Across the globe Christmas plans have been hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with many unable to travel and gather with their loved ones for the holiday season due to safety restrictions in place.
But get into the Christmas spirit virtually with a festive background on your phone or desktop computer. Here we look at where you can bag various free Christmas-themed wallpapers, which can be downloaded via mobile apps and websites.
Phones
Those using an iPhone can choose from different apps at Apple's App Store that offer free festive wallpapers, such as Pocket Books, which requires iOS 7.0 or later and is optimized for all iOS devices including iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
Their festive backgrounds range from snowflakes against a bauble backdrop and Christmas stockings to an atmospheric snow-covered cabin.
To access more festive backgrounds at the App Store, type "Christmas wallpaper" in the search box of the Apple Store website, which brings up a list of apps offering several options, including "live wallpapers" featuring animated Christmas tree lights and more.
WallpaperAccess offers a selection of at least 44 free high-definition (HD) images that can be used as wallpapers for iPhones. Backgrounds range from glowing Christmas trees to festive Christmas-themed graphics and can be downloaded directly from the website.
Those using Android phones can access a selection of apps offering free festive backgrounds on Google Play by typing in "free Christmas wallpapers" in the search box, which pulls up a shortened list of apps. Then click on the "see more" green icon on the right portion of the webpage, which reveals an expanded list of apps offering free festive wallpapers, such as the HD Live Wallpapers and Clocks app.
The app offers free "multiple moving wallpapers with festive ornaments and winter holiday images, Christmas backgrounds, X-mas tree HD wallpaper, multiple customize options like background changer, frames, animated snowflakes, magic touch, analog clock, emoji, your name and more, that work on the lock screen," it says on Google Play.
'Tis the season
— Unsplash (@unsplash) December 13, 2020
Feature: @amy_shamblenhttps://t.co/wZf9KXTOZT pic.twitter.com/mChqFvX8pR
Desktop
There are several websites where you can access free downloads of different festive desktop backgrounds, such as Unsplash, which offers "over 2 million free high-resolution images brought to you by the world's most generous community of photographers," according to the website.
Unsplash's collection of free HD wallpapers for both desktops and phones have been submitted by the website's different members. They range from images of families at home during the holiday season to Christmas scenes on the street and festive dishes.
Stars At A Christmas Market
— Pixabay (@pixabay) December 17, 2020
by Couleur https://t.co/TAXfJUh2vV pic.twitter.com/zqSHdxf6oz
Pixabay, which is sponsored by iStock from Getty Images, also offers HD images submitted by a network of different members. Pixabay users can receive a 20 percent discount on purchases at iStock by using the code PIXABAY20 at checkout, the company notes.
WallpaperAccess also has a selection of at least 50 festive wallpapers and backgrounds, including for Macbooks, which can also be downloaded for free directly from the website.
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Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.
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