Canada:Holiday Characters

Canadians know that the appearance of Christmas and holiday stamps is a signal that the big day is getting closer.

Every holiday season since 1964, Canada Post has issued festive stamps to make sending cards and letters to friends and family more fun. In 2021 Canada Post invited everyone to dress up their mail with some familiar holiday faces.

Issue Description
The 2021 holiday stamps feature adorable, full-of-personality portraits of three classic holiday characters: Santa, a reindeer and an elf.

Stamps
Santa (Permanent&trade; Domestic Rate)

European folklore and traditions have long included winter-season figures of gift-giving, including the medieval Saint Nicholas, German Pelznickel (or Belsnickel) and Italian Befana.

Santa Claus came to us through a melding of such legends, as popularized in 19th-century poems and illustrations.

Reindeer (Can$ 1.30 US Rate)

Possibly inspired by Norse and Germanic myths, the reindeer first appeared as a single flying wonder in an 1821 illustrated poem, "The Children's Friend". followed two years later by the eight that St. Nick called out by name in "Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas" (also known as "The Night Before Christmas").

Elf (Can$ 2.71 International Rate)

Elves with magical powers are mentioned in Germanic, British and Scandinavian folklore, and beliefs in their ability to help (or hinder) people were common. They joined Santa's workforce in the 1850's and have been (helpfully) making toys ever since.

Souvenir Sheet
The festive Souvenir Sheet brings together all three characters from the issue.

First Day Cover
The Official First Day Cover features all three holiday portraits and an illustration of Santa and his reindeer driving his sleigh through a winter night’s sky. The cancel location is Noëlville, Ontario.

References & Notes
References

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