Celebrate the Season with this Year’s Holiday Theme and Desktop Background
It’s that time of the year again: every holiday season, we collaborate with wonderful artists to create a festive WordPress illustration. I recently had the pleasure to work with Jacqui Oakley on this year’s version. I think you’ll agree that this frosty, shimmering image is a perfect representation of the season.
Holiday Theme
Cheer was a big hit last year, so we decided to give y’all another seasonal theme that captures the holiday spirit. Automattic’s Caroline Moore has adapted Jacqui’s illustration into a new theme called Shine On, now available on WordPress.com.
As you can see, it’s a winter wonderland of color, and makes terrific use of post formats to help you chronicle your holiday celebrations.
Shine On is a gleaming, colorful theme, a perfect tree topper for personal sites and blogs. Make yours sparkle with this festive theme, then share your holiday photos and stories with friends and family.
You can read more about Shine On on the theme showcase, or preview it on your blog by going to Appearance → Themes.
Wallpapers
As always, we’ve also created some cheerful wallpapers to match, available in different sizes for your device of choice:
- iPhone 4/4s
- iPhone 5/5c/5s
- iPad, Android devices
- Desktop – Small (1280×720)
- Desktop – Large (2560×1440)
- Desktop – for Retina Displays (2880×1800)
Need help changing your wallpaper? Here are instructions for iOS, Android, OS X, Windows 7 and Windows 8. A tip: Choose an image larger than your screen size, and set the position to “center” or “fill screen” (not “stretch”).
If you missed them last time around, be sure to check out our illustrations from 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2009.
- December 5, 2013
- Themes, WordPress.com
WordPress.com News 
It’s a great illustration, but I hope the theme comes with some extensive color options. Nothing says Happy Holidays like a giant German flag…
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You can change the colors if you have the Custom Design upgrade.
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A cute variation of Twenty Thirteen. Shine on!
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Thanks so much Dave and Jacqui for creating this lovely seasonal theme. May you both have a wonder-filled holiday season. And, may WordPress shine on and on and on.
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Stop sending me messages! I have tried to unsubscribe but it doesn’t work. I don’t want any more messages thanks!
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It is gorgeous indeed.
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I think it’s beautiful. Will its availability be limited to the holidays? I hope not.
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Nope! Shine On will be available year-round.
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As the Owl Of Knowledge, I might have to change my page for a bit. Beautiful theme!
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While I love the theme, the huge name in the illustration takes away from the name of the actual blog one is running….
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Hi Monika, you can change the header image by going to Appearance ➞ Header.
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Wow, that looks fantastic.
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I actually like the title font a little bit more than the one on Twenty Thirteen 🙂
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This is amazing! I love the whimsical colors. Very inspiring. Thank you!
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So cute! The artist did a good job!
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Cool! Twenty Thirteen. Shine on!
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Beautiful idea and implementation. It looks fantastic!
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I’ve used it on my blog and it works great!
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Splendid – this is “proper” art.
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I really like the new artwork for this layout!
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Well, if I knew anything about decorating online, I might consider it. Meanwhile, I’ll just go with whatever basic idea I decided upon when I started my little section of WordPress.
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A great theme but not for Bloggers who write News! Sad Me! 😦
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We have a lot of new themes that might work for you. 🙂
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I love the theme!
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Question: How do I get snowflakes background?
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To activate Holiday Snow, just follow these steps:
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Thanks sooo much… I am still having problems understanding how WordPress works, I have no idea what I’m doing. 🙂 Still learning.
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I’d start here! http://learn.wordpress.com/
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From your dashboard, go to Settings > General, then scroll all the way down: you’ll see the Snow option there. Check the box and save the changes, and you should be set!
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The colors are absolutely beautiful. Love this.
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