Christmas is a wonderful time of year with crisp cold air, evergreens turned pale with frost and familiar buildings transformed as they are dusted with snow. Many of us send Christmas cards to friends and family and of course children in particular delight in the tradition of giving and receiving gifts.

The theme for?the Christmas 2011 stamp issue is ‘Winter Wonderland’ and earlier this year?they ran a photographic competition. Open to both professionals and amateurs, entrants were invited to capture their favourite local winter wonderland scene for the opportunity to have their image depicted on the highly collectable Guernsey Christmas stamps.?

The response was fantastic, with some truly spectacular images submitted. The winning shot came from Mr Nigel Byrom who wowed the judges with his stunning image of a snowy L’Ancresse Common (36p). The judges also selected six runners up whose photographs were used on the remaining stamps in this Winter Wonderland Christmas issue.??

Two churches feature in the set; the first is a shot by Jason Bishop of a snow covered St Peters Church (61p). The second is the Island’s smallest parish church ed hardy clothing, which has been beautifully captured by John Shakerley and appears on?the 31p stamp.

The?47p stamp features the iconic Guernsey Cow grazing in a snow covered setting photographed by Sarah Plumley.??

One of the most spectacular sights in the Channel Islands, La Coup��e in Sark, is the image on?the 52p stamp. Sue Daly’s photograph features this unique rocky causeway covered in snow.

The panoramic west coast of Guernsey is pictured on?the 65p stamp courtesy of the Eric Ferbrache, who has captured Cobo Bay delightfully as its usual clean soft white sand is covered with soft white snow!?

Finally a snowy rooftop view of St Peter Port beautifully shot by Karen Millard features on?the 48p stamp.

This issue can be viewed and purchased through WOPA, under Guernsey 2011 stamp issues, A Winter Wonderland