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I believe the impact on the market will only be temporary, or at least until the items are revealed. Prices will climb for another day or so, and then gradually drop a little bit each day until the fifteenth. Then there will be the expected jump in price if the items are worthwhile, or drop if the items are less desirable. All in all this is only a small economic disturbance, no real reason to be alarmed. Personally, I will purchase one or two extras this month, merely so I can have one of each item to continue my collection.
As an aside, I think that the three item option may or may not continue to other months. I severely doubt it will be there for January, as this is just a trial, but if it proves a success, they will bring it back and possibly make it a mainstay.
As for what the items may be, I suspect that there will be a connection between the three items, all the more to make people want all three, thereby increasing demand yet further. Possibly more battle items?

It's only 17k now, but that's still a lot.

The site is growing, and with that so must the number of staff they employ to keep it running and developing. 3nodding

It probably costs a fair bit to manufacture products custom-made to match the items on the site, I believe they're looking to cover their own expenses, especially since not everyone can order from the Gaia store.

Proclaimer Rye: I agree, though not about the battle item part. As seen here, here, and here in video footage taken from a Gaia gathering at Otakon earlier this year, the current 'weapons' will be for show only. I'm actually really grateful for finding this out now, I was hoarding battle items believing they'd peak in price as the Battle System is released, and perhaps they will still, until everyone knows they aren't actually used in battle. I'm selling them all now so the funds tied up in them can be invested in more lucrative items.

from what I've read (i forget which forum probably the exchange i've gone there a lot lately) a lot of people are all pissed about the new donation items and whatnot, but how could anyone be mad at a middle aged man running around in a OMG? xd

I'm getting a Kiki Kitty Plushie and the Mini Angelic Wing Clips for Christmas this year from friends, per my request. 3nodding

The sealed envelopes are a lot of gaia gold. I don't think next month will feature the tree items again. This is probably just a christmas gift type of thing.

I wish they had jewish channukah stuff
you know like little stars of david that you could use like little star knife thinges and just fling them at people. Or the tefflin to strangle people with that or a tzitzit then you could like steal crap with the tallit.

or just a nice little kippah to put candy in. OR OR OR A MENORAH TO WACK PEOPLE OVER THE HEAD WITH LIKE IN THE GAME CLUE!
3nodding see how useful judaism can be to your manly war items