Christmas 2023

Overview

Each year, Australia Post releases a Christmas stamp issue, featuring domestic and international card-rate stamps that present both traditional and secular Christmas themes.

This year’s traditional Christmas stamp designs infuse some Australian aesthetics into the Christmas story, including the Southern Cross installation and native flower motifs. The mixed media illustrations combine watercolour, gouache, ink and pencil, with a soft yet bright colour palette.

The traditional minisheet depicts the dark, holy night that is the scene for the birth of Jesus. The domestic Christmas-card-rate stamp presents Mary looking adoringly upon the baby Jesus, with a golden glow surrounding them both. The three Magi, or wise men, are depicted on the international Christmas-card-rate stamp. The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of three Magi who followed a star from the East (most likely Persia) to Bethlehem, to welcome the newborn King and present him with gifts: gold (both valuable and beautiful), frankincense (a spiritual essence) and myrrh (a sacred anointing oil). The Magi are often presented in three life stages: young, middle-aged and older, though some biblical scholars believe the Magi numbered three to represent the three known continents of Africa, Asia and Europe.

The three secular stamp designs are a folksy take on some key traditions that are enjoyed at Christmas time: putting up and decorating a Christmas tree; the giving and receiving of gifts; and, for children, writing to Santa in the hope that their Christmas wishes will be granted.

Technical specifications

Issue date: 1 November 2023
Issue withdrawal date: 31 December 2024
Denomination: 65c (rel.) x 1, 65c (sec. se-tenant) x 2, $3.00 (int. religious & secular) x 2
Stamp & product design: Jo Muré, Australia Post Design Studio (secular stamps and products), Dani Poon (religious stamps)
Illustration: Dani Poon
Paper: gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm Red Phosphor
Paper: self-adhesive: S/A Rel - Tullis Russell Red Phos PSA (P55) 100gsm Release S/A, S/A Sec - S/A Securpost MC 90 P11P Non Phos, S/A Sht10 - Raflatac Cast gloss SP34 KS90
Printer: RA Printing (religious), EGO (secular), Rapid Labels (secular sheetlet of 10)
Printing process: Offset lithography, S/A Sheetlet of 10 Inkjet 1200 dpi
Stamp size (mm): 26 x 37.5
Minisheet (mm): 135 x 80
Sheetlet (mm): 192 x 120
Perforations: 14.6 x 13.86
Sheet layout: Module of 50 (2 x 25 no design), (S/A Sheetlet of 10 Coloured overprint over foil)
FDI Postmark: Merrylands NSW 2160
FDI withdrawal date: 30 November 2023

Stamps in this issue

65c Mary and Baby Jesus

Based on the traditional Christmas story, Mary is presented watching over the Christ Child held lovingly and protectively in her arms.

Illustration: Dani Poon

$3.00 The Three Wise Men

According to the traditional Christmas story the Maji journeyed to witness the arrival of the Baby Jesus by following the Star to offer gifts of celebration.

Illustration: Dani Poon

65c Christmas Tree, with Gifts

The Christmas Tree, first introduced in Europe, was widely adopted as symbolic of the Christmas season and celebrations around the world. A common tradition is to place gifts beneath the tree on Christmas Eve.

Image: Good Studio/stock.adobe.com

65c Santa Mail

Children send greetings and wishes addressed to Santa as Christmas Eve draws closer. The sending of letters and cards offering “Season’s Greetings” is a long-held tradition.

Image: Good Studio/stock.adobe.com

$3.00 Christmas Decoration

Christmas decorations vary around the world and are used to adorn homes, gardens, and Christmas trees. Baubles, lights, paper chains, and even greenery, have long been used.

Image: Good Studio/stock.adobe.com