So here's the idea: When it's a major holiday(Like Christmas or Easter)a number of planets are edited to have a holiday theme and after a week,it goes back to normal...
I think that would be the best. And with these ores, you can make some holiday weapons! Like, candy cane sword.
They could always make special planets/galaxies that have no coordinates for holiday zones. During holidays your ship/starbase could pick up a space beacon for a lost galaxy that contains holiday themed planets. This also helps for accounting for different major holidays that happen around the same time. Containing planets from low difficulty to high difficulty these planets could be set to randomize upon entering unless someone else was already there after the holiday ends people would just wake up in their spaceship if they were still on the planet. October could have Halloween themed planets that get more dangerous (and scarier/cooler loot/decorations) the closer to the 31st you got to. Same thing for December at first very few (insert holiday) themes would show up but the closer to the holidays date you got the better the items/decorations. IE: Christmas stuff would be rare and a countdown would start at 12 days before with more and more stuff upon world generation. IE: December 31st New Years themes would show up and go away on January 2nd. This could be used to cover tons of holidays and could be put in slowly over a couple years to add small things to the game and not necessarily be a required feature. Gathering the items would allow you to use them anywhere all year long.
Well, candy cane ore would be awesome. Also, some other ideas: Easter eggs Christmas trees + decoration Fireworks Turkey (Thanksgiving) Hearts (valentine's day) A magic bow that makes mobs passive (valentine's day)
It would be cool if your designated home planet was affected in some way by the current holiday, like unseasonal snow near the winter holidays and invasions of christmas penguins. Perhaps egg-laying bunnies for easter and space leprechauns for st. pattys day. Having every or most planet(s) affected would be a bit of a hassle, not only for generation purposes, but also for people that really want an immersive gameplay experience.