Holiday Survey Says Americans Want to Receive Cards from Oprah or Osbournes

CLEVELAND, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans have always been fascinated by celebrity lifestyles and popular entertainment. So just for fun, American Greetings (NYSE: AM), the world's largest publicly held manufacturer of greeting cards, wrapping paper and other special occasion products, surveyed 3,000 consumers* to see which entertainment figures and programs they identify with most strongly during the holidays.

Here are a few of their findings:

• Oprah Reigns as Card Queen -- Oprah Winfrey and the Osbourne Family topped the list of celebrities from whom most Americans would like to receive Christmas cards. Oprah was the hands-down first-place winner, garnering close to 48 percent of the vote, while about 22 percent of respondents said they'd like to receive cards from the controversial Osbourne family. J-Lo and Ben have apparently worn out their welcome in many homes. Only 17 percent would like to receive cards from them. U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Cleveland Cavaliers basketball phenom LeBron James captured the remaining votes.
  
  
• More "Marthas" than "Marges" -- When it comes to holiday decorating, there are apparently more self-styled Martha Stewarts than Marge Simpsons in the land. More than 42 percent of the survey respondents compared their efforts to Martha Stewart's while only 13 percent claimed to achieve Marge Simpson-like results. Insecurity did come into play, however. Nearly 28 percent claimed to decorate like Charlie Brown while 17 percent felt a close affinity with the well meaning but inept Griswold family featured in the National Lampoon vacation series of movies.
  
  
• It's a Wrap -- When asked which television show best describes their gift-wrapping methods, 58 percent said "Trading Spaces" ("quick and beautiful but on a budget") and 19 percent cited "Martha Stewart Living" ("meticulously crafty and classy"). More than 18 percent said they wrap gifts like "cartoons" ("It's all about the kids and their favorite characters."). Only slightly more than four percent of all
  respondents said they "use whatever is available and throw it all together" like the popular TV show "Junkyard Wars."

About American Greetings Corporation

American Greetings Corporation is one of the world's largest manufacturers of social expression products. Along with greeting cards, its product lines include gift wrap, party goods, reading glasses, candles, stationery, calendars, educational products, ornaments and electronic greetings. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual net sales of approximately $2 billion.