The U.S. Postal Service has unveiled the 2024 Christmas Madonna and Child and Holiday Joy stamps at an event held at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C. The stamps feature 17th-century Italian art and designs inspired by Mexican folk art, aiming to capture the festive spirit of the holiday season.
USPS Vice President of Marketing Sheila Holman and Vice President of Supply Management Mark Guilfoil emphasized the significance of these stamps in continuing American holiday traditions. Holman described the Christmas Madonna and Child stamp as “a timeless design that brings a touch of reverence and warmth to every piece of mail.” Guilfoil noted that the Holiday Joy stamps “remind us of the cherished seasonal tradition of sharing love, hope, and memories through the mail.”
Other speakers at the event included Toby Mensforth, deputy director of the National Postal Museum; Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS; and Jacquie Gales Webb, host of “Gospel Spirit” on WHUR-FM in the Washington, D.C., area.
Attendees participated in a first-day-of-issue ceremony, with opportunities to purchase the new stamps and have them postmarked with a special cancellation. Following the ceremony, the National Postal Museum hosted a Holiday Stamps Family Festival featuring holiday-themed games and crafts. Guest artist Katie Kirk made a special appearance during the event.
The National Postal Museum, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of stamps, served as the backdrop for the unveiling. The addition of the 2024 Madonna and Child and Holiday Joy stamps continues a tradition that has brought joy and connection to Americans during the holiday season.
The Christmas Madonna and Child stamp features artwork from the workshop of 17th-century Italian artist Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as Sassoferrato (1609–1685). William Gicker was the art director, and Greg Breeding designed the stamp. The Holiday Joy stamps, inspired by Mexican folk art, were designed by Antonio Alcalá using original digital illustrations by Michelle Muñoz.
Both stamps are Forever stamps, equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce rate, and are now available for purchase at Post Office locations nationwide and online at usps.com. Information about the stamps is being shared on social media using the hashtags #MadonnaAndChildStamp and #HolidayJoyStamps.