Abuela Crimbo's Cottage

Crimbo 2023

Abuela's Cottage appeared in Crimbo Town during Crimbo 2023.

Starting December 15, 2023:

• First visit each day:

Abuela's Cottage (Elf Control):

"Good to see you again, <Playername>," Abuela says, nodding. "I just got a fresh batch of cookies out of the oven, help yourself to one. Mind you don't burn your fingers."

You acquire an effect: Abuela's Army (duration: 100 Adventures)

Abuela's Cottage (Pirate Control):

Abuela Crimbo clears her throat. "Ahoy, matey. Have ye been a good little swabbie this year? Yo ho ho. Arrr." She pats you on the head, and you feel a little of her Crimbo magic.

"That was weird, Abuela," you say. She shrugs and refills her pipe.

You acquire an effect: Abuela's Navy (duration: 100 Adventures)

• Subsequent visits on the same day:

Abuela looks too busy to bother her again.

During phases when Abuela's Cottage is a combat zone, it's replaced by Abuela's Cottage (Contested), and neither buff is available.

Crimbo 2022

Abuela Crimbo's Cottage appeared in Crimbo Town during Crimbo 2022.

Starting December 14, 2022:

• First visit:

You peek in the door to Abuela Crimbo's cabin, and find Abuela standing over a large table with a model railroad laid out on it. Tammy is at the other side of the table, standing on a stack of old phone books, watching the little train circle the table with a worried expression. (Tammy is the one with the worried expression, not the train. The train does not have a face, thank god. Or maybe it does, I haven't seen the art, but hopefully it does not.)

For any of you who might be new: Abuela Crimbo is a granny of the burly, kindly but no-nonsense, corncob pipe variety, who has been the mythological being in charge of Crimbo ever since a frankly ridiculous and over-elaborate string of events removed Uncle Crimbo from the universe some years ago; Tammy is her administrative assistant -- a small blond elf who used to be mainly in charge of waving a tambourine around excitedly. She still has the tambourine, but appears to have modified it into a clipboard.

"<playername>!" Tammy hops down from her stack of phone books and runs over to give you a hug. "I'm so glad you're here! We've got a real problem!"

"Ah jeez. We're right into it, huh?" you ask. "No slow build-up this time?"

"Not this time, kiddo," Abuela says, tapping her pipe into an ashtray and refilling it. "Come have a look at this."

You step over to the table and help Tammy back up onto her phone books. The model train layout is a pretty accurate replica of Crimbo Town, with the circular train track around it that you, presumably, noticed on your way here. "Is something wrong with the train?" you ask. "That seems like the main new thing around here."

"That's real genre-savvy of you, good job," Abuela says. "We built the Crimbo Train both for transporting elves around the different parts of Crimbo Town, and for automating deliveries to and from the factories and so forth. But wouldn't you know it, the dang robots have gone haywire. They've locked the train down, and all the elves that were on it are trapped. They're been stuck on there for weeks, and it only takes forty-eight hours without candy before those little fellas resort to canniba--"

"One second," you say. "These Crimbo Train robots -- they don't have synthetic human skin and dead-eyed expressions and voices like Tom Hanks, do they?"

"Good gracious, no!" Tammy exclaims. "That would be horrible!"

"Yeah, no, I'd never stand for that," Abuela scowls. "These are real regular-style robots."

"Okay, whew, in that case I'm in," you say. "Is there a plan? How am I even going to get onboard a speeding train?"

"That's actually the easy part!" Tammy says, shaking her tambourine, for emphasis on how easy it is, I guess. "The train has one of those old-fashioned hooks that automatically snags any mail bags that are hung out at each station. So we just have to disguise you as a mail bag!"

"...Do I actually need a disguise? Can't I just grab the arm as the train goes past?"

"Well, yes... I guess that would work..." Tammy gets the downcast expression of someone who was really excited about making you a mail bag costume, but you give her a pat on the head and she brightens up.

Abuela draws grimly on her pipe. "Like Tammy said, though, that's the easy part. Once you're on board, you'll have to fight your way from the caboose to the engine. The carriage doors will probably be locked -- fortunately, we've managed to get in touch with some hacker elves that are on the train--"

"I waved a big sign at them as the train went past!" Tammy says.

"--and they're working on figuring out the door codes. In the meantime, you'll be fighting robots. Unfortunately, that train is a real tight ship, so to speak. Most of your adventurer tricks aren't gonna work."

"My 'adventurer tricks'?"

"Banishing, sneaking, loot drop bonuses -- that sort of thing."

"Ah. Nuts."

"Don't worry!" Tammy says, rattling her tambourine again. "We're gonna make some fancy equipment to help you! Just, y'know, it might take some time."

"Okay. Well, guess I'd better get to it, then," you say.

Abuela nods. "Right. We'll get started on things here. Good luck, kiddo."

New Area Unlocked

Crimbo Train (Caboose), in Crimbo Town.

• Subsequent visits:

Abuela Crimbo is busy <random task>, while Tammy <random task>.

• Abuela's tasks include:
  • baking gingerbread men with little train conductor hats
  • cleaning her corncob pipe with one of those fuzzy wire arts and crafts things
  • examining train blueprints
  • reading train engineer manuals
  • scowling at a robot warranty card
  • welding together some scrap metal
• Tammy's tasks include:
  • loads Ferrero Rochers into a huge shotgun
  • mixes some red and green fluids in an elaborate chemistry set.
  • paints some little elf figurines for the train set
  • snores cutely under an old railway timetable
  • tunes the bells on her tambourine with a tiny mallet
  • whittles a candycane into a little train whistle, "toot-toot!"

Starting December 16, 2022:

You knock on Abuela Crimbo's door and poke your head in. "Any news?"

Abuela nods. "Yep. Not sure if the train's running out of coal, or if they're just lightening their load, or what, but a bunch of burning paper blew out of the train's smokestack this morning. Tammy collected a bunch of it, turned out to be training manuals. Guess there were a few cases of them onboard."

"Training manuals?"

"Yeah, you know!" Tammy pipes up. "When you do something on a train, that's training, right? Manuals for that."

"Couldn't get enough pages to compile a whole copy," Abuela says, "but we got a chapter of it, at least. Might come in handy."

Tammy hands you a sheaf of scorched and blacked pages, stapled into a piece of bright green construction paper with a picture of a train in red glitter. "I made the cover!" she says, shaking her tambourine excitedly.

You acquire an item: Crimbo training manual

Starting December 17, 2022:

"Oh! <playername>! Come here, come here!" Tammy squeals as you enter the cabin. "I figured something out!"

"What's up, Tammy?"

She holds up a big schematic of one of the train robots, which she's annotated with red and green crayons. "Okay! Okay, so, you've been beating up robots and collecting their parts, right?"

"Uh-huh."

"But it would be nicer if you could get more parts out of each robot you beat up, right?"

"Yes, more loot is better, in every circumstance, always."

"Right! Okay, see how this diagram has these little circles? Here and here and here and--"

"I see them, yes. What are they?"

"Those are the rivets that hold the robots together! And they're made of peppermints!"

"...Peppermints? The robots are assembled with peppermint candy rivets?"

"Yeah! I was gonna make you a peppermint bolt cutter to break them with, but honestly, whatever weapon you want to use would probably do the trick just as well."

Piles of Trainbot parts now yield an additional item

Starting December 18, 2022:

"Hi, <playername>!" Tammy says, excitedly. I probably don't really need to write 'excitedly', because that's basically her default emotion. Just assume she says everything excitedly, and I'll mention it if she ever emotes anything else.

"Hi, Tammy," you say. "Any news?"

"Yeah, I think they got the door open to the passenger car! When the train went by this morning, there was an elf looking out the window and he yelled 'HELP HELP HELP!' and I waited for the train to come around again and I yelled 'HEY DID YOU GET THE DOOR TO THE PASSENGER CAR OPEN YET?' and then when the train came around again he yelled 'YEAH WE DID HELP HELP HELP!' and next time the train came around I was like 'THANKS GOOD JOB!' and I gave him a thumbs-up and then the next time the train came around he gave me a thumbs-up back and yelled 'HELP HELP HELP!' again."

"Okay, great."

New Area Unlocked

Crimbo Train (Passenger Car), in Crimbo Town.

Starting December 19, 2022:

As you enter Abuela Crimbo's cabin, she's lifting up her welding mask (it's red with a white pompom on top) and critically eyeing a U-shaped metal object. "Ah, good timing," she says with a nod at you, as she picks up a file and knocks a couple of burrs off the corners of the thing.

"What're you making?"

"A magnet." She flips a switch on the back of it, and a nearby screwdriver flies into it with a whang! She pulls the screwdriver off and tosses the magnet to you. "Figured it would help you collect more robot parts."

"Neat! Thanks, Abuela!"

She puts the welding mask down on her workbench and lights her pipe. "Make sure you're getting full use outta that stuff. When Crimbo Town leaves at the end of the year, those parts won't be as effective, so there's no sense in hoarding 'em."

You acquire an item: Abuela Crimbo's special magnet

Starting December 20, 2022:

Tammy runs up to you are you approach Abuela's cabin. "<playername>, look! Look!" She holds up a bread roll.

"A bread roll? Is this a magic +item drops bread roll, or..."

"No, silly! It's just a bread roll! An elf threw it out of the train window at me!"

"Seems rude. And wasteful."

"It's from the dining car! It means they managed to get the door to the dining car open!"

"Ohhh, I get it. Well, great! Maybe now the elves won't have to eat each other."

"Well, they might anyway, just with wine and side dishes. Elves don't handle stress well."

New Area Unlocked

Crimbo Train (Dining Car), in Crimbo Town.

Starting December 21, 2022:

When you arrive at the cottage, Abuela is sweeping the front porch. Tammy is sitting in Abuela's big rocking chair, kicking her li'l dangling legs, it looks just as cute as you're imagining it. "Hi, <playername>!"

"Hi Tammy, hi Abuela. Anything new today?"

Abuela shakes her head. "Nope. Was hopin' they'd have the door to the coal car open today, but it doesn't sound like it."

"Unless 'AHHH HELP US AHHHH' is a special hacker elf code?" Tammy muses, one finger dimpling her chin in thought. "Probably not, though."

"Hmm, okay. Guess I'll go beat up some more robots, then."

"You can do it!" Tammy cheers. "We believe in you!!"

Starting December 22, 2022:

When you arrive at the cottage, Tammy is playing with the model train set as Abuela Crimbo bustles around in the kitchen.

"Morning, Tammy," you say. "Or afternoon or whatever it is. Did you get a new hat? It's... extremely sparkly."

"It's diamonds!" Tammy says, shaking her tambourine for emphasis. "One of the elves threw a bunch of them out of the train window at me, so I glued them to my hat! Aren't they festive??"

"They threw diamonds at you? Does the train have a diamonds car?"

"No, they're from the coal car! Since diamonds are so much more compact than coal, the train has a big diamond stockpile instead. Plus one of those dwarven vacuum machines to turn them back into coal as needed. That's why we can't just wait for the train to run out of fuel -- it could probably run for years and years without stopping, with the amount of diamonds they've got!"

"Huh. ...Oh, wait, does that mean they've unlocked the coal car?"

"OH! Yeah! Yeah, it probably does!!"

New Area Unlocked

Crimbo Train (Coal Car), in Crimbo Town.

Starting December 23, 2022:

Abuela Crimbo's cottage smells really good -- she's getting started on the Crimbo cookies, apparently. Tammy is busy hanging tinsel on every available surface.

"Hiya, <playername>! How's it going with the train?"

"Well, fine I guess," you say. "How many more cars are there?"

"Just one! Just the engine, or locomotive, or umm conductor's cabin? Front office? Crow's nest?"

"Crow's nest is something different, I think."

"Well, you know! The room at the front where the boss lives."

"Oh jeez, is there gonna be a boss fight?"

"Probably! I mean, there isn't one every year, but the structure of it this year seems real boss-orientated, wouldn't you say? Real linear path of advancement. Plus there's just gotta be some kind of robot driving the train that has to be shut down, right?"

"Hmm, yeah, that makes sense."

"Better see how many more elves you can save today! Who knows, when you kill the boss robot tomorrow, the whole train might explode, so this might be your last chance!"

"..."

Starting December 24, 2022:

Tammy's train set has been packed away, it appears -- Abuela Crimbo has taken over the table to decorate Crimbo cookies. "I reckon the elves have got the last door open," she says, and whaps your knuckles with a wooden spoon. "You pull that hand back -- these are for tomorrow."

"Ow," you say. "...Okay, so I just have to go beat the boss robot thing?"

"That oughta do it, yep. Without it running the automated systems -- the coal burners and so on -- the train should lose momentum and stop on its own. Then we'll be able to get the last of the elves off of there."

"That sounds like a plan -- ow! Oh come on, Tammy has one!"

"Mmmf!" Tammy agrees, with a cookie sticking halfway out of her mouth.

"That was to keep her quiet, and you'll notice I've had to tie her to the chair with tinsel as well. You, on the other hand, have got a job to do, so you better get on your way."

New Area Unlocked

Crimbo Train (Locomotive), in Crimbo Town.

After defeating the Superconductor:

"I did it!" you announce as you enter Abuela's cottage. "I defeated the final robot guy!"

"Oh my gosh! Hooray!" Tammy hops up and down, rattling her tambourine. "I'd better go organize a triage squad and stuff!" She gives you a big hug and races out the door.

"Good job, <playername>," Abuela Crimbo says, nodding. "Knew I could count on you."

"Can... Can I have a cookie now?" you ask.

"All right, I suppose you've earned it. I ain't making a unique item for it though, so you'll have to eat it right here in this conversation. I'll send your real reward in the mail like usual."

"Thanks, Abuela! Happy Crimbo!"

You eat the cookie, and it's delicious. Congratulations, you saved Crimbo once again!

After the fight, the letter that Abuela Crimbo mails you reads:

Merry Crimbo, <playername>!

After dealing with all of that robot nonsense, I'll bet you'd like to stop thinking about trains for a while. Well, too bad! I already made all of these, and it's too late to change it.

Cheers!

Abuela Crimbo

You acquire an item: train whistle

Crimbo 2021

Abuela Crimbo's Cottage appeared in Crimbo Town during Crimbo 2021.

Starting December 14, 2021:

As you enter Crimbo Town, you can tell something is very much amiss. The place is barely decorated, and what decorations there are seem really drab. The tinsel is limp and lifeless, the colored lights are gray, somehow, and the few elves you see scampering about aren't so much scampering as shuffling tiredly.

Abuela Crimbo greets you with a lackluster wave. She has large, weary bags under her eyes, and her usually-rosy cheeks are barely even peachy. "Oh, it's you, <player>, she says. "That's good. Gonna need... some help on..." her voice trails off into a tired mumble.

"Abuela? What's going on? Come on, get it together!"

"Right. Right, yes." She shakes her head to clear out the cobwebs. "The problem is, the factory's Cheer Core has broken down. That's the thing that generates all of the, um. You know, the... stuff."

"Crimbo cheer? Crimbo town's cheer generator has stopped working?"

"Worse than just stopped working, it's draining the cheer right out of us. Like water down a plug hole." Abuela Crimbo tries to light her corncob pipe, but all of her matches are damp. "Ugh."

"Holy cow, this is terrible! What can I do to help?"

"The Cheer Core was invented at a factory at the North Pole. Place called Site Alpha. It was abandoned a long time ago, but I'm hoping there's still... I dunno, a new Core, or some repair instructions... or whatever. I sent Tammy up there with a team of scouts. Probably pointless. You can go help them out, if you think it's worth your time. The monorail will take you there."

"Okay, I'm on my way!"

On subsequent visits:

Abuela Crimbo shakes her head at you. "Nothing worth your time around here, kid," she mutters. "If you wanna help, you better get on that monorail to Site Alpha."

After recovering the Cheer Core:

Abuela thanks you for bringing back the Cheer Core, but tells you it'll take some time to get everything back to normal.

Crimbo 2020

Abuela Crimbo's Cottage appeared in Crimbo Town during Crimbo 2020.

Starting December 15, 2020:

There's a note on the door of Abuela Crimbo's cottage.

Dear Adventurers: I'm going to be spending most of my time over in Distant Lands this year, as they're having a tricky Crimbo there & are gonna need a more personal touch. So, I'm leaving the elves in charge here. Seems like they're having trouble deciding on the best way to express their Crimbo spirit, but I know all you good girls & boys & folks will help them decide. And don't you worry -- I'll make sure your presents are appropriately themed. I may not be there in person, but I'm everywhere in spirit. Love, Abuela

Below the note there is an annotated chart of the current state of Crimbo affairs.

Crimbo Spirit Totals:		Potential Gift:
Cheer	XX,XXX	overflowing gift basket
Carols	XX,XXX	personalized wassail stein
Commerce	XX,XXX	tabletop candy dispenser

Starting December 18, 2020:

There's a note on the door of Abuela Crimbo's cottage.

Dear Adventurers: I am just pleased as nog to see that everything's going off without a hitch. No monsters or mayhem, no conspiracies or catastrophies! I never doubted for a second that you could do it. It looks like you generally decided to go with the tack of spreading good tidings and cheer, and that's just lovely. Nothing like a smile and a friendly word to warm a heart in these cold winter months! I'm looking forward to seeing if you stick with that or try something else in the coming days. Love, Abuela

Below the note there is an annotated chart of the current state of Crimbo affairs.

Crimbo Spirit Totals:		Potential Gift:
Cheer	XX,XXX	neck wreath
Carols	XX,XXX	shining star cap
Commerce	XX,XXX	nativity shorts

After you talk to the elves, head on over to Seaside Town to spread some Crimbo spirit!

Starting December 22, 2020:

There's a note on the door of Abuela Crimbo's cottage.

Dear Adventurers: I'm so glad to see that things have been going so smoothly. I could practically hear you all singing all the way out here in the Distant Lands! I hope you haven't been arguing too much about what direction to take this Crimbo, but a little friendly competition never hurt nobody, after all. Go on out there and do whatever you feel in your hearts is right. Love, Abuela

Below the note there is an annotated chart of the current state of Crimbo affairs.

Crimbo Spirit Totals:		Potential Gift:
Cheer	XX,XXX	myrrh pouch
Carols	XX,XXX	frankincenser
Commerce	XX,XXX	gilded trumpet

After you talk to the elves, head on over to Seaside Town to spread some Crimbo spirit!

Starting December 25, 2020:

There's a note on the door of Abuela Crimbo's cottage.

Dear Adventurers: I'm so proud of you all coming together to make this year's Crimbo a successful one. Couldn't be prouder! In fact, if any of you felt inclined to quit the adventuring life and become full-time Crimbo elves, it might be I could arrange a set of pointy ears for you! (I'm just kidding, you don't want to know where Crimbo elves actually come from.) Hopefully, next Crimbo will be a bit less chaotic for me & I can spend more time with you in person. 'Til then, keep the spirit of Crimbo in your heart & enjoy your presents! All my love, Abuela Crimbo

Below the note there is an annotated chart of the current state of Crimbo affairs.

Crimbo Spirit Totals:
Cheer	XX,XXX
Carols	XX,XXX
Commerce	XX,XXX

After you talk to the elves, head on over to Seaside Town to spread some Crimbo spirit!

Crimbo 2019

Abuela Crimbo's Cottage appeared in Crimbo Town during Crimbo 2019.

Starting December 14, 2019:

As you enter Crimbo Town, you're greeted by Abuela Crimbo -- Uncle Crimbo's aunt, a big broad-shouldered barrel of a woman with her white hair in a tight bun, a corncob pipe, and a red-and-white checked apron (in case you've forgotten or weren't here last year).

"Well, if it isn't <Player Name>!" she says, greeting you with a big bear hug. "Are you ready for a good old-fashioned Crimbo, with no conflict or fighting or other tomfoolery?"

"Gosh!" you say. "I barely remember a time when Crimbo didn't come with some sort of crazy ruckus."

"Well, there'll be no ruckuses on my watch, you hear?" She waggles a forefinger at you, mock-sternly. "No Elder Gods or extradimensional invaders or psychic demons, and no casualties except gingerbread men. You got that?"

"Loud and clear," you grin.

"I set Tammy to work getting the toy factory up and running, so she's scampering around somewhere. Why don't'cha go hunt her down, she'll be excited to see you. I've got to get back to work getting the Cafe ready for tomorrow."

On subsequent visits:

• Abuela Crimbo will be busy with various different things each time you visit her. Some examples include:

Abuela Crimbo is busy giving orders to the elves. Probably best to just stay out of the way 'til tomorrow.

Abuela Crimbo is busy with some knitting right now. You shouldn't bother her until tomorrow.

Abuela Crimbo is preoccupied with her baking, so there's probably nothing to do here until tomorrow.

Abuela Crimbo is tidying up her cottage right now. Best come back tomorrow.

Abuela Crimbo isn't here, she must be dealing with something in the factory or somewhere. Maybe try back tomorrow.

Abuela Crimbo looks busy dealing with a couple elves that got tangled up in some rope-lights. Better to come back tomorrow.

Starting December 15, 2019:

There's a slightly odd aroma in the air as you enter Crimbo Town. Abuela Crimbo comes out of the Crimbo Cafe, brushing flour off her apron, and greets you with a wave.

"Hey there, <Player Name>," she says. "We've got the Cafe up and running now, so I hope you've brought your appetite! All your favorite fish-based Crimbo treats!"

"...Fish?" you ask.

"Well, yes. For some reason a bunch of the elves have taken to fishing with a passion. Or should I say, a pescado! Hah! Anyway, they've been bringing back buckets of the stuff as ingredients, and I didn't have the heart to tell them you can't make a fruitcake out of fish, so I've just been making do. They have Crimbo on the coast too, after all, so they're still all traditional recipes even if they aren't quite the traditions you're used to."

Starting December 16, 2019:

When you arrive at Crimbo Town, Abuela Crimbo is sitting in her rocking chair, weaving pine boughs into wreaths and puffing on her corncob pipe, occasionally calling out instructions to some elves who are busily stringing lights and garland around the place.

"Hi there, Abuela," you say with a wave. "Anything I can help with?"

"Oh no dearie, you just relax and enjoy the season," she says. "We've got everything under control. Although... have you seen Tammy? We're more-or-less on schedule with the toy factory, but I haven't seen hide nor hair of that girl."

"Oh, uhh... well, I'm sure she's around here somewhere. If I see her, I'll let her know you were looking for her."

Starting December 17, 2019:

You enter Crimbo Town and find Abuela Crimbo directing traffic -- the elves are busily running this way and that, loaded with stacks of gift-wrapped packages.

"Hiya, Abuela!" you greet her. "Looks like you've got the factory up and running!"

"Sure have!" she says with a grin. "Not quite as organized as I'd like--" She stops an elf carrying more empty boxes than he can see around by placing one big hand on the top of his head, then rotates him ninety degrees and sends him off in this new direction "--but there's no real trouble. Can't help but suspect Tammy's sleeping on the job, though. She's the one in charge of factory management, you know."

"Wellll..." you say, "she's probably just feeling a little stressed out after what happened last year, is all. That'd throw a wrench into anyone's stride. I'll go find her and uh, cheer her up a bit."

"That's a fine idea," Abuela beams. "You go and do just that. I imagine she'll be around the factory somewhere -- and I think they'll have a little something for you there as well!"

"Ooh!"

Starting December 18, 2019:

Abuela Crimbo is in her rocking chair, with a circle of elves sitting on the ground in front of her, threading popcorn onto string (or perhaps, stringing it onto thread) to make garlands. Occasionally she gives one a gentle bop on the top of the noggin to stop them eating the popcorn.

"Hello there, <Player Name>," she nods as you approach. "Getting into that Crimbo spirit?"

"I sure am, ma'am," you say. "How's everything coming along here?"

"Oh, we still have a lot to do, but there's plenty of time still," she says. "Don't forget to pick up today's gift at the factory, now. Have yourself a good non-violent time."

"Uh, thanks, I sure will. Yep!"

Starting December 19, 2019:

Abuela Crimbo waves you over to her rocking chair when she sees you, and pulls a pair of red and green wool booties out of her knitting bag. "Here you, <Player Name>, these are for you."

"Aw! Thanks, Abuela!" you say.

"Don't think nothing of it. I noticed you and the other adventurers have been spending a lot of time swimming out on the coast--"

"Uh..."

"--So thought you should have some nice warm diving booties. You'll catch your death, going diving at this time of year!"

"Ha ha well, you know, it's good for the skin? And the circulation. Very bracing!"

"Mmm-hmm. Well, you just be careful, now."

You acquire an item: hand-knitted diving booties

Starting December 20, 2019:

Abuela is sitting in her rocking chair, watching keenly as elves scamper to and fro, hauling packages and decorations and crates of toy parts between... you know, the various places that things go.

"Morning, <Player Name>," she nods to you. "Going out swimming again today?"

"Oh uh, yeah," you say. "Thought I'd do a few laps. Good exercise, you know."

"Laps? Of the ocean?"

"Oh ha ha, no, not actual laps, no. Just, you know. Swimming around."

"Uh-huh. Well, don't forget to keep warm!"

"No ma'am, I've got those booties you made, they're working a real treat. Everything going okay here? Do you need an extra hand with anything?"

"No need, hon', we've got things under control. You go have fun."

Starting December 21, 2019:

"<Player Name>! Over here, dear!" Abuela Crimbo waves you over to the door of the Crimbo Cafe, and hands you some small jelly-jars filled with... something gray.

"Err... thanks, Abuela! What are these?"

"Since everyone's so interested in fishing and swimming this year, I cooked up some traditional fish broth from an old Northern recipe."

"Oh! Sounds... delicious!"

"Hah! Maybe if you spend your entire life acquiring the taste. What it is, is healthy."

"Ah."

"Look," she says, giving you a smile and a pat on the head, "I know wool booties and fish broth don't seem like very fun gifts. But the secret is: the practical gifts make the fun gifts even more fun by comparison. And what's more, you'll still be using the practical gifts long after the fun ones have run out of juice."

"You know what," you say, "that's a very good point. Thanks, Abuela!"

"Now, this stuff is very highly concentrated, so don't drink it straight. You'll want to dilute it at about six-to-one. By which I mean, six gallons of water to one of these little jars."

You acquire 3 bowls of concentrated fish broth

Starting December 22, 2019:

You look around Crimbo Town, but don't see Abuela Crimbo anywhere. Eventually, though, the smell of baking leads you to the kitchen of the Crimbo Cafe, where Abuela is busily filling the counters with tray after tray of baked goods, which some elves are packing into decorative tins.

"Anything I can help with?" you ask.

She looks up from her work. "Nope! No room in here for you if there was, kiddo." She sticks a sopapilla in your mouth and flaps her hands to shoo you out of her kitchen.

You acquire an item: Baja sopapilla

Starting December 23, 2019:

Abuela Crimbo and the elves are all rushing around finishing their final last-minute tasks for the big day (well mostly it's the elves rushing, and by 'mostly' I mean 'entirely').

Probably it's best to just stay out of their way. Tammy probably has something more pressing for you to do, anyway.

Starting December 24, 2019:

"Happy Crimbo, <Player Name>!" Abuela Crimbo gives you a big rib-cracking hug. "Feliz Navi!"

"Oof! Ha ha, you too, Abuela," you say. "Looks like everything went off without a hitch around here?"

"Yep, it was fine," she nods. "And I assume your little adventure worked out okay too, right?"

"Uhh..."

She winks and taps the side of her nose, then hands you a book. "Here's your Crimbo present. Read it in good health, kiddo."

You acquire an item: The Spirit of Giving

Thereafter:

Abuela Crimbo is done for the season. You should let her rest.

Crimbo 2018

Abuela Crimbo's Cottage appeared in Crimbo Town (Under Construction) during Crimbo 2018. Abuela Crimbo has set a sturdy rocking chair in front of her cottage, and is relaxing with her pipe. "Don't you worry none," she says, "I'll make sure next year's Crimbo runs nice and smooth. Like we say back in the old country, 'You can't have ham without a caroler to share it with. '"

• Abuela Crimbo will say a different (seemingly randomized) Crimbo related Proverb each time you visit her. Some examples include:

'An angel in the hand is worth two in the stocking.'

'An elf in the hand is worth two in the Crimbo tree.'

'Crimbo isn't over until the elf kisses a snowman.'

'Don't drink too much mulled cider or you'll wake up with a Crimbo pie in your Crimbo tree.'

'It's not Crimbo until a caroler kisses a caroler.'

'It's not Crimbo until a nutcracker kisses a reindeer.'

'It's not Crimbo until a reindeer gets their wish.'

'You can't have boiled goose without wassail.'

'You can't have chestnut pie without an angel to share it with.'

'You can't have gingerbread man without mulled wine.'

'You can't have gingerbread man without hot cocoa.'

'You can't make a fruitcake without help from a snowman.'