Australia Post have always lowered the cost of Christmas Stamps. They can only be used from November 1st to December 31st and only for cards. It does help the budget.
Running out of stamps at our post office is common as well. Our post office can only have a certain monetary value they told me and when the new stamps come in, when they are gone, they are gone. Then you have to order them..and it takes like 10days or more. I'm like..It's the POST OFFICE..why does it take so long to get stamps!!! Don't get it...but if we want decorative stamps it just makes sense to order them and not have the headache.
We cannot get decorative stamps here, only what Australia Post provides. There is a choice of 2 Christmas stamps, traditional/religious and 1 that is a bit more decorative/fun, like a surfing Santa. You can ask for which ones you want but other than those 2 no other options are available.