Traditions mark Canada Post's 2013 holiday stamps

OTTAWA, Oct. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - As the leaves turn and the weather becomes colder, Canadians start thinking about the fast-approaching holiday season and the traditions that surround this time of year. For 115 years, one of Canada Post's traditions has been to issue holiday stamps. These festive domestic, U.S. and international denomination stamps adorn the millions of holiday cards sent every year.

This year's issue features handmade needlecrafts, which are a beautiful part of holiday tradition for many families no matter how they celebrate the festive season. This year's domestic, U.S. and international denomination issues give Canadians the opportunity to decorate their cards and letters with crafty stamps that feature images in cross-stitch, one of the oldest forms of embroidery.

The fourth stamp shows baby Jesus in the care of his maternal grandmother, Saint Anne. This is the first time Saint Anne has been featured on a holiday stamp in Canada.

Canadians who want to create their own, modern tradition and celebrate the holiday season in a memorable way can use the Canada Post Picture Postage™ service - available online or on the free Canada Post mobile app - to make their own personalized holiday stamps and greeting cards for loved ones or customers.

With a variety of themed designs to choose from, making a unique holiday stamp or greeting card is simple. It's also possible to take the hassle out of addressing all those envelopes by uploading a mailing list (via the web). Canada Post will add the postage and mail your cards to anywhere it delivers, or ship the cards to your home so you can add stamps and perhaps insert a photo or two or a holiday letter.

About the stamps
All three Christmas Craft stamps (domestic, U.S. and International) measure 22 mm x 24 mm, have simulated perforations and pressure-sensitive gum, and are printed by Lowe-Martin on Tullis Russell paper using lithography in seven colours. They were designed by Hélène L'Heureux of Interaction Design. The domestic stamps are available in booklets of 12 stamps and the U.S. and International each in booklets of six. A souvenir sheet of all three stamps is also available. The Official First Day Cover was cancelled on October 22 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Manitoba, the headquarters of the Embroiderers Association of Canada.

The Saint Anne with the Christ Child stamp measures 26.25 mm x 32.25 mm (vertical), has simulated perforation and pressure-sensitive gum, and was printed by Lowe-Martin on Tullis Russell paper using lithography in six colours. It was designed by Louise Méthé from a painting by 17^th century artist Georges de La Tour, which is permanently housed in the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto.The Official First Day Cover was cancelled in Baie-Sainte-Anne, New Brunswick. The stamp is available in booklets of 12. To purchase philatelic products, please visit canadapost.ca/shop.

For the Canada Post Picture Postage service, please visit picturepostage.ca, or download the free Canada Post mobile app - available on all platforms.

SOURCE: Canada Post