2017Christmas - Set

For this Christmas stamp serie themes with a little twist of Aruba were used in an abstract form. The painting technique used is Japanese “Hari-e” which is a traditional Japanese craft of tearing, cutting, coloring and gluing of paper to make a picture. “Hari-e” has been practiced for hundreds of years in Japan but is gaining popularity all over the world.

90c - This stamp illustrates a Golden Christmas decoration ball and in the background our Aruban Sunset with shadow of palm trees can be seen.

140c - This stamp illustrates the California Light House at night, visited by Santa. The California Lighthouse is one of Aruba’s most famous landmarks, and a popular Aruba sightseeing destination.

220c - This stamp illustrates an abstract White Christmas Tree with the candles on a green background which represents the fresh Green Pine Tree.

320c – This stamp illustrates Christmas gifts on Aruba’s sunny sandy beach as well as under a wooden beach parasol.

Christmas traditions vary from country to country: Christmas Holidays the Aruban Way!
Gaita music is the traditional sound of Christmas. Gaita Bands - Originating in Venezuela are typically made up of a line of female singers accompanied by musicians playing the furuku, cuarta, base, piano, tambu, raspa, timbal, and conga. Gaita bands perform from November through December at shopping malls and other island businesses as well as in private residences. Their festive rhythms put passers-by and party-goers into the holiday spirit.
At Christmas time there are some of the many familiar Aruban Christmas traditional dishes and drinks just to name a few such as Christmas ham, ayaca, stuffed turkey or chicken, pig foot souse and doughnut balls.
Goat or meat soups, salads, snacks, black fruit cakes and drinks such as hot chocolate blended with peanut butter and crème punch are often prepared for family and guests.

Decorating Roundabouts - Christmas Holiday
There may not be a white Christmas on Aruba, but the local community takes great pride in decking the halls. No snow or sleigh rides needed to feel the holiday spirit here—local businesses and homes decorate to the hilt with gorgeous themed Christmas trees and decorations. A relatively new custom to behold on the island is the decorating and lighting of various island roundabouts. Each roundabout is sponsored by a local business or organization that chooses a theme to build upon with colorful decorations and lights.
By mid-November, the roundabouts are decked out, with each enjoying a festive lighting ceremony to mark the start of the holiday season.