This week in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it feels like Toy Day is gearing up in earnest. There are new activities, the snow is falling, there is a festive wreath, and a winter solstice, and so, so much more!
Everything is happening everywhere all at once, and I really am enjoying it. I also had no idea that the lit-up trees had ornaments in them. I guess I never really shook them when I started this column on January 1, 2025. I know there are DIY projects I can use to make things out of them, but I have yet to have that ‘sudden inspiration’ yet. Or maybe there is another way to find the DIYs? I have no idea.
I am just excited to see what the rest of December brings…
If you missed last week’s Tom Nook’s Snapshots, you can check it out here.
December 10
A round space heater feels oddly appropriate for Nook’s Cranny to sell as the weather turns cold and it starts to snow in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I bought one for 3,240 Bells, and I need to figure out where to install it in my home. I also ran into Cephalobot inside, who told me that he would shop all day long if he didn’t have other obligations. I mean, I get that…but there are only six items on sale at Nook’s Cranny at any given time. It makes me wonder what he is escaping from in his life otherwise.
Outside, I ran into Hazel, and she asked me if she could come over. She said her head is full of embarrassing memories at the moment, and she…kinda needed a distraction. I understand that. I invited her over, and we hung out for a while as she checked out everything from my Go board to my arcade machine. Before she left, she gave me a gift: a yodel cardigan. It looks cozy, and I’ll have to definitely wear it this holiday season.
Finally, I went around and planted some pumpkins and dug up some fossils on my island.
December 11
Today, Isabelle warned me about the snow and told me that if I do go into the cold, then I should definitely push around the snowballs on the ground until I can stick two of them together to make a Snowboy! I made multiple Snowboys at the beginning of this Animal Crossing: New Horizons series, and I cannot wait to see what rewards I get this time around!
One of the first things I did today was stumble across a money tree and I immediately shook it and then chopped it down. Other than stopping by Nook’s Cranny and Nook Shopping, I honestly did not do a lot else today besides check out the snow that has been missing for MONTHS.
December 12
There were shooting stars everywhere in Renassia tonight, and it was honestly a little bit overwhelming. I made so many wishes on so many shooting stars tonight that I hope at least one of them will come true.
But first, my shovel broke. I had to stop at Nook’s Cranny and I got a new flimsy shovel. I then…forgot to turn it into a proper shovel at the DIY counter in the Town Hall, but I was able to at least dig up and then plant a new money tree on my island. After I did that, I ran into Tutu, Gayle, Tybalt, and Cephalobot! The last one called himself a Summoner, but I do not recall seeing him bringing forth an Ancient in Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem.
Other than that, I sold a bunch of stuff to Timmy and Tommy, cleared out some mail to free up a lot of mail slots for new mail, and getting a DIY for a Sagittarius arrow from Celeste! I just don’t have the materials needed to make it.
December 13
Mini circuits and paper lanterns galore are for sale in Nook’s Cranny today! I want to do something with the paper lanterns, but I am not sure exactly what. Maybe something with my hot springs? It would also be kind of cool to relocate it up north and carve out a giant hot springs area.
I primarily went star fragment hunting today in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I found a lot of star fragments and large star fragments, and I ended up storing them away in my home with all the other ones that I’ve collected over time.
But, it is Saturday, and that means K.K. Slider has come to visit. Today, I told him that I was in a laid-back mood, and he played K.K. Bossa for me, Snooty, Tutu, Hazel, and Hugh. I’m not quite sure if we have had THAT much of the island together at once since K.K. Slider played his very first concert for everyone earlier in the year.
After talking with everyone, I ended up turning in for the night.
December 14
Isabelle talked about video chatting with her mom and dad back home today. It makes me feel a little sad for her, because it must be a really rare occurrence if it warrants making the daily announcements for the island.
Other than that, I went on a full shopping spree on the island! I bought a dinosaur toy, a skateboard, and a fireplace. The latter two I think are going to be gifts for islanders, but the fireplace is definitely for my home. I want to give it a cozier, homey, feeling.
After banging on rocks for money, I finally crafted my flimsy shovel into a proper shovel. From the fossils I then dug up, I had Blathers identify them and they turned out to be things I already have. So, I sold them off, bought some seasonal items from Nook Shopping, and then I redeemed some completed activities in the Nook Phone to get more Nook Miles!
December 15
Almost immediately after I started to play Animal Crossing: New Horizons today, I found the money dig spot just outside of Nook’s Cranny. I feel like there are certain places that are more likely to have it than not, but it also doesn’t help that so much of the northern half of my island is still covered in flowers that it cannot appear there.
After digging and planting, I went inside Nook’s Cranny and I found a pop-up book for sale for 2,400 Bells. I snatched it up instantly as a Toy Day gift for someone.
Walking around my island, I ran into Gayle. She told me she has something she has been wanting to give me, and it turned out to be a festive wreath! I didn’t know that was a thing here, but it is. I ended up removing my mushroom one from my home and putting up the Toy Day-themed wreath in its place…and I have to admit, it looks really nice.
Next, I visited Kicks and I bought some new shoes and a new crossbody boston bag to wear. I definitely want to keep mixing up and matching my wardrobe as time goes along. I then stopped into the Town Hall and visited Nook Shopping. There, I ordered the four seasonal items: Midwinter sweater, aurora wall, bathtub with yuzu, and Tangyuan. They are all items meant to celebrate the winter solstice, and I can’t wait to put them all to use!
Today, there was a camper named Roscoe. Roscoe talked about singing songs around a campfire, staring at flames until he got drowsy, and he told me this all while holding a giant sandwich. It was a bit weird, but he seemed nice enough.
Finally, I found my daily money rock and I caught snowflakes!
December 16
Isabelle opened today with another announcement! From now until early January, the cedar trees will be decorated with lights, and she warned me about how she accidentally knocked some ornaments off when she bumped into one of them. Of course, I took that as a destructive invitation to shake all the trees I could to get as many ornaments as I possibly could! I ended up with quite a few different kinds.
I stopped by Nook’s Cranny, and I picked up an RC helicopter, a spinning wheel, and a radio. I haven’t figure out what I will do with it all, but I will find something. I also ran into Gayle again, and we hung out for a few minutes chatting.
Of course, Label was in town again for her latest fashion survey. I am not sure why she doesn’t just go into business with her sisters, or maybe she already is in her own way? She asked me for a party outfit, and I actually had almost all of it already equipped since she complimented me on my outfit and said that she would mail me tailor tickets to use.
I then randomly caught a citrus long-horned beetle! I had no idea it was what it was until I caught it, and I immediately rushed over to Blathers to donate it to my museum! He called it a putrid pest and a grave threat to trees, which made me anxious about it being on Renassia. He talked about how their powerful jaws can chomp through hard wood and plant fibers with ease, and the larvae target citrus trees. Which is a problem because my native fruit is ORANGES. ORANGES, PEOPLE.
Finally, I ended my week with Brewster and a cup of coffee with pigeon milk added in.
What is your native fruit?
How are your Toy Day preparations going?
Let us know in the comments below!
