Hei..for those xmas update..do try this out.
I tried and its worked on my ipad2.
1. Go to your date and tine setting.
2. Change the year to 2013.
3. Then open up your sims and tadaaa...there should be 10k+ simleons.
4. After that exit your sims and double tap your homebutton..press the icon till u see the dash - and press the dash.
5. Go to your date time setting again and change to 2012.
Hope it will help. Do it again a d again if u want more,