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Royal Mail unveils five Nativity Christmas stamps, 60 years after a Tony Benn children's art competition began the tradition

Five traditional Nativity scenes — depicting Mary, Joseph, the infant Jesus, an angel, shepherds and the Three Wise Men — feature on Royal Mail's 2026 Christmas stamps, illustrated by Rebecca Sutherland, who said the commission had always been at the top of her career ambitions.
Five traditional Nativity scenes — depicting Mary, Joseph, the infant Jesus, an angel, shepherds and the Three Wise Men — feature on Royal Mail's 2026 Christmas stamps, illustrated by Rebecca Sutherland, who said the commission had always been at the top of her career ambitions.

Designer Gareth Howat and illustrator Rebecca Sutherland created the five-stamp set, depicting Mary and Joseph travelling, the infant Jesus, an angel, the shepherds and the Three Wise Men. Royal Mail's David Gold said there is 'something very special about receiving a card or letter through the post at Christmas.' The stamps mark a tradition stretching back to 1 December 1966.

The original Christmas stamps came from a children's art competition launched by Postmaster General Tony Benn in May 1966.

Sutherland called illustrating the stamps a 'career highlight', adding she had collected stamps from envelopes since childhood.

Royal Mail's key posting deadlines: second class by 18 December, first class and Tracked 24 by 21 December.

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