so.. are any xmas prizes not complete junk?

The bottom line on TSTO in general: It's a fun game or I wouldn't be playing it. But there's no question that the earlier you started playing it, the better deal you got. Better prizes, more prizes, and more of it was free. As time went on and they developed a strong base of players, EA felt confident they could get more stingy with prizes and charge money for more and more items without killing off the game. It's business and economics.

That said, I think they could get a bit more creative with the prizes offered. More small in-game cash decorations as part of the Christmas event wouldn't kill their profits, or offering unique items as daily prizes rather than recycled old items.