Royal Mail reveals its 2016 Christmas stamps

It's that time of year again, when the Royal Mail issues a set of festive stamps to brighten up the envelopes containing your Christmas cards.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Nov 2016, 09:20 BST
Updated 16th Nov 2016, 16:04 BST
The Royal Mail new Christmas stamps.The Royal Mail new Christmas stamps.
The Royal Mail new Christmas stamps.

This year the six stamps celebrate some of the best-loved traditions of a UK Christmas.

They include decorating the tree, making a snowman, eating a Christmas pudding, hanging out a stocking, and lighting a Christmas lantern.

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Also included is a robin redbreast - a long-held tradition, originally inspired by the red coats worn by postmen in Victorian times when postmen were known as ‘red breasts’

The images on the stamps were crafted by Manchester-based illustrator Helen Musselwhite.

She created intricate paper sculptures which were then photographed. She cut the paper by hand and folded the pieces to build the detailed and multi-layered festive scenes.

Royal Mail’s Christmas stamps feature secular and religious imagery in alternate years - Madonna and Child 1st and 2nd Class stamps are available from Post Offices.

The festive stamps are on sale now.

Related topics:Royal MailVictorianManchester