclusion in her intricate design.
I just polished off my third Gingerbread Cookie. Home made and confiscated from our Tropical Post Card Club Meeting and Holiday Party this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, The star in the center of the snowflake is very clever and makes a really pretty Christmas stamp.
DeleteThese are lovely - just delightful. Makes me even more disappointed* in ours this year...
ReplyDelete(*Why do I always spell that initially with two esses and one pee? Thank you spellcheck.)
I love the design of that last stamp - it is beautiful. I think I may have cross stitched the design in the first one - looks familiar!
ReplyDeleteLiz
I love the intricate detail of the snowflake and the story behind it. Things that are made in the home is a nice take on Christmas stamps.
ReplyDeleteThe postage increase is alarming & guaranteed to lose even more customers. Not many people would want to send Christmas cards for $1 each.
ReplyDeleteReally nice cross stitch stamp. I'm not sure increasing prices = an increase in customer numbers, but it does make people cut down on mail sent.
ReplyDeleteCanada Post downsizing their services and upsizing their rates is not surprising given the fact that letter writing has gone out of style and cards are being sent via email these days.
ReplyDeleteThe Post horn cross stitch is one of my most favourite stamps!
ReplyDeleteRegarding the rates, also in the Netherlands rates are becoming extremely high. I think therefore the Dutch post has introduced the 'forever' stamps, so people don't see what they cost :-)
Our present rate for national post is E 0,60,but the December stamps this year cost E 0,55 (= 0,80 Canadian dollar), which seems not that much, but still a lot more then the last years December stamps which were E0,40 (= 0,58 Canadian dollar).
But as I do love snail mail, I will keep on sending out mail as long as possible :-)
Thank you for sharing these stories!
ReplyDeleteAbout rates, I'm afraid they are becoming higher and higher in every country. As I'm infected by the virus of snail mail, I don't think I could stop sending mail. But I'm not sure that I could sent it so casually; maybe I need to think more about what I write in the letters, to make them deserve the expensive stamps!
Thanks to share this stories.more information.
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With the Royal Mail just having been privatised in the UK it will be interesting to see what happens to their stamps. Stamp sets are are already expensive for you collectors - I'm sure this will put children off becoming collectors.
ReplyDeleteThose Canadian stamps are delightful.
Royal mail privatized? Guess I haven't been watching the news!!! Our stamps are over $1 for international mail, whether it be a postcard or a letter, so Postcrossing for me is getting a bit expensive.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, thank you for joining in this week!
Double prize sending postcards from Morocco to non-European countries... :'(
DeleteIt's the cross stitch stamp that catches my eye. That sort of thing always makes me think "I can do that". I never will.
ReplyDeleteMy sister tells me that we now have your head of Canada Post running Royal Mail. I am afraid, very afraid.
I like the snowflake stamp the best, although I am partial to gingerbread people. Our Christmas stamps this year are gingerbread houses and poinsettias.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stamps all ... the same thing of course is happening to the US Post Office...but I don't think our stamsp have quite reached that high a price. Haven't bought any for a while, stocked up on "forever" stamps before the last increase. (I was tempted to get some Christmas stamps, but I hardly send any cards at all anyway.)
ReplyDeleteAh, stamps. Soon they'll be a thing of the past!
ReplyDelete