Here's What the Best-Dressed Holiday Cards are Wearing This Season
Handcrafted Touches and Envelope Jewelry all the Rage

Contact: Laurie Henrichsen / 216.252.4943

CLEVELAND, Dec. 15 -- Handmade, or the look of it, tops the trend list for this holiday season. The crafting trend has made its mark on everything from sequined, embroidered and beaded fashions to holiday greeting cards. This year a new line of card accessories called Christmas Card Decor from American Greetings makes it possible to add a personal, handcrafted look to purchased cards even if you're not a skilled artisan.

According to Angela Thompson, American Greetings Christmas card product manager, "Many times people want to make their cards unique by adding a special touch, especially when they're hand-delivering their card and when the card contains a gift of cash, a gift card or a gift certificate." The personal touch enhances the thoughtfulness of the gesture. It says, "You are so special to me that I took the time to make this just for you."

Thompson offers tips on how to personalize and embellish those extra- special holiday greeting cards in a snap:

• Envelope Jewelry - American Greetings offers fashionable holiday-themed
  adornments that are self-stick to add to cards or envelopes. Designs
  include stockings accented with rhinestones and beading and holly
  leaves with red sequins for berries. These also make great scrap
  booking supplies (package of 8 for $2.59-3.49).
  
• Wax Envelope Seals - Throughout history, sealing wax has been applied
  to envelopes and important documents to ensure their integrity.
  American Greetings offers pre-made press-and-stick wax-like seals with
  holly and snowflake indentations to give that same feel of distinction
  to hand-delivered holiday cards (package of 6 is $2.99).
  
• Card Confetti - Add the element of a delightful surprise with a
  sprinkling of delicate confetti inside the envelope, like the frosted
  translucent snowflake card confetti from American Greetings ($1.99).
  
• Envelope Wraps - Whether personally delivered or accompanying a gift,
  envelope wraps, clever self-adhesive ribbons and trims, can be slipped
  right over the envelope to give a greeting card an air of style and
  grace. One envelope wrap has a "Merry Christmas" message scripted on a
  band of burnished gold layered over a sheer metallic gold ribbon
  ($2.59).

"You don't have to be a master crafter to add your own creative touch to holiday cards," Thompson said. "These fun new products are all about making each card special without making more work for yourself during the busy holiday time."

About American Greetings Corporation

American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) is one of the world's largest manufacturers of social expression products. Along with greeting cards, its product lines include gift wrap, party goods, candles, stationery, calendars, educational products, ornaments and electronic greetings. American Greetings is also the creator and owner of many celebrated character properties, including Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual net sales of approximately $2 billion. For more information on the Corporation, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Angela Thompson - http://profnet.prnewswire.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=339390

SOURCE: American Greetings Corporation