A Danish tradition
Christmas Stamp, as we know it, is unique to Denmark. Invented by Einar Holbøll in 1903, and on the street for the first time in 1904, when it was sold for two pennies. Today, it costs a little more - but the idea remains the same: to every brand supports children in Denmark who need help.

Christmas Stamp is a very special brand, which is stuck on mailings at Christmas; receipts from the sale will go to charity, in Denmark for the establishment and operation of the Christmas home. Christmas home rivers are not only for vulnerable children, but also for difficult children. Children who need to get away from home and obese children who need to lose weight.

The idea is due to the Danish Postmaster Einar Holbøll and has since 1904, when the brand was introduced in Denmark, spread to many other countries, including USA. Christmas Stamp has become a sought after collector's item, which for the elders he determines high prices. Christmas Stamp collectors have their own association, the Danish Christmas Stamp Collector Association.

A Christmas Home is a temporary home for children who need help to break a vicious circle. There are four Christmas Home in Denmark, and all attach importance to a good and positive lifestyle for the benefit of the children's development. They have healthy habits on the agenda, both in terms of diet, exercise and the way we treat each other. A Christmas Home has a secure environment, and adults who have time

The story of the Christmas Stamp.

"There was once a Stamp, who looked quite different from the others who went in market value. It was bigger. It had a different shape and a different color. And so it had a strange face!

"God only knows what kind of a guy," said 10 ore stamp and wrinkled her nose official. "There is certainly something fishy about him," said 5 ore stamp, which thought it had to be twice as great at it because it was only half as expensive. "It costs just two pennies," said 3 ores stamp mockingly. "Well, well, it's not money that matters," said 1 ore stamp. "It makes its usefulness and fills by where something is missing." "Ah yes," said 2 ores stamp that was tired of all the printed matter, it had to carry. 20 ore stamp could afford to be polite. It was also created for long voyages and so therefore more European things. "Let's ask the man," it said. "Of course, under the condition that none of the higher marks first want to comment."

50 ores and 1.00 kr. looked as if they absolutely had nothing heard! "Maybe the Lord will say to colleagues who he is?" said 20 ore stamp. "I am the Christmas Stamp" said the new, so quietly and modestly that they could barely hear it. "Are you perhaps engaged to attend to Christmas traffic?"
"Oh God, no," said the Christmas Stamp. "I'm really no even able to wear the smallest letter cards across the street" "So they are no colleague?" "Yes ... no ... the ... '. Christmas Stamp originated such in it and was so embarrassed that it was a pitiful sight." I must remind you that here in Government service, we have separate specific work, "said 20 ore stamp." We bear its postsag you understand or release it, if you keep more of the expression. We can not have slackers among us. "" I'm no slacker, "said Christmas Stamp." I bear also something I also frees up anything! "" He's crazy, said 5 ores stamp. "What bears then?" Asked 3 ore stamp. "Do not be angry with me," said the Christmas Stamp. "It sounds silly and pretentious, because I am so small and quite unofficial. But it's true anyway - I carry stones - stones for a big house to be built again. And the house should stay sick boys to be cured ".

Longer came the Christmas Stamp not such a laughter broke the real stamp out. When they finally could not laugh more more said 20 ores stamp: "No, the story does not my good. Stone sends one per. Freight and sick boys per. person ticket. They can never get under item Government service. Therefore, I must politely ask them disappear. They waste time and take up space. They have nothing to do here. " "It is heard," said 50 ore stamp. And it was heard.

But the Christmas Stamp was where it was and asked miserably for themselves. It shouted to everyone who came to the door, "Oh, buy me, set me on the letter, stick me for God's sake, just in the corner somewhere, so I come with .... I cost the only two pennies, I am the little Christmas Stamp. "It's definitely not postal," said 20 ore stamp. But it was Christmas and people were good-natured. "It's a pity for the neat little brand", they said. So they bought it and put those on the letters. There were those who put two and those who put ten, but no one made ​​no. When Christmas was over, all the seals away. So come next Christmas, and next again and probably one Christmas, and the Christmas Stamp was resistant on the spot. Eventually asked people where it was on when it came a day later than they had expected.

And one day there was a big beautiful house with sun on the windows. "The house has undergone many stones," said 20 ore stamp. "I have worn them," said Christmas Stamp. "And what many healthy, happy children who come out of the gate," said 50 ore stamp. "I have freed them," said Christmas Stamp. "Then you probably also as good as any of us," said 1 Krone stamp. And then no more talk about the thing. For when 1 Krone Stamp had spoken, there was nothing more to say.

- See it's a real Christmas tale and this year is more than 100 years since the first of the current Christmas Stamps was ready. Back then it was malnourished and sick children who came on Christmas Stamps . Today the obese children and those with evil in life.
(Today there are 4 Christmas home with 150 seats, there are 700 children on the waiting list and up to 16 months. Wait)

The author of this little adventure is Carl Ewald, who wrote it in the early 1900s.