Heartwarming Christmas stamps illustrated by Mauri Kunnas bring joy to this year’s holiday greetings
This year’s Christmas stamps have been designed by the popular and beloved author-illustrator Mauri Kunnas. Stamp art is familiar to him — he has designed a total of 19 stamps. Christmas has also been an important theme for Kunnas ever since the publication of his book Santa Claus in 1981.
The Christmas stamps will be issued on November 5.
Gingerbreads dance on a baking tray and sing in a Christmas choir
This year, the Christmas stamps feature busy gingerbreads. These cheerful characters each have their own personality.
“In the no-value indicator stamp for Christmas greetings, the gingerbreads are jamming wildly on a hot baking tray. In the domestic no-value indicator stamp, the gingerbreads are a little calmer and are singing in a Christmas choir led by Santa Claus,” says Kunnas.
The graphic design of the new Christmas stamps was created by Mauri Kunnas’s daughter, Jenna Kunnas, who is also an illustrator.
“The color scheme of the stamps is clear and reflects a modern Christmas spirit. The blue and red colors clearly distinguish the stamps from each other. The perforations of the stamps nicely reflect the shape of the gingerbreads,” says Jenna.
45 years of fun and the joy of discovery
Christmas has been a familiar theme for Mauri Kunnas since the publication of Santa Claus in 1981. He has created several Christmas-themed books since then and is also known for the family animation film Santa Claus and the Magic Drum.
His career as a children’s author began with The Book of Finnish Elves, published in 1979. Kunnas’ picture books have introduced readers to life at Doghill and Mr. Clutterbuck. The books have featured adventures, Finnish stories and history. The themes of the comic books have included, for example, Nyrok City and The Beatles.
For more than 45 years, Kunnas’s books have offered readers of all ages the joy of searching and finding. His illustrations are known for being full of fun and humorous details. In total, over 40 picture books have been published, enchanting multiple generations. His books have been translated into 37 languages, published in 36 countries, and sold well over 10 million copies worldwide.
Christmas is about a sense of continuity
Mauri Kunnas' family celebrates Christmas in a traditional way.
"Our children gather together with their families in our large house for a few days. We don't always repeat all the traditions, but I do think that a feeling of continuity is a part of Christmas."
Mauri Kunnas likes Christmas preparations, Christmas decorations, Christmas food and Christmas songs the most.
"My favorite Christmas songs are the happy songs, such as the Nisse-Polka. The Christmas records of the American classics Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Elvis and The Beach Boys also fit the Christmas atmosphere," says Kunnas.
"I'm going to send the same number of Christmas cards as always. I tend to send Christmas cards to the same list of people year after year. A card is a nice greeting from someone you haven't seen for a while. A card sends the message that they're still alive."
Mauri Kunnas has designed a total of 19 stamps
Mauri Kunnas has illustrated several stamps for Posti. If the most recent stamps are included, Kunnas has designed a total of 19 stamps. The themes of the stamps have been Christmas and the Doghill kids.
The Christmas stamps published in 1996 were Christmas Carol, Reindeer and Northern Lights and Santa Claus reads letters.
The Christmas stamps for 2005 were Letters to Santa and Christmas Celebrations at Korvatunturi Fell.
The great popularity of the Doghill kids has also been reflected in stamps. The charming four-stamp sheet The Doghill Kids at the Post Office was issued in 1994.
In 1995, Valentine’s Day was celebrated with the Dog Hill kids stamps, which had a slightly more technological appearance. The holographic stamps featured the senders and recipients of letters and cards in the same image.
'Winter rapids' – third stamp release
On Wednesday, November 5, Posti will also release a stamp suitable for international winter greetings: Winter Rapids. The stamp was photographed by Jukka Risikko and features Myllykoski, located along the Kitkajoki River in Kuusamo, steaming dramatically in a snowy and frosty landscape.
"On the day the photo was taken in February 2021, it was -25 degrees Celsius and gorgeously sunny. Getting to the destination was challenging, as the route was very icy. On arrival, however, the view was worth the effort. The thundering rapid in the beautiful, cold landscape and the old mill building were a fantastic sight," says Risikko.
Design Manager Tommi Kantola at Posti is responsible for the selection of the artists and for providing guidance on the artistic work for the stamps.
Vote for the most beautiful stamp of 2025: posti.fi/vuodenkaunein
Images of the New Stamps: https://digilibrary.emmi.fi/l/C22jFkdzRcfG?
Images of Mauri Kunnas’s Stamps: Posti DigiLibrary - Mauri Kunnas postimerkit
Important Christmas Dates
Find key Christmas dates and more information about Posti’s Christmas services at: Send Christmas cards and gifts | Posti
The red mailing envelope Joulunen will be distributed to homes between November 21–28. Christmas cards sent in this envelope can be mailed with the more affordable Christmas greeting no-value stamp (€1.70). To ensure delivery, cards must be dropped off at Posti or a letter box by Thursday, December 11, 2025.
Christmas cards with the domestic no-value stamp (€2.75) will be delivered by Christmas if mailed by Tuesday, December 16, according to letter box collection times.