Happy Simsmas 2021 Gift Exchange ~ Closed

@ciane: I spy with my little eye, a magical gnome! Lots of treasure!

@puzzlezaddict - I admit to needing more patience. I can see the link that is suppose to activate and just haven't yet inserted the correct item perhaps or created the perfect atmosphere. I am content that I found another way in. I like to think outside the box. :smiley:

As for changes, I am most content with the little cottage. I removed one cabinet and half wall in the kitchen to make it more open and symmetrical. I added both a shower and a litter box to the bathroom because, firstly, Serena is eco-friendly and does not like baths, and, secondly, I thought a witch would like a cat companion who could also go hunting to help pay the bills. She has a HUGE greenhouse that runs the whole length of the house with two composters in it. And, she has cluttered up the cottage with all her treasures.

https://cianesimshome.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/screenshot-35-2.jpg

I love the screenshots @ciane and @ADWilson ; it's fun to see a sim and cottage I created in other people's games. I'd like to see what you end up doing with the place too, especially since I deliberately left it kind of bare so Serena could add her own touch. The last part of the puzzle was supposed to be extra challenging, but as the note said, and as with the other steps, everything necessary is already there. If anyone wants a hint, let me know.

I personally have been playing with @MiaSkywalker 's Gracey Manor, specifically the fourth floor. I got stuck right at the beginning, for the silliest of reasons (not going to spoil it in case anyone else doesn't want a hint), but past that, my sims made great progress. The "tomb" contained an interesting story, and the reward is enough for a wealthy sim to live on for, well, pretty much forever, which I guess is the point.

The game also ran reasonably well while I was progressing, I mean there were fps drops, but not into unplayable territory, and that was with me playing on ultra at a high resolution. The only real performance hit I saw was occasionally when spinning the camera with the middle mouse button, which is not uncommon and something I can live with. I know people's systems vary widely; I'm just putting it out there that it did run well for me.

@ADWilson Thanks so much for hosting this, and thanks again for encouraging me to join. I'm very glad I did.

I could not get the last one to trigger, so I just added a door next to the door that wouldn't open. Serena got a pop-up that she completed the "cottage" quest and she can use everything okay. I'm not sure if things where supposed to be done in a certain order and the trigger wouldn't trigger because I'd already done the action earlier or if the last action was just tricky.

In my game, Serena bought a little moped while on her first adventure to get the key. And she adopted a cat. And now she has a green dragon too.
https://iamciane.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/screenshot-3.jpg

"ciane;c-18023108" wrote:
@puzzlezaddict - I sent Serena to travel for the key and later found that she didn't need to go anywhere, but I admit that I haven't figured out where the last hidden switch is to open the last door. And, Serena wasn't happy about all the cleaning. She wanted to get a broom Hilda!

Having seen your comment, I kept seeking and eventually got to the point where you are with Serena ... unless you've managed to go further @ciane

It certainly makes one think & I admit, my brain is not on full power so I'm taking a break in the hopes that inspiration will "strike".

I had no clue any Sim could ride brooms! Silly me. :p

Serena looks like she's having fun
https://adwilson1991.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/screenshot-3.jpg

@puzzlezaddict - I sent Serena to travel for the key and later found that she didn't need to go anywhere, but I admit that I haven't figured out where the last hidden switch is to open the last door. And, Serena wasn't happy about all the cleaning. She wanted to get a broom Hilda!

@Hidehi I love the picture collage! You did an amazing job of presenting all our gifts!

I used to have sims play chess together too @MiaSkywalker! I think Ackney-upon-Sherne has too many easy gardening and skilling places, so I'll play them in an EA world next. Right now I've moved onto Serena.

@ciane:
I've been reading your story of @SamelaRita's renovacy, and really enjoying it. It's fun watching how you get them from enemies to friends.

Me, I always take a shortcut; chess. Every iteration of Sims it works to develop friendships, even when Sims start off as enemies; or when, even if they don't start off enemies, they are constantly inclined to be offensive to one another. So I head them to a park, and make them play chess with each other until they like one another. Fishing works, too. Got the Capp grandpa in Sims 2 to like Romeo by having them fish together.

You did it on hard mode, so I was amazed at how quickly you managed it. I'll have to take a deeper look at that challenge when I get the chance. It looks fun!

@ciane , I'm very happy that you've enjoyed the collage. Your story is an awesome read and the accompanying pictures are fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing :)

@GraceyManor so sorry to read that you are not well. Wishing you a speedy recovery and looking very much forward to another one of you fun stories sometime :)

@Puddinroy so glad you like the picture collage. I am sure you are having a fun-tastic time checking out your gifts :)

@SamelaRita thank you! I've had a great time putting all those screenshots together and by doing so I really started itching to try the Harper's Rest Challenge too. I'm not so sure if there will be a happy ending though ... >:)

@BreeMiles thank you! It's always amazing to see all the wonderful gifts together :)

@soocoolsim thanks for popping by! This year's Gift Exchange has given us another lot of awesome toys to play with ?