2025 Holiday Cheer Stamps

Description

2025 Holiday Cheer stamps
For use on 2025 holiday mail

Set of Four
Stamp Category: Special
Set: Holiday Cheer
Value: 78¢, First Class mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: September 13, 2025
First Day City: Washington, DC
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Booklet of 20

History the stamp represents: Christmas Wreath: The traditional Christmas wreath hanging on the front door has become a welcoming gesture of friendship. Most often, a simple circle of evergreens decorated with a festive red bow greets visitors.

Wreaths have been created throughout the world for hundreds of years. Greek and Roman mythology first identified the wreath as having religious significance. These stories make references to wreaths as symbols of honor. In the Middle Ages, they were often created to look like the rosary, and in England, interweaving dried flowers and herbs was popular. As a display of the happiness felt on the day they proclaimed their religious devotion, nuns in 18th-century Mexico wore wreaths on their heads. In the United States, the tradition of combining fruits, vegetables, pinecones, and evergreens began in the Williamsburg settlement in Virginia over two centuries ago.

The Christmas wreath, usually made of holly leaves and berries, can be found hanging mainly in northern Europe, Canada, and the United States. During the holiday season, many people of the Christian faith hang an Advent wreath, made of fir tree branches, from the ceiling. It is decorated with four candles, to be lit one by one on the four Sundays preceding Christmas.

Cardinals: The northern cardinal is a bright red songbird that is a favorite among all birders. The male cardinal has the customary red feathers and black mask, while the female is a dull reddish olive with a gray mask. Both sexes have crests on top of their heads that can be raised when agitated or trying to attract a mate.

During mating season, male northern cardinals sway side to side and sing softly to call in a female. If his efforts are rewarded by the appearance of a female, the male begins to feed her in order to bond and show his worthiness. Once the two mate, they then pair together for life.

The male and female cardinal look for possible nest locations as a team. Once an acceptable site is located, the female is the primary nest builder, though the male helps by bringing her materials. Male cardinals are extremely attentive mates and will feed the female throughout the entire incubation of her eggs. Males are also in charge of caring for the brood of young birds while the female incubates the next generation of eggs. The male cardinal’s main task is to provide for and defend his young. He also teaches his children the unique songs passed down through generations of cardinals.

Northern cardinals are beautiful birds enjoyed by both birders and non-birders alike. Their distinctive songs and admirable devotion to their mates make them fun to watch throughout the dull winter.

Amaryllis: After years of confusion and debate, 19th-century botanists determined the genus Amaryllis included two species. The species native to South Africa was given the name amaryllis. The other, from South