Austrian Post turns Christmas stamp into a tree ornament

Austrian Post has introduced a Christmas stamp that can be reused as a tree ornament after mailing, ORF reported. The embroidered design was made by Hämmerle & Vogel, an embroidery company in Lustenau.

The stamp has a loop at the top for a thread. A total of 100,000 are planned, at a price of 4.65 euros each. It has been available since Thursday.

Special embroidery machines shape the stamp and apply its lettering to a thin embroidery backing. A gold-foil laminate gives the fir-tree design its shine.

To reuse the stamp as an ornament, it must be cut out and placed in lukewarm water. A thread can then be used to hang it on the Christmas tree.