[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Reveals Stamps for Christmas 2026

• Royal Mail celebrates Christmas 2026 with a series of five new stamps, exclusively created by designer Gareth Howat and illustrator Rebecca Sutherland
• 2026 also marks 60 years since the first Christmas themed stamp was issued
• The stamps and a range of collectible products are available now at www.royalmail.com/christmas2026 and by telephone on 03457 641641

As people across the nation prepare to write their Christmas cards, Royal Mail today reveals its Christmas 2026 stamps, featuring scenes from the Nativity.

The series of five new stamps were created by designer Gareth Howat and illustrator Rebecca Sutherland, who worked in tandem to create a set of brightly illustrated stamps based on the Nativity story.

The illustrations offer a bold and colourful interpretation of the Nativity story, combining rich jewel-like colours with intricate patterns, decorative details and layered textures. Across the designs, familiar scenes including Mary and Joseph travelling, the infant Jesus, an angel, the shepherds and the Three Wise Men are brought to life in a distinctive contemporary style. Stars, halos and finely patterned backgrounds add to the celebratory feel of the collection.

David Gold, Royal Mail, said: “There’s something very special about receiving a card or letter through the post at Christmas. We hope this year’s Christmas stamps will add an extra touch of festive magic to the millions of greetings sent to family and friends at home and around the world.”

Illustrator, Rebecca Sutherland, said: “It’s an absolute honour to have had the opportunity to illustrate Royal Mail’s Christmas stamps. Designing the Christmas stamps has always been right at the top of my list, so to be part of their long and distinguished history really does feel like a career highlight. I’ve loved stamps since I was a child. I used to collect them from envelopes, carefully take them off the paper, and arrange them into sets, so being asked to create a set myself feels incredibly special.”

The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to purchase now at www.royalmail.com/christmas2026 and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all six stamps is priced at £12.06.

60 Years of Christmas Special Stamps:
This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the first-ever Christmas Special Stamp.

The first stamps, issued on 1 December 1966, were the result of a children’s art competition announced by the Postmaster General, Tony Benn, in May of that year.

Since then, children’s designs have been used on Christmas stamps three times, in 1981, 2013 and 2017.

The official first day covers are being offered with the usual Tallents House postmark as well as one from Bethlehem, Llandeilo.