Hey Howdy Hey Elf Tapping Tappers!
Another week of Christmas in Springfield has gone by…and another opportunity for you to purchase items from Christmas past has arrived!
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. You can check out our pros and cons on other items here.
This week EA has brought back Costington’s (with Mr. Costington) & Santa Flanders for a 1 week only sale! So both Santa Flanders and Costington’s will leave the store next Friday, 12/26. Also, it’s important to note EA has added some times to other items in that store…to indicate when they’ll be expiring. EVERY item currently in the store (except Santa Flanders & Mr. Costington) will disappear at some point between now and Phase 2 starting (on 12/24). So if you’ve had your eye on something now’s your chance to get it…before it’s gone! Here’s a handy guide to help you know what’s leaving when:
| Item | Expiration Date |
| Festive Lawn Bells Lawn Bells Trash Can Fire |
December 23rd, 2014 3am EST |
| King Winter | December 24th, 2014 3am EST |
| Decorated Frink’s Lab Decorated Muntz House Decorated Krabappel Apartment Decorated Volcano Lair Santa’s Village/Santa Homer ClausCo Egg Nog Bar Santa’s Workshop |
December 24th, 2014 Noon EST |
| Costington’s/Mr. Costington Santa Flanders |
December 26th, 2014 3am EST |
So now…let’s take a look at the two latest additions to the store…and see if this Ho Ho diddly Ho Santa & Department store are worth your donuts…
Since these are returning items, 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 posts for more insight…
Character/Skin: Santa Flanders
Cost: 75 Donuts
First Introduced to TSTO: Christmas 2013
How Did You Get It Before: Prize you won
What Does it Do: Typically skin for a character. Pays at a premium rate.
Pros
-Premium skin for a freemium character. Allowing a freemium character to earn at a premium rate.
-A couple of fun outdoor tasks
Cons
-A bit pricey for just a skin
-Seasonal Costume. Once Christmas is over does he have a place in Springfield?
-No additional present earn tasks, besides Ned’s Workshop task.
Final Thought
I own Santa Flanders & love him, but I won him for free last year. Not sure if I’d be willing to spend 75 donuts to get him this year. The premium earning tasks are nice. Personally, I’d say it’s not a bad investment to make if you’re looking for a festive premium character. But if you’re looking for a character to add value to Springfield the donuts might be better spent on Moleman, SVT, Bumblebee Man, Dr. Nick, the Rich Texan etc. All who earn at a premium rate AND are a whole additional character for Springfield. (Plus Moleman and SVT have tasks at the Workshop)
Posts from last year:
WDTCF
Turbo Tappin’
Rundown
Combo: Mr. Costington/Costington’s
Cost: 110 Donuts
First Introduced to TSTO: Christmas 2013
How You Got it Before: Personal Prize you won
What Does It Do: Typical Character/Building Combo. Premium payout for Mr. Costington
Building Pay Out: $200, 22xp/8hrs.
Pros
-Premium payout on the character
-Decent Price for a Character/Building Combo
-Store adds a fun look to a downtown area of Springfield.
Cons
-Was free last year
-No real character interaction
Final Thought
I have this combo in my town from Christmas last year and personally I love Costington’s. I think it adds a great look to my Springfield & it’s a store that’s shown up in a ton of Simpsons episodes. I also think this premium combo is fairly priced. You get a nice return on Mr. Costington, since they moved him to a premium payout character & the building has a decent return on it. While there are no present earning tasks, I still think it’s a good buy.
Posts from last year
WDTCF
Turbo Tappin
Rundown
And that my friends concludes the details on these two “if you haven’t seem them they’re new to you” items.
Whatever you decide…just remember both Santa Flanders and Mr. Costington will leave the stores on 12/26…so make your decisions before they’re gone again!
Also remember…ALL the items previously in the store will be leaving before 12/24…so be sure to check with the chart so you don’t miss out!
| Item | Expiration Date |
| Festive Lawn Bells Lawn Bells Trash Can Fire |
December 23rd, 2014 3am EST |
| King Winter | December 24th, 2014 3am EST |
| Decorated Frink’s Lab Decorated Muntz House Decorated Krabappel Apartment Decorated Volcano Lair Santa’s Village/Santa Homer ClausCo Egg Nog Bar Santa’s Workshop |
December 24th, 2014 Noon EST |
| Costington’s/Mr. Costington Santa Flanders |
December 26th, 2014 3am EST |
What do YOU think of Santa Flanders & Mr. Costington? Do you have them from last year? Will you be making the purchase this year, if you don’t have them? Where do you have Costington’s in your Springfield? Sound off in the comments below, you know we LOVE hearing from you!
Its nice New Tappers get a chance at previous years Xmas Prizes, except what was freely won last time, shouldn’t cost donuts in my opinion). You nailed which one offers more then the other (as far as $ & XP earned).
I already cycled thru Level 48 once (I used the free donuts to get the flaming xmas trash can (lol). A shame Ebenezer Burns didn’t return from last year (funny skin, funny quests).
Ebenezer Burns did return, but you must have missed it. Was taken away as well as The Grumple, when Costington’s was added. 🙂
new? I meant my old account has it and have no history of doing xmas events for Mr. Costington
On my newer account I got Mr. Costington, as was able to do the Xmas quests for him, but my newer account has him and I don’t recall ever doing them. So apparently if u already got him he has no Xmas jobs at all, which kind of sucks. I dont really know why hes part of xmas though, I just had him on my old account and dont recall Christmas quests or anything of the sort. I do got Xmas flanders on all my accounts though, Thats pretty much a MUST have for this time of year.
I’d grab the Costington’s deal in a heartbeat if I wasn’t waiting for something in part two. I’ve been keeping my donuts in hopes of something better than King Winter and his cave. The Costington’s deal is pretty sweetly priced for what it is. It’s a cool shopping place for Springfield and now comes with a premium character. The only con for me on that besides being free last year is that it’s another male to Springfield. I feel like spending the extra few donuts on Lurleen, even though she’s not limited, may please me a tad more. Also not as big of a building too. I’d say if you have the spare donuts, want sweet deal and have the space then go for it! For me it’s the best deal that has been offered this Christmas.
Does Costington’s add to the conform-o-meter?
Consumerism +10
I purchased it.. It looks magnificent in my town
Does Costingtons add to consumerism rating
Consumerism +10
But When or where you get or to buy the Ski Lift/Stupid Sexy Flanders quest line?
When EA releases it into the game. 😉
There also Zutroy to come from ea. I hope they both come some time in the next phase II the Xmas event. I have read from one fan site, both of them are in the files, but ea decided for now to drop them from event. But there other fan sites say there still part of event. I am confused. I guest ea does not want my money!
http://tstoaddicts.com/2014/12/20/santa-daily-tasks-elf-tunnels-tunnels-19/
FYI…just because it is in the files, does not mean anything. 😉
The ski lift is now available in my town, but there has been no mention in the Winter 2014 update, and im always checking the “should I buy?” for the ski lift. Is there an update coming soon?
Bare with us. I have been solo on both our sites for a few days now. So…just me. Info IS coming. Just sit tight.
The Costington set shouldn’t be limited-time IMO, because it’s not particularly holiday-themed. I hate having to make decisions under time pressure like that! 😠
i’m getting them this year miss out last year “i was out snowplowing”
So pleased to get Costingtons, been so envious seeing it in friend’s towns. Hit buy without a second thought. Santa Flanders is a missed though at that donut cost 😞
Is Mr. Costington voiced?
He VERY quietly grumbles.
I was considering getting Santa Flanders; but thanks to your post I’ll save my donuts/$ until the next event/until more premium items come out this event.
Thanks Alissa!
Should I buy Lurleen and the Beer n brawl? Love tstoaddicts! Really informative and I appreciate all the hard work you put into it.
Should I buy coming up on it. I am liking it so far. 😉
Costington is a cool building in my Capital City district and the character makes good money even though he only has one outdoor activity which is just him walking around. Santa Flanders is awesome, honostly I’ve not been sending him to the workshop, I just have him on a constant 4 hour loop of delivering gifts. ^_^
Is the raccoon returning
Dont know. Have to wait and see.
I didn’t even know they’d added these to the store! I wonder why the “NEW!” flag doesn’t show up on the menu icons anymore… Hmmm…
Anyway, thanks for the info. I’m pretty sure I’ll get Costingtons since it’s a Consumerism building and comes with a characters. I’m on the fence about Santa Ned. I’ve already got a premium skin for him …. Hmmmm x2…
I agree, its a shame they’ve not seen fit to publicize these by way of a ‘new’ marker, or something to let you know they’re there!
Santa Flanders would add to my town’s festive-ness…but I’m more of a Halloween person and will probably switch back to Devil Flanders after this event.
Costington’s, though…I may have to cave and get it. 🙂
Same here. I got Costington’s right away. Fairly priced & the building adds to Consumerism. I love Halloween, so Devil Flanders is my choice for a premium skin for him. I have used his one hr task this Christmas once or twice I confess. 😈 Still plenty of time to decide I guess.