The Postal Service ushered in the season Oct. 25 during the dedication ceremony for the Holiday Wreaths stamps.
“The wreath on the door may express the shared spirit of the holidays, of family and goodwill to others,” said Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan, who spoke at the event.
“The wreath has played an enduring role in our holiday traditions — and with the Postal Service,” she added, noting that the first holiday postage stamp, issued in 1962, featured a wreath.
The four wreaths shown on the new stamps are inspired by the holiday decorating traditions of early America and feature materials easily found during the winter months, including pine cones, dried flowers and berries.
The stamps are available in booklets of 20 at Post Offices and usps.com.
“As an artist — as a designer — I don’t think there is a greater honor than having your artwork on a stamp,” Laura Dowling, a former White House chief florist who designed the stamps, told the audience.
“It still seems a bit surreal to me, but to see it in person now … I’m so appreciative, humbled, honored.”
The ceremony was held at the L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport, ME, where the other speakers included Mike Mahoney, the retailer’s chief legal and compliance officer, who discussed the company’s history of working with USPS.
“Our relationship with the Postal Service began with the very first Parcel Post mailing out of Freeport with our iconic Maine hunting shoe over 105 years ago,” he said. “Since then, the Postal Service has been a great partner in our success.”
