I’m not satisfied with it by a long shot, but it’s not quite finished yet. The sim where I live, Jasper Islands, is naturally a green ground texture, so I’ve petitioned Dreamland to ask for that to be changed to snow. Of course I’ve sent notecards to all my neighbours asking if they’re OK with it too and I really hope that they are because it will look wonderful.. It was something that we did last year and it really looked the part, but a few of my neighbours have moved on since then. During my communications with Dreamland it became apparent that I actually have five neighbours on Jasper, which was a huge surprise because I thought that I only had three, so just like real life it would seem that we all keep ourselves to ourselves and don’t integrate at all. I actually think that’s a bit of a shame, so I’m wondering if we ought to throw a sim-wide Christmas bash in the very near future…if any of my neighbours are reading this, would you be up for that?

Last year was my first Christmas in Second Life and it was a wonderful freebielicious event. So many stores had advent calendar events, where you would pop along every day and get a pressie. My wardrobe was bursting at the seams by the time the tinsel started to wilt, and for a newbie it must’ve been an absolute treat! It’s interesting to see that there aren’t nearly as many of these events taking place in Second Life this year, and my guess is that the credit crunch is hitting home, as well as a general apathy towards freebies that seems to be creeping in at the moment. I never take freebies for granted, and I certainly don’t indulge if it’s something I neither want nor need. I do think there’s a mentality that pervades the grid which is that because an item is free you simply *must* have it , even if the item is utterly useless to your Second Life, or is so foul that you wouldn’t be seen dead wearing it. I’m as guilty as the next person for indulging, so I think my Second Life New Year’s Resolution will be to try and reign my addiction in a little…It’s a gift when a designer grants freebies to their audience, and it should be viewed as such, not as an absolute right. I’d be interested to know how much business donating freebies brings in. I don’t imagine for a moment that it’s shedloads of trade, but I do know that If I receive a freebie from a designer that I really enjoy I always remember that designer, and I also strive to buy something from them too.

One point to remember is although it’s a freebie, it needs to be a quality gift to be of any benefit to your business and the customer alike. If you give away items that aren’t up to scratch then don’t be surprised if they don’t reap the rewards you were expecting. Offering objects gratis is a tried and trusted business technique, but the successful entrepreneur realises that he or she will have to invest some serious time and money into that free gift to make the whole exercise worthwhile long-term. This is of course a lot easier for designers who have already established their in-world brands, but it’s an successful marketing ploy that no newbie designer should neglect. I don’t mind paying a Linden dollar for a freebie (dollarbie, obviously) so that’s one way to get some Lindens back, but it’s not going to amass you a fortune unless you’re flogging something ridiculously wonderful and usually downright expensive. I think with the current financial climate being what it is, it may be wise for designers to discount items and hold sales to keep the punters happy whilst managing to make some income from sales.

It’s always been my opinion that blogs that feature freebies and freebie reviews are performing a very valuable service to creator and consumer alike and I often read them myself, but I’m always aware that people like me who do have some meagre funds to spare should be conscious of the importance of spending in-world and ensuring that we try our best to keep the Second Life economy stable through such real-life trying times. It’s almost a social responsibility…seriously! Content creators have used their skills and talents to create this amazing environment, so it’s only fair that we should reward them for their efforts. Of course, you will hear people say that nobody asked them to make things for the metaverse, so why should we have to pay, but I like to think that the majority of the virtual public are above such pettiness and are happy to show their appreciation, even if only in a small way.

There is a point to some of this ramble by the way, because I want to make you aware that there’s a hunt starting tomorrow ( December 2nd) that includes over 300 vendors…300! This is the grid-wide ‘Peace on Earth’ hunt that runs through December and incorporates all sorts of gifts from some seriously wonderful designers. I’m impressed by the concept and the idea that a widespread hunt, encompassing such a vast area can be arranged is a real credit to all those involved. I’m sure it’s going to be *huge*, and following on from the Halloween Ghost Hunt, which was infuriating fun, I’m sure that this one is going to be a massive success. If you visit the blog you’ll note that the organisers have stressed the importance of providing quality freebies to patrons in the hope that it will stimulate customers to buy. I hope this is a move that pays off, and I’ve already decided that however many items I find on the hunt ( I hope it’s all of them, obviously!) I’ll donate the equivalent Lindens to an in-world charity vendor., and like last time I’m going to take my time to enjoy each of the stores involved and purchase items from as many as I possibly can..I beseech you to do the same, this is the season of goodwill after all….a final note, here’s the concept behind the ‘Peace on Earth’ hunt, taken from their blog:

“The theme PEACE ON EARTH was chosen to draw upon the universal sense of unity that we feel during the holiday season. It is meant to be a festive hunt that all peoples can embrace. It will be an opportunity for a grid wide celebration of the diversity that is Second Life. We wish to foster understanding , tolerance, and respect throughout this global community…”

We live in such trying times, brought home to us everyday by events all over the world. From conflicts in Africa and Afghanistan to tensions in the west bank and the recent events in Mumbai it often feels like world-peace is an unreachable dream.  But anytime a community comes together we’re one step closer to that glittering prize..and even though it’s a virtual world our actions and interactions inside it are reflections of our real life selves, and for that reason just as valuable.  Let’s be inspired by the wonderful ideals and motives behind this event and above all, enjoy it!