Contemporary Christmas "Santa Ornament" Stamps (Gingerbread Man, Holidays) Unused USPS Postage 15c

Add nostalgic flair to your holiday letters with these vintage unused Contemporary Christmas "Santa Ornament" postage stamps! This nostalgic holiday design is perfect for adding a touch of class to your holiday cards and letters or winter save-the-dates and wedding invitations. In pristine mint condition and valid for current postage use, each stamp holds a face value of 15-cents. These USPS postage stamps are suitable for current mailing when used with the total required postage based on the weight of your correspondence. Embrace the charm of winter with this enchanting postage stamp!

STAMP INFORMATION:

• Name: Santa Ornament
• Series: Contemporary Christmas 
• Year Issued: 1979
• Face Value: 15-cents (USD) per stamp
• Topic(s): Gingerbread Man, Gingerbread Santa, Santa Claus, Holidays
• Color(s): Multicolored
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Scott Number: 1800
• Adhesion Type: Gummed
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP HISTORY: The 1979 15¢ “Santa Ornament” postage stamp was issued by the U.S. Postal Service on October 25, 1979, in New York, New York, as part of that year’s "Contemporary Christmas" series. Bright, cheerful, and richly nostalgic, the design celebrated both the enduring image of Santa Claus and the timeless tradition of handcrafted Christmas ornaments, reflecting the warm, home-centered spirit of late 20th-century American holiday culture.

The stamp’s design was created by Donald Moss, a noted American illustrator and commercial artist who also designed several other U.S. stamps. Moss’s artwork for the Santa Ornament stamp was based on a painted wooden Christmas ornament of Santa Claus—a folk-style figure with a red coat, white beard, rosy cheeks, and a twinkle in his eye. The ornament was photographed and then adapted into a bold, simplified composition ideal for miniature reproduction.

The "Santa Ornament" design resonated strongly with the American public, evoking a wave of nostalgia for the handmade decorations of earlier generations. In the 1970s, as mass production gave way to a renewed appreciation for folk art and handcrafted beauty, the stamp’s design reflected that cultural shift. Its subject matter bridged the world of childhood wonder (through Santa Claus, the bringer of gifts) and the realm of craft and creativity (through the ornament, a symbol of personal artistry and care).

Upon its release, the stamp received widespread acclaim for its festive brightness, folk-art charm, and symbolic warmth. It captured the emotional heart of the American Christmas—home, family, giving, and the joy of handmade traditions. Today, the “Santa Ornament” stamp is remembered as one of the most iconic holiday issues of the late 20th century. It stands not only as a celebration of Santa Claus but also as a tribute to the spirit of creativity, generosity, and childlike wonder that defines the Christmas season.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: The “Santa Ornament” stamp expresses the sacred essence of generosity, joy, and the divine spark of giving—the spiritual heartbeat of Christmas wrapped in the warmth of a familiar, smiling face. Though secular in appearance, depicting a handcrafted wooden Santa ornament, its deeper significance lies in what Santa Claus himself symbolizes: the embodiment of unconditional generosity and the transforming power of kindness made visible through giving.

The ornament—a small, lovingly made Santa—represents not only the art of craftsmanship but also the spiritual act of creation. Crafted by human hands, it reflects the divine impulse to create beauty and joy for others. The ornament’s handmade quality also reminds us that true generosity is personal, intentional, and filled with heart—not about grandeur, but about the quiet care behind each offering.

Santa Claus himself has deep spiritual roots that extend far beyond the modern holiday figure. He originates from Saint Nicholas of Myra, a fourth-century bishop known for his secret acts of charity, compassion, and defense of the poor. The Santa Ornament thus carries an echo of that spiritual lineage—a reminder that giving, when done in love and humility, is a sacred act. His red robes symbolize love and sacrifice, while the white of his beard and trim reflect purity and light. Together, they portray a spirit whose joy comes not from receiving but from the blessing of giving freely.

The fact that this image is rendered as an ornament adds another layer of meaning: ornaments are hung to adorn the tree of life, symbolizing the ways our lives become more radiant when we share joy and goodness. Each ornament is a small light of remembrance and love, much like each act of kindness we give. In this way, the “Santa Ornament” stamp becomes an icon of spiritual generosity. It celebrates the holiness in human kindness, the beauty of creation, and the eternal message that giving is a reflection of divine love at work in the world. Beneath its festive color and folk-art charm lies a truth as old as faith itself: that joy grows when it is shared, and that in giving, we participate in the sacred rhythm of grace.

GUMMED STAMPS: These postage stamps have a traditional moisture-activated gum on the back. These stamps require licking or wetting to adhere to envelopes or other surfaces. To ensure good adhesion, apply vintage gummed stamps to your mailings with a glue stick (we recommend using Elmer's "Re-Stick" glue sticks).

GENUINE USPS POSTAGE: These unused vintage postage stamps are perfectly valid for use as current postage for mailing with USPS as long as you use the adequate amount of postage to achieve standard postage rates according to the weight of your mailing. Check current postage rates at USPS.com.

QUESTIONS? We love hearing from our customers and replies to inquires are usually answered the same day. Need more of this stamp? Looking for a particular stamp not found on our website? Want a curated postage set for your special event? Contact us with questions about vintage postage stamps and our services…

TELL YOUR STORY IN STAMPS: We’ve worked with hundreds of couples and their stationers to custom design highly stylized personalized postage sets based on our customer’s life stories. We can help you curate personalized vintage postage sets to commemorate your save-the-date, wedding, shower, announcement, and other special occasions in a truly unique fashion. Drawing on our encyclopedic knowledge of every stamp ever issued by the USPS, and sourcing from our extensive inventory of collectable unused vintage stamps, we’ll help you tell your unique story in stamps!

ABOUT HERITAGE POST HOUSE: Jennifer Kramer is the founder of Heritage Post House, a boutique vintage postage house located in Northern California. Jennifer sources the most beautiful unused vintage postage stamps ever issued by USPS and artfully arranges them into curated postage sets that are sure to add a special touch to your invitations, announcements, and special mailings. In addition to creating pre-arranged postage sets, Jennifer also works with couples (and their stationers) to create one-of-a-kind custom postage arrangements for wedding invitations, save the dates, and other special occasions.

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