The 2013 Christmas Issue features activities which people in New Zealand would normally do on Christmas Day. In New Zealand Christmas falls in our summer season so while those in the Northern Hemisphere might make a snowman or enjoying winter things, here in New Zealand we're off to the beach for a swim and picnic.
70c Gift giving. $1.40 Christmas lunch.
I think the giving of gifts is universal in any country where Christmas is celebrated. In New Zealand gifts are exchanged between families and friends. Of course little children can usually expect a visit from Santa with more gifts as well.
For many New Zealanders Christmas Day is one day they will likely eat too much. Often there will be a hot meal either for lunch as shown on the stamp or for dinner. This could be a traditional dish like turkey or just a BBQ with lamb chops and sausages. Sometimes lunch is a picnic at the beach or at least outside. But I believe more importantly, Christmas meals are about people, families being together.
$1.90 Decorating the tree. $2.40 Cricket on the beach.
Many people put up decorations for Christmas. This could be anything from a few things in the lounge to lights all over the outside. But what must not be forgotten is the Christmas tree. This could be one kept in a box and brought out each year or like we have, a real pine tree. I go off to a Christmas Tree farm to 'catch' one. Try telling you friends you had to run to catch a Christmas Tree and see what they say. "It's the little trees which are the hardest to catch, they run so fast." LOL
Going to the beach on Christmas Day. Yes many people do. Often they are already at their holiday house, a batch, or they just go for the day. Swimming, boating, fishing and not to be left out, beach cricket.
$2.90 Carol singing.
A week of so before Christmas they hold a free concert called "Carols in the Park." Its held in a large park in the centre of Auckland. Sometimes we go to enjoy the singing and the picnic, family atmosphere. At a beach near where I live, the locals get together in a large cave for carol singing. That's something a bit different too. The echo of the cave adds a special effect to the singing.
First day cover with five gummed stamps affixed.
First Day Cover - 2 October 2013.
Three Adhesive Stamps.
70c Gift giving. $1.90 Decorating the tree. $2.40 Cricket on the beach.
First day cover with three self-adhesive stamps affixed.
Self-Adhesive First Day Cover - 2 October 2013.
Technical information.
Date of issue:-
| 2 October, 2013. |
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Number of stamps:-
| Five gummed and three self-adhesive stamps. |
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Denominations:-
| Gummed:- 70c; $1.40; $1.90; $2.40; $2.90.
Self-adhesive:- 70c; $1.90; $2.40. |
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Designed by:-
| Martin Bailey, Auckland, New Zealand. |
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Printer:-
| Southern Colour Print Ltd by offset lithography. |
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Process:-
| Offset Lithography. |
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Number of colours:-
| Four process colours (self-adhesive tagged with red phosphor). |
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Stamp size and format:-
| Gummed:- 35mm x 35mm.
Self-adhesive:- 25mm x 30mm (vertical). |
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Paper type:-
| Gummed:- Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper.
Dispenser box stamps:- Avery Dennison 210gsm B90 Kraft Back WLK5 Adhesive.
Booklets:- Tullis Russell 210gsm red phosphor PSA stamp paper |
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Number of stamps per sheet:-
| 25. |
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Perforation gauge:-
| Gummed:- 14.285.
Self-adhesive:- die cut. |
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Period of sale:-
| From 2nd October, 2013 to 1 October 2014. |
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Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
Information for this post came from.
