With the December stamps from PostNL 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 December 10 stamps. Last year had the fantastic paper artist Geertje Aalders made beautiful paper winter landscapes. All made cut art works that consisted entirely of layers of colored paper. This year we have cheerful scenes in bright colors from illustrator Miriam Bosch . She has just highlighted the little moments that reflect the warm December feeling: sharing a photo of the decorated Christmas tree, posting self-designed Christmas cards and wrapping presents nicely for loved ones. Each of them are works of art that brighten up your envelope and that is extra festive on the doormat.
Cheaper mail
The stamps are not only beautiful, they are also cheaper than 'normal' letters. Just a quick calculation. A normal postage stamp for domestic mail costs 0.96 (up to 20g) and 1.92 (up to 50g). You can buy a sheet with 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 and including 50 grams. That is 30 grams more than with 'normal' letters. Nice 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, the December stamps were only 27 cents. In 2010 they were 34 cents, and so every year 5 cents have been added and we are now at 91 cents. Do you still have old December stamps lying around? Then use them and you will send your mail even more cheaply. Or buy extra December stamps this year, 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 additional 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 hand in your mail at a PostNL point.
When can I use the December stamps?
The stamps are valid from November 14 to January 6. You can also use them outside the Christmas period, but you must add special additional stamps (special stamps of 2, 3 and 5 cents) up to the applicable rate.
I still have old December stamps, are they still valid?
You can also use old December stamps. December stamps from 2010 to 2021 with the overprint '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 these if you stick up to 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 the format of the post?
The Christmas mail must be rectangular or square and must fit through the letterbox. It must also be sealed. Minimum size: 9 x 14 cm, maximum size 38 x 26.5 x 3.2 cm. It is therefore also allowed with letterbox packages. Ideal for light letterbox gifts, but remember those 50 grams.
So, were you still hesitating to send Christmas mail? Do you still have old December stamps at home? Get some nice Christmas cards and send them to a few people this year. It doesn't have to be many. Just a few for the dearest.
To recap everything:
• 1 December 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 6 January. But you can use them all year round!
• After January 6, add up to the applicable rate of a regular stamp.
• December stamps from 2010 to 2021 with the overprint 'December' are still valid. So you don't have to add stamps during the holidays.
• You may use old December stamps with an amount in euros if you stick up to the current December stamp rate of € 0.91.
• With 2 December stamps you can send your Christmas cards to all destinations worldwide.
