This is the thing warmane does not understand
The X-mas event is an event that happens a few days each year. Something scarce and appreciated. I remember back some years ago with the snowman and cow event people were lining up to grab the opportunity to gear up their toons. I have many characters and donated gear and I don't feel the need to play this game anymore. Yet, I would gladly donate a new insta 80 toon and bring my friends back just for the xmas event experience. By being cheap on your giveaway gifts and events you don't increase your income. You decrease it. Trust me there would be A LOT of new/old players coming back for this reason and by investing time on their characters they would surely as hell invest money afterwards. Remember, the xmas event is not something that happens every day. It's something that happens a few days each year. There's no reason to make lousy events out of fear not to give away something valuable. Giving away free samples is what draws people into trades,businesses and sales. This is the human nature. Personally I would invest a few money to gear up a new toon if the events were worth it in my free time this xmas. But I probably won't. And I can tell that there's a decrease in population as well for that reason. The old events went a long way back then to draw people in the game. Just a reminder.