Sony has been typically generous during the holiday season, this past one no exception. We received three waves worth of free clothing, some of which I dare is creative. Take the icy hair for example -- I may not wear it year-round but it’s difficult to claim it isn’t anything but ‘unique.’ Plus we earned three quite adorable companions, including the aforementioned Don Penguin.

So in all honesty I wouldn’t call shenanigans on that fact. A lack of generosity wasn’t, to me at least, a fault of the Hullabaloo. Even if we don’t wear everything, it’s a fine Christmas haul.

The creativity point is a bit more difficult to tackle, not to mention subjective. I’m not one to say they needed to return Santa and his elven workshop as the winter extravaganza so long what they do choose works. To that end the designs are appropriately atmospheric and resemble what they should.

It helps especially for those of us who rarely see snow where we live (especially during Christmas, such as where I live). The idea of gallivanting in a winter wonderland with friends who may live in different countries, let alone timezones conjures up its own kind of holiday spirit. I imagine that’s part of the goal with this event, to bring people together.

And less we forget: a talking bear asks you to find a missing penguin in a barrel of booze. It may not be logical, but it is creative.

As for hoping for a better world, I’ll the Hullabaloo enjoys mixed messages. Aside from the penguin, the hosts enjoy being snarky. Can’t they just get along? Well, in fact I say they do. The ‘plot,’ such as it is, revolves around two creatures who hated each other at first. The advertising video even shows them enacting revenge against each other.

But by the end they patch things up, more or less. As cheesy as it is, it’s still a valid message. It is my opinion but underneath the simmering turmoil is a feel-good story, if told with people in a bear and snowman suit.

So all in all, to me it isn’t bad -- downright pleasant in fact.