The writing prompts invite postcrossers to write about a different topic on their postcards’ messages every month. These are just suggestions though — if you already know what you want to write about, or the recipient gives you some pointers, that’s great too!
It’s not surprising that many of our members love stamps. Some collect stamps, others are just fascinated by the variety that’s out there. So that’s this month’s writing prompt!
At the moment, I have a few sets of stamps available. For the UK, I have some first class stamps from the Christmas 2024 collection, and a set of stamps which celebrate the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows, an iconic aerobatic display team who fly aircraft in close formation and do tricks in the air. Somewhere I still have one stamp left over from Christmas 2023, which I’m saving for a postcard to my grandmother.
For international mail, I need to stock up soon, as you can see! Right now I’m using stamps from the Tutankhamen set, which show a boat model and a guardian statue from Tutankhamen’s tomb. They’re kind of old, and don’t cover full postage, so I use “makeup value” stamps to pay the full postage. The 50p ones still show the Queen’s head for now, but some of the stamps in my photo (like the Christmas 2024 ones and the Red Arrows set) have King Charles III’s head now.
I do have a couple of odd stamps left over—a stamp from the Pride set and one from the recent dinosaur set—that I’m saving for when I get an address of someone who looks like they’d especially appreciate them.
What about you? Do you have any exciting stamps at the moment? Any stamps with stories? We’d love to hear about them here, and you can also write about them on your postcards this month if you’re stumped for what to say!
27 comments so far
Japan has very nice stamps so I try to use them as much as possible. Some stamps honour relations with other countries such as stamps honouring Japanese/German relations, so I use them for postcards going to Germany.
I try to use special stamps. Like the Europe Stamp / commemorative stamps. In december the Netherlands have Christmas stamps. You need two if you want to send a card abroad. When I read that someone collects stamps, I will use 2 Christmas stamps.
I buy stamps from a company called Philatelink. They sell British special issue stamps that are no longer available over the counter. I save about 28%. While I can't specify what theme or year of stamps I'll receive, I love the varied and historic selection that arrives. I admit that I spend more on stamps than I do on food!
I often don't know what to write, but this is a good suggestion. Some stamps are indeed worth introducing. In addition, today the website has changed to Christmas limited edition decorations, with text turned into gift boxes and snowflakes in the background. It's so beautiful, with a strong Christmas atmosphere.
I work at the Post Office, I replace the head of the communications department. And it became much more convenient with stamps: just one call to the brand database and two days later I have a service parcel with everything I need. Working as an operator, you don't have to choose, if they give you at least standard brands, then it's already happiness.
Lovely idea, thank you!
I usually devote a large part of my card to explaining which stamp I'm using, and actually I've realized that on average it takes me only 10 minutes to find the right card according to the profile I get but around 15 minutes to find the right stamp, because I try to find one which can fit both the profile AND the postcard, and often it takes a few sentences to explain the link between them. I also like to explain how they were printed, in how many copies, etc.
That's why I sometimes stick them on the side of the postcard's picture :)
https://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/MZ-207
https://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/SZ-392
https://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/AL-1256
https://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/LT-814470
https://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/FR-1572853
https://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/FR-1658318
https://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/FR-1668357
Since 2022, I have consistently used stamps with the Murmansk coat of arms. Just find this image and you'll understand.
Luckily România produces many attractive and informative postage stamps, and I make a point of buying them from the philatelic (Romfilatelia) shops and trying to match the interests of the Postcrosser that I am sending to. It’s great when I get positive feedback.
German "Deutsche Post /DHL" has a new stamp for the Christmas time.
It is the first together with TIPTOY electronic pencil from Ravensburger
toy factory.Enjoy German Christmas songs and stories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOrd8ITwriM
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BenkdSDSJO8
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I buy only new and only nice stamps only online.
It works very good.
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Türkiye issued a Sagalassos (an archaeological site in the city of Burdur) stamp in 2024. I use it often because I actually worked there this summer as an archaeologist for my master's thesis! And it seems that I will continue going back there :)
I had built up some mint duplicates in my Indian stamp collection from about 2006 , so I have been able to use these for my Post-crossing friends I normally use a mixture of older and newer Indian Commemorative stamps, which have a variety of themes represented in them , and with some everyday stamps to make up for shortfall in value, so hopefully they act as ambassadors of India along with the post-crossing postcards. .Both are always a good way to get to know about other countries I personally feel.
I often use franc stamps (from France)
mostly with a euro stamp for 1,29€ (to France) + 4,40 Francs = 1,96€ (internatonal)
I sent 2 NL stamps on every card. I'm a stampcollector and like stamps (on an envelope when it's possible). I buy stamps at the CollectorClub and for some Postcrossingmeetings I "make" stamps from my photo's at the Postcompanypage.
I try to use beautiful stamps, and even blocks. Often stamps take up half the area of the postcard. I don’t use stamps with people, it’s not interesting and not beautiful
I am in the U.S. Occasionally I get recipients who request that Postcrossers from the U.S. not use the ubiqitous circular international mail forever stamps. I understand. Two basic forever stamps plus a 20-cent stamp overpays the U.S. international mail rate by just one penny. So from the USPS I order the more colorful of the forever stamps and assortments of older 20-cent stamps from E-bay or a dealer that I use. If I have to pay a little above face value for the 20-cent stamps I don't mind. This combination leaves enough room on the card to write a nice lengthy message.
As a collector, I appreciate other Postcrossers using several nice stamps on their cards. The large Russian stamps are particularly attractive.
In December I try to put some Christmas stamps on my cards, for Belgium and Europe. Before we could use the Europe stamps for the rest of the World too, now it isn't allowed anymore. For the rest of the world I try to put the stamps people like to receive or I put the stamps that I think they fit with the card I'm sending.
The postcard's beauty is enhanced by colorful stamps. Seeing vibrant stamps is a treat. Beautiful, vibrant stamps are the best decoration for a postcard. Stamps reveal a lot about a nation's history, culture, and notable citizens.For postcrossers who have expressed a preference for lovely stamps, I use vibrant stamps. I use defenitive stamps for others.
I use old stamps from a shop selling overstocked stamps from businesses switching to machine-stamping...
All the fellow german postcrossing forum users know the shop :D
Being new to Postcrossing I always need ideas for messages on my postcards. Thanks for the great ideas!
I have just sent my first special New Zealand crossposting stamp and also the crossposting post card, really hope they enjoy receiving them :)
Postcards and stamps are a huge part of my life, and something that I have always known, since my relatives started a stamp and postcard collection for me before I was even born. It is a life hobby for me, spread out over many years. I try to use at least 2-3 stamps on the postcards that I send, though I have used just one stamp sometimes to send postcards within the United States. But it really depends on the size of the postcard. I prefer 5 inch by 7 inch postcards because then I have much more room to add more stamps. My favorite stamps are oversize ones, mainly depicting art or photography. And (in my opinion) the country that has issued the most beautiful stamps, time after time, is the United Kingdom. P.S. I'm very glad to read everyone's comments on here - they are so interesting! :)
Every year. Canada Post come up with very nice Christmas stamps. This year gingerbread houses.They're lovely. I have all my Christmas cards ready to be send and some of you will received them as well one day. Unfortunately, Canada Post is on strike, now for 14 days so we all need patience....
-Merry Christmas-
Definitely like it when the sender uses a variety of stamps to send the postcard. I also try to find stamps related to the postcard or that the sender may like. Stamp shows are a great place to find US postage at a small discount (usually the lower values which are great to make up the rate) or older issues at face value.
I just bought stamps with Freddie Mercury on them! I love using special stamps :)
I’m new at PC and I discovered a new world of stamps 😍 I’m choosing picturesque stamps with nature, painting, culture, symbols of Russia. My envelope with stamps for me is like little box of treasures)
And of course I love to receive postcards with interesting stamps too.
I try to use an assortment of stamps, if I have those stamps available and there’s room on the card. In November and December, I may use winter stamps or holiday stamps as well.
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