Australia Post issues 2012 Christmas stamps

Australia Post's Christmas stamps issue for 2012 comprises five festive stamps - three featuring images relating to Christmas carols (a reindeer, bells and presents) and two traditional depictions of the nativity story.

The traditional Christmas stamps are based on the Adoration of the Magi - a wool and silk tapestry featuring three magi (or kings) offering their gifts to the Baby Jesus.

The festive themed stamps are symbolic of the well-known Christmas carols, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, Jingle Bells and Ding Dong Merrily on High.

Both the traditional and festive themed stamps are designed by Australia Post's Jo Muré.

Rowan Howarth, Australia Post General Manager, Merchandise Services, said: 'Even with new digital forms of communications, Australians still enjoy sending their Christmas greetings through the post.

'Sending cards is a strong Christmas tradition and Australia Post has a long and proud history of helping to connect Australians to their family and friends, wherever they live in Australia - or the world.'

'The perfect complement to the Christmas card is a Christmas stamp and we have been celebrating Christmas on our stamps since 1957. In fact, Australia was the first country in the world to issue Christmas stamps regularly on an annual basis.'

For all the latest stamp issues, see each issue of Stamp & Coin Mart.