In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Australian children write letters to Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, requesting what they would like for Christmas.

Santa enjoys reading the letters, often ho-hoing over his correspondents’ requests. On receiving these letters Santa makes a list of the presents he will bring to children throughout the world in time for the Christmas festivities. The primary inspiration for Santa Claus is the fourth-century Greek Christian bishop St Nicholas, who was famous for giving gifts to the poor.

The Australian sets of stamps featuring very colourful and traditional images of Father Christmas in a very beautiful set of Christmas Stamps.

 Issue highlights There is a prestige first day cover with Christmas decoration, two embellished sheetlets of 10 and a design in the gutter of the stamp sheet

Technical details

Issue date: 1 November 2010

Issue withdrawal date: 30 April 2011

FDI withdrawal date: 29 November 2010

Denominations: 2 x 55c

Stamp design: Mark Sofilas

Product design: Jo Mure

Printer: McKellar Renown

Printer (s/a): Pemera

Paper: Tullis Russell

Paper (s/a): B100

Printing process: Lithography

Stamp size: 26mm x 37.5mm

Perforations: 14.6 x 13.86

Sheet layout: Modules of 50/2 x 25

published December 24th, 2010