US #5941
2024 Holiday Joy: Poinsettia

• Part of set of four designs inspired by Mexican folk art
• 2024 Contemporary Christmas stamps

Stamp Category: Commemorative,
Set: Contemporary Christmas
Value: 73¢ First Class Mail rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: September 14, 2024
First Day City: Washington, DC
Quantity Issued: 125,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Double-Sided Booklet of 20

Why the stamp was issued: This stamp is from a set of four issued for use on greetings sent during the 2024 holiday season.

About the stamp design: The stamps were designed by USPS art director Antonio Alcalá using digital illustrations by Michelle Muñoz. Her designs were inspired by Mexican folk art.

First Day City: The First Day of Issue ceremony for these stamps, as well as the Madonna and Child stamp, took place at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum.

About the Contemporary Christmas series: The US issued its first Christmas stamp (picturing a wreath and candles) on November 1, 1962, and it was wildly popular. The Post Office printed 350 million stamps, the largest print run for a special stamp up to that time, but still the stamps quickly sold out. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced more to satisfy demand and the total number issued was over 860 million by the end of the year.

In 1966, the Post Office started issuing traditional themed Christmas stamps picturing the Madonna and Child and other religious icons. In 1969, they switched back to non-religious Christmas designs with a stamp picturing the painting Winter Sunday in Norway, Maine.

Finally, in 1970, the Post Office decided to permanently split Christmas stamps into two categories to satisfy everyone: Traditional and Contemporary. They issued a block of four stamps picturing Christmas toys along with a stamp picturing a classic painting of the Nativity. The decision to do both proved popular, and the Post Office has continued to issue stamps in both categories ever since.

History the stamp represents: Although the poinsettia has become a popular symbol of Christmas in the United Staes, the flower originated from Mexico. In fact, it is an important part of holiday celebrations throughout the country. It is known as Flor de Nachebuena or “Christmas Eve Flower.” According to legend, a little girl (often called Pepita or Maria) was too poor to buy a gift for the celebration of Jesus’s birthday. An angel came to her and encouraged her to gather weeds from the roadside to place at the church altar. Those weeds blossomed into beautiful bright red flowers, transforming into a truly fitting gift.

Given its significance to Christmas traditions, it makes sense for poinsettias to appear in Mexican folk art like that created by Michelle Muñoz for this stamp.