I have often wondered…

These days, enormous quantities of Christmas and New Year's cards are being written and received. I myself have already sent and received dozens of Christmas and New Year's cards. I also made a large garland with them. Many of us do that. Quite a nice tradition. In the past, cards were mostly written and sent without envelopes. Decorated with children's stamps; back then, those were the Christmas stamps. Nowadays, now that the rates for cards, printed matter, and letters are the same, at least 99% is sent in an envelope. And provided with a Christmas stamp, invariably called a 'December stamp' in the Netherlands. What happens to most people when another stack of cards lands on the doormat? The envelope is opened and the card is looked at. Usually to read the sender's name. The envelope with the affixed December stamp is carelessly thrown into the trash. But stamp collectors? They get worked up about the images on those December stamps. Modern design, innovative, you name it! But the cards themselves? They are hardly looked at. They remain primarily those sweet pictures with Christmas trees, Christmas arrangements, snow landscapes with cutesy little houses, Santa Claus high in the sky with his sleigh and reindeer. No one is bothered by that. But when these are depicted on a Christmas stamp, all hell breaks loose! Or perhaps not? Just take a look at the images on Christmas stamps from a few European countries that I have examined. Such as those from Belgium, Great Britain, and Finland. Belgium sometimes turns them into a complete Christmas card. Like in 2002, 10 Christmas stamps featuring a snow landscape with all sorts of things happening! Very recognizable and very fitting for the season, created by Studio Max. But Great Britain is also going down the nostalgic route with series of Christmas stamps. Such as with a stamp from the story of the Three Kings, a sweet image of a child playing the recorder in bed while a snowman looks on (or is it listening?), or a Christmas card on the stamp itself, flanked by snow scenes. And Finland, Santa Claus with a sleigh, the Three Kings, and an Angel with a trumpet. The last two stamps as self-adhesives. Could it be any simpler? I have often wondered: is that possible in the Netherlands too? In any case, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2008!