Event Timer Issue

[MaelstromJ]

Did something go wrong with the event timer ? I sent all my explorers out when there were 20 hours left to the end of the event.... so as to maximise my final number of presents. Theyve not returned but the timer has switched and Im not getting the expected presents ....

[Qualan]

It works as follows:

You need to send out explorers before event ends
You need to be logged on when event timer runs out
You need to keep island active (so not be offline for more than 15 minutes) until the explorers land

Only of you manage all 3, will you get event rewards in the explorers that are returning - As soon the event timer runs out and your island has "refreshed" it will behave as if everything happened after the event end - This mechanism has been there for a fair while and they never managed to either explain it well enough or fix it so it does what they kinda want it to do/tells us it does

Their fix has been:
Treasure Search (Explorers)
Explorers only sent and returned during the Christmas Event will bring back Christmas Resources:
In very rare cases, Explorers may find Christmas Resources on arrival shortly after the start of the Event & shutdown phase

Translated: Be logged on before end of event and stay logged on and the very rare cases will translate in all landing explorers will still bring event goodies :P

[First_Lord]

nah, theories, came back Monday 2h+ after phase ended, and explorers did bring presents. this year all, even returning before midnight.
Since they break it, its kinda random, with some people posting sure guides how to get it work. Was trying it, on some events they bring on some events not, on some half of them (some expl. types).