Google 'let it snow' makes your browser Christmassy

If you're yet to get into the Christmas spirit, allow Google to help, and with a tech twist. Type 'let it snow' into the search engine, and snowflakes will start falling from the top of the screen. Not only that, the screen will start misting up too. You can even write in it by dragging the cursor, just like wiping your finger over a misted-up car window.

The downside is you won't be able to click any of the links once they're covered in mist, but just hit the blue Defrost button at the top of the screen to clear it while the snow carries on falling. If only real windows were cleared so easily.

It's only the latest of Google's 'easter eggs'. Last month it was revealed typing 'do a barrel roll' into the search bar made the browser roll over, just like on the classic game Star Fox 64. ('Do a barrel roll' is a bit of an internet meme, with fans of the original N64 shooter using it to answer seemingly any question. E.g. "I'm really not sure what to do about my relationship at the moment." "Do a barrel roll.")

But these easter eggs are just the tip of the iceberg that is Google's playful side. It recently catalogued its doodles (which number over 1,000 now), letting you search and indulge in your old favourites, so you can play Pac-Man, or watch the 8-bit tribute to Freddie Mercury whenever you like. You can even buy merchandise bearing the doodles, such as mugs, t-shirts, stamps and skateboards.

Google is also funding a couple of exhibitions at London's Science Museum over the next three years, the first of which starts next June. They'll celebrate the history of computing and communications technology.

So if the weather disappoints come December 25, at least we're guaranteed a white Christmas of sorts.