New 2008 Christmas issues from Europe

The holiday season is a busy season for post offices around the world. Many countries issue specialty stamps for the holidays. Knowing this is the busiest time for postage deliveries, post offices release new issues that many people will choose to use specially for the holiday to accommodate the festivity of the season and the spirit of gift sending and holiday traditions of sending cards and greetings.

Spain

Some countries choose religious symbols like Spain who issued two new stamps, one depict the Misterio-Belen del Principe, a Neapolitan and Spanish crib from the XVIII century, and the painting Maternidad (Maternity) by artist J. Carrero.

Lithuania

Lithuania Post issued two stamps for the holiday season. They marks Christmas and New Year respectively. The first stamp is of a branch of a tree with red berries and the second stamp has an image of conifer's branch covered with snow

Cyprus

Cyprus also released its Christmas stamps for this year. The stamps feature portable icons from the small three-naved church with a wooden roof of Panagia Catholikis in Pelendri village. The 0,68 stamp features the Virgin Mary and the Christ. The other two 0,22 and 0,51 stamps represent respectively the archangels Gabriel and Michael.

Norway

Norway post issued two unique stamps presenting a typical view of the winter season with two breath taking stamps presenting wood houses and land covered in snow. The gnomes are a true tradition and the most popular motif of Norwegian Christmas cards.

Ireland

This year's Christmas stamps depict three scenes from the Nativity, each originally painted and designed by James Hanley, R.H.A. who also had the original idea for the First Day Cover. The three scenes are depicted in a style inspired by traditional crib figures, a visual approach very much in keeping with the Christmas season.