12×18 Photo Calendar Giveaway

with 106 Comments

12×18 Photo Calendar Giveaway
by Jen White

For Christmas 2015 I’m excited to be gifting my 84yr old father-in-law with a custom 12×18 photo calendar from AdoramaPix.com. Family and memories are two of the things that he holds most dear. This calendar will remind him of his legacy all year long.

Come along with me on a quick first-look review of the calendar that arrived in my inbox just this morning.

The Super-sized Package

OH YA! Who doesn’t LOVE to give or receive a HUGE gift at Christmas time? I’m already looking forward to wrapping this big boy up with beautiful paper and a fanciful bow. My father-in-law is gonna feel like a king.

I’ve put a Sharpie marker on it just so you can get the full effect of the enormous size of this package.

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The Protection

I will go ahead and tattle on my 18yr old (he’s the cutie on the left in the photo below). He was so excited to see a HUGE package come via UPS this morning, that he immediately ripped it open. I yelled “NO FAIR”, but it was already too late.

Lucky for me, AdoramaPix.com had yet another package inside that was well protected from excitable children (and adults) like my son. You can see the inside of the packaging in the photo below.

The Cover Page

When creating a calendar on AdoramaPix.com, you are given the option of a ‘cover page’. Unfortunately, this page will never be displayed, but why not use it anyway. I put my best foot forward a stuck HUGE photo of my kids on the front.

I suppose my father-in-law could tear this off and frame it later. Actually, I’ll just tear it off and frame it for him. Can you say… bonus points?

CON: I wasn’t real excited that the cover was printed with a white border. I’m not sure why the photo didn’t bleed to the edges. Could be my fault in the ordering process. Either way, I’m not gonna let it bug me. I just adore those sweet little faces.

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The Binding

Ok. You might already know that I’m a detail person. I’ll admit (taking the chance that you’ll think I’m weird) that the hanger on the wire binder is my favorite part of this whole project. It’s cool. It’s ingenious. It’s modern.

Honestly, it makes me want to run and get a huge nail and hang it up. Well, maybe not a HUGE nail. But, you get what I mean, right?

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The Paper and Finish

Hopefully this photo will well illustrate what you are actually getting in terms of paper quality and finishing.

I have to admit, I expected the pages of the calendar to be heavier. Instead, the entire calendar is very thin. Does this mean that the pages are low quality? Absolutely not. They do not feel flimsy to me at all. I really like that I have a high quality product without bulk. How do they do that? Don’t ask me.

The finish applied to the prints is perfect. You can see a bit of it on the left side of the this photo. It’s not in-your-face, but it does give the entire project a professional feel.

Can you write on it without smudging? Using a Sharpie, I drew a heart around my name (because hearts are awesome) and immediately tried to smudge it with my finger—the lines didn’t budge. Ahhhh. It’s the little things in life, right?

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The Coloring

Oh my. I am SO picky about how my photos are printed. I do NOT like projects that come back darker (or lighter) than what I was expecting. Bugs-the-crap-out-of-me.

I am literally SHOCKED at the coloring represented in my calendar. I’m not kidding you, folks, my calendar looks exactly like I wanted it to. The colors (like the teal background paper below) are right on.

I will say… at the time of checkout at AdoramaPix.com, I was given the choice to “Do Not Touch My Photos” and I took it. I didn’t want them ‘color correcting’ things. That said, I would trust this company to make fine adjustments if they thought it would improve my project.

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My 12×18 Templates

Another thing I was pleasantly surprised about is that my 12×18 templates/quick pages fit PERFECTLY on the finished product. Anyone who has tried to get things to line up with photo company’s software will give testimony—it can be a pain.

Yes, I did design my templates to AdoramaPix.com specifications, but that’s no guarantee they’d print perfectly. Well, I’m happy announce, they DO! Yippee!

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The Minor Things

Each page of my calendar has a plain white backside. My pickiness is satisfied that the paper manufacturer is not stamped across the back. Again, it’s the little things.

There is also an extra blank page included in the back along with a nice black heavy cardstock backing. Hmmm. Looks like I have dust on my camera lens! Dang.

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The Long Story Short

I adore my 12×18 calendar from AdoramaPix.com. And trust me, I’m NOT an easy person to please.

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SHOP—SHOP—SHOP—SHOP

 

If you are thinking of gifting a calendar to a loved one, one option you might want to consider is a 12×18 Calendar from AdoramaPix.com. My calendar templates and QuickPages (in both graphic and shabby) will make the process of creating twelve months of memories MUCH less time consuming and mentally challenging.

Find my 12×18 Calendar Templates & QuickPages on sale through Sunday, November 8, 2015, at Digital Scrapper.

jenwhite-calendars

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WIN—WIN—WIN—WIN—WIN

How about an opportunity to win a FREE 12×18 calendar from AdoramaPix.com? That’s a savings of up to $30! From now till Sunday, November 8, 2015, toss your name into the drawing. Here’s how:

==> 2 Ways to Enter the Drawing (Drawing has ended.)

Hint: You can do both ways for a total of two entries into the drawing.

  1. Leave a comment to this blogpost (below) answering this question:
    ==> What month of the year is your favorite, and why?
  2. Comment and tag a friend or two (surely they will want a chance to win also) on our 12×18 Calendar post on Facebook.

Note: Winner is responsible for shipping costs of the calendar.

The winner will be contacted via email and announced in this blogpost Monday, November 9, 2015.

The winner is: Melinda Staley

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SAVE—SAVE—SAVE—SAVE

Here’s the best part. AdoramaPix.com is offering our readers an exclusive 30% discount on all custom print calendars valid through November 18, 2015. That gives you plenty of time to create a calendar (mine took me one evening to pull together using my QuickPages), get it uploaded, and have it sent to your home in time for Christmas.

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jenwhite-48x48Author: Jen White | Contact Us
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106 Responses

  1. Diana C
    | Reply

    My favorite month is probably October…it’s full on fall here and the weather is pristine! It’s the month I got married in…school is in full swing and life slows down just a bit before the holidays set in…great month for taking a vacation!

  2. ggpony
    | Reply

    April is my favorite month. Everything outside is green and the weather in California is very nice. Great time to travel. Also my boyfriends birthday is that month and so is mine.

  3. Regina Harris
    | Reply

    October is my favorite month with the splendors of autumn.

  4. Liz Lumsden
    | Reply

    November…it’s fall, it’s cooler, and it is pumpkin pie time.

  5. Regina Harris
    | Reply

    My favorite month is October because of the splendor of autumn colors.

  6. Valerie Jackson
    | Reply

    Each month is special, so I can’t choose just one. My mother has made calendars special. She has at least five calendars throughout the house and when she was working [until she retired at 81], she kept two or three at work. All of the calendars have notes for appts, reminders and little tidbits about each of us throughout the years. It was her way of “journaling” her life. Maybe a custom calendar with family photos would inspire a little more thoughtful writing on her part.
    Thanks for the opportunity to win and all the little details you included with the final product!

  7. Woodie
    | Reply

    July is my favorite month because it’s my birthday and I celebrate it all month long! I have lots of friends so I get lots of birthday lunches…have to watch the weight gain tho…lol. And of course there is all the Fourth of July festivities. (I like to believe they are really celebrating my birthday…lol) And of course when you think of July you think of the colors of RED WHITE AND BLUE! What more could one ask for in a favorite month?!

  8. Helen
    | Reply

    My favorite month is also October, the start of the best season of the year. I love the Autumn season, with all the changes-cooler temps, changing leaf colors, all the things that don’t happen here in Florida, except for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas…

  9. Nicki
    | Reply

    Oh how I love May! I love the foliage coming back to life and nothing makes me happier than seeing a robin in spring!

  10. Liz P
    | Reply

    My favorite month has always been August. It always meant I could go back to school! I still enjoy the end of summer.

  11. Karla H.
    | Reply

    I love October! The colors are beautiful and I love that the weather is getting cooler, but not too cold.

  12. Pat
    | Reply

    April is one of my favorite months. I was engaged and the weather is great
    It feels like a new beginning!

  13. Diane
    | Reply

    April is my favourite month. It is Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere and so we have survived the extreme temperatures of Summer. The days are milder and still long enough to enjoy some great outdoor living.

  14. C.J. Sturtevant
    | Reply

    October is my favorite month—I love the fall colors, and the cooler weather makes hiking and working in the yard, or traveling in the southwest, so much more pleasant. It’s also the month when my husband and I get seriously into planning our winter cold-weather-escape adventures.

  15. Colleen
    | Reply

    My favorite month is November because it is my birthday (the 18th) and the start of the holiday season when family and friends make the extra effort to get together and give thanks for their blessings all year long. Winning this calendar is the just what I need to get Al my blessings down and gifted to someone I love.

  16. Kimberly Goon
    | Reply

    October is by far my favorite month. It is the beginning of fall and cooler temps (I live in Las Vegas) and the colors are beautiful.

  17. Marj
    | Reply

    The changing of the seasons reminds me that I can change, too. There’s always change. So October remains a favorite month as well as the first balmy days in spring.

  18. Marsha
    | Reply

    October is my favorite month because I love fall weather. I miss the full effect of the autumn season after moving to the deep south many years ago but I still recall the crisp cool evenings, breaking out my favorite sweaters and the beautiful colors.

  19. Karen
    | Reply

    Mine would have to be December. I love decorating for the holidays and seeing family. Most important, my son comes home for a week to visit in December.

  20. Shawn
    | Reply

    My favorite month is normally October – I love, love, love the fall colors and the weather in Washington state is so perfect in October! But this one year I think December will be my very favorite month because – after 30 years of working for the state – I will be retiring as of December 31st. NOW I will have time to photograph and create and I’m looking forward to it soooo much!

  21. Ann
    | Reply

    Hard to pick a favorite month but probably September.

  22. Debra Ford
    | Reply

    May is my favorite. It is our anniversary. By the grace of God, we are married this year 41 years.

    • Sandy Harper
      | Reply

      I love the month of October. The leaves change their colors and the vibrant mountain sides of Utah are gorgeous. I love the Fall colors and it doesn’t hurt that my birthday is in October…..

  23. Kelly H
    | Reply

    December is my favorite month because first I love Christmas decorations, and Christmas lights — I would leave them up all year if my family would let me, it always takes me back to the joy of childhood–just the sparkle and excitement of the season, and of course I love snow and always hope for that rare white Christmas.

  24. Erica
    | Reply

    Any month in the fall is my favorite! September is my daughter’s birthday, October is my wedding anniversary, and November is my son’s birthday. And I love, love, all the colors of fall!

  25. Diane
    | Reply

    April is my favourite month. It is Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere and we have survived the extreme temperatures of Summer. There is still warmth in the air but is calmer with beautiful mild days and evenings for outdoor living.

  26. Yan
    | Reply

    November, our wedding anniversary is on the 7th. TOMORROW we shall be married 34 years!

  27. Kris B
    | Reply

    I’m thinking December is one of my favorite months mostly due to Christmas. I love the hussle & bussle, and gift choosing, and wrapping, and the moments that allow me to reflect on Christmas’s past, and how my family has changed….Everything about it just pulls at my heart strings and makes me more aware of my inner feelings…

  28. Betsy
    | Reply

    My favorite month is May because winter is really over. Everything is green and flowers are blooming.

  29. Judit
    | Reply

    June July August. Enjoy my great grand children around me and lots of pictures to choose from to make memory books.

    Just learning the scrapbooking.
    really looking forward to actually doing some of the designing.

  30. Cindy
    | Reply

    October is my favorite! I love the cooler weather, the beautiful colors and my favorite holiday, Halloween!

  31. Patsy
    | Reply

    I love November!! It’s when fall is always in full bloom! While we may get Fall weather in October sometimes it’s still warm here in SW Ohio. But November we ALWAYS have some good fall weather and then there’s Thanksgiving!! Yum Yum!!

  32. Irene
    | Reply

    My favorite month is September, still warm but not too hot.

  33. connieg
    | Reply

    My favorite month is August. We have warm weather and the gardens are producing fresh tomatoes and corn 🙂

  34. Teri Chaffin
    | Reply

    June is my favorite month – My anniversary, softball, baseball, beautiful weather!

  35. Charli
    | Reply

    August, when the temperatures are warm and dry and life seems just a little more slow and easy.

  36. Loretta
    | Reply

    September….love the weather during the month. Generally still beautiful, not too hot or cold.

  37. Mary
    | Reply

    August!! It’s my birthday month and I celebrate all month long. Doesn’t hurt that it’s beach weather too!

  38. Ruth316
    | Reply

    October is a favorite month because of the beautiful trees here in Central Indiana. This year has been exceptional with warmer than normal temperatures which we call Indian Summer.

  39. Teresa
    | Reply

    My favorite month is March because it’s my birthday and because it’s the beginning of Spring!

  40. Jeannie
    | Reply

    September is my favorite month. I love the colors of fall. They seem so pure. I love the harvested wheat fields next to the newly planted fields and the changing colors of trees. The last of the flowers are beautiful in their fall colors.

  41. Deb C.
    | Reply

    I guess my favorite month would be July. I love summer and July is always warm enough to go swimming and do lots of outdoor activities.

  42. Joyce
    | Reply

    This is a hard one. I have two favorite months. May because of the flowers and promise of warm weather and October because of the vibrant colors.

  43. Margalicia
    | Reply

    One of my favorite months is March. I love the colors of the foliage and its still cool.
    Fingers crossed.

  44. Pat Barnes
    | Reply

    It’s hard to choose just one month! Spring is my favorite season so I think I would choose April.

  45. Casey
    | Reply

    I love July, because that’s when we make the two-day drive up to visit our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. We don’t see them very often, so it’s a wonderful visit that we really look forward to!!! It’s lots of fun to see how our little one changes!

  46. Rebecca
    | Reply

    August! My birthday and summertime!

  47. Joyce
    | Reply

    Hey, Charlene just said the same thing as me… July is my favorite of course. It’s my birthday month and was always the best month of the summer in PA because we had the best chance of having a real summer day. In fact, all of summer is my favorite. 🙂

  48. Karri
    | Reply

    I love the change of the seasons, so I love every month, however, since fall is my favorite season, I will say October is my favorite month! Your calendar is beautiful!

  49. RuthAnn
    | Reply

    Lovely calendar! My favorite month I guess would be May-spring when the flowers are starting to come out and trees blossoming. Thanks for this chance to win.

  50. Rhonda Branson
    | Reply

    I love October for the scenery, but November for Thanksgiving. 🙂 I love all things fall!

  51. Meredith
    | Reply

    I love this calendar! I did one of the Digital Scrapper calendars a couple of years ago and it’s still on my wall (it’s perpetual). Would love to win this one…thanks!

  52. Claudia Davis
    | Reply

    April is my favorite month because flowers start blooming and major league baseball starts up again!

  53. Teri
    | Reply

    January – all things new again!

  54. Jane aka Selra
    | Reply

    December is my favorite because I get to celebrate Christmas with my grandsons, their parents, and my older son. The grandsons are now 5 and 8, so their excitement and joy just makes my holiday season. And it is fun to watch my adult sons playing with the kids toys.

  55. Lucie
    | Reply

    My favorite month is July – it’s summer, warm, lots of flowers and greenery.

  56. Maria B
    | Reply

    My favourite month is April with its promise of warmer temperatures and the beauty of spring flowers.

  57. Maria Boone
    | Reply

    My favourite months is April with its promise of warmer temperatures and the beauty of spring flowers!

  58. Jenn C.
    | Reply

    January is my favorite month. After the busyness of yard work, plus the holidays and four birthday celebrations, it’s nice to have a more relaxed pace, while hoping for a bit of snow.

  59. Jenn C.
    | Reply

    January is my favorite month. After all the busyness of yard work , plus holidays and four birthday celebrations, it’s nice to have a more relaxed pace, while hoping for a bit of snow.

  60. Esther Perry
    | Reply

    I love February. My mother’s and sister’s birthday was/is in February. But I love it even more because of all the promises of new life around us: Crocus, Tulips and Daffodils are poking their heads out of the ground. The buds on the magnolia, lilac and fruit trees are swollen and promise to open soon. At our son’s farm, there is a bunch of newly-born angora goats…
    All of them gifts of new life to us, to enjoy!

  61. Nikki
    | Reply

    October is magical! The sights, the smells, the colors! I love all of the posts that mention October so wonderfully!

  62. Penny Parello
    | Reply

    September is my favorite month. Autumn starts. Cool breezes. And my birthday is right in the middle!

    • Joyce bryant
      | Reply

      The best month of the year is august the month I was was blessed with my daughter. The best gift I ever received.

  63. Jackie Fare
    | Reply

    Without a doubt, October is my favorite month, ESPECIALLY this year! The colors here in the lower Hudson Valley of NY have been spectacular. And even on an off year, they are pretty darn good. It’s a reminder to me of God’s Glory :).

  64. Kathy
    | Reply

    My favorite month is August because each year my daughters and their families and I go on vacation to Cape Cod together. It is the best week of the year!

  65. Karen M in FL
    | Reply

    I love February and March because they are usually the coolest months in Florida. Of course March is also the month of my anniversary and my birthday.

  66. Cheryl Allen
    | Reply

    My favorite month is July! My flowers are beautiful, the lawn looks nice and it just seems like everyone is happy! So beautiful.

  67. Dianne Stephan
    | Reply

    My favorite month of the year is July. My daughter is off from school and we take a wine tasting trip on a Finger Lake of my choice!(My May birthday gift from her.)I love getting to spend time with her and my grand-daughter.

  68. digione
    | Reply

    My favorite month is October. The changing of the colors in the fall is always a surprise. For a few weeks plant life continues their color transformations giving a new view every few days. The crunching of leaves underfoot on a crisp day is music to my ears. The smells are different too.

  69. Janette White
    | Reply

    My favorite month is May. School’s out!!!

  70. Janette White
    | Reply

    My favorite month is May. Schools out!!

  71. Tammy
    | Reply

    The calendar set is beautiful and what woman do you know who doesn’t like a sale? Spring is my favorite season because of all the newness of life after a dull winter. But, I especially love the month of December because we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Also the sparkles and colors of the lights and decorations touch a very special place in my heart!

  72. pmm
    | Reply

    I love whichever month the garden gets really growing- maybe June!- All those beautiful green shoots, flowers, and little tiny fruits as they begin a wonderful season of harvesting just make me happy.

  73. Michele Kendzie
    | Reply

    It’s hard to pick a favorite month! There are different reasons I love each month. But the first that popped into my mind is June because I love summer and I love being at the beginning of fun things with it all stretching ahead of me.

    Thanks for the chance!

  74. Peg Powell
    | Reply

    My favorite month is December. It’s my daughters birthday. I love the smells, the colors in all the decorations, the music and the gift of Jesus.

  75. pattya
    | Reply

    I love April when spring is arriving with the bluebonnets blooming and the promise of summer just around the corner.

  76. Florida Granny
    | Reply

    My favorite month is October. I like the change of seasons and the beautiful colors.

  77. grannymike
    | Reply

    My favorite month is October. I live in Texas where fall is really not that evident, but it does eventually (except for this year, it seems) cool down a bit. When we have lived or visited in places with a ‘real’ fall, I have loved everything about it — the various colors of the leaves, the rustling of leaves, the brisk air. But even before that, I have loved October as I have some very special memories of events that occurred in October, some going way back. I could ramble about other months as well, but I do think October is my favorite month. Thanks for such a nice giveaway. I recently got my first photo book from Adorama. Oh, my, what a difference in quality from books I have ordered elsewhere. Your calendar looks beautiful.

  78. Sandra Smith
    | Reply

    Favorite month is December. I love every thing about Christmas — what it celebrates (my Savior’s birth), house decorations, the biggest Christmas tree that will fit in my living room, finding and giving wonderful presents to my family and friends, singing Christmas carols, all of the traditional “goodies” and meals, being cold enough in East Texas to have a fire in the fireplace and joy, joy, joy!

  79. Valerie Skiba
    | Reply

    September is my favourite month. I live in Saskatchewan Canada and I love the calmness that comes with the end of summer. Beautiful weather, harvest time and preparing for winter.

  80. Jeannine Maxson
    | Reply

    I love October! It is such a sensual month from the crunching of leaves underfoot, to the blue skies dotted with colored trees of gold, oranges, and reds. I love smelling bonfires too!

  81. Grace Taylor
    | Reply

    My favorite month is September. Each new school year is a chance to think about what I want to learn next.

  82. Cheryl
    | Reply

    My favorite month is November. It makes me excited and happy. So much happens in November with family and friends, and it’s the start of the holiday season. For example, my birthday, menu prepping and travel planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas, gift shopping, decorating the house and yard, cooking huge meals, and making new memories with family and friends who have traveled great distances to be together. There’s so much to be thankful for, and that’s why I love November.

  83. Jennifer K
    | Reply

    August! Love warm weather, no school & my birthday.

  84. Vivian Aarestad
    | Reply

    My favorite month is May. Everything is bursting with new life!

  85. Bonnie
    | Reply

    My favorite month is the one my daughter decides to come home in. It varies and I can’t wait to find out when it will be, so what month she picks I will pick. Thanks for the chance to win.

  86. Charlene
    | Reply

    Cool Giveaway, love to win!

    • Charlene
      | Reply

      Favorite Month is July, where it is warm and sunny and I have my birthday!!!

  87. Lana
    | Reply

    My favorite month of the year IN WYOMING is June. It takes until June for spring to finally hit Wyoming. So that being said…I LOVE SPRING AND SUMMER!!!

  88. Peggy Merton
    | Reply

    Beautiful calendar, thanks for the tips.
    My favorite month of the year is October. I love the cool days and the gorgeous leaves we experience here in Ohio.

  89. Barb F
    | Reply

    My favorite month of the year is October – it seems to be a time of transition and great beauty!

  90. Renee
    | Reply

    Beautiful calendar Jennifer! My favorite month is May – I love the freshness of Spring.

  91. Charlene
    | Reply

    My favorite month is November since I am winning this giveaway

  92. Barb F
    | Reply

    My favorite month is October because it’s such an awesome time of transition!

  93. Dawn
    | Reply

    Not sure if I have a favorite month nice Calendar

  94. Lois
    | Reply

    My favourite time of the year is August. This is when I get to see all of my family and we spend time at the lake.

  95. Melinda Staley
    | Reply

    April is probably a favorite month in my house – a few birthdays to celebrate, Easter and the arrival of Spring!

    • Jen White
      | Reply

      Melinda Staley, YOU are the winner of the FREE calendar from AdoramaPix.com. I will be in contact with you shortly. Congratulations!! 😀

  96. Peggy C.
    | Reply

    My favorite month is July, it is a big family time. We always get together for family reunion and most everyone makes time to be there if possible.

  97. Dixie Groutt
    | Reply

    My favorite month is February. All my boys, my husband and 2 grandsons, were born in February!

  98. Mavis
    | Reply

    My favorite time of year is June. I always look forward to my granddaughter’s birthday.

  99. Vicki McDowell
    | Reply

    My favorite month is November. That’s when it gets cool enough in Texas for boots, tights and sweaters. I love all the fall colors of the trees and the cool air in the mornings. Its also Thanksgiving and we have my favorite meal of the year – turkey and dressing – and spend some great time with family!

  100. Ramie
    | Reply

    April is my favorite month! Both kids and my husband were born in April, and spring break always falls in April for us. It’s basically a month long party!

  101. Connie
    | Reply

    What a neat calendar!! My favorite month is October.

  102. PatriciaD
    | Reply

    My favorite month is November (I know cheesy) but it truly is because I love Thanksgiving and that people are consciously thankful this month for all the many blessings we have in this country. I also love that we at least try to get together with family, wonderful food, great fun and no gifts required…hehe.

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