This year, Canada Post continues its long tradition of Christmas stamps with a special festive issue that’s designed to inspire plenty of warm thoughts. These three stamps feature colourful folk-art inspired depictions of traditional cold-weather wear, the very items you’ll likely find under many trees this Christmas. The stamps depict a pair of socks featuring candy canes, a cozy Christmas tree toque and a pair of red mittens. Daniel Robitaille made illustrations for this bright philatelic release.
This year’s Canadian Christmas stamp issue that is devoted to cozy winter dressing connects us with the past. The knitted socks that are featured on one of the stamps have kept Canadian families warm since the 17th century. Exactly at this time the European settlers brought woolproducing sheep to North America. The second stamp features the toques (a knitted winter hat) – the possible predecessor of worsted caps worn by voyageurs. The fashion is said to have originated with the coureurs de bois, French and Métis fur traders, who kept their woollen nightcaps on for warmth during cold winter days. And what about early Canadians who definitely warmed up with fur-lined mitts made of animal skin, a style that likely originated with the Inuit? Such warm and cozy mittens appeared on the third item.
See also other interesting stamp issues that celebrate Christmas season.
