Scrapbooking Expert Offers Tips for Creating Merry Memory Books This Holiday Season

LONG BEACH, Calif., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- In a season known for the taking and sharing of photos, Epson knows that scrapbookers have a special task of preserving precious holiday moments. To help make scrapbookers' seasons bright, Epson, the creator of the nation's number-one selling 4" x 6" photo printer, PictureMate(R), provides suggestions for both first-time and experienced scrapbookers.

Barbara Kotsos, senior marketing manager for scrapbooking solutions at Epson America, offers the below tips, hints and resources for compiling one-of-a-kind holiday memory books this season.

* Childhood Keepsakes: Start a tradition by having your children select their favorite holiday gifts and then pose for photographs. Each year, include these photographs in their memory books -- not only will they see changes in themselves, but also in their toy preferences. For an added touch, print doubles and include a photograph of your child and his or her toy in a thank you note to the gift giver. * Picture This: Everyone agrees that the holidays are much more fun when seen through the eyes of a child. This year, rather than being the sole family photographer, let your child snap a few pictures. These photos are sure to offer a unique view of the holidays. * Instant Memories: When juggling family, work, gift wrapping, cooking and caring for out-of-school kids, scrapbooking often falls to the bottom of the "to do" list. To stay on top of scrapbooking this season, print your photos as you go. With personal photo printers, such as PictureMate, you can print 4" x 6" snapshots in the convenience of home -- no driving, no lines, no crowds! * All in the Family: Remember to include all of the holiday "ministones" in your scrapbook. Too often, we limit the holidays to the unwrapping of gifts or photos with Santa. This year, photograph the family at the dinner table or your children tucked in on Christmas Eve to capture the full spirit of the holidays. * 'Tis the Season: In the midst of perhaps the busiest holiday season, there has never been a better excuse to "scraplift." Take advantage of Web sites that offer downloadable backgrounds or other digital templates for creating personalized, yet efficient, updates for your scrapbooks. Or better yet, visit http://www.epsoncreativezone.com/ for free downloadable resources as well as additional project ideas. * Little Something Extra: Go beyond the photograph and include other holiday keepsakes in your scrapbook. For example, after Santa's visit, be sure to add your child's "Dear Santa" letter to your memory book. For added personalization, include a photo of your child drafting the letter next to note itself. This is also a fun idea for special holiday recipes of dishes that you cook with your child.

For more information on PictureMate by Epson, as well as special offers and rebates, visit http://www.mypicturemate.com/.

About PictureMate

PictureMate personal photo lab enables consumers to easily print professional-looking 4" x 6" photos at home or wherever they choose, with or without a computer. PictureMate uses Epson's exclusive printing technology for affordable prints that resist fading far longer than traditional film processed prints and are even smudge, scratch, and water resistant. It's the anytime, anywhere photo printer that anyone can use. PictureMate is now available in three versions: PictureMate Pal(TM), PictureMate Snap(TM) and PictureMate Flash(TM) and retails for $129, $179 and $299 (respectively).

About Epson

Epson offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the consumer, business, photography, and graphic arts markets. The company is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) printers and transaction terminals for the retail market. Founded in 1975, Epson America, Inc. is the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, a global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration and energy efficiency. Epson America, Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif.

Note: Epson and PictureMate are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. PictureMate Pal(TM), PictureMate Snap(TM) and PictureMate Flash(TM) are trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any rights in those marks.