Hey Howdy Hey Tappers!
The snow in Springfield is falling and friends are calling…oh wait. Anyway, the snow is Springfield is falling and the store is full of premium items from Christmas past! It’s like 2 of Ebeneezer’s 3 ghosts are visiting us, as we’ve got premium items of Christmas past & Christmas present in our stores.
As with Christmases past (and other events) EA has decided to make old items new again, and give players who might have missed out on something a second chance to get it. Of course that second chance doesn’t come with out a price, as many of the returning items are premium.
Recently EA brought back several items from 2013 and 2012 for phase 1 of Christmas, Santa’s Village, Christmas Frink’s Lab, Christmas Krabappel’s Apartment, Christmas Muntz House, Christmas Volcano Lair, Clasu Co., Egg Nog Bar, Santa’s Workshop..and just added today (12/12) The Grumple and Ebenzer Burns. Now many of you are curious if any of these items are worth your hard earned donuts, and we’ve broken a lot of these down for the previous events…however we decided it’d be great to give them another look in a Christmas Should I Buy reboot post!
So now let’s take a look and see if these items are worth YOUR donuts!
This will run a little different than our typical Should I Buy posts. Basically I’ll give you a quick overview, some pros and cons & my opinion on it now…but I’ll also link you to the previous Should I Buy for more insight…
Let’s get started with…the Buildings Decorated for Christmas
Decorations: Decorated Frink’s Lab, Decorated Muntz House, Decorated Volcano Lair & Decorated Krabappel Apartment
Cost: 10 Donuts Each
First Introduced to TSTO: Christmas 2012
How Did You Get it Before: Premium/Won
What Does it Do: Christmas decorations for buildings in Springfield.
Pros
-Give a festive look to these buildings, I love the volcano Lair one & the hat at Frink’s Lab.
-Inexpensive
Cons
-Just festive skins for your buildings. No additional tasks/bonus unlocks with them
-In Christmases past they were free…or could be won.
Final Thought
Personally some of these are worth the donuts if you have them. I own all of them, and I either purchased or won them, and I love them. But I love Christmas, so to me the more decorations the better! So if you’re someone not sure if you want to part with your donuts for just a “skin” for your buildings…you might want to hold off. You’ll still get plenty of other decorations from the Elf Tunnel!
Combo: Santa’s Village/Santa Homer
Cost: 80 Donuts
First Introduced to TSTO: Christmas 2012
How Did You Get it Before: Premium
What Does it Do: Typical Skin/building Combo
Pros
-Comes with Santa Homer, another skin for Homer
-The Village will earn you $300 & 30xp every 24hours
-Many great outside tasks, including Homer Flying Santa’s Sleigh around your town (ala Arnie Pye & his helicopter)
-Reduced price! Last year it was 200 donuts! (hey EA…can I get my 120 donuts back?!)
Cons
-No Additional Quests with it
-A Skin for Homer. So you’ll need Homer free to use it
-No Present earning tasks
-Only Homer has 1 task with the Village & it’s not animated.
Final Thought
I own this combo. I purchased it last year and love having the Village in my Christmas area. I also love making Homer fly! At the reduced rate it’s a great buy. But it does require Homer to be used & it won’t earn you any more presents. So if you don’t have the ability to use Homer & don’t plan on using the Village after Christmas…this may be something you want to pass on.
Post from Last Year (includes Santa Homer’s tasks)
Building: Claus Co
Cost: 90 Donuts
First Introduced to TSTO: Christmas 2013
How Did You Get it Before: Wheel Prize
What Does it Do: Building for Springfield. Earns $300, 30xp/ 12hrs.
Pros
-Pays out at a decent rate
-Awesome looking Skyscraper for Springfield
-A Wheel Prize from last year…so if you missed out now’s your chance.
-Animated ticker at the top
Cons
-Was essentially free last year
-No Character interaction with it.
-Expensive for a building
Final Thought
I own it and LOVE it! This is easily one of my favorite buildings in Springfield…BUT I got it for free last year on the Wheel. While I love the building, I don’t think it’s worth 90 donuts. So, unless you’ve got excess donuts to burn…this might be one you want to pass on.
Previous Posts:
WDTCF
Building: Egg Nog Bar
Cost: 60 Donuts
First Introduced to TSTO: Christmas 2013
How Did You Get it Before: Christmas Prize (2nd Prize Won)
What Does it Do: Building for Springfield. Earns $105, 11xp/ 3hrs.
Pros
-Pays out at a decent rate
-Unique Bar for Springfield
Cons
-Was free last year
-No character interaction
Final Thought
I own it and it’s ok. It sits in my Springfield by the strip clubs. See if you can get my line of thinking there….
Personally, if I didn’t already get it for free…I wouldn’t pay the 60 donuts for it. I just don’t think it’s worth it for what it is/does. It’s also barely from the show. It made a quick blip appearance in 1 episode and that was it. Last year it served a purpose, it gave out coins each day for the Holiday Wheel. This year…it just doesn’t seem worth the donut investment.
Previous Posts:
WDTCF
Prize Rundown
Building: Santa’s Workshop
Cost: 70 Donuts
First Introduced to TSTO: Christmas 2013
How Did You Get it Before: Community Prize
What Does it Do: Building for Springfield. Earns $135, 15xp/4hrs
Pros
-Looks cool in a Christmas area
-From last Christmas, so if you missed it last year (only if you didn’t play last year…since it was a community prize EVERYONE should have it that played last Christmas) now is your chance to get it
Cons
-Was free last year
-No character interaction
Final Thought
I own it and it’s ok. It’s in my Christmas Village & looks great there….BUT if I didn’t already get it for free…I wouldn’t pay the 70 donuts for it. I just don’t think it’s worth it for what it is/does.
Previous Posts:
Rundown/WDTCF Combo
Character: The Grumple
Cost: 120 Donuts
First Introduced to TSTO: Christmas 2013
How Did You Get it Before: Premium
What Does it Do: Full character for Springfield. Comes with a full set of tasks.
Pros
-Is a permanent Character to your town
-Comes with 5 money/XP making tasks
-Comes with a GREAT back story and quest line
-Adds to the Holiday Decorations
Cons
-A Holiday Character
-Pricey for not including a building
Final Thought
I have him & I love him. He makes me giggle every time I see him! Especially when he does the “Fight Homer” Task! Finally, a character that’s returning that cost exactly the same as it did the year prior. So there’s in inflation or free to premium issue going on. Basically…if you want the Grumple and you think he’ll make a nice addition to your Springfield pick him up! 🙂
Previous Posts:
Should I Buy (Including Tasks)
Walkthrough
Whatever you decide on the Grumple…just remember he will be LEAVING Springfield (for purchase) in 1 week…so on 12/19. So decide quickly!
Character (Skin): Ebenezer Burns
Cost: 50 Donuts
First Introduced to TSTO: Christmas 2013
How Did You Get it Before: Community Prize
What Does it Do: Skin for Mr. Burns. Comes with a full set of tasks.
Pros
-Has a great outdoor animation (Money fight)
-Fairly inexpensive, compared to other returning items
Cons
-Was previously free (for EVERYONE) as a community prize.
-Skin for Mr. Burns. So you have to have Mr. Burns free in order to use him
Final Thought
I have him & I love him. But I’ll be honest…I haven’t used him since I got him last Christmas. While I think his at a fair price, you might be better off spending your donuts elsewhere…unless of course you REALLY want this skin for Mr. Burns.
Previous Posts:
Community Prize Rundown
Whatever you decide on the Ebenezer Burns…just remember he will be LEAVING Springfield (for purchase) in 1 week…so on 12/19. So decide quickly!
Decorations: Festive Trashcan Fire
Cost: 3 Donuts
First Introduced to TSTO: Christmas 2013
How Did You Get it Before: Premium
What Does it Do: Christmas decorations for Springfield.
Final Thought
Decorations are really a personal choice. If you like it and want to spend the donuts…go for it. It’s only 3. I’ve got a few in my Springfield.
Post from last year:
Should I Buy
Whatever you decide on the Trashcan Fire..just remember it’s leaving Springfield (to buy) in 11 days (so on 12/23). So make your decision before time runs out!
So that sums up all of the…”if you haven’t seen them, they’re new to you” premium items!
Remember…everything is marked Limited-Time. We can only assume certain buildings will be disappearing when Phase 1 is over (on 12.24) but we don’t know for sure. What we DO know for sure is that the Grumple and Ebenezer Burns will leave our games on 12/19 and the Festive Trashcan Fire (along with the other cash items) will leave our games on 12/23…so make your purchases before time runs out!
What do YOU think of the items? Have you purchased any? Have some from previous Christmas? Any advice on what to buy for TSTO Noobs? Sound off in the comments below, you know we LOVE hearing from you!
Will there be new premium items for this event on Xmas day/past Xmas ?
Thanks so much Bunny! I am glad I only paid 80 for Santa’s workshop and Santa Homer!!
Gotta wait and see what gifts EA drops this year. 😉
I think I may buy the Santa Homer I’m still a bit on the fence since I’m a freemium player and am trying to keep the donuts I have for the day they hopefully bring back Brandine or Shauna.
I’m at the same boat as you. But after reading everyone’s comment I just feel it’s a great buy. Homer Santa looks amazing and I don’t care if my town looks odd for having it around all year round.
Does anyone know if Santa will have a 24 hour task during and/or after the event?
-3MJB
Thanks!
We will see come Christmas. 😉
Okay, thanks!
I got the flying Santa Homer and that was a great choice. I got several trash can fires for my peeps who are doing outdoor jobs. The price is right on those! This has been a fun event–something new every day. Really hoping we get some reindeer closer to Christmas! And the abominable snowman. 😀
I really want those reindeer, but it doesn’t look like they will be released this year. Looking forward to stupid sexy Flanders!
Ooh me too. I would love a small herd of reindeer! I’m envious every time I see them in a neighbors town. And stupid sexy Flanders (so stupidly sexy!) ..although I do wish they’d add a dual task for Nedna….
Any hope for Mapple store? also Louis has prob figured out that Ebenezer has two great outdoor jobs — Curse holiday spirit and money fight!
Not yet. Ebenezer’s 4th task on his quest was to build some sort of weapon, so back he went inside of the nuclear plant for another 12 hours. I may see his first outdoor task tomorrow I hope, two days after purchasing the skin.
I’m all with you about the Mapple Store. That’s been on the top of my list for returning items since I started playing last March. I’ve all but given up hope on it. We shall see what other things EA brings back in this event. Cheers!
I bought Ebenezer Burns yesterday and I’m having a little buyer’s remorse now because I’m on his 3rd task of the quest that comes with the skin and so far every job has been an indoors one, all at the nuclear plant. So I’ve hardly seen him in the new skin. I’ll be patient, I know he has at least one outdoor task.
I want to get the Santa Village and Santa Homer only for the fact that I’ll get to have Homer riding a sleigh. But it’s my understanding that this is a 24 hour task and I’m worried that I’ll need Homer for an upcoming tunnel job to complete. So I’ve been holding off getting it. Also I would have the village in storage for 11 months out of the year, so I’m still not sure it is worth the 80 donuts, definitely would pass on it if it were still at its 200 donut price.
Grumple is a possibility, but wish it were cheaper as once again, I may keep it in storage for most of the year except for the holiday season.
I got the holiday lights for Frink’s Lab and the Volcano Lair. I can understand EA making them premium for premium buildings, but I’ll pass on the other two which I feel should had instead been tunnel prizes (beats the festival bells from yesterday) or sold for freemium cash.
In the tv springfield I remember seeing that the Santa’s Village is canon and open all year, so you shoudlnt store it past christmas
Oh? It’s open all year? Hmm… That’s interesting to know. Thanks. Maybe I’ll keep it up all year then. I still have to get it though.
One detail not mentioned here about the Ebeneezer Burns skin is that as of this year’s event, his tasks now earn a premium (50% extra) rate. Back when it was the free community-earned skin, it was normal rate for his tasks.
I bought all the building decorations (Ist Xmas event), only disappointment was Krabappel’s apt. bldg., 2 festive fires for Willie’s shack and my sad Retirement Castle, and now the Ebenezer Scrooge skin. I want Santa’s village just for Homer driving Santas sleigh but need more donuts. Any word if there’s a Xmas Gil deal coming up?
Nothing we are aware of.
I’m still holding out for Gil… Please come back Gil!
That grumple is kind of expensive for my liking..
Maybe if after the event Santa stays as a character with tasks (like number 1 for the stonecutters) then EA could give him a few permanent tasks in both Claus Co and the Egg Nog bar and maybe even santas workshop thing!
I love Ebenezer Burns. His tasks earn the premium rate. Maybe that’s just for Xmas. The money fight is one of my favorite tasks.
Indeed, while it might not be as fair for friends who are just starting out in the game, it is always nice when EA says “Thank you for playing this game for 2 years *poof* these character now earn more for you… Please give us your money”
I’ve passed on everything so far, I’m holding out for something that I really want.
what is that?
I used to be more of a completist but find I’m much more choosy now. I didn’t even consider the new building/character combo (the King Winter troll thing and cave) way too expensive. I have most of the returning items except Grumple and while I’m considering it I think I’ll still pass. For the returning items I think the Santas place/Santa Homer is worth it (way more so than the price we payed previously) the animations are pretty cool. Hoping phase two provides some decent winnable items because I’ve been a little underwhelmed so far.
I was a 100% completionist until that muthafrackin’ Easter event. I actually almost quit TSTO altogether because of that one. I was locked out for a couple weeks and couldn’t get most of the good items 😱
Now EA gets none of my money because of that disaster and the fact they didn’t do any type of reimbursement program for their paying customers… so, I am now 100% freemium on this game (I did have some leftover donuts so I did a couple premium purchases after my boycott started though lol)
I’ve moved the Egg Nog Bar several times over the last year, trying to find somewhere it fits. I finally hit the right solution at Halloween — cover the front with a fence and make it into a projection booth for the drive-in.
How creative! 👏
I just love reading about, and seeing, all the clever things people do with their towns. For example, I’m always impressed by the “3-D” effects that some folks create in their towns, creating “steps” and making stuff look like it’s on an elevated surface. I may play around with something like that at some point, but it takes a lot of space and resources to pull it off, and I’m not really there yet.
I want the Grumple…. Don’t have the donuts…. Sigh 😐
I hate the ClausCo building, especially when I see it in other people’s Springfields, because it’s often placed somewhere in the middle and ends up covering roads, other buildings, etc. If your going to get it, put it on the edge of your Springfield where it doesn’t cover anything.
I don’t have enough for anything… I spent it all at Halloween. However, I have Krabbapple decorations, Ebenezer, Egg Nog Bar, and Santa’s Workshop, so I feel good there. I basically have Burns dressed up the whole event, which I think is great. But Mr. Plow isn’t out because I need Homer… my only Christmas outfits.
I had to buy Claus Co. Last year I didn’t get it even though I had about 4000 spins on the wheel. It always found a way to stick it to me. Am I proud that I had to donut purchase it? No, but it’s mine now. This is why I love the broken wheel prize they gave us this year.
If you’re going to buy anything, buy Santa Homer. It’s cheap with has a great look and Santa Homer has my new favorite tasks, get stuck in the chimney and fly around in his sleigh.
I’m disappointed we haven’t gotten anything really cool this year… I wasnt playing last year at Christmas so all I’ve gotten are the skins for the houses. I am glad I got those, because I do love Christmas decorations, but I’m hoping we get some buildings this year too! This year seems like a bit of a let down compared to what you guys got last year.
Keep in mind that the event isn’t over… There are still some prizes left in Part 1 and Part 2 doesn’t even start until after Christmas (or after the 23rd?). So I’m still hopeful for some cool stuff to come. (I also think the Toy Factory works as a year-round building and I assume it will earn $$ after the event is over, so that’s at least one free building prize so far.)
Just bought Santas Village/Santa Homer and love it, especially Homer flying Santas sleigh and getting stuck in the chimney. It’s a bargain at 80 donuts. Not so sure about Claus co. Its a great building but I’d like to send characters there on tasks, disappointed that it doesn’t earn presents. I have Santas workshop from 2013. It’s nice but it only earns cash. I would really like all Christmas related items to be earning presents. I have loads of cash (wish it was real) but there’s nothing I want to buy with it and there aren’t many things that I don’t have anyway.
Love this site!!. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for all the info!
I bought Santa’s Village/Santa Homer – wanted Flying Homer ever since I saw him in one of my neighbor’s towns months back. With the reduced price, I didn’t have to think twice.
Two notes: it does come with a questline and (maybe more importantly) the payout from the tasks is no longer +50% for a premium character, but stays the same as a normal character. Guess the price reduction has to come from somewhere…. LOL
Love it nevertheless <3
Did Santa Homer (a la Santa’s Village) have premium payouts for his tasks last year?
I don’t think so.
Was the toy factory there last Christmas, or is that a new building for this one? I’m trying to think of what we noobs have gotten this year that next year’s noobs will envy us for getting them free. I don’t think the float is going to do it and not sure about Frosty the Hitman either. They don’t seem to be on a par with the two buildings (Clausco and Eggnog Bar) that you guys got last year. OTOH, this event isn’t over yet, so who knows what goodies we still have in store for us!
The Toy Workshop was new for this year.
I love what it says if you tap the information icon for Ebenezer Burns in the store!
What does it say? I already have him so he’s not in my store.
Here’s my thoughts
FACADES – no, because they were free and personally I don’t use then the rest of the year.
SANTAS VILLAGE – yes, while not having him the 120 donut discount is a great deal and apparently he has some nice animations.
CLAUS CO – I got It last year. However, I think this is a pass because it comes without a character, is big (blocks other things), has no tasks and no animations.
EGG NOG BAR – Again, i got it last year and like Claus co, it has no tasks associated, no animation, no character and is hardly from the show.
SANTAS WORKSHOP – Also got this last year and I don’t really like it (even for free), I found it hard to fit in and a bit wierd looking to be honest.
THE GRUMPLE – I bought him last year and really like his tasks. Although quite pricey as other stand alone characters price in at 60 to 90 ish donuts with only a few being higher (Sherri and Terri) or the same (Jimbo).
EBENEZER BURNS – I got this skin last year and find it even fits in out of season (autumn aswell) but bearing in mind that it was free and that there were other free skins for burns (U.B.O, Fruitbat man, Count burns and Number 29) I don’t think i could justify spending 50 donuts on another costume for him.
FESTIVE TRASHCAN FIRE- Bought one last year to place next to my Helter Shelter but after Christmas it looks out of place and is very small but also cheap. Maybe buy a couple but not too many.
😉
Fruit Bat man was premium when it came out
I love the Ebenezer Burns skin. I wouldn’t pay 50 donuts for it, but it was a great prize in last year’s event. I’ve had him out cursing the holiday spirit ever since the snow hit my Springfield this year. 🙂
Quick question: does he now earn at a premium rate?
It does earn at the higher rate.
Is he still going to earn at a premium rate after the event?
Honestly not sure. My guess is he’ll stay where he’s at.
As far as i can tell, once EA moves a character to premium, unless they are bone tossed to players (Kang) they will always remain Premium.
… likewise once a character has been labeled as “premium” It does not revert to a regular pay out
I LOVE the trashcan fire! It would be really awesome if the ribbons and bows would disapear after the holidays, because they make my crackton.