How to Make A Christmas Cookie Gift Set...Without Baking

When you think of Cookies at Christmas, what comes to mind? Probably a few good recipes and some great memories. What about a great Christmas cookie cookbook? A beautiful children's picture book? A Christmas apron or a cookie jar or a plate or even a coffee mug? That's what you'll find on this page. No recipe, just my tribute to the yummy Christmas cookie and a host of ideas for you to use to create a cookie themed gift set with no baking required though obviously fresh cookies would be a fabulous addition to any cookie gift set.

A COOKIE COOKBOOK

ROSE'S CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Let's start with this beautiful cookie cookbook by Rose Levy Beranbaum who is famous for her many beautiful baking books. Almost too beautiful to use, this one would make a very impressive Christmas gift for anyone who loves to bake. Find your copy of Rose's Christmas Cookies on Amazon by clicking here.

OUR CHRISTMAS COOKIES

One year I did the unthinkable. I didn't make our traditional Christmas cookies. My sister-in-law visited and she baked and that meant we had plenty of sweet treats in the freezer. I simply did not need to bake and so I didn't. I thought nothing of it and no one said anything, until a few months later when one of my sons referred to the Christmas when they didn't have any of their favorite Christmas cookies. I felt so bad and I will not be repeating that faux pas ever again though this Christmas, Christmas 2020, the year when we cannot have people drop by to say hello, I will definitely be cutting back since there are only two of us to eat cookies.

With the exception of that well-remembered year when I did not make any cookies, we normally have three kinds of cookies on hand at Christmas: the best-ever ginger crinkles, the best ever M&M cookies with Christmas colored M&Ms and the best-ever brownie bites. They're all easy, they're all yummy and they all freeze beautifully. Best of all, they offer a nice variety and when I put a plate of cookies out and I am fairly comfortable that I can please not only my family but anyone who drops in during the holidays.

The Best-Ever Brownies Recipes
Love chocolate? How about brownies? If you are looking for the best brownie recipe, you will find it here. Actually, you will find three of the best brownie recipes here. The first is for miniature Brownie Bites. They are perfectly simple,...

The Best-Ever Ginger Crinkles Molasses Cookie Recipe
We love these ginger crinkle cookies. There's nothing like their slightly crispy exterior and chewy interior with a cold glass of milk!

The Best-Ever M&M Cookies Recipe
This best-ever M&M cookie recipe makes irresistible cookies. Don't bake them unless you are prepared to eat them until they are all gone. 

A CHILDREN'S COOKIE BOOK

Here are three great cookie-themed picture books for children. The first is not actually a Christmas story as The Gingerbread Boy makes his break for freedom in a season that definitely is not winter at least in my part of the world. Paul Galdone's version shown here is one of the classic versions and was my family's favorite. Featuring a barnyard full of critters and one foxy fox, the gingerbread man is unfortunately and as always undone in the end. You can find my complete book review of The Gingerbread Boy here or read more about the book on Amazon by clicking right here.

The second book, Christmas Cookies: Bite Size Holiday Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, introduces your young child to new vocabulary words like 'tradition' and 'celebrate' in the context of good manners in certain social situations. It is a beautiful combination of wisdom and artistry. You can read my review of Christmas Cookies: Bite Size Holiday Lessons here or you can read more about it on Amazon by clicking here.

The third and final book, If You Take A Mouse To The Movies, is a special Christmas edition featuring that cookie-loving mouse that was created by Laura Numeroff in If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. The Christmas version has all sorts of extras including a CD and recipes. You can buy it on Amazon here or if you find it unavailable there, you can try eBay by clicking here. At the time of writing this post, I was unable to find it on Amazon.

A COOKIE APRON

An apron is such a practical and affordable gift idea. If you or someone you know spends a lot of time in the kitchen at Christmastime, you (or they) should definitely own a Christmas apron and there are so many great ones available. I love this Christmas Cookie Baking Team apron from Etsy and the fact that it can be personalized for all of the members of your baking team.  You can find it on Etsy by clicking right here.

A CHRISTMAS COOKIE JAR

Nothing could be more fun than a cookie jar especially when it is full of cookies. I found this beautiful but simple glass cookie jar on Amazon. I love the idea that it will hold your Christmas treats and, when they are gone, go in your dishwasher for easy clean-up. You can find it on Amazon by clicking here. Gift it empty or even full of your favorite Christmas cookies.

A COOKIE PLATE

This Waechtersbach Santa's cookies plate is perfect for leaving cookies out for Santa or simply serving cookies throughout the month of December. It would make a fine tradition for any family.  We love using the same plate every year. To find this plate and a few other Christmas-cookie themed ones, look to eBay  by clicking right here.

A COOKIE MUG

Yes, there's such a thing as a cookie mug and I don't mean a mug with the image of a cookie on it but rather a mug that has a pocket for holding your cookie. This is a fun one featuring Disney's Mickey Mouse and promising to deliver holiday cheer. Find it on Amazon by clicking here or if it is unavailable now, you can also find it here on eBay.

A COOKIE BAKING SET

Finally, I will close with this fun child-sized baking set, which you can find on Amazon by clicking here. Whether you offer it on its own or team it up with some of the other great gift ideas on this page, the choice is yours. Maybe you could create a set for the family with this set for the children.

So how about it? Is there something sweet in this batch for you? Are you a smart cookie who likes to assemble gift sets cookie themed or otherwise?  

Life is

what you bake of it!

Brenda, Treasures By Brenda

More Christmas Reading:

How to make a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Gift Set.

How to make a Frosty the Snowman Gift Set.

Peanut's Snoopy Christmas Coffee Mug.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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National Gingerbread Cookie Day Review

Gingerbread Cookies (source: Pixabay)

November 21st is National Gingerbread Cookie Day.  There is no real reason for the establishment of this fun food holiday, except perhaps the approaching Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays around which these rolled cookies have become favorites.

Gingerbread cookies are traditionally made in shapes such as flowers, hearts, and trees.  They can be made in different sizes and can be iced and decorated. 

The Gingerbread Man shape probably goes back to the time of Queen Elizabeth I.  History tells us that her palace baker during her reign (1558 to 1603) baked and decorated gingerbread men in the likenesses of important court visitors for Her Majesty to present to them.

The tale of Hansel and Gretel of Grimm’s Fairy Tales (1812) increased the popularity of gingerbread cookies and other treats. Later, Gingerbread men and animals became popular Christmas tree ornaments.

Gingerbread Cookie Recipes

There are lots of gingerbread cookie recipes online.



For a different and a bit unusual Gingerbread Cookie recipe, I found this one in a gingerbread crafts leaflet:

Gingerbread Cutout Cookies 

by Shelly Vaughan

Source: Pixabay

Touch of Pineapple Gingerbread People Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup dark molasses
• 1 cup pineapple juice or more as needed
• 5 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Miniature candy-coated chocolate candies (M&Ms) and/or raisins

Icing:

• 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons pineapple juice:

Instructions:

1. For cookies, combine shortening, sugar and molasses in large bowl.  Stir in pineapple juice.  In another bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.  Gradually stir into molasses mixture until thoroughly incorporated (Dough will be stiff.)  Cover and chill for 2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray once.
3. On floured surface, roll dough out 1/3 inch thick.  Cut into desired shapes with floured cookie cutter, using gingerbread people cutter or other cutter.  Place cookies 1"-2" apart on prepared cookie sheet.  Decorate with candies and/or raisins as desired.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until light finger indentation springs back.  Cool completely.
4. Store cookies in single layer in airtight container, or layer cookies with waxed paper separating layers.

*Makes 3 dozen.

Decorating Gingerbread Cookies

Source: Pixabay

Decorating Tips

• Gently press decorating candies or other items into cookies before baking.
• Pipe icing onto warm cookies with a small decorating tip.
• Icing is quick and easy to make. If you prefer convenience items, however, you may use tubes of decorating icing with decorating tips.
• If you would like to add some color to your cookies, lightly spinkle colored sugars, sprinkles, nonpareils or flaked coconut over wet icing.  Gently shake off excess, if necessary.

Gingerbread People Parts

It's fun to personalize your gingerbread people.  When baking with children, this is the part they like the best.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Eyes -- raisins, dried blueberries, miniature M&Ms.
• Noses -- cinnamon red-hot candies, M&Ms, dried cranberries.
• Buttons -- raisins, cinnamon-coated raisins or golden raisins, small jelly beans, decorating stars, miniature M&Ms, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, walnut pieces, pecan pieces, macadamia nut pieces.
• Mouths -- licorice strings, almond slivers, red or pink decorating icing.

Currently Available on Etsy

*The gingerbread cutout cookie recipe and decorating tips are by Shelly Vaugham and was printed in the craft leaflet "Easy Gingerbread Crafts" published by House of White Birches in 1999.  Available on Etsy on sale at the present time.

And, in addition to the above recipe, Coletta Teske of Review This! included a yummy looking gingerbread cookie recipe in her blog post food review of Simple Snacks for Santa.

Other Forms of Gingerbread Cookies

Besides edible gingerbread cookies, other forms of this  cookie have become popular.

Gingerbread toys are fun too

 

Plush Gingerbread Cookie Doll

Adorable gingerbread man plush doll handmade in crochet. He measures about 8 inches high.

He will look great with your holiday décor or in your kitchen year!

Created by Jackie of Pittsburgh, PA and available in her Etsy Shop Jackie Draz Art. 

Gingerbread Holiday Decor 

Gingerbread Cookie Coasters

Add to the decoration of your home for the holidays with this set of Gingerbread Cookie Coasters.

This is a set of 4 drink coasters with a gingerbread cookie design. Two coasters have a gingerbread boy with a candy cane. Two coasters have a gingerbread boy with a heart.

Gingerbread Cookie Coasters are handmade in needlepoint using acrylic yarn and plastic canvas.  They measure 3.5 x 3.75 inches.


Gingerbread Cookie Playset

Christmas Gingerbread Men Cookies Playset 

This Miniature 18 inch doll playset includes 3 Gingerbread Cookie Men with a Lovely Silver Tray! This is the Perfect set of cookies for your 18 inch Dolls; American Girl Dolls, Baby Dolls or any other toy around that size! Each Cookie is approximately 1 3/8 inch (3.5cm) across! 

Gingerbread Holidays Throughout the Year

November 21st isn't the only gingerbread holiday.  Besides this 'cookie' day, we have:

• National Gingerbread Day on June 5.
• Gingerbread Decorating Day on December 9.
• Gingerbread House Day on December 12.

For more cookie reviews, check out Review This Reviews: Cookies

Happy Gingerbread Cookie Day!

(c) Wednesday Elf 11/21/2017

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Christmas Cookies History and Traditions – Food Review

December 4th is designated as National Cookie Day. It's a good time for bakers across the country to warm up the ovens for holiday baking.

History of the Christmas Cookie

Today's Christmas cookies come from recipes popular in Medieval Europe when many modern ingredients were introduced into the west.  Ingredients popular in these Christmas 'biscuits' included cinnamon, ginger, almonds and dried fruit.  

Image Source: Pixabay

The Dutch brought the earliest examples of Christmas Cookies to the United States in the 17th century. 

Then between 1871 and 1906 changes in import laws allowed for cookie cutters to be imported from Germany. These highly stylized images had subjects designed to hang on Christmas Trees. Soon, recipes began to appear in cookbooks designed to use these cookie cutters. 

Image Source: Pixabay

Using the standard sugar cookie recipe and rolling out the dough, these 'cookie cutters' allowed us to create Christmas designs as Christmas Cookies. The cookies are often cut into the shape of candy canes, reindeer, holly leaves, Christmas trees, stars or angels. 

Image Source: Pixabay

Beginning in the 1930s in Canada and in the United States the tradition of children leaving cookies and milk on a table for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve began.

Sugar Cookies Recipes

Image Source: Pixabay

Everyone seems to have their favorite sugar cookie recipe for creating cut-out cookies using their selection of cookie cutters. The one I like the best comes from Lindsay of Life, Love & Sugar. She says this recipe makes soft cookies with lightly crisp edges. The perfect sugar cookie for decorating!  

Sugar cookies are a classic holiday cookie tradition. Cutout cookies are also not just for Christmas. Using various shapes of cookie cutters, you can also make Hearts for Valentine's Day, Pumpkins for Halloween, and any shape for any holiday or event you desire. 

Summary

Holiday Cookie Tray - Wikimedia

There are numerous 'Cookie Days' throughout the year, including National Cookie Month in October and Bake Cookies Day on December 18th.  But it's never too early to begin your Christmas cookie baking, as most cookies can be frozen ahead to be ready for Christmas celebrations and Christmas gifts.  And, of course, Santa!

HAPPY COOKIE BAKING!

Image Source: Pixabay

Related Links:

• National Cookie Day - December 4th
• Autumn Eats - A Review of Seasonal Cookie Cutters
• How to Make a Christmas Cookie Gift Set... Without Baking by Treasures by Brenda

My Amazon Picks for Christmas Cookies

Christmas  Cookies History & Traditions Review written by

Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Instructions for Easy Stenciled Cupcakes for Halloween

Decorate Halloween Cupcakes with Stencils Reviewed

Stenciling cupcakes is a fun way to decorate cupcakes. Using stencils is a pretty easy way to decorate beautiful Halloween cupcakes that are certain to be a frightening fantastic addition to your party table.

By simply using stencils, confectioners sugar or sanding sugar, you too will be able to create tasty treats that double as great Halloween decorations.

If you can't find the cupcake stencil you want, why not use a small cookie cutter?

Let me show you exactly what I am talking about and what your guests will be talking about at your Halloween party when you make these creepy cupcakes!

Choose the Right Cupcake Recipe

For convenience, I used boxed cake mixes to make my cupcakes. I baked 12 large Triple Chocolate Fudge with a Betty Crocker Super Moist cake mix and 12 large Lemon Supreme cupcakes with Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe cake mix. 

I selected these flavors because I knew I would not be icing all of them and I wanted cupcakes that would taste good without icing.

Delicious filled cupcakes would be ideal for these stenciled cupcakes for Halloween since they will not be frosted.

Here are a few recipes you might like for your frost-less cupcakes.

Recipes for Cupcakes that are Delicious Without Icing

• Devil's Food Cupcakes
  Cupcake Filling Recipe included
• Lemon Cupcakes
  Made with Pudding

Supplies You Will Need to Get Started Stenciling

• Baked Cupcakes ~ I baked Triple Chocolate Fudge and Lemon cupcakes
• Stencils or Cookie Cutters
• Confectioners Sugar
• Sanding Sugar ~ your choice of colors

Decorators note:  An essential tool for decorating with Confectioner's sugar is a cup with a mesh top.

Recommended Powdered Sugar Shaker

With Stainless Steel Mesh Dome Lid 

This cup will allow you to literally sprinkle confectioners sugar onto your cupcake once the stencil is in place. It will cut down on the mess often associated with decorating with confectioner's sugar.

Flour/Sugar ShakerCheck Price

& 

& 

Directions for Stenciling Cupcakes

1. Using Cupcake Stencils - Place the stencil on the cupcake
2. Sprinkle Cupcake with Confectioners Sugar then Slowly
3. Gently Lift Stencil Off of Cupcake

  

& 

Easy Stenciled Cupcakes for Halloween

    

& 

 

Use A Cookie Cutter to Stencil

If you don't have stencils on hand, you could also use a small cookie cutter.  Owls and ghosts were not included in my stencil pack, but I wanted cupcakes decorated with them.  Since I love owls and ghosts at Halloween, I used my cookie cutters.  It is the same process, you simply have to make sure you have a good hold on the cookie cutter and have it firmly pressed against the cupcake top so the powdered sugar doesn't escape the sides. 

  

& 

Stenciling Iced Cupcakes

Stenciling cupcakes that have icing is a little messier and a bit more tricky, but can certainly be done!  

To stencil an image on icing or frosting, you would want to use sanding sugar instead of powdered sugar.  The sanding sugar does have an added "sparkle" benefit.

You do need to be extremely careful when you lift the stencil or cookie cutter off the icing to keep from dropping excess sugar outside of the image lines.  The icing tends to try to hold on to your stencil.  I recommend lifting it straight up and off the cupcake  without tilting the stencil.

Directions for Stenciling Cupcakes with Sanding Sugar

1. Using Cupcake Stencils - Place the stencil or cookie cutter on the frosted cupcake
2. Sprinkle Sanding Sugar on the Cupcake,  then Slowly
3. Gently Lift the Stencil Straight Up & Off of Cupcake 

& 

Cupcakes for Halloween Stenciled with Sanding Sugar

 These Cupcakes were Decorated with
Lemon Frosting and Brown Sanding Sugar

   

& 

 

Using Cookie Cutters & Stencils to Decorate Cupcakes

Black Cat Cupcake
Lemon Cupcake & Black Sanding Sugar

When you decorate your Halloween cupcakes with stencils or cookie cutters, your variety is limited only by your cookie cutters, stencils and supplies.   I have dozens of cookie cutters and several packs of Halloween stencils.  I enjoy playing around with them and seeing what unique cupcakes I can create.  Now, everybody knows you can't celebrate Halloween without the black cat.  Isn't he spectacular on his golden moon cupcake!

They are also great for cakes! 


You can see my directions on how to stencil a Halloween cake by clicking this link to Cooking for the Holidays. 

Supplies Used in This Article

Confectioners Sugar is available in most grocery stores.  A variety of sanding sugar colors is not as easily obtained.  I purchase mine online.  

I also purchase my cookie cutters and stencils online. 

 Halloween Cookie Cutters, Owl, Bat, Pumpkin, Cat, Broom, Witch, 6-Piece SetCheck Price CK Products 4 Ounce Sanding Sugar Bottle, WhiteCheck Price

The Stencils

The stencils used in this article are an older pack of Martha Stewart Halloween stencils - M230600 (UPC #015586743364). The pack includes the bat, 2 jack o' lantern faces, the witch, the spider, the web, the skull & crossbones and the raven. (Neither the raven nor the web are shown on the front of the package.)  The only place I could find them at the time of writing this article was on eBay.

Since eBay inventory changes constantly, I recommend checking here again soon if you don't see exactly what you want right now.

You may wish to check Ebay by Clicking Here for these hard to find items.

See More Recipes On ReviewThisRecipes.com

More Recipes by Sylvestermouse

Quick and Easy Peach Cobbler Recipe
My mother's peach cobbler is one of my favorite desserts.  Actually, it is my favorite breakfast too. I have even been known to eat it for lunch.

Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe
This is my mother's recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge.  I have never seen it published anywhere else, but it is the best I have ever tasted.

"This Tutorial for Easy Stenciled Cupcakes for Halloween" Written by:

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Autumn Eats - A Review of Seasonal Cookie Cutters

Autumn Cookie Cutters

Creative Fall Cookie Cutter Set

Use this unique and colorful set of Autumn Woodland cookie cutters to make Fall and Thanksgiving sugar cookies! This 5-piece set can be used as Fondant Cutters / Fall Cake Decoration / Plastic Cookie Cutters / Thanksgiving Baking Tools.

These seasonal cookie cutters can be found in the Etsy Shop called ShapemCom.  This shop is run by Nadia of Miami, who makes silicone & plastic molds for your favorite hobbies.

Christmas Cookie Cutters

Santa Cookie Cutter

The Fall season also includes the holiday of Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Shapem has just the right cookie cutters for Christmas, such as this Santa Cookie Cutter.  The shop also has snowball and a mitten cookie cutter perfect for your Christmas themed cookies.

 Zombie Gingerbread Men Cookie Cutters

From Unique and Funky Gifts

For more fun Autumn/Fall/Seasonal cookie cutters, check out the Top Gift Ideas for Women from Fred & Friends in the article Top Gift Ideas for Women by Louanne Cox. Nothing like Zombie style (Already Been Chewed) gingerbread MAN cookie CUTTERS to generate some interesting party-time conversation!

 

 

A Handy Sugar Cookie Recipe

Source: AllRecipes!

Use these and other seasonal cookie cutters with a sugar cookie recipe, such as this one for The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies which can be found online at AllRecipes!  

Your cookie jar (and your family) will be happy you did.

 

 

Cookies Throughout the Autumn Season

With the wide variety of cookie cutters available in fun shapes, your cookie jar will be filled with sugar cookies for every occasion throughout the Fall season, including Halloween and Thanksgiving, and even into Christmas. 

Happy Baking!

National Cookie Cutter Week is

The First Week in December

Written by (c) Wednesday Elf on 10/29/2016.  Updated 10/7/2021.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Bake Cookies Day, December 18 – Holiday Review

Bake Cookies Day (Source: Pixabay & Fotojet)

  'Tis the season for baking cookies, so how appropriate that Bake Cookies Day is held every December 18th right in the middle of the holiday season. 

The word 'cooky' or 'cookie' comes from the Dutch word “koekje”, meaning “little cake”. Cookies arrived in America along about the 17th century, although they may date back as far as 7th century Persia! Today they are a global phenomena, coming in more varieties, flavors and styles than you can possibly imagine.

The writers on Review This Reviews often write on the subject of food and have reviewed recipes for many varieties of cookies. It seems appropriate for Bake Cookies Day to share a few here. 

Cookie Varieties and Recipes on Review This Reviews

Cookie Recipe Reviews on ReviewThisReviews!

• Dawn Rae tells us 'How to Make Super Easy Gingerbread Cookies', perfect for the holiday season.

• Dawn also has a fun Snickerdoodles Cookie Pie recipe.

• RenaissanceWoman (Diana Wenzel) shares her Favorite Christmas Cookies - Rosettes Recipe.

• If you don't  have time to bake, try out Dawn Rae's Easy No-Bake Bliss Balls.

• Beverly Owens shares her Christmas Wreath Marshmallow Treats Recipe.

• If you want to give a gift of cookies, but don't have time to bake your own, try out  Byrd's Famous Cookies reviewed by Wednesday Elf. They are delicious.

Other Cookie Days

Source: Pixabay

There are other dates throughout the year that celebrate 'cookies'. 

• National Chocolate Cookie Days happens on August  15th.
• National Homemade Cookies Day is October 1st.
• National Gingerbread Cookie Day is November 11th.
• National Cookie Day is December 4th. 

Summary

So, enjoy Bake Cookie Day December 18th, or any of the other fun cookie days all year long. And don't forget to leave a couple cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve! 

(Source: Pixabay)

Bake Cookies Day
December 18

Supplies for baking cookies can be found here on Amazon


(c) Wednesday Elf 12/7/2019

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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