US #5941-44
2024 Holiday Joy

• 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...  more

US #5941-44
2024 Holiday Joy

• 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:  500,000,000
Printed by:  Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method:  Offset
Format:  Double-Sided Booklet of 20

Why the stamp was issued:  This set of four stamps was 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:  Over the centuries, artists have taken inspiration from the folk art of different cultures.  But where does folk art take its inspiration from? The answer depends on the culture, although many folk artists are heavily inspired by nature, folklore, religion, and other aspects of their life experience.

While certain artforms originated in specific regions, some overlap.  For example, Scandinavian folk art has similarities to Mexican folk art.  Despite being thousands of miles away from each other, both cultures are known for having artwork with bright colors and geometric shapes.  Both also often picture flowers, birds, greenery, and other elements of nature.

Scandinavian and Mexican folk artists have both applied their work to furniture, pottery, textiles, and more.  Artists today borrow designs for paintings on canvas or even digital designs.  The bright colors and geometric shapes on these stamps echo back to Mexican folk art.