Lipstick to Crayons » Shopping

10 Things NOT to Buy on Black Friday

lipsticktocrayons — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:35:59 +0000

By Lindsay Sakraida, dealnews Features Director

It’s easy to fall into the common Black Friday trap of thinking that literally every item on your shopping list will be at its lowest price of the year around the upcoming Black Friday shopping weekend. That statement may be true for a variety of categories, but it’s important to note that there are a handful of things you should not buy on Black Friday. Here’s our top 10 to look out for:

1. Toys: We’ve said it many times already, and we’ll say it once more: Black Friday is not the best time to buy toys for the holidays. They’ll likely still be discounted, and it may feel pretty good

to get your shopping done early, but you won’t love that sinking feeling you’ll get when you see those toys listed on dealnews for less about two weeks before Christmas.

2. Top-Brand TVs: Black Friday is an excellent time to get a cheap TV, with numerous sizes prepped to hit their lowest price points we’ve ever seen, but don’t expect the best deals to be flooded with brand-name sets. Those will come with a bit of patience.

3. 2012 Calendars: Wait until the end of January or early February to see the first significant discounts on 2012 calendars, and keep your appointments in your smartphone in the meantime. Wall calendars are mainly just eye candy for your cubicle anyway, right?

4. Christmas Decorations: While you’ll get fantastic deals on Christmas items the closer you get to the holiday itself, and of course after the holiday, you can still score a relatively good deal if you skip Black Friday and shop on Cyber Monday for these festive goods.

5. Jewelry: This entire category is flagged “do not buy” for the holiday season. Jewelry can be tough to avoid this time of year (especially if you’re set on buying something sparkly for a lady friend), but as you might imagine, the discounts on jewelry before the holidays are nowhere near as good as times when people are less inclined to be gifting something special.

6. The North Face Denali Jacket: This is one of the brand’s most-popular standard styles, and its price will go up and down as new colors are released each season. But the lowest prices we’ve seen on this style in the past three years have come in the late spring through summer months (with the occasional outliers).

7. Roku 2 XS: This media player is on Amazon’s list of best-selling electronics, so it’s reasonable to think that shoppers will be on the hunt for a deal on this popular item come Black Friday. But let’s take a look at the deals we saw on last year’s hot Roku, the XD model: We saw an excellent offer on Black Friday from Amazon, but then an even better deal (again from Amazon, for $8 less and bundled with a streaming media credit) came along in mid- and late December. Therefore, we’d recommend holding out until December for the Roku 2 XS this year.

8. Game Console without a Bundled Item: As we’ve suggested before, now is not the smartest time to buy a console that’s several years old when two of the major names are planning refreshes in the next year. However, this advice is mainly geared toward people who already have a console and are thinking about replacing it. If you just can’t wait to jump on the gaming bandwagon, you should at least make sure you’re getting a sizeable free gift card or a few top-name game titles with your purchase. (Price check the games though, as you might be able to get the bundle cheaper if they happen to be on sale over the Black Friday weekend.)

9. Winter Apparel: Although we’ll see some of the best coupons of the yearfrom numerous clothing retailers during Black Friday weekend, you should consider using them to stack with items that are already heavily discounted in the sale section to get the greatest value; winter apparel will see better base discounts in January.

10. Watches: Just like jewelry, watches usually don’t see their best prices during Black Friday weekend, likely because of the proximity to the holiday season. We see far more Editors’ Choice caliber dealsduring the spring and particularly during the summer.

Keep in mind that nothing is written in stone, and we may still see some stellar deals on items within the above categories; however, it’s more likely we’ll see so-so offers.

But enough about what you shouldn’t buy on Black Friday; check out our price predictions feature to see what’s good to purchase around the shopping holiday. Then, consider signing up for an email alert so you know immediately when the items of your choice are listed on dealnews.

Copyright © 2012 Lipstick to Crayons. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact legal@lipsticktocrayons.com so we can take legal action immediately.
Plugin by Taragana

Posts like this

Online Shopping Return Policy Roundup

lipsticktocrayons — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:27:44 +0000

Holiday e-shopping has begun, and with it the potential for gift returns. Because online merchants have different policies, it pays to read the fine print before you buy.

Some stores only give 30-days leeway, which means recipients can’t return purchases after Christmas. Happily, some merchants are changing these deadlines for the holidays but, because there are websites who truly believe “fineprint” means “itsy bitsy print in a very pale pastel,” FreeShipping.org compiled a list of major e-retailers and their return policies for 2011.

Ann Taylor
You’ve got 60 days to return Ann Taylor purchases but, if you don’t have the receipt, only a store credit is issued. Gifts returned online will result in an e-gift certificate, so be sure to include your e-mail address on the return receipt. An in-store gift return yields a hardcopy gift certificate in the amount paid by the sender.

Bath & Body Works
Because Bath and Body Works believes “no sale is ever final,” they don’t need to extend their holiday deadline. You don’t need a sales receipt or shipping invoice for gifts, but they can only be returned to brick-and-mortar Bath and Body Works stores.

Cabela’s
You’ve got 90 days to return a Cabela’s purchase, which makes everything nice and easy, until you learn you only receive a store credit or gift card when you don’t have a receipt. If you need to return a gift, print a return form and send it to Cabela’s customer service address or bring it in to any of their retail stores.

Coldwater Creek
There’s no deadline for Coldwater Creek returns by mail or to a retail outlet. If you’re sending it back and don’t have a receipt or packing slip, make sure you include your name and address on a note enclosed with the package.

Best Buy
Enjoy Best Buy free shipping now through Dec. 27, and return gift purchases — with no exclusions — from Nov. 13 through Jan. 4. The electronics behemoth is spreading the holiday cheer even further by removing restocking fees for all products, including special orders, within this timeframe.

Costco
Costco’s standard return policy is a liberal 365 days, so there’s no need to extend their deadline for the holidays. In addition, Costco refunds membership fees if a customer isn’t satisfied. Refunds for Internet purchases include shipping and handling charges.

endless.com
The online-only shoe merchant provides a generous 365 days for returns with guaranteed free shipping. Use the Endlessonline returns center for proper processing.

JCPenney
The best part of JCPenney’s online returns is they pay for shipping and handling, no matter what your reason for returning the product. You have up to 90 days and, with a gift receipt, will receive a JCPenney gift card in the amount of purchase.

Kmart
You’ll need an original receipt or email confirmation dated within 90 days of the original date of purchase. No exceptions, apparently.

Kohl’s
Return any item, anytime, for any reason. Have your receipt? You’ll get a full refund or even exchange. No receipt? No problem. Kohl’s will give you a refund, an exchange or store credit.

Lands’ End
Now through Nov. 15, enjoy Lands’ End free shipping plus take 25% off your purchase. For returns without an exchange, use the return label for a flat shipping fee of $6.95. You also can return your order to any Sears or Lands’ End store and entirely avoid shipping costs.

L.L.Bean
The sky’s the limit with L.L. Bean, which has no return deadline and doesn’t require authorization before you ship your gift back to them. Just download and fill out an online form or use the form printed on the packing slip.

Macy’s
The return deadline for Macy’s is a generous 180 days and you don’t need a receipt because they have a program that identifies products in their system. Too cool! Gifts will receive a store credit or exchange. Please note the deadline for jewelry purchases is only 30 days.

Mainline Menswear
Basically, you can return any Christmas gifts ordered from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 up to 14 days after Christmas, which only gives you until Jan. 7.

Sears
Return the gift in its original packaging, with the original receipt or email confirmation, within 90 days of purchase for a refund or exchange. Alternately, you can return a purchase from Sears.com to one of their stores.

Shoebacca.com
As with Endless, Shoebacca provides totally free shipping both ways and a 365-day window in which to return or exchange unwanted gifts.

Sierra Trading Post
Sierra Trading Post makes it easy. You have up to six months and will receive instant credit plus $2.95 shipping on your next order. If you prefer, STP will give you a refund.

Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us
Online purchases returned by mail within 90 days to their online Returns Center by mail are refunded to the original form of payment, which means the gift giver will know your dirty little secret and you’ll come up empty handed. Instead, make returns to a Toys ‘R’ Us or Babies ‘R’ Us store for a merchandise credit.

Victoria’s Secret
Now through Nov. 16, you can enjoy Victoria’s Secret free shipping, but you’ve got 90 days to return that lacy tidbit for cash. Ater that deadline, Victoria’s Secret will only provide store credit. To return gifts, check the box on the Return/Exchange Form attached to the original invoice indicating you’re returning a gift and provide your shipping information. If you don’t have the original invoice, use their printable return and exchange form.

Walmart
You can return or exchange most store items with a receipt within 90 days of purchase. Visit walmartstores.com to see exceptions for electronic and regulated items. You can return online purchases to any Walmart store.

Zappos
Another great shoe deal: Zappos free shipping is good both for purchases and returns. Whether you’re unhappy with a purchase or simply change your mind, Zappos will provide a full refund or exchange within 365 days of purchase. You’ll need the original packaging, however, to make the return.
###

FreeShipping.org is the largest resource on the Internet linking shoppers to free-shipping deals offered by nearly 4,000 online merchants.

This Roundup of Holiday e-Return Polices is provided by Freeshipping.org.

Posts like this

The Healthy School Lunch Makeover

lipsticktocrayons — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:05:07 +0000

By Connie Diekman, Registered Dietitian

As a mom, you likely know what your child eats for breakfast and dinner, but what about lunch at school? Typically, kids get about 30 to 50 percent of their calories while at school. The good news is there are several changes happening in school cafeterias across the country this year to make lunch time nutritious and delicious for students.

This year, moms will be pleased to know that school cafeterias are serving more whole grains in unexpected places (like pizza), more fresh vegetables (especially nutrient-rich leafy greens and orange vegetables), lessening sodium content and offering great-tasting flavored milk with fewer calories and less added sugar than in the past.

As the beverage of choice among students, the change to flavored milk is an important one. On average, school chocolate milk is projected to have just 31 calories more than white milk and 38% less added sugar, the result of ongoing work by milk processors with local districts across the country over the last five years.

This school year when kids pick up a carton of flavored milk with their lunch, the majority will be less than 150 calories and will have all the same nine essential nutrients as white milk – including vitamin D, calcium and potassium, nutrients that the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans say children need to consume more of.

As a registered dietitian, I know most kids ages nine and older are far from the recommended three servings of dairy a day, and it’s important to offer a variety of choices, both flavored and white milk, to ensure kids have more opportunities to get the nutrients found in milk, versus choosing drinks with no nutritional value.

The food choices kids make today can have a big influence in shaping their future. Providing wholesome, nutritious meals for students increases their ability to pay attention in class, provides energy for sports and exercise, and reduces the risk of health problems later in life. These nutrients are important for kids’ growth and development, and for many children, school meals may be the best source of real nutrition they get all day.

So remember, nutritious food doesn’t have to be boring! Low-fat chocolate milk strikes a great balance between good nutrition and good fun.

For more information on school flavored milk reformulations, please visit: http://www.whymilk.com/school_milk.php.

Connie Diekman, M.Ed, RD, LD, FADA is a nutrition communications consultant in St. Louis, Missouri. Diekman is the past President of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and is a former chair of the American Heart Association – Missouri affiliate.

She is the voice of the “Eating Right” minute, which airs daily, on WBBM radio in Chicago. She is also a former television nutrition reporter with St. Louis’ NBC affiliate and the local FOX affiliate.

Posts like this

Diplaying Quilts as Artwork, Creating Heirlooms

lipsticktocrayons — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:17:55 +0000

I’ve shared with you that one of my prized possessions is a quilt made by Campus Quilts from the baby clothes of my three children. And now, Campus Quilts is in the process of creating another quilt for me that will honor my late father’s memory. I wrote about that here and I will enthusiastically share pictures as soon as it arrives.

My dilemma, however, has been how to display these treasures. I want everyone who enters my home to see them! Well, my problem was solved when I found Chuck Pederson and Generation to Generation Heirlooms. Chuck handcrafts a Website full of products that are certain to become family heirlooms, including children’s toys, quilt ladders and quilt racks. Here is the gorgeous 7.5-foot quilt ladder he made for me:

As you can see, I am proudly displaying my baby-clothes quilt on the rack and will soon be adding my father’s memorial quilt above that. It fits perfectly in the corner of my room, with an angled design at the top so it leans securely against the wall.

Chuck makes all of his products by hand with the utmost care and attention to detail. The solid construction of this quilt ladder is amazing, and the silky-smooth finish on it is absolutely beautiful. Due to the size of this ladder, Chuck constructs it to fold in the middle for shipping and some minor assembly is required when it arrives. Just so you know, I intended to add that project to my husband’s “honey do” list, but the instructions Chuck sent were so simple and easy to follow that I completed it all by myself using the tools he suggested: A screwdriver and wood glue. (He pre-drills the holes for the dowels, good man that he is).

You can purchase any of Chuck’s heirloom treasures on his Website (quilt racks, children’s toys and quilt project hangars) and he will ship them to you. Prices range from $100 for a Toddler Town Car, $300 for a handcrafted Rocking Horse, $100 for a traditional floor quilt rack and $125 for the 7.5-foot ladder (plus shipping). All of the toys from Generation to Generation Heirlooms would make perfect Christmas presents for children. And unlike the latest toy made of hard, molded plastic and running on batteries, these toys are certain to last through the generations, becoming family heirlooms as Chuck intended.

If you live in/near California, you can see the items in person at the following craft shows:

October 21, 22 & 23 – Independence Hall Quilters Quilt Show, Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys, CA

November 12-13 – Tuleburg Quilt Guild Quilt Show, Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Stockton, CA

Chuck’s other tentative shows for 2012 are listed here.

Please visit Generation to Generation Heirlooms to check out Chuck’s products. You won’t be disappointed.

Posts like this

Memorial Quilt to Honor my Father’s Memory

lipsticktocrayons — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 02:22:11 +0000

My father, Roger L. Melton, Jr., died on April 30, 2011. It was somewhat unexpected and it’s still hard. As I said in my eulogy to him, he was my hero. He retired after 30 years as police officer and had a decorated (and sometimes colorful) career in law enforcement. I learned just days before his death, but unfortunately after he had slipped into unconsciousness, that he single-handedly prevented a Polaris missile from hitting a Navy aircraft. You can read about it here.

Now I have memories, photographs, a few videos and some other items that remind me of my Dad. I have some old police uniform shirts, a few medals he received while in the Army, some of his favorite T-shirts and the Sergeant’s badge from his police hat. I thought about putting these things in a shadow box, but then I remembered what I did with the baby clothes from my three kids. Campus Quilts turned those items into an absolutely amazing quilt that I will cherish forever. Here is a picture:

Campus Quilts makes t-shirt quilts, but they also make beautiful quilts from baby outfits, sweatshirts, socks, hats, and any other memorable fabric. So I figured why couldn’t they make a Memorial Quilt using my Dad’s things. So I contacted them and they said they could do it — Army medals, badges, T-shirts and all. Their sewing expertise is unmatched.

Once again, they’ve sent me the kit that describes exactly how to organize and number your items (you get to choose the order of your squares) and provides colors from which to choose for the sashing (an optional border around all of your quilt squares) and backing (the fabric on the back of your quilt). Or, you can provide your own fabric, which I might do this time. I haven’t decided yet.

I’m getting my items organized and ready to ship back to Campus Quilt. I might even email them a photo or two which they can transfer onto a white T-shirt and turn into a quilt squre. I have images of his letter commendation regarding the missile incident and my favorite photgraph of him in uniform.

I know this quilt will be among my most cherished possessions when it’s finished and is the best way I can imagine to display the things about my Dad that make me proud. As we move through this first year of milestones without him, I know it will provide me with comfort. For that reason, I wanted to share this with my readers. I think a Memorial Quilt would make a great gift for anyone who has lost a loved one. What better way to tell a grieving friend or family member that you acknowledge their loss and want to help them celebrate the memories.

Now stay tuned because you KNOW I’ll be posting pictures of my Dad’s Memorial Quilt as soon as it arrives. (And I’m hoping to have a new quilt ladder upon which to display it and my baby clothes quilt, too).

Posts like this

Training for the Chicago Marathon — almost halfway!

lipsticktocrayons — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:14:15 +0000

Well, I’m almost halfway through my training program for the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. And the training has been grueling in this heat!

This will be my third appearance in the Chicago Marathon. It was my first-ever marathon in 2005, with a time 4:30:54, and I went back in 2006 and completed it in 4:34:08. I initially wanted to complete the race in under four hours this year, but I’m starting to think that might be too aggressive of a goal. So, my goal now is to go faster than 4:30. And, I’m starting a new nutrition program that I hope will result in an 8-10 pound weight loss, which should also make me faster, right?

I’m really looking forward to this particular race because two of my closest friends are going to travel with me to Chicago and we’re going to make a “Girls Weekend” out of the affair. We haven’t chosen our hotel accommodations yet, so that’s next on the list.

Then it’s time for me to start shopping for new running shoes. Any suggestions? I’ve been training in New Balance so far, and I may stick with those, but I”m open to suggestions.

Posts like this

Great Idea for Mother’s Day – Scentsy Wickless Candles.

lipsticktocrayons — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 02:53:42 +0000

I have a new item in my home that I love, love, love. It’s a Scentsy wickless candle.

Scentsy wickless candles are a safe way to bring great fragrance and stylish decor into your home. They are flameless candles that are heated in a decorative warmer where wax is slowly melted by a small, low-watt bulb.

You can choose from more than 75 warmer styles to fit any size room, decor or personality. I chose the full-size Hope warmer from the Miracle collection and it is lovely amid the earth tones in my living room. The full-size warmers are 4.5” wide by 6” tall and cost between $30 and $35 dollars.

Scentsy comes in 80 wickless candle bar fragrances, including spa, tropical and romance scents. Each bar contains as much fragrance oil as a 12 ounce jar candle. And when your wax is completely used, you simply buy more for your beautiful warmer, which makes a pretty way to add some mood lighting to a room, as well.

Scentsy is a direct selling, wickless candle company headquartered in Meridian, Idaho. The company is owned by Orville and Heidi Thompson and sells its products through a field sales force of more than 70,000 independent sales representatives known as Independent Scentsy Consultants, who market and sell Scentsy products through home parties.

In addition to warmers, Scentsy sells plug-ins, foams, travel tins, room sprays and other fun, fragrant products. To find out how to host or party or to find a consultant near you, go here.

Try a random post.

$50 Snapfish Giveaway for Mother’s Day – Check out the Photobooks! – CLOSED

lipsticktocrayons — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 02:21:48 +0000

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I LOVE SNAPFISH PHOTOBOOKS! And what would make a better Mother’s Day present than a Snapfish photobook?

You can honor mom by capturing her favorite moments in a personalized photo book. You can even archive her favorite family recipes! Snapfish offers photo books with many creative layouts and a range of sizes including 8×11, 8×8, 5×7 and even 4×6 flip books, great for all occasions. And one of the really cool features of the photo books is the custom cover which lets you stretch a picture across the entire front cover (see the image with this post).

And guess what? I reccently discovered that Snapfish has integrated with Flickr!! This makes the photo book making process even easier. I am an amateur photographer of sorts — I’ve taken a few classes and I have 17,000 (no, that’s not a typo) pictures in my Flickr photo stream. I used to have time to have those photos printed and then spent hours creating beautiful scrapbooks, but with Baby No. 3, scrapbooking went out the window. Now whenever I want to turn my pictures into a scrapbook, I can create a Snapfish photobook and load the pictures right from my Flickr photostream. I no longer have to upload my pictures to two different places (Flickr, where I store ALL my digital photos and Snapfish for my photo books and photo gifts). Of course, you can still upload your pictures to Snapfish the “old fashioned” way!

Here are some other great Mother’s Day Gift ideas on Snapfish:

Leather bracelet with photo charm – Put mom’s favorite picture on a bracelet so she can wear it every day.

Sterling silver swinging locket – Looking for a gift she’ll cherish forever? Snapfish’s new sterling silver necklace with swinging locketallows you to display mom’s favorite photo in a locket that is sealed in a waterproof, UV-resistant coating to protect the image. Sent in a gift box, Snapfish does the wrapping for you.

Keepsake Box – Perfect for keeping all her prized possessions in one place, this beautiful keepsake box is made of dark-stained wood and features one glossy photo tile, measuring 5″ X 2¼” deep.

Hardcover Journal – Inspire mom by helping her record her special day and year with a personalized journal by Paper Coterie. The journal features a photo and several custom designs she’ll flip for.

Photo greeting card – Who doesn’t love a thoughtful greeting card? But why settle for one you can buy anywhere? Instead, show your appreciation for mom by sending her a personalized photo greeting card on her special day. Snapfish offers a myriad of selections with more than 3,000 designs. You can even create a recordable greeting card to show mom how much you care, whether she’s close or far.

Now here’s the best part about Snapfish and Mother’s Day — Snapfish wants to give one of my lucky readers a $50 gift credit to use on a product of her choice.

Giveaway Guidelines:

To enter the contest, you MUST subscribe to Lipstick to Crayons (subscribe button in upper right corner) and then comment below that you did so (or leave a comment telling me you’re already a subscriber). After completing this mandatory first entry method, you can gain additional entries by doing any or all of the following (but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do):

Blog about this contest.
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (You can tweet daily, but leave a comment for each time you do so).
Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar
Become a fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook.
Post a link to this contest on your Facebook page.

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time May 2, 2011. Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If the winner does not claim the prize by May 5, 2011, she will forfeit the prize to an alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

USA residents only.

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO NICOLE, COMMENT #7.

Posts like this

$50 ProFlowers Giveaway for Mother’s Day – CLOSED

lipsticktocrayons — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:29:54 +0000

If you are looking for Mother’s Day Flowers, you need to check out ProFlowers selection of beautiful arrangements. I recently received a gorgeous arrangement of 30 Assorted Tulips in an amethyst vase and they still look amazing. They arrived fresh with clear direction on how to make them last and look their best.

Ordering from ProFlowers is quick and easy, and you won’t believe the selection. With prices starting at $19.99, you can find something in your budget. Plus, if you become a Facebook fan, you can get 20 percent off your order. And the site has a coupons page where you can find things like a free vase, free weekday deliveries or 20 percent off your order, too.

Here’s the best part. ProFlowers wants to help one of my lucky readers celebrate Mother’s Day. So, they’re offering a $50 gift code to the winner of the contest below.

Giveaway Guidelines:

To enter the contest, you MUST become a ProFlowers Facebook fan and then comment below that you did so. After completing this mandatory first entry method, you can gain additional entries by doing any or all of the following (but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do):

Subscribe to Lipstick to Crayons (subscribe button in upper right corner of the homepage.
Blog about this contest.
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (You can tweet daily, but leave a comment for each time you do so).
Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar
Become a fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook.
Post a link to this contest on your Facebook page.

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time April 23, 2011. Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If the winner does not claim the prize by April 26, 2011, she will forfeit the prize to an alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

USA residents only.

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO JULIE L, COMMENT #99.

Posts like this

Spread some “Snappiness” and Get $5 Credits to Spend on Snapfish

lipsticktocrayons — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 04:32:39 +0000

This week, Snapfish launched a new Facebook campaign called Spread the Snappiness, which will help you celebrate with photos and words the people who inspire you and when you do so, you each get a $5 Snapfish credit. That can buy:

A sheet of 20 photo stickers
Approximately 50 6×4 photo prints
Animated and 3D bookmarks
A Flipbook
Photocards
Collage prints

Now that you’re salivating, here’s how you can Spread Some Snappiness in Three Easy Steps:

1) Celebrate: Choose any person who has made a difference in your life this year to spread thanks, joy, or good wishes this holiday season.
2) Honor: Upload a photo of your most 2010 cherished memory with a short message to express how much that person means to them (including the e-mail and name of recipient). (Upload to www.facebook.com/snapfish — be sure to click the “Snappiness” tab.)
3) Share: Share the photo of your most cherished memory with the person whom inspires you the most and with the Snapfish family via Facebook. The photo and special message will be shared on that friend’s Facebook Wall and in the “Spread Some Snappiness” photo album.

For every photo and message shared by registered Facebook users, they will receive a $5 credit towards any gift on Snapfish.com (limit one per person). The recipient will also receive a $5 credit. Users will also have the opportunity to pick their favorite picture from the “Spread Some Snappiness” photo album. Additionally, for each photo and message uploaded in the “Spread Some Snappiness” photo album, Snapfish will make a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation on that user’s behalf.

Want to spread even more Snappiness?

Vote: Pick your favorite picture from the Snappiness Photo Album, and click “Like.” The image with the most votes (“Likes”) will be entered into a drawing for 1000 free prints announced on January 7, 2011.