Desktop Gadgets for the Holiday Season

Posted by Kathy Walrath, Technical Writer

Developer-elves have been busy creating new Desktop gadgets to celebrate the holidays. Here's a guide to the some of the most recent additions.

	Christmas Tree by Benjamin Schirmer Deck your desktop with a one-of-a-kind tree. This tree starts out plain, with only animated snowflakes as decoration, but you can easily make it yours. Just right-click (Windows) or ctrl-click (Mac) wherever you want to add a decoration. If you're not in the mood for animated snowflakes, you can easily turn them off.
	Holiday Countdown 2007 Gadget by Beepem Count down to the holiday of your choice — Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Festivus! Snowfall is optional.
	Hanukkah Menorah by Glenn Rivkees It might seem a little late to feature Hanukkah gadgets, but we couldn't leave out this beauty. It's both a countdown to Hanukkah and a menorah that lights candles on the appropriate days. Hanukkah 2007 may be over, but this gadget tells me there are only 368 days until Hanukkah 2008!
	CALGOT and MAIMAI Christmas Tree by 12STUDIO Inc. Here's the perfect desktop decoration and Christmas countdown gadget for fans of CALGOT and MAIMAI. The pretty images, animated star, sparkling highlights, and delicate snowfall help make this gadget an eye catcher.
	CALGOT and MAIMAI Christmas Wreathe by 12STUDIO Inc. If you think the snails just aren't prominent enough in the CALGOT and MAIMAI Christmas Tree gadget, try this one.
	Christmas Countdown by Bijoy Thangaraj This simple gadget counts down the seconds until Christmas.
	Fancy Christmas Frame by Bijoy Thangaraj Click inside the frame to add a random decoration. Each decoration fades out over time, so you'll have a blank slate unless you keep clicking!
	Merry X'mas by Lahiru Lakmal Priyadarshana Decorate your Google Talk buddy's tree! Here's how: Make sure you both have this gadget. (If not, your buddy will automatically get an IM saying where to get the tree.) Click the people icon (at the lower right) and choose an online Google Talk friend (one with a green icon). If necessary, click the item preview (at the upper right) so you see a star with a + sign. Click a decoration from the items palate (upper left). Click your tree to place the decoration. Repeat steps 4 & 5 as many times as you like. Click the Send button (upper right).
	Countdown To New Year 2008 by Teodor Filimon This holiday gadget displays a different picture and message every day until New Year's Day, 2008. You can have animated snow, listen to holiday songs, and even go shopping. On New Year's Eve, you'll get a countdown to midnight.

Want more seasonal gadgets? Check out the holiday gadget page.

Happy Holidays from the Google Desktop Team!