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December 23, 2008
2008 Nutcracker Christmas Stamps
It has to be said, so I’ll say it.
This year’s Christmas stamps are frightening. I bought some, and I’m using them on cards, but those nutcrackers look like they’re up to no good. Beware.
Posted by adrienne at December 23, 2008 08:14 PM
Comments
Hee! Big teeth and excess facial hair. Not good...
Posted by: TadMack at December 24, 2008 02:08 AM
Nutcrackers were originally decorated by the Erzgebirge woodcarvers (who were tin miners and poor country folk) as a satire on authority figures. They represent policemen, kings, etc., that the little people had to obey.
I just emailed you a photo of an acid green, polka-dotted rauchermanchen (smoking man) with beard that is so scary he's cute. He's definitely the new favorite at our house this Christmas!
Posted by: Heidi at December 24, 2008 05:47 AM
I don't know...I rather like them. :) Of course, I like just about anything compared to the boring liberty stamps...
Posted by: Olivia at December 24, 2008 10:09 AM
That is sooo funny. I always think the same thing. Demonic nutcrackers...haha...Did you see those wicked snowmen? You would think they would make the stamps a bit more cheerful. Is that maybe a reflection of what the artist thinks of the human race this time of year...*shiver* Hope not. Have a very Merry Christmas Adrienne!! :)
Posted by: Kristen at December 24, 2008 10:24 AM
TadMack, So true. The one with the drum is the worst, isn't he? "Serial killer" is written all over those teeth.
Heidi, You're right--the green one is cute. Maybe you should send a photo to the USPS for future reference.
Olivia, Even scary stamps are better than those things.
Kristen, You are so right about the snowmen. Is it too much to ask for a cute Christmas stamp? My favorite of the stamps that are out right now, I hate to admit, are the Disney ones. So, so cute!
Posted by: adrienne at December 24, 2008 10:34 AM
Hee. You're right. They're a bit unsettling. I bought some, too, and they've been showing up in my dreams (not really, but they could).
Posted by: jules at December 28, 2008 08:44 AM
I used the last one on an envelope last night. Whew! I tried to see if I could find a list of forthcoming stamps, but I can't (much as I love the USPS, their website sucks), which makes me fear they are planning another rate change. Sigh.
Posted by: adrienne at December 28, 2008 10:49 AM
You're right, adrienne. This page, which describes shipping rate increases for January 2009, indicates that new stamp prices will be announced in February and hit in May 2009. Ouch! That's an increase a year for four years in a row!
Posted by: ben at January 6, 2009 07:52 PM
So cruel! Part of the problem with these constant rate increases is that stamps don't stay in print very long, and whenever they unveil a rate change there are only, like, three stamp choices for what seems like months. I like having choices. Thanks for pointing out the (sad) news to me, though, Ben. The last time there was a rate change, I didn't realize it until about a week after it happened.
Posted by: adrienne at January 6, 2009 08:25 PM