Changes in Travel Plans May Lead Many to the Card Aisle This Thanksgiving
Consumers May Be Cutting Down on Travel But Not On Saying Thanks

Cleveland, Ohio (November 3, 2008) – With recent reports that nearly 3,000 fewer domestic flights will be offered this Thanksgiving, along with the news that consumers are cutting down their own traveling plans, the typically nomadic holiday seems as if it will be a little different this year. But while consumers may be prioritizing their travel, they are certainly not losing the spirit of the season. For instance, evidence of this can be seen in the greeting card aisle. According to American Greetings Corp (NYSE: AM) more than 2.5 million cards are sent each Thanksgiving, and of that total 81 percent are mailed, which is the highest percentage of mailed cards for any occasion.

So even if they can’t be with all of their family and friends for the holiday, consumers still want to make sure that they let these special people know how thankful they are to have them in their lives. And one great way to do that is with a heartfelt card that helps to express the appreciation you feel.

“This Thanksgiving is going to be a slightly more pronounced version of what we have seen for many years,” said Shannon Hayes, Thanksgiving product manager at American Greetings. “Consumers often can’t make it home for Thanksgiving, but still want to celebrate and show appreciation for those closest to them. To help them meet this need, we have a wide range of cards that offer warm sentiments that reflect the thankfulness we all feel for our family and friends.”

New cards this Thanksgiving combine beautiful imagery and design with warm copy that resonates with both sender and recipient thanks to a more conversational style.

“This year’s line allows shoppers to send a card that really feels like them, and is really reflective of their relationship to make the sentiment of sending the greeting even more special,” said Hayes.

The newest collection of cards to celebrate Thanksgiving can be found at participating drug chains, grocery stores and super centers nationwide, as well as in American Greetings and Carlton Cards retail stores. Visit corporate.americangreetings.com for additional information and store locations.

About American Greetings Corporation

For more than 100 years American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) has been a manufacturer and retailer of innovative social expressions products that assist consumers in enhancing their relationships. The Company’s major greeting card brands are American Greetings, Carlton Cards and Gibson, and other paper product offerings include, DesignWare party goods, American Greetings and Plus Mark gift-wrap and boxed cards and Date Works calendars. American Greetings also has the largest collection of electronic greetings on the Web, including cards available at AmericanGreetings.com, through AG Interactive, Inc., the company’s online division. AG Interactive also offers digital photo sharing and personal publishing at PhotoWorks.com and Webshots.com, and a one-stop source for online graphics, animations, emoticons, text generators, and more at Kiwee.com. In addition to its product lines, American Greetings also creates and licenses popular character brands through the American Greetings Properties group. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $1.8 billion, and its products can be found in retail outlets domestically and worldwide, including company owned American Greetings and Carlton Cards stores. For more information on the company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.