Yes Mark,
Be absolutely fearless in your creative experiments. The very worst you can do is discover something that doesn't work.
Sorry to be shy of specific suggestions -- family / holiday work is a very personal thing to me. But I found some really neat free motion backgrounds, many in HD, with an internet search.
I thought of this thread when I looked at GAOTD today. I downloaded the software last time it was offered, and the creative options are many, with high quality effects and graphics. Wondershare DVD Slideshow Builder Standard