Crafty Residents ‘Yarn Bomb’ Postal Boxes For Holiday Cheer
LONDON — Red post boxes are one of the most well-known and iconic British symbols — but at Christmas, they take on a very different ambiance, often overnight.
Posting Christmas cards becomes even more fun as you never know quite what might appear on top of the post box.
It is all the fault of eager crafters' “yarn bombing” of post boxes. Instead of traditional red tops, the post boxes are suddenly covered in knitted or crocheted toppers adorned with all manner of Christmas images.
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It might be a nativity scene, a church building, the Three Kings, a winter wonderland, a plate of mince pies, a decorated Christmas tree, teddy bears, penguins, Christmas cards, wreaths of flowers, Santa climbing down a chimney, elves, snowballs, reindeer — the list is never ending. The only limitations are the imagination and creativity of the crafters.
What is certain is that the designs always raise a smile. Often, the toppers are made as a simple community ‘act of kindness’.
No one knows just how many post box toppers exist, as there are no official numbers. What is certain is that their numbers are extensive. There is even a Facebook U.K. toppers website. The pattern for the base can be downloaded from the Townswomen’s Guild, and then it is up to the crafter’s imagination.
Many of the upright items are stuffed or have a thin wire structure and are then sewn onto the base. The toppers are placed on a chosen post box overnight. No permission is needed. As far as Post Office U.K. is concerned, they are happy for the toppers to be added because it raises a smile and they are appreciative of the skill involved in their creation. All they ask is that the topper doesn’t stop mail being posted and collected and that the design doesn’t offend anyone.
The presence of a topper and design can vary according to the whims of the crafter. Some crafters seek to entertain all year round, while others might just add a topper for a few weeks now and again. Some villages or towns can find new toppers appearing throughout the year.
Often, the toppers become a talking point among the local community. Designs have been known to celebrate local and national events as well as seasons, transport or whatever appeals to the crafter’s imagination.
The English city of St. Albans has become a centre of these Christmas toppers involving an army of volunteer crafters, most of whom prefer to remain anonymous. Designs vary every year, and are never revealed in advance so as to create an extra element of surprise.
The story of the St. Albans Christmas toppers started in 2018, when two local women, Clare Suttle and Candy Stuart, founded the project, and it has grown steadily ever since.
Among the army of crafters involved in the project are individuals and small groups such as the Sopwell knitters. Sponsorship is helping offset some of the costs – local businesses, community groups and even entire neighborhoods are frequently sponsoring a specific topper.
In the New Year, members of the group collect the toppers, repair, wash and dry them before cataloguing and storing them. Some may be reused at some point — but even as one season ends, the crafters are already preparing for the forthcoming Christmas. New designs are thought up and work begins on the next batch of toppers.
Some of the St. Albans toppers have been extremely ambitious. One topper even showed Santa Claus lost in Africa, surrounded by zebras and trying to find his way home.
In 2022, the group created a perfect scale model of St Albans Cathedral, complete with towers and flag, before placing it on the top of a post box near the building. One of the Canons of the Cathedral came and blessed the topper.
At the time, Jo Kelly-Moore, the Dean of St. Albans, said, “We are astounded by their talent and commitment to create this wonderful knitted Cathedral. It is a real highlight on the city’s Christmas trail. We hope having seen this treasure that people will cross Holywell Hill and come and join us at the Cathedral for all that is on offer in this Advent and Christmas season.”
In November 2024, the group successfully achieved a Guinness World record for the largest number of toppers by creating 102 post box toppers.
This year, the group is creating 100 new handmade post box toppers which will adorn post boxes across the city and nearby towns. They have also given residents and visitors a challenge: Who can find and photograph all 100 toppers?
Referred to as “The Great St Albans Postbox Topper Hunt,” one entry out of all those who succeed will eventually win a £100 voucher ($133) for a meal at The Portland Arms in St Albans. The yarnbombers website helpfully provides a map that can be downloaded.
Judging by local response in previous years, this month will bring lots of people, especially children, hunting through the city trying to find every topper, posting lots of images and comments on social media as they do so.
Although fun for everyone, there is also a serious note. One of the reasons why the crafters are creating these toppers is to raise money for local charities. This year, they have chosen Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline and Comfort Cases U.K., which supports families in crisis. A QR code linked to each topper enables people to make donations.
Since starting these Christmas creations in 2018, the group has raised over £100,000 ($133,00) for local charities.
“We never stop being amazed by the generosity and creativity of St. Albans” said the St. Albans Postboxes team in a statement. “Every topper represents hours of work, community spirit and a shared belief that small acts can make a big difference. We can’t wait to see the joy they bring — and who manages to find all 100!”
Angela Youngman is a freelance journalist who has written for a wide range of British and international publications.