Google introduced a new feature at the end of October that allows U.S. merchants to create and to run their own Google Checkout promotions. Merchants fund the discount offer themselves, which are deducted from daily merchant disbursements. In addition, merchants were able to participate in a special Google Checkout Holiday promotion if they signed up by November 24.

Google changes the standard Google Checkout button on participants' websites to the special promotional Checkout button that features an orange starburst labeled with the promotion discount. When the minimum cart requirement is met, the discount automatically appears for buyers when they shop with Google Checkout. For AdWords advertisers, Google changes the standard Checkout badge that appears on Google.com AdWords ads to a new badge that features the promotion discount.

Merchants who participated in the Google Checkout Holiday promotion, which is running from November 24 through December 17, 2009, have their items featured on the Google Checkout special holiday page at Google.com/checkout/deals.html (link).

Large well known retailers were featured on the Google holiday promotion page, but sellers of unique items were also to be found, such as the seller offering this item - a vintage Mickey Mouse Club game from "Comicvolcano" at eCrater.com (link).

While it's too late to participate in the holiday promotion running through December 17th, merchants can create their own promotions, at any time - more information is available on this Google Checkout blog post.