The Christmas Challenge

It was the first day of Winter, and almost overnight there was snow on the ground. Any idea that Elfie had of fishing or growing produce was squelched. The water in the lakes and rivers had frozen, and it was too cold to plant. So, those few items he had saved to plant on his lot to sell the harvest in Henford-on-Bagley wasn't going to work. But, at least he could still find those rocks and crystals under the snow. Elfie was sure that pretty soon he would have enough simoleons to buy the bakery.

https://i.postimg.cc/PJZhwR9t/cant-plant-any-produce.png

Elfie spent the morning gathering whatever he could find and then headed back to the library. While he was there, another librarian told him that Darsh was out speaking with the local businesses, but told Elfie that they had just received some new festive cookbooks. Ooh! Elfie wanted to see it right away!

https://i.postimg.cc/tJZqqTpm/reading-a-cooking-book-elfie.png

Elfie then spent the rest of the day collecting, and even came upon an interesting tree.

https://i.postimg.cc/nhK65crx/elfie-found-an-interesting-tee-in-willow-creek.png

After watering and talking to the tree, a secret door opened and Elfie stepped inside. Following a pathway and going through some mist, he arrived at a clearing. When he looked around, everything seemed to glow pink, and there was grass growing and the pond wasn't frozen.

https://i.postimg.cc/9QJr22N3/where-as-he.png

He had heard about this place from some of the other elves, but he never knew that it existed in Willow Creek! This was Sylvan Glade, the magical land of the woodland fairies! And as if to affirm that he was right, a fairy flew by right in front of him.

https://i.postimg.cc/4NHKpjdV/the-land-of-the-fairies.png

Elfie shouted, "Sul Sul fairies! You live in a beautiful place. Do you mind if I look around?"

There was no answer so Elfie wandered the glade and also stopped to do some fishing.

https://i.postimg.cc/4dJ7t12c/elfie-catches-his-first-fish.png

After catching 5 fish, Elfie thought that was enough for today.

https://i.postimg.cc/vTCZP7h3/he-waas-in-the-land-of-the-fairies.png

Elfie: "Fairies, if you can hear me, I've heard you like shiny things, so I am leaving you a gift of this crystal. I only ask a small favor. You see Father Winter needs your help. So, if you could use your fairy magic to help the sims in Willow Creek have more winterfest cheer, it would really make him happy. Thank you again for letting me fish here today."

And with that, Elfie headed back to the tree and left Sylvan Glade.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next morning, Elfie made a trip to Henford-on-Bagley and sold some more items. He now had enough simoleons to purchase the bakery. He was rather excited and called the number on the sign right away.

https://i.postimg.cc/c48bP7Tw/HOLIDAY-BAKERY-PURCHASE.png

While he was in Henford-on-Bagley, he decided to visit Sara at the Gnomes' Arms Pub. And when he entered, he met a very pleasant sim from Brindleton Bay, whose name was Brent Hecking. Brent told Elfie that Elfie's friend Darsh, had visited him at Municipal Muses Museum yesterday and spoke with the staff about holding a fundraiser for the Winterfest Festival. Brent was a painter who worked there. After Darsh had left, Brent and several other staff members, had a wonderful idea! They would hold a Saturday Art Session at the museum, and then hold a silent auction afterwards. All proceeds from the paintings would then be donated to the Winterfest Festival.

https://i.postimg.cc/9XtNtX8H/ive-been-talking-to-alice-spencer-about-hosting-a-paiting-day-at-the-museum.png

Brent: "We're calling it Playing With Paint, and thought it would be fun to have the high school students participate. Volunteering in the community is one of their graduation requirements. Plus, they have an art program! We want it to be fun, and what better way to do so, than to paint some playful paintings and sell them for a good cause?"

https://i.postimg.cc/CL2CbWgV/why-dont-you-come-down-elfie.png

Elfie was overjoyed when he heard about it, and said that he would be there, and would also invite some of his friends.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was late as Elfie headed towards the library, and he saw his friend, Denis Kim, working in an open-air food stall. Elfie talked to Denis for awhile and Denis again thanked him for helping his family the other day.

Denis: "Elfie, I was just about to close for the day, and have some hot cocoa left. You look like you could use some warming up. Here...this is on me, " he said as he handed Elfie the drink.

https://i.postimg.cc/9F5Wyy2L/got-a-free-drink.png

What a nice surprise! And then Elfie had an idea.

Elfie: "Denis, you are such a kind sim, how would you like to help me in my bakery? I just bought the bakery down the street and I am going to make lots of sugary treats and sell them to raise simoleons for the Winterfest Festival."

Denis looked at Elfie: "You would give all your simoleons to the Winterfest Festival? That's quite admirable, Elfie."

Elfie then explained that the Winterfest Festival would make a lot of sims happy, and that is what Elfie wanted to do.

Denis: "Ah yes, spread the Winterfest cheer. It's something that Willow Creek needs. Well, Elfie, I do know a thing or two about bakeries. And it's not really any fun standing out in the cold all day at this food stall," he said.

Elfie leaned closer, "And..." he whispered, "I have a secret sugar cookie recipe that I know will be very popular...!" he said excitedly.

Denis laughed, "Really? A secret recipe? Well, Elfie, that did it. I'd do anything for a sugar cookie. It's a deal!"

Elfie clapped his hands together, and they started talking about what ingredients they needed to buy and what kinds of baked goods they would make. Elfie was so excited and couldn't wait until they opened tomorrow!

https://i.postimg.cc/mkMB0gY3/chatting-with-denis-kim.png

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

https://i.postimg.cc/RVZWbjqW/READY-TO-START-THEIR-BAKERY.png

The next day, Denis and Elfie met in front of the bakery. Denis had brought Elfie an apron to wear, and had, himself, donned a red hat. They looked like quite the team. Denis surveyed the store, and went right to work cleaning and scrubbing and getting everything ready.

https://i.postimg.cc/MGZYpspN/HARDWORKING-DENIS-KIM.png

And while Elfie made a white cake, Denis got started on some vanilla cupcakes on the cupcake machine. The aroma from the baked goods smelled warm and sweet. Denis called it "bakery air" and it was what would draw sims to the store.

https://i.postimg.cc/G2F3gjk3/ELFIE-BAKES-A-CAKE-AND-DENIS-COOKS-CIPCAKES.png

They were ready to open, and Elfie had also displayed some of the small sculptures he had found near the cash register and set them for sale, too.

https://i.postimg.cc/RZJWQKbh/FIRST-CUSTOMER.png

Almost immediately, Elfie's friend, Jace Laurent, (son of the Winterfest Festival Event Planner, Hector Laurent) came to see what they were selling and soon they had their first sale of one of the little statues.

https://i.postimg.cc/yxnLPwxm/THE-FIRST-SALE.png

https://i.postimg.cc/Gpcc2djj/purchase-from-jace.png

Denis decided that they needed some "curb appeal" to draw in more customers, but since all their funds were being used for baked goods, he decided to make a snowpal for free.

https://i.postimg.cc/BbCVzjY1/DENIS-SNOWPAL.png

In fact, Denis made another snowpal and so did Elfie. Business seemed to perk up after that.

https://i.postimg.cc/7hLr4vC6/THE-SNOWPAL-EKFIE-MADE.png

Throughout the day, more sims came and bought items. and Elfie's friend, Jeb Harris, was the last sale of the day.

https://i.postimg.cc/W3wsj6X9/TRYING-TO-GET-THOSE-LAST-SALES-IN.png

At the end of a very long first day, Denis counted the till and proclaimed that they had earned $896 simoleons! What a great first day!

https://i.postimg.cc/9FzLjXfT/SOLD-5-STATUES-AT-100-PERCENT-MARKUP.png

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Notes:

The bakery is one I made out of roof pieces, with a lot of default items, including an outhouse from Jungle Adventures. Just the basics of a fridge, stove, counter, cupcake machine, cash register and the homely "used" display counter. I later added a sink and indoor/outdoor garbage cans. I placed it on the 20 x 15 Creek Cabana lot in Willow Creek.

https://i.postimg.cc/8PNd412M/cheap-bakery-photo-credit.png

The bakery is set at the maximum of 100% mark-up. All 5 of the MySims trophies were sold, netting $896 simoleons. (5 points)

I temporarily moved Denis Kim in with Elfie. Denis is a great worker. He has the neat trait and autonomously cleans the bakery. He also autonomously made those snowpals.