Nope, no special Holiday offers.. The offers they do have for existing customers tend to change every month or so..
Yes, they still charge an HD fee.
Your friend was offered the receivers for free. The 19.95 was a shipping and handling fee that they're not supposed to credit. I'm just guessing, but I think he was offered a Free HD-DVR, Free HD-Receiver, Free Whole Home and Free Install (which includes the Dish, cables and any hardware). The Cost without the offer would have been:
HD-DVR: 199.99
HD Receiver: 99.99
Whole Home: I ferget.. it's more than you think
Install: 49.99
The whole enchilada usually works out to about 350-400 bucks. If that was the offer he got, he prolly should have taken it.. It's the best one they currently have going for existing customers ).