The US Postal Service has issued the new stamps for 2009 Holiday season. Among the holidays celebrated with new stamps this year are Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa as well as the Winter Holidays.

The 2009 Christmas Stamp.
From the USPS website -

Since 1978, the theme of each “traditional” Christmas stamp has been the Madonna and Child.

The 2009 Christmas stamp features Madonna and Sleeping Child, a painting by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Salvi, (1609-1685), more commonly known as Sassoferrato.

The 2009 Winter Holiday Stamps
From the USPS website -

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the winter holiday season with stamps featuring a reindeer, snowman, gingerbread man, and a toy soldier.

The 2009 Holiday stamps are available at your local Post Office or can be ordered online at the USPS website – Christmas Stamp, Winter Holidays Stamps.

More info: Christmas/Winter Holidays Stamps

Feliz Dias de los Muertos!
Happy Days of the Dead!

Mexico’s joyful Days of the Dead is October 31-November 2, and Holidays on the Net is delighted to invite you to join our celebration.

Come learn why this spooky-sounding holiday is actually anything but scary. Uncover the history of Los Dias de los Muertos and its celebration of dearly beloved — and departed — spirits. You can also delve into the rituals and traditions of this national holiday, such as setting up little alters called ofrendas and decorating them with sugar skulls and handmade skeletal figures called calacas. Before you leave, don’t forget to test your knowledge with our Did You Know trivia feature.

We look forward to celebrating Los Dias de los Meurtos with you!

Feliz Dias de los Muertos,
Louie and the Holiday Elves

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore About Mexico’s
Days of the Dead
(Los Dias De Los Muertos)
November 01

Did you know that the Days of the Dead are actually a three-day celebration, beginning the evening of October 31 and culminating on November 3?

The Mexican holiday coincides with America’s Halloween, and many of the traditions have melded across the border. The holiday is also rooted in the Mexican people’s strong Catholic faith, which celebrates All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1st and 2nd.

Los Dias de los Muertos (Days of the Dead), is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Unlike the modern-day interpretation of Halloween, Los Dias de los Muertos is neither morbid nor gloomy but rather a festive remembrance of those who have departed.

Los Dias de los Muertos, which is celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd, can also be referred to as (the singular) El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

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Days of the Dead (Los Dias de los Muertos)
A traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a joyous time of remembering friends, family and loved ones who have passed.

It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Some areas celebrate the holiday for one day, while other celebrate for 2 days.

Visit our Los Dias de los Muertos (the Days of the Dead) website for more.

Send DOD ecards: Holiday eCards on the Net

British Airways has been running a much shorter version of this ad campaign in the UK promoting travel to Mexico by highlighting the Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos) celebration. It gives a good idea of the traditions behind this joyous celebration.