Updates to website for Christmas?

Question

I'm doing some research to redesign our website. What sort of updates are expected from a high-end site for the Christmas season?

Please write what is expected and possible steps to get there.

Currently I have listed:

• Code? -- Site Snow Effects, Snowball effects, Christmas-branded Add-ons?, Flash 'Toys'.
• Graphics? -- Theme?, Banners, Flash Animations.
• Products? -- Anniversary Editions?, New Features, Free Add-ons, Freebies, 'Goodies'.
• Commerce? -- Discounts, Low-cost Bundles, Christmas-branded packaging?.

Answer 1

I'm not sure what would be expected but it might be easy to check out Google, Amazon, etc. to see what they do. My thoughts are though that depending on the audience of the sites many would choose not to offend potential visitors by 'targeting' Christmas as a day they want to single out. Also I'd have to say that developers wouldn't want to be called in on Christmas day if by some chance their once-a-year code bombed and the site was down. Oh man I'd get the evil eye for that one....

Answer 2

I believe you've covered pretty anything in the question already. Make sure you're having the right audience, for example on a yoga site christmas stuff wouldn't quite work. Just make sure the code WORKS.

Answer 3

From a high-end site I expect no JavaScript snowflakes ... I'm sure that about 80% of your marketing people will suggest those. A Christmas-themed logo is nice and not obnoxious.

Answer 4

CSS snowflakes?