This Holiday Season, It Really Is The Thought That Counts
New Products from American Greetings Enhance Your Important Personal Touch
Cleveland, Ohio (November 17, 2008) – As the holiday season nears, consumers are looking to their most cherished traditions to get them into the spirit. This desire to return to more of the traditional themes of the celebration not only reflects a sense of nostalgia, but it also offers a feeling of hope and comfort, and makes us more likely to connect with those who are most important to us. Because of this, American Greetings Corp (NYSE: AM) trend experts are forecasting an outpouring of thoughtfulness as shoppers take time to find the perfect way to express themselves, and their appreciation.
In short, this holiday season, it really is the thought that counts.
“It may sound cliché, but consumers often tell us that the greatest gifts they give are the ones they put the most thought into,” said Rochelle Lulow, creative director and holiday etiquette expert at American Greetings. “When we take the time to come up with an idea that is perfect for someone, it is usually something that relates back to our relationship and the memories we have. Sharing those memories, and some much needed down time, is all we really want during this time of year.”
At American Greetings the goal is to offer ways for consumers to share messages of love and appreciation every day, but one could argue that no time of year is more recognized than the holidays. This year, a wide array of new offerings will help consumers to send warm greetings to all of their loved ones, while staying true to what makes each recipient, and relationship, so special.
Holiday cards offer heartfelt copy, special innovations
New cards this year feature wonderfully warm sentiments incorporating conversational copy, which helps to express people’s feelings in a modern tone while adding to the personal meaning behind each word. Enhancing the expression of these feelings are fun innovations highlighted by a full array of twinkling lights and hum-worthy tunes.
“This year’s card collection has something for everyone,” said Lulow. “We found that consumers are looking for longer, more heartfelt copy, and they want innovations such as sound and lights to make the card even more memorable and special.”
The themes of tradition and nostalgia play heavily into the collection as card shoppers look for ways to reflect their favorite recollections. Warm color schemes, iconic images and words that get to the heart of what makes any relationship special help to give both sender and recipient a feeling of affection and the simple, yet priceless, joy of reflection.
Innovative products help to share special moments
Creating and sharing fun memories is at the very root of the season, and this year American Greetings has the perfect way for shoppers to do just that.
Busy consumers can find a particularly unforgettable present at their fingertips with PhotoWorks.com, American Greetings photo sharing and personal publishing site. Through PhotoWorks, consumers can find high-quality photo gifts and greeting cards that can be personalized with favorite images to make them even more special.
Shoppers can find everything from fun kitchen gadgets and accessories (from a beautiful wine box and a unique cutting board to personalized recipe cards) office tools (such as calendars, or a mouse pad) and even keepsakes that are sure to be treasured forever (distinct, high quality photo books and sterling silver jewelry) at PhotoWorks.com.
Enhance your presentation to reflect (and emphasize) your thoughtfulness
Thoughtful and useful are two terms commonly associated with what has become one of the most popular presents, the gift card. Consumers love these convenient offerings, and with good reason. They allow shoppers to give a sure to be appreciated item that they can guarantee will not be too small, the wrong color or worse yet, ill advised. And while both giver and recipient enjoy the convenience and success rate of the popular offering, shoppers have longed for ways to increase the effectiveness of their presentation.
Your effort and thoughtfulness were evident when you selected a gift card from their favorite store; show them that same sentiment by enhancing your festive packaging. American Greetings now offers special gift card displays that can be found at select retailers. These convenient one-stop shopping sources feature the popular stocking stuffer along with coordinating boxes, bags, cards and accessories to make your present look as beautiful as the thought you put into it.
Shoppers can find the perfect holiday greeting cards, wrapping paper, gift bags and accessories to enhance their gift presentation this year at participating drug chains, grocery stores and super centers nationwide, as well as in American Greetings and Carlton Cards retail stores. Great online offerings can be found at AmericanGreetings.com and PhotoWorks.com. Visit www.corporate.americangreetings.com for more 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.