Christmas 2014 stamps from Sweden

 

Date of Issue : 13 November 2014

Here are new stamps issued by Swedish Post for this year’s Christmas. The stamps are so beautiful and tempting featuring a  variety of Christmas sweets. This set of stamps is one of the most beautiful sets issued on Christmas this year. The other philatelic items issued with this set are magnificent and have been shown below.

Popular sweets on the Christmas table and the Christmas tree 

“The ‘lussebulle’ is a bun that, as everyone knows, gets its yellow color from saffron. As far back as the Middle Ages this expensive spice was popular among the aristocracy. It was first used in a Swedish cookbook in the 1700s, but it was not until the end of the 1800s when so many of the Christmas traditions were established in our country that buns and other baked goods with the yellow coloring became common in Swedish kitchens and were linked in particular to Christ-mas,” says Lena Kättström Höök.

Spiking oranges with aromatic cloves is a relatively late tradition. The combination of the clove and orange scents was considered to be refreshing and pleasant.

“The Christmas apple, which was picked and kept fresh by wrapping it in a newspaper, is an early tradition. In the first record of a Swedish Christmas tree from the mid-18th century, Christmas apples, among other decorations, hung from the tree branches.”

Marzipan was also found on the holiday tables of the elite in the 17th century. Marzipan figures often depicted people in fine clothing; the marzipan pig came much later. Sugar used to be expensive, and marzipan, like saffron, was a status symbol.

Stamp Booklet

“Gingerbread cookies, which are spiced with ginger, cinnamon and cardamom, could be bought in the large cities as early as during the 16th century and were at that time viewed as a luxury. They were baked in the monasteries during the Middle Ages and were considered to be a cure-all remedy. Gingerbread houses were first mentioned in Sweden in 1883. The story about Hansel and Gretel by Brothers Grimm was mostly like the source,” says Lena Kättström Höök.

Originally, mulled wine was used as a medicine and drunk throughout the year to promote good health. Toward the end of the 19th century, mulled wine started to become a common Christmas drink in our country. 

 

 

Sheetlet

Maximum cards

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July-August 2014 issue of Stamps Today edited and published by Mr Vijay Seth by has been released. To get the copy of this issue, Please contact : Mr Vijay Seth email : stampstodayindia@gmail.com