2016 marks the 50th year of special Christmas stamps. They feature secular images of some of the key traditions of a UK Christmas - decorating the Christmas tree, making a snowman, hanging up a stocking, eating a Christmas pudding and lighting a Christmas lantern. Also included is a robin redbreast, strongly associated with sending and receiving Christmas cards and messages since Victorian times. As in past years, the 1st and 2nd class stamps are issued in two versions for standard and large letters, the other values being £1.05, £1.33, £1.52 and £2.25.
The 2016 Christmas Generic Sheet contains eight First Class stamps and eight Second Class stamps together with one each of the other values. These are set alongside labels, featuring a specially commissioned paper cut-out design depicting a snowy rural scene.
This cover features an image of tree decorations framed by an intricate, seasonal 22ct gold-blocked design together with a Decker Hill, Shifnal handstamp. Numbered limited edition of 500.
