Canadian stamp stories

Nothing conjures Christmas spirit quite like Canada's snowy landscape. Each year, a winter wonderland springs from the first snowfall, as eager youngsters make snow angels in freshly fallen snow, and rosy-cheeked children race down snow-peaked slopes on skis or toboggans. This Christmas, you can send the simple childhood joys of the holiday season to your loved ones across the country and around the world with three stamps showcasing popular winter activities.

A young child swish-swashes his arms and legs snow angel-style on one stamp, issued at the PERMANENT^TM domestic (52¢) rate; an awkward youngster on skis snowploughs onto the second stamp, featured at the U.S. (96¢) rate; and a rosy-cheeked tobogganer glides onto the international ($1.60) rate stamp. This whimsical stamp set can be purchased as a souvenir sheet, marking Canada Post's first Christmas souvenir sheet. One official first day cover (OFDC) will also be issued featuring the souvenir sheet.

"In these stamps, children leave behind competition and consumerism in favour of time-honoured family values," explains graphic designer Susan Scott. "Christmas decorations and conventional greeting cards were the inspiration behind the pastel colour scheme and the children's knitted hats and scarves."

"To bring this traditional subject to life, we turned to traditional methods," Scott explains. "The illustration process began with drawings that were later transferred onto lino blocks. The images were then carved out of the blocks and printed onto textured paper. Finally, the prints were filled in by hand with coloured pencils."

For Alain Leduc, Manager of Stamp Design and Production at Canada Post, this festive subject and style playfully captures the spirit of the holiday season. "With its energetic and carefree feel, this stamp set really speaks to the snowy splendours of Christmas in Canada."