Pipilotti Rist is one of the world's most renowned Swiss artists. She made a name for herself through video and experimental films. For this year’s Swiss Post Christmas issue she has designed a celebrity stamp dedicated to our five senses. Featuring a tongue, its main focus is on the sense of taste. In doing so, Pipilotti Rist gives us a glimpse of the world of postage stamps. More than half of all Swiss stamps are still gummed and have to be licked in order to stick them to letters or postcards, unless you happen to have a damp cloth to hand.

Christmas stamp motifs

This year’s Christmas stamps have been designed by Dominique Rossier, a graphic designer and artist from Western Switzerland. In his miniature designs, he brings to life typical Christmas scenes. The four special stamps have a face value of 0.85, 1.00, 1.40 and 1.90 francs. Swiss Post is issuing stamps with the themes "Crib" (CHF 0.85) and "Santa Claus" (CHF 1.00) as well as with matching Christmas cards in a set.

Christmas goodwill

Once a year special stamps from Pro Juventute are issued at Christmas time. By paying the surcharge you are helping to support children and young people. This year’s stamps feature family traditions. They were designed by Nicolas d'Aujourd'hui, a cartoonist and graphic artist from Basel.

The Emmental on a miniature sheet

In its latest stamp issue, Swiss Post features the Emmental in a miniature sheet with two-franc stamps. On this sheet you can see the unmistakeable landscape with its gently rolling hills and typical farm houses – perfectly contrasting with the snowy mountain peaks of the Bernese Oberland in the background.

Year book of stamps with a new design

Fewer words, more pictures. This was the idea behind the moderate redesign of the year book of stamps. This well-loved publication contains all the stamps issued by Swiss Post in 2014, along with their story.

Subjects of the 4/2014 stamp issue – valid from 13 November 2014

• Christmas – special stamps: "Crib" CHF 0.85, "Santa Claus" CHF 1.00, "Advent wreath" CHF 1.40, "Biscuits" CHF 1.90
• "Pro Juventute" – Special stamps with premium: "Turnip lantern procession" CHF 1.25 (0.85+0.40), "Telling stories" CHF 1.50 (1.00+0.50), "Baking biscuits" CHF 1.50 (1.00+0.50)
• "Pipilotti Rist" – Special stamp: CHF 1.00
• "Emmental" – miniature sheet: CHF 2.00

Available from www.swisspost.ch/philashop and from Swiss post offices.

You can find detailed information in the current issue of the stamp magazine, "Focus on Stamps": www.swisspost.ch/focusonstamps