Decorating your sites for holidays

timjpriebe's picture

He has: 2,667 posts

Joined: Dec 2004

I recently wrote an article on decorating your sites for holidays (http://www.getasiteonline.com/?postid=27). It was prompted by seeing sites like this one, where it's obvious that sites can be tastefully decorated, versus sites like whvdirect.com where, once you log in, animated falling snowflakes cover the entire webpage in a very annoying manner.

What do you guys think about decorating your sites? What do you feel is appropriate and what isn't?

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

This is an interesting question, Tim. I remember years ago there was a lot of talk about being careful not to offend people who don't celebrate Christmas. I haven't seen much of that this year but then I haven't seen a lot of overtly Christmas holiday site decorations - mostly snow motifs with the ocassional Santa hat.

I have been wondering if peope who don't celebrate Christmas would actually be offended by, say, a santa or a Christmas tree. I mean, snow is considered less offensive even though most parts of the world never see snow! And the southern hemisphere is in summer right now. So, should they be offended by all the snow? I don't know, seems that people get a little too politically correct sometimes. Maybe someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas can tell if they would be bothered by overtly Christmasy site decorations.

demonhale's picture

He has: 3,278 posts

Joined: May 2005

Hmmm I actually wonder why common site images are either of snow, snowman, raindeer, santa, etc. when the true meaning is about remembering Christ, CHRISTmas... So you cant show an image for that can you, megan has a point, it may offend others, or that they could feel festive and understanding to those who do celebrate Christmas... Anyway, just dont overdo this additions to your site, watch out for your visitors, what locality they generally come from, that will gauge your decision for dressing your site in christmas gala...

They have: 96 posts

Joined: Jul 2005

I add falling snow on my flash banner (stangette.com) and a few of my clients requested I add snow to theirs too. its not overly Christmas and the people who don't celabrate may take it as a "winter" theme. i think adding a few decorations can actually make your site look "update" and fresh. As long as there not cheesy animated gifs Smiling

DC_Sara's picture

She has: 392 posts

Joined: Jan 2002

I have snowflakes on my LJ, as I don't like to mess with the graphics that much anymore for some reason. It was more of a graphic stand vs. offending anyone stand. It's my LJ after all.

On Sis-2-Sis I have 3 themes, one has Merry Christmas on the header. Again, not worried about offending anyone, there are two other themes to choose from.

~*Sara*~

dojo's picture

She has: 87 posts

Joined: Dec 2004

I didn't decorate the sites for the holidays .. don't know if it's bad or good. Sometimes I feel it would be nice, but other times I just feel it's a waste of time ...

She has: 8 posts

Joined: Jan 2006

I have only just opened my site this month and haven't thought of that, being a free site, you are very limited so i have just upgraded today to a paid site, so with easter around the corner it's some thing else to think about
my site>heather.forumup.co.uk caring for carers

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