Christmas seals are adhesive labels that are similar in appearance to postage stamps that are sold then affixed to mail during the Christmas season to raise funds and awareness for charitable programs. Christmas seals have become particularly associated with lung diseases such as tuberculosis, and with child welfare in general. They were first issued in Denmark beginning in 1904, with Sweden and Iceland following with issues that same year. Thereafter the use of Christmas seals proved to be popular and spread quickly around the world, with 130 countries producing their own issues.
The world's first Christmas seal. Issued in Denmark, 1904, features the Danish Queen Louise
First Christmas seal with red double-barred cross, symbol of the National Tuberculosis Association, 1920 issue
Einar Holbøll, c. 1900
In 1938 Holbøll was featured on a U.S. Christmas seal
A Christmas stamp is a postage stamp with a Christmas theme, intended for use on seasonal mail such as Christmas cards. Many countries of the world issue such stamps, which are regular postage stamps and are usually valid for postage year-round. They usually go on sale some time between early October and early December, and are printed in considerable quantities.
British Troops in Egypt Christmas stamp, 1935
First Christmas stamp of Australia, 1957