With PostNL's December stamps you can send all your Christmas cards and New Year's wishes in an extra festive and affordable way. Here I have listed everything you need to know about the December stamps.
Special designs
Every year a different illustrator/artist is invited to design 10 December stamps. 2021 had the fantastic paper artist Geertje Aalders made beautiful paper winter landscapes. All cut-out works of art that consisted entirely of layers of colored paper. In 2022 we had cheerful scenes in bright colors from illustrator Miriam Bos . And this year, Linde Faas 's atmospheric illustrations take you to the far north where she lives. People and animals make new memories there and enjoy the happiness found in small things. Each one is a work of art that brightens up your envelope and makes it extra festive on your doorstep.
Cheaper mail
The stamps are not only beautiful, they are also cheaper than 'normal' letters. Just a quick calculation. A normal stamp for domestic mail costs 0.96 (up to 20g) and 1.92 (up to 50g). You can buy a sheet of 20 December stamps from PostNL for €18.20. That is €0.91 per stamp. You can use one stamp for all your Christmas mail up to 50 grams. That is 30 grams more than with 'normal' letters. Great for small gifts! And if you buy two sheets at a PostNL point, you will even receive a small gift.
Stamps have also become increasingly expensive in recent times. In 2001, during the introduction of the Euro, December stamps were only 27 cents. In 2010 they were 34 cents, and every year 5 cents have been added and we are now at 91 cents. So do you have any old December stamps lying around? Then use them to send your mail even more cheaply. Or buy extra December stamps this year, in advance for years to come.
What if I want to send more than 50 grams?
Is your mail heavier than 50 grams? Then stick several December stamps or use the special add-on stamps (up to 100g = 2 stamps, up to 350g = 3 stamps).
Will my mail arrive on time?
These are busy times for the postman. At PostNL they do their best to deliver the mail with December stamps on it within three working days. Delivery days are from Tuesday to Saturday. Tip: If you want to send mail in December that will be delivered the next day, use a standard stamp and deliver your mail to a PostNL point.
When can I use the December stamps?
The stamps are valid from mid-November (on a Monday) to January 6. You can also use them outside the Christmas period, but you must attach special add-on stamps (special stamps of 2, 3 and 5 cents) up to the applicable rate.
I still have old December stamps lying around, are they still valid?
You can also use old December stamps. December stamps from 2010 to now with the imprint 'December' are still valid. So you don't have to add stamps during the holidays. Do you still have December stamps with an amount in euros? You can use this if you top up the current December stamp rate of € 0.91.
Christmas mail abroad
You can also use the December stamps for Christmas cards that you send abroad. With 2 December stamps you can send your Christmas cards to all destinations worldwide. Up to 50 grams of course.
Are there any rules about post format?
The Christmas mail must be rectangular or square and must fit through the letterbox. It must also be taped shut. Minimum size: 9 x 14 cm, maximum size 38 x 26.5 x 3.2 cm. So it is also allowed with letterbox parcels. Ideal for light letterbox gifts, but remember those 50 grams.
So, were you still hesitating about sending Christmas mail? Do you have any old December stamps at home? Get some original Christmas cards and send them to a few people this year. There don't have to be many. Just a pair for the dearest ones.
Let's get it all together:
• December 1 stamp = 50 grams domestic
• Minimum size: 9 x 14 cm
• Maximum size 38 x 26.5 x 3.2 cm
• Is your mail heavier than 50 grams? Then stick several December stamps or buy special add-on stamps.
• The December stamps are valid until January 6. But you can use them all year round!
• After January 6, add up to the applicable rate for a regular stamp.
• December stamps from 2010 to 2021 with the imprint 'December' are still valid. So you don't have to add stamps during the holidays.
• You can use old December stamps with an amount in euros if you add up to the current December stamp rate of € 0.91.
• With 2 December stamps you can send your Christmas cards to all destinations worldwide.
