Hello, Thinking Christmas stamps, I will digress from Australia for a day and mention the USA. I saw a really good piece at http://blog-stampofapproval.com/2012/11/05/50-years-of-christmas-stamps/  you may enjoy reading it as well.  This Christmas stamp was the first issued by the USPS in 1962 and 1 billion (wow!!!!) were printed.

 Enjoy your stamps... Michael