Pinatas Forever First Class Postage Stamps

Two donkeys and two seven-pointed stars, drawn from the piñatas that have been fixtures of Mexican fiestas for generations. The seven points on the star piñata have a traditional reading behind them, one for each of the deadly sins, which is the sort of detail that survives in the object long after anyone stops mentioning it. The Postal Service launched them at the 36th annual Piñata Festival in Roswell, New Mexico, at the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, in what was the third straight year of Hispanic-themed issues after Day of the Dead and Mariachi.

Birthday party invitations are the main use, and quinceanera and baptism mail close behind. Schools and community organizations buy them for family newsletters during Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs 15 September to 15 October. They are cheerful without being childish, so they carry ordinary correspondence fine. Booklets of 20, four designs, five of each - a party list without buying twice.