Sharing Holiday Cheer With Google Maps

Cross Posted on the Official Google Blog

For me, celebrating the holidays is both about spending time with family, and taking the time to help others. Along with bundling up by the fire and sipping some hot cocoa, the holidays mean taking the time to do something good.

If you want to send directions to a volunteer opportunity, or just want to brighten a friend’s day, we’ve designed online holiday greeting cards featuring Google Maps. In addition to choosing from ten holiday covers and adding a personal message, you can include specific directions, a Street View image, or a favorite place on the inside of the card.

For example, I can send this card with the map designed as a holiday present, to remind friends about the gift of giving, and share directions to volunteer at their local food bank to help feed thousands of people over the holidays.

Thanks to Christoff Niemann for inspiration.

With all of the holiday decorations around San Francisco, I enjoy walking or biking around and taking in the sights. I can send this card to my friends to get them thinking about environmentally-friendly alternate modes of transportation, and include biking directions to an upcoming dinner (after all, snow is a rare sight in San Francisco).

Finally, doing good can also mean just brightening someone’s day, so I will send this cheerful holiday greeting to my big brother in Colorado to let him know that I’m looking forward to seeing him over the holidays.

You too can share the holiday spirit with these online cards, so start sending them at googlemapsholidays.appspot.com. Happy holidays!

Posted by Kirsten Olsen Cahill, Google.org Team