Export Archives - American Greetings Blog

Free Printable Thanksgiving Recipes… from our family to yours!

Free Printable Thanksgiving Recipes

With Thanksgiving fast approaching and the rest of the holiday season right around the corner, there will undoubtedly be many family get-togethers and friendly dinners you will be invited to, which means it’s time to start thinking of some new side dishes to share with the group! With this in mind, we decided to make some free printable Thanksgiving recipe cards featuring some of our American Greetings associates’ favorite family recipes. We tried to select a few that seemed equal parts delicious and easy to prepare!

1. Spicy Chicken Dip:

This comes to us from the kitchen of Christine Stefanick and is a surefire winner during pre-dinner appetizers or any of the many football games thoughout the day! Click here to download and print the full-size, double-sided recipe card.

2. Squash Casserole:

We’re sure you’ve had squash casserole before, but this one adds in two of our favorite things in an amazing way–bread stuffing and cheese! To view the full recipe card and print it for yourself, click here: Baked Squash Casserole Printable Recipe Card. This tasty recipe is courtesy of American Greetings associate Dana Hunt!

3. Better Than Waldorf Salad:

From the kitchen of Sue Tischler, this upgraded Waldorf Salad recipe adds pineapple, cherries, and marshmallow cream to create a delightful side dish that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Download and print the full recipe card here!

What’s your favorite family recipe? We’d love to hear in the comments!

Free Valentine’s Day Desktop Wallpaper!

January 24 By American Greetings

Hello, friends!

With winter weather and record-level snowstorms blowing across the country, we thought we would help you make your computer, phone or social media just a little more cozy–just in time for Valentine’s Day! Enjoy this set of free Valentine’s Day desktop wallpaper as a little gift from us to you.

Desktop Backgrounds:
Click here for our Valentine’s Day desktop wallpaper (2560×1440)
Click here for our Valentine’s Day desktop wallpaper (1680×1050)
Click here for our Valentine’s Day desktop wallpaper (1440×900)
Click here for our Valentine’s Day desktop wallpaper (1280×800)

Cell Phone Background:
Click here for our Valentine’s Day phone wallpaper

Facebook Cover Photo:
Click h ere for our Valentine’s Day Facebook Cover photo

Need help installing this? Click here!

Vintage Christmas Cards

December 22 By American Greetings

We think it’s safely fair to say that no holiday makes us travel down memory lane more than Christmas. As we unpack old ornaments and dig out those flour-caked recipe cards tucked in worn cookbooks, we are loving the fact that we have these tried-and-true gems of eras gone by.

The same is true of those Christmas cards we’ve all saved from year to year–hidden in boxes and drawers because they’re too special and too magical to ever part with. Here at American Greetings, we prize our old cards, too, and we merrily went in search of some vintage Christmas cards to display for you. You can almost smell the chestnuts roasting…

Merry Christmas!

Adorable Pet Halloween Costumes

October 21 By American Greetings

People go all-out on Halloween with awesomely creative costumes, and we’re not just talking about the costumes they create for themselves, but for their pets! If you have a fur baby at home (or a feather or scaly baby), then you probably align with the many thousands that like to get their pets in on the Halloween act, too.

If you’re trying to come up with that just-right costume for your pet, we’ve collected a few of our faves that will help you make your best buddy the hit of Halloween.

1. Chef Cat via HGTV

2. “Up Pup” from BRIT + CO

3. Pup Latte via Coolest Homemade Costumes

Pet Halloween Costumes - Pup Latte 4. Sven and Anna from Frozen from Frozen via Horse Crazy Girls

5. Bat Cat via HGTV.com

6. Supertoad from Fancihorse via Etsy

Harry Potter Pup via All Free Holiday Crafts

Harry-Potter-Dog-Costume_Medium_ID-1146507

Guinea Pig Baked Potato via Buzzfeed 9. Flying Saucer Turtle via Neatorama

Do you dress your beloved furbaby up for Halloween? If so, we’d love to see pics! Share in the comments!

Easy Halloween Costumes for Adults

October 19 By American Greetings

Halloween is always such a fun holiday for everyone—both kids and adults! It’s all about pumpkins and cider, decorations and parties, dressing up and trick-or-treating, and lots and lots of candy. Frankly, what’s not to like?! But year after year, people seem to agonize over what they’re going to dress up as this time. More often than not, they’re looking for something simple and inexpensive, but also unique.

The editors at American Greetings have checked out some really great ideas online and want to share them with you now. These adult Halloween costumes are not only easy DIY projects, they’re also pretty creative and fun. Happy Halloween, everyone!

1. Flight Attendant Costume by What I Wore

2. Pineapple Costume by Studio DIY

3. Jellyfish Costume by Martha Stewart

4. Mary Poppins & Bert Costumes by Say Yes

5. Rosie the Riveter Costume by What I Wore

6. Flo from Progressive Insurance Costume by Girl Loves Glam

7. Popcorn Costume by Studio DIY

8. Roy Lichtenstein Painting Costume by Anna Marie

9. Frida Kahlo Costume by The House that Lars Built

Will you be dressing up for Halloween? What will you be?

How to wrap a wedding gift (in style!)

June 9 By American Greetings

They say love is in the details, and certainly no life event is more detail oriented than a wedding. So how is it possible that, after carefully selecting the perfect wedding gift, to create a personalized gift presentation that will surely be noticed?

Enter the American Greetings gift wrap experts, whose knowledge of gift presentation details goes far beyond the traditional paper wrap and bow. They’ve agreed to share some of their favorite ways to present a gift in a beautiful way that befits the elegance of the occasion.

Here are their fun suggestions on how to wrap a wedding gift:

Take a hint from the invitation and wrap your present in the wedding theme. The gift table is usually in a prominent place in the reception, so matching the style and colors will definitely be noticed.
Use a special keepsake for the nametag. Personalized ornaments, a set of his/her luggage tags, and photo key chains all make memorable accents.
Adding a few natural items helps to add some personal flair and reflect the spirit of the season. Slip in a few spring or summer flowers, fall leaves, or glittering decorative snowflakes to gift bags or under ribbons. These items can really add pop to gift envelopes as well!
If you’re feeling particularly crafty, wrap your gift in two layers of contrasting wrapping papers. Use an X-ACTO knife to cut out a fun pattern in the upper layer of paper so that the lower layer shows through.
Embellish your gift wrap by stamping a design on solid-colored paper or stencil on their new monogram.
Layer ribbons of various widths for a customized, personalized look.
Present the gift in a beautiful keepsake gift box that they can reuse to save wedding mementoes and photos.
Think of themed gifts. Towels in a display box, wine glasses in a tablecloth, picnic supplies in a basket, stationery in a mailbox, coordinating photo albums and frames, and even a scrapbook starter set are all fabulous ways to make the memories of their special event live on for years to come!

Celebrate you this summer!

June 9 By American Greetings

Chances are, your schedule will probably become pretty hectic this summer. Cookouts, weddings, sporting events, and other get-togethers will fill your days, nights, and weekends. But one thing you must never forget is to make some time for you. Just for you!

One way to make sure this happens is to write it down on a calendar—with a pen. Declare this time as sacred and non-negotiable. After all, there’s no denying we all need a few moments to enjoy some quiet “me” time on our own terms.

Here are a few suggestions on how to make that goal a reality:

Backyard Oasis: Sometimes all you need is a glass of lemonade, a hammock, a good book, or an iPod to shut the world out and relax. Be sure to set aside some time each week to just be by yourself and recharge your batteries.

Go Retro: Remember the ol’ days of listening to a baseball game on the radio? Relaxing on a veranda swing? Taking a nap? No? Well trust us, it’s worth a try. Every single one of them.

Party of One Always Has Fun: When was the last time you got to pick your dinner location, movie, or date activity? Well, it’s high time you took yourself out on a date! If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of dining alone, bring along a book or journal to write in. A few hours of solitude spent seeing a movie or wandering around a museum can also do wonders to calm the spirit.

Seasonal shopping: Summer is a great time for scouring outdoor flea markets and farmers’ markets. Take your time looking around and seeing what there is to offer. Ask a collector about their wares or a produce vendor about the proper way to prepare a vegetable you’ve never tried before. You’ll find yourself learning something new while at the same time having fun.

Expand your Crafting Education: Speaking of learning something new, have you always wanted to learn how to quilt, quill, or do another classic craft? Check out your local craft store’s class schedule and sign up to get started right away!

Inspiring Gratitude: A free Mary Engelbreit Printable Quote

May 12 By American Greetings

mary engelbreit - american greetings

As a part of our #ThankList movement, we’ve reached out and asked our own associates and content partners what they are grateful for. When we asked our dear friend Mary Engelbreit what she’s grateful for, we had a feeling that art would play a major role, but we are just continually impressed by her humility:

{I’m thankful I can draw and that people seem to like those drawings. I’m really thankful for the constant support from the very beginning, not just for my drawing but in every aspect of my life, from my parents and my family.}

In the spirit of inspiring gratitude in others, Mary was kind enough to design this free printable quote for you to print, hang up and enjoy in your own home or office!

Download your free printable gratitude quote here!

Feeling inspired to say thank you? Send a Thank You ecard today!

Cute thank you gift ideas

April 9 By American Greetings

Cute Ways To Say Thank You

People feel the urge to express appreciation for many different reasons, but as our recent survey results show, people often forget to express gratitude… and regret it! That’s why we’ve pulled together some easy, yet totally adorable thank you gift ideas from some fantastic blogs. Whether it’s a teacher, coworker, friend or family member, showing gratitude is an easy way to make a huge impact!

1. ‘Thanks a Latte’ Thank You Gift Tags by Kinder Craze

Thanks a Latte gift tags by Kinder Craze

2. Free Mini Thank You Notes by the Cardstore Blog

Free Mini Thank You Notes by the Cardstore Blog

3. It “Mint” a Lot Thank You Jar by Happy Money Saver

It "Mint" A Lot Thank You Jar by Happy Money Saver

4. The Art of The Surprise Note by The Thinking Closet

The Art of the Surprise Note by The Thinking Closet

What creative ways do you like to use to say thank you?

The importance of gratitude

March 27 By American Greetings

Where has the gratitude gone?

If it’s true that we learned everything we need to know in kindergarten, than it seems a large part of our society needs to head back to the classroom to be reminded of the pillars of human kindness. In our modern tech world, our heads are looking down at our phones and we’re more disconnected than ever! In fact, a 2014 Civility in American study conducted by Weber Shandwick, Powell Tate and KPC Research revealed that 95% of Americans believe we have a civility problem in America. The good news is that the same study showed that 87% of people are willing to do something about it!

Here at American Greetings, we’d like to present a remedy for a rude world–gratitude. We’re on a mission to put gratitude back on the map and make the world a more thoughtful and caring place one ‘thank you’ at a time. To start, we’ve partnered with Harris Poll and learned some eye-opening statistics about gratitude in America.

Were you surprised to read that people are craving to hear the words, “thank you?”

Help us make a difference! Visit ThankList.com and together we can make the world a little bit nicer if we simply remember to show gratitude, share, and above all—hold hands and stick together.

Awesome embellishments for brown wrapping paper

January 13 By American Greetings

Gifts wrapped in brown paper with colorful DIY decorations.

Looking for a fun way to wrap a gift? Look no further than the craft paper trend that’s been sweeping Pinterest! It’s equal parts stylish and nostalgic, conjuring memories of carefully covering text books in school and then embellishing them with stickers and other personalized touches.

Want to recreate this brown wrapping paper look at home? It’s easy with just a few simple embellishments! Here are some of our favorites ideas from some great blogs:

1. Cookie Cutter Wrapping Paper by Sheila at Craft by Photo

Brown Wrapping Paper with Cookie Cutter Stamps
Take letter-shaped cookie cutters and paint and you can create a personalized message for any occasion!

2. Festive Party Flags by Shari’s Berries

DIY-Flags-011
Scrapbook pennants attached to twine? Yes, please!

3. Simple Wrapping Paper with Herbs and Paper Doilies by Blue, Purple and Scarlett

A scented sachet filled with herbs adds a rustic, country feel.

4.Polka Dot Wrapping Paper by The House that Lars Built

Polka Dot Wrapping Paper by The House that Lars Built
Using a pencil and white paint, add polka dots to any brown wrapping paper!

5. DIY Mini Tissue Paper Pom Poms by Lia Griffith

This is such a neat twist on the hanging tissue paper pom pom trend–a mini version, perfect for topping a petite gift!

6. Confetti Gift Wrap Stripes by 3@12

This look combines three popular trends–brown wrapping paper, confetti and stripes! The look is made relatively mess-free by using double-sided tape to attach the confetti instead of glue!

How To Beat The Winter Blues

January 7 By American Greetings

Is cabin fever cramping your style? You know the warning signs – lethargy, irritability and the inability to concentrate on anything but exotic trips to the tropics?

While sunny skies and warm weather are still months away, there’s plenty that can be done in the meantime to beat the winter doldrums. Even if you’re south of the Maxon-Dixon line, chillier weather can take its toll on you. From indoor entertaining to braving the elements, our experts at American Greetings would like to offer up the following tips on how to beat the winter blues–and keep the whole family entertained!

Set sails for sunny skies… in your living room! Have a warm weather movie night by bumping up the heat a few degrees (or pull out some warm blankets) and trick yourself into a summer mindset with a classic summer camp movie, such as Indian Summer, The Parent Trap or Meatballs.
Break up the monotony with a little Monopoly: Host a board game night with friends to bring everyone out of their igloos. Keep the menu simple and stress-free with cold weather favorites grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.
Project time: Whether it’s cleaning out a neglected closet, organizing your recipes or family photos, or finishing a craft project, winter provides a great opportunity to stop procrastinating. You’ll feel proud of your accomplishment and happier in your newly clutter-free home.
Weeknight fun: Avoid workweek hibernation mode by breaking it up with meeting friends for coffee, visiting a relative or even a little retail therapy.
Find your inner peace: Take time for yourself to contemplate, meditate and de-stress. Whether you take up yoga, start journaling or just set aside some time for yourself, you’ll be glad that you did!
Create your 101 things in 1001 days list: Select 101 goals you would like to accomplish in the next 1001 days and come up with a plan to achieve them. Goals can be as simple as wanting to learn how to knit, as practical as paying down debt or as adventurous as bungee jumping.
Take a mental vacation: Since we don’t all have the ability to become globetrotters, try visiting your local library to select a travel book or DVD to learn about a new place. It might even inspire you to plan for your next vacation!
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em: Ice skating, skiing, sledding or even a short walk out in the winter wonderland offers the benefits of increased energy, an uplifted spirit and stress relief.

What’s your best tip for alleviating cabin fever?

Free printable New Year’s game

December 30 By American Greetings

Are you an experienced New Year’s resolution-maker? We know we are!

Whether it’s an organizational, health, or personal commitment we’ve aspired to, there have been a lot of well-intentioned resolutions we’ve made over the years. Some we had the resolve to keep, but some… well? Let’s just say they ended up de-prioritized. (That feels better than “broken,” right?)

So this year we decided to have a little fun. We took some of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions and turned them into a free printable New Year’s game. Print extras and challenge some friends at your NYE get-together!

Enjoy and Happy New Year!

A free printable Kwanzaa Quiz!

December 26 By American Greetings

The cultural celebration of Kwanzaa began in 1966, but how much do you really know about the holiday? Test your knowledge of the seven pillars of the holiday with this free printable Kwanzaa quiz we created just for you!