Saturday, September 29, 2012

Santa Stamps!

Oh, what a nerd I feel like, getting so excited to see the new "USA Philatelic" catalog in the mail!

I'm always excited about the stamp catalog, but this particular issue was especially fun for me. The cover features an image from the new "Santa and Sleigh" holiday stamp that will be issued by the U.S. Postal Service on Oct. 11.

But, the story goes further than that. You see, it's not just that it's about stamps. It's not that it has Santa on the cover. It's that Santa has green gloves on. (Technically, they're green mittens, but I always say "green gloves," for the sake of the alliteration, I guess.) I have maintained for many years now that the real Santa wears green gloves.

Sure, I've seen pictures and books showing Santa wearing red, blue, brown, even yellow gloves, but I've always known that he really wears green gloves. I supposed that idea originated with my first "Night Before Christmas" book that I had as a little girl. Right there on the cover, Santa is wearing green gloves (mittens).

And, now, the U.S. Postal Service agrees and has an image of Santa wearing green gloves on an official stamp. It's almost like the scene from the original "Miracle on 34th Street"!
The new stamp is part of a four-stamp set that celebrates the 100th anniversary of "Operation Santa" that you can read about on the USPS web: http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/holidaynews/2011/santa.htm . You can buy the stamps in booklets of 20 stamps or in any of the other usual collectible versions (first day covers, uncut press sheets, ceremony programs, etc.

The USPS also is selling the traditional 2012 White House Christmas Ornament. But, this year, there's also a "Letters to Santa" Ornament, featuring the scene on the stamp set. I'm thinking I may add that to my wish list this year!


5 comments:

Bree said...

Yeap! I think Santa wears green mittens too, or gloves. Oh well! I love Christmas stamps and they're on my wishlist every year! :) I always love to see different kinds of Christmas stamps issued overseas. Because Malaysia doesn't (and will never!) issue Christmas stamps. That's a sad case for me.

Amber at The Musings of ALMYBNENR said...

That is so cool! I'm definitely buying those stamps for Christmas cards.

I never knew about the ornaments...where would one buy that 100th Anniversary Santa ornament?

Thanks! :)

Unknown said...

I've been drooling over this year's Christmas stamps since I first laid eyes on them! My problem, I'll want to use all four stamps on every card I send...ouch! ;)

365 Letters said...

Amber, I'm researching how and where to buy the ornament. I saw it in the "USA Philatelic," and I'm sure there's an order form in there. (You can order the catalog for free, on the usps.com website. I'm not sure if they'll be for sale at the post offices or not. I didn't really find a lot of info on the ornaments, but I'll keep looking!

Amber at The Musings of ALMYBNENR said...

Thank you - and I'll look into the catalog!

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