Happy Memorial Day!

May 24 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

Memorial Day - A day to remember America's bravest sons and and daughters

While each of us celebrates this three-day weekend in our own favorite way—whether it’s with a backyard barbeque, a family camping trip, or taking time to plant your flowers—we all know there’s a much greater purpose for Memorial Day than simply kicking off the summer season. Today is the day for us as a nation to pause and remember the men and women of the military who lost their lives serving our country. Originally introduced in 1868 as “Decoration Day”, its purpose was to honor fallen Civil War soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers. Renamed Memorial Day after World War I, it was then expanded to pay respect to all Americans who died in military service. It’s believed the last Monday in May was chosen because that’s when flowers are in bloom all over the country. President Nixon finally made Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971. Today, there are countless Memorial Day events nationwide that range from lively parades to traditional ceremonies, like laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. But even if you’re celebrating in your own backyard, you can still pay respect to our nation’s heroes in simple yet meaningful ways:

Observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 pm: “As we contemplate the comforts and blessings of our lives and the well-being of our nation, I ask you to pause just for a moment to remember those who gave their lives to protect the values that give meaning to our lives.” – President Bill Clinton, May 31, 1999
Decorate a Veteran’s Grave: During Memorial Day Weekend, several thousand bouquets are placed at the Nations War Memorials in Washington, D.C. You can sponsor a thank-you bouquet through the National Memorial Day Foundation.
Show Your Sympathy: Memorial Day can be a difficult time for those who have lost someone in the military. Whether you reach out by phone, email or an ecard, your thoughtfulness will be appreciated.

It’s important to remember that the brave men and women we’re commemorating today died not only for our freedom as a nation, but for each one of us personally to live a safe and fulfilling life. To those of you currently serving in the military, we honor you with the utmost respect and gratitude and wish you a happy and peaceful Memorial Day.

Last Minute Mother’s Day Gifts

May 9 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

Everyone’s busy, we know that. Because sometimes life—and all its craziness—just gets in the way. But maybe after glancing at a calendar or overhearing someone mentioning it, you might suddenly realize that Mother’s Day will be here much quicker than you thought. Actually, it may even be just a day or two away, and—yikes!—you haven’t even gotten Mom a gift yet. What are your choices now?! First, don’t panic. Second, let’s give this some thought, shall we? You could rush out and try to find some chocolates…somewhere…if there are any left. Ok, strike that idea. Or, you could pick up a bouquet of flowers that no one else bought. But they’re probably looking a bit wilted by now. Ok, strike that idea, too. OR…you could go online and visit some pretty helpful search sites that offer an exciting selection of unusual- yet-totally-thoughtful gift ideas. Yep, we’d say this is the best idea by far. If you agree, we’d like to help you get started. To do that, we’ve rounded up several search sites we think you’ll really like. Take a look around and see what Mom would like best. Put it in your cart, press the “order now” button, then sit back and relax, knowing that Mom will be getting a really nice gift from you just in time for Mother’s Day. She may even think you spent months coming up with the idea—but hey, our lips our sealed!

There probably isn’t much you can’t find for Mom on Amazon! And if you’re a Prime member, all the better since you get free 2-day shipping. Otherwise, if time really isn’t on your side, opt for 1-day shipping instead.
With some of the most unique gift ideas on the web, Etsy is a great source to consider this Mother’s Day. Just be sure to check under the “Shipping & Policies” tab to ensure timely delivery. Or click on “Ask a question” for a direct convo with the shop owner.
This fun monthly gift couldn’t be any easier. Just choose your club (from wines and cupcakes, to flowers and candles) , pick your options per your budget (number of shipments, frequency of deliveries), then let Mom’s smiles begin!
If you’re an AmericanGreetings.com member, send Mom a lovely Mother’s Day ecard to which you can also easily add a fantastic gift or gift card from a number of exciting retailers, including Bath & Body Works, Nordstrom, Sur La Table, Starbucks, and more. Plus, you can also gift Mom a 1- or 2-year membership to AmericanGreetings.com. This way she can stay in touch with friends and family all year long. And what greater gift is there than that?

How One Adoptive Mom Honors Mother’s Day

May 8 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

As we get ready to honor and celebrate all the moms and mom-figures in our lives, one mother reveals why she buys two extra cards each Mother’s Day—and reminds us all that this day is also for every woman out there who no longer has their child to hold.

For mom-of-three, Jill Robbins, Mother’s Day comes with her own (once-secret), cathartic ritual that began in 2013, which was her first Mother’s Day as an adoptive mom. She buys two cards—one for each of the birth mothers of her two adopted boys.

She writes these mothers snippets of what their boys have done and accomplished and gives medical updates on their challenges. She thanks these mothers…she wishes them peace. Jill then seals the cards and tucks them into a shoebox on her closet shelf.

“I don’t know what else to do with them. I don’t have any place to mail these cards, you see,” writes Jill. “Somewhere on the other side of the world, there are two women who would probably give anything to get them.”

The San Antonio, Texas mother of three and writer of Ripped Jeans and Bifocals, revealed her ritual in her Facebook post in late April. Jill has two young boys that were adopted from China—7-year-old Kyle and 6-year-old Zack. And every year since 2013, she’s been writing cards to their birth mothers.

In China, children are abandoned since there are laws that prohibit a mother from making an adoption plan, so Jill has no way to find them and nowhere to send her cards.

These mothers will never know of Jill’s undying gratitude for their sacrifice or how their sons are happy and thriving in a family that loves them fiercely.

“I write these cards for me, “explains Jill. “I hold them against my chest before putting them in a shoebox that sits on my closet shelf, and I squeeze my eyes shut, and I wish so hard that these women who gave me the gifts of my boys can know how much I cherish them.”

In her post, Jill shares, “These women wonder where their babies are. I know they do. Although I don’t know the circumstances that led to their decisions, I do wish them peace. I wish they could receive these cards I write every Mother’s Day. I wish they knew their babies were safe and loved. Cherished. Thriving.”

Though Kyle and Zack don’t yet ask her too many questions about their birth families, Jill is aware how very different her life would be if it weren’t for these brave women. “Had these women not made the choices they made, my life would not be the same. For me, it’s about gratitude.”

Though Jill focuses on adoption as a writer, speaker, and author, she shared with us that she never expected her story to receive the overwhelming response it did. Posting it randomly on Facebook, she never anticipated the enormous ripple effect it would have. The reason she decided to reveal her personal secret was with the hope that others out there hurting or searching might read her story and know how important they are.

Stating how complicated adoption is, whether you’re adopting or giving up your child for adoption, Jill offers up a heartfelt plea, “Hug all those mamas. Hug them tight. No matter how you slice it, mamas do hard things.”

In this season of celebrating mothers, we hope everyone will answer Jill’s call and honor moms everywhere with love, understanding, and gratitude.

Kathy Davis Celebrates Mother’s Day

May 5 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

For more than 25 years, Kathy Davis has been the trusted voice of heartfelt connection. We can always count on her for the right words to offer comfort, share joy and celebrate life’s moments, big and small, which is why she continues to be a great friend and content partner. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we are excited to share a recent conversation we had with Kathy, and her daughter, Katie, about the journey of motherhood, and the importance of recognizing and celebrating the moms in your life.

Kathy Davis

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received about being a mom, and who did it come from?

Kathy: One piece of advice that sticks in my mind came from our pediatrician at the time. She was an older woman, pretty matter of fact in her delivery, but so very experienced! After she performed her doctor duties on my toddler, she turned to me and said, “Now you will want to go for walks with him, but let HIM take the lead. He will want to stop and pick up a leaf or look at a worm. Your job is to let him take the time to really experience nature and the world around him. Don’t hurry him.” It truly was a lesson for me about mindfulness! So, the task was not about getting from one place to another, it was about enjoying every step along the way. Good advice no matter what you are doing! Katie: My best friend encouraged me to scale back on work when the baby came and to take the extra time and just BE there with my baby. You never get that time back and I never regretted it for a second.

What has your daughter taught you about motherhood now that she is a grown woman with a child of her own?

Kathy: Katie is a natural when it comes to motherhood! I can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to become a mom. I’m very proud of the way she nurtures little Sammy, and she enjoys him immensely. Katie trusts her instincts and I admire that. There is so much conflicting advice about child rearing, but trusting your instincts and knowing your child is the best compass, and Katie accomplishes that effortlessly. She is in her element!

What is it like watching your own mother as a grandparent?

Katie: It’s so fun! My mom LOVES LOVES my son and its obvious he loves her! I can’t wait to see what kind of relationship those two forge. I’m betting it will be pretty special. I was extremely close with my grandparents and the relationship I had with them is one of the most precious things in my life and my hope is he has the same with her.

What is the biggest struggle you have encountered on your own motherhood journey?

Kathy: Keeping my life in balance has always been my biggest challenge, especially as a mom (and, in particular during the years I was a single parent!) Being there for my two kids as much as possible while juggling a job and maintaining our home was a struggle. My daughter used to say, “I wish you were a stay-at-home mom,” and it would break my heart. Katie: I have found that once my son (Sammy, 7 months old) was born, I immediately shifted into mama bear mode. I prioritized his needs above everything else in the world, which I think is mostly instinctual and very necessary to care for a new baby especially in those early days and weeks. What I didn’t anticipate was how difficult it would be to pull myself out of that bubble and take care of myself. Regular things I didn’t think twice about doing before baby like yoga, spending time with friends and even cooking a healthy meal, seemed really impossible and totally unimportant in light of the new baby.

What did that struggle teach you and how did you find your way out?

Kathy: I have learned that keeping my life in balance is something that just can’t happen on a daily basis! Most days just get out of whack and are top heavy with one thing or another. But, the key for me is making sure that over the course of time I give attention to all of the top priorities in my life, and my family is so important to me. As a mom I have tried to really be there when I am with my kids, making sure they know how much they are loved. As an artist, business owner, wife, mom, and now, grandmother, keeping my life in balance in the big picture is something I continue to work on! Katie: Only recently have I realized how important those things are to who I am. As a mother you give everything to your child: your body, all of your positive energy, every waking moment and many not-so-awake moments, and honestly I was SO in love with my baby that I didn’t really care. It was only, at my husband’s insistence that, I finally went back to my old yoga class, something I hadn’t done since I was 17 weeks pregnant. It felt so great to workout, and to sweat and bring some of the focus back onto myself and find what my body and mind need to feel balanced and healthy. I didn’t even realize how much I had missed it until then. I came home energized and clear minded with the realization of how important that time is for my well-being. Being a mom has certainly changed me but I don’t want it to replace my identity entirely. It’s something I’m sure will be an ongoing struggle but I’m thankful to have an awareness about it now.

What do you wish you could tell other moms who are feeling unappreciated or insecure about being a mom?

Kathy: Before I had my children, I was worried that I wouldn’t know how to be a mom! We had a small family and I was not around babies very much, so even though I knew I wanted a family, I was very insecure in my abilities and wasn’t even sure that motherhood was for me. But after I had my son, I quickly learned that so much of being a good mom comes naturally! My advice to other moms would be to not worry too much about the little things! None of us are perfect, and we can’t expect our kids to be perfect either. Going with the flow makes everyone happier! Mostly, just LOVE. Katie: I absolutely LOVE this quote from Elle Rowley. I remind myself of it every time I feel frustrated or start to second guess myself. “I know very few mothers who don’t impress me for one reason or another. I reject the notion that there are good moms and bad moms. There are good and bad drivers, good and bad hair stylists, dentists, even friends, and just about everything else, but those polars don’t really work when it comes to mothers, at least not any of the mothers I know. Every mom I know is doing the best she can and that is inspiring.” _ Elle Rowley

Kathy Davis recently launched her Open Heart campaign, which celebrates how she’s always been inspired by how sharing what’s in our hearts with the ones we love, deepens our joy and connection. Open Heart celebrates those very moments by inviting people to take the time to open up and express how they feel to a woman who means the world to them. By sharing these video tributes of love and gratitude, the hope is that others will be inspired to create their own, just in time for Mother’s Day. To follow along as Kathy takes you on this heartfelt journey and to learn more about making your own video, click here — and enjoy this sweet glimpse of what makes the relationship between Kathy and her daughter Katie so very special.

To see more of Kathy and Katie in their own Open Heart videos, click here.

Printable Mother’s Day Notes

May 4 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

Printable Mother's Day Notes

Let’s hear it for moms for these sweet printable Mother’s Day notes. It’s no question that moms tackle the #WorldsToughtestJob every day, but do they get the praise they deserve for it? Let’s face it. Not really. It’s easy to take all that they do for granted, especially when they often appear to handle it all so seamlessly. But most moms, no matter if they’re working moms or stay-at-home moms, are secretly struggling with doubt and worry, wondering if they’re doing any of it right. So let’s remind them that they are!

Print out the free “Mompliments” below and leave them anywhere a mom can find them—in her mailbox, on her desk at work, on her car windshield, on her front porch, or even the shelf of a grocery store or library where a very grateful mom will see it and feel the support of the universe on her side. Think of it as ‘random acts of kindness’ only this more ‘random acts of compliments.’We’ve even made it easy for you to write in your own, too! All moms just want to be validated and feel like they’re doing a good job, so let’s lift them up by sharing these Mompliments with your #MOMSQUAD, and celebrate them, and all moms, for how hard they try every single day. If you’re left a Mompliment, or leaving one for a mom, we’d love to see it! Share it on your social channels by using #MOMSQUAD.

Click here to print these notes

Click here to print these blank notes and fill them in with your own “mompliments.”

How to Make Tissue Paper Flower Pens

April 6 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

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Tissue paper flower pens are a fun, inexpensive and easy way to make someone a gift from the heart. For less than $1.00 per pen, you can create a festive keepsake that’s sure to make them smile—without breaking your wallet. And the best news is, you don’t have to be super crafty to make one!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Pens (straight ones without a clip work the best)
Tissue paper
Curling ribbon
Double-sided tape
Scissors

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Lay a single piece of tissue paper flat and smooth it out. Fold it in half four times, smoothing it out each time to avoid wrinkles.
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Take your scissors and free-hand cut a cloud shape, cutting through all layers of tissue paper at the same time. It doesn’t matter if it’s perfectly symmetrical or that it resembles a perfect flower-shape. (In fact, we found that the uneven cloud-shape gives you a fuller look.)

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Take your stack of petal-clouds and restack them on top of each other, flipping some of them over and rotating them around so that they’re in an uneven stack, not perfectly one-on-top of each other.

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Use the tip of your pen and press down on your stack of petals. Carefully pull the petals up 2-3 layers at a time onto the handle of the pen. AG_FB_LINK_Tissue_Paper_Flower_Pen

Once all of the tissue paper is pulled onto the pen, wrap the flat end of the pen in double-sided tape. Pull up a single piece of tissue paper and gently press it onto the tape from several sides. Gently squeeze the tissue paper to pull it all close together.

Now you pull all of your petals a few at a time towards the end of the pen. Gently pull your petals through your thumb and index finger to smooth them out and bring the flower together.

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Holding the flower between your thumb and index finger, wrap the very base of the flower in double-sided tape. Apply double-sided tape length-wise down both sides of the pen and wrap the base of it as well. Then starting at the base of the flower, wrap the pen in the green curling ribbon.

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Move slowly and overlap it so that the pen is completely wrapped in ribbon. When you reach the base of the pen, cut of the excess curling ribbon. If the ribbon feels loose at the tip, you can tuck another piece of double-sided tape under the tail end of the ribbon for extra security.

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And there you have it–an adorable tissue paper pen, perfect for celebrating any occasion! If you want to make a dozen, it will take about two packages of tissue paper and about a roll and a half of curling ribbon, keeping the total cost of this project under $1/pen.

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Still need some extra help? Watch our full video tutorial below:

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Easy, Adorable St. Patrick’s Day Crafts

March 14 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner! As we look to celebrate this bright, cheerful Spring holiday, we thought we’d round up some simple, adorable St. Patrick’s Day crafts that you can do with your children or grandchildren. To accomplish this task, we perused some wonderful blogs and discovered these great ideas, perfect for spreading a little luck o’ the Irish!

Here are the great blogs where we spotted these awesome ideas:

1. St. Patrick’s Day Hat Craft from Alpha Mom

2. Fingerprint Rainbow Pot of Gold Craft For St. Patrick’s Day from Sassy Dealz

3. Rainbow Chain Craft For St. Patrick’s Day from Sassy Dealz

4. Shamrock Headband from Molly Moo

5. St. Patrick’s Day Clover Placecards from Chica and Jo

6. Shamrock Bouquet from Sweet and Lovely Crafts

We hope that you have a sham-rockin’ St. Patrick’s Day!

Printable Valentine’s Day Shopping List

February 2 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

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If Valentine’s Day seems to be sneaking up on you, you’re not alone. The holiday is fast approaching, and it can be hard to stay organized when there’s a lot to be done – treats to make for class parties, finding valentines for your kids to exchange with friends, picking out the perfect Valentine’s Day cards for everyone on your list, etc. Speaking of lists, we thought we’d do our part to help keep you organized with this fun, (and FREE) printable Valentine’s Day shopping list.

This sweet printable includes a shopping list so you won’t forget anything you need, and open notes section to write down extra reminders, and adorable little love notes you can cut out and leave in lunch boxes, school folders, or around the house for your sweetie.

Printable Valentine's Day Shopping List

Pin these printables today!

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Happy February! (Free Desktop/Mobile Backgrounds)

February 2 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

It’s February–home to one of the sweetest holidays of all—Valentine’s Day!

To keep your New Year going in the right direction, we thought we’d create a wallpaper to remind you of all the new opportunities and experiences that await you in 2017. You can download this free, beautiful background on your desktop and mobile device, and even set it as your Facebook cover photo.

We hope this background inspires you every time you look at your phone or computer screen! Happy February!

2560 x 1440 / 1680 x 1050 / 1440 x 900 / 1280 x 800 /

Mobile Background / Facebook Cover Photo

Click here for directions on how to change your backgrounds.

Pin this download today!

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Free Printable February Calendar

January 31 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

February is here, and if you’ve walked around any store, or browsed any website recently, you know Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! But beyond Valentine’s Day, there are several other fun holidays celebrated throughout the month. We’ve created a Free, Printable February Calendar for you to print out and mark with these holidays, as well as upcoming birthdays you want to remember, and any other important dates you want to make note of.

Other holidays we think you might enjoy celebrating in February include:
Groundhog Day (2/2)
Do you think Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow? Make a fun family bet!

Make a Friend Day (2/11)
It’s always great to make new friends. Try talking to someone you don’t know so well today, and talk to the little ones in your life about the importance of making new friends.

Random Acts of Kindness Day (2/17)
We love this day. Treat a friend or coworker to a cup of coffee, or leave a little note of gratitude for someone special.

National Drink Wine Day (2/18)
Red? White? Rose? Cheers to this fun holiday!

The 89th Academy Awards (2/26)
Whether you’re planning on going to an Oscar party, or watching in your pj’s, this always an exciting night!

Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday (2/28)
Eat, drink, and have fun on this day of celebration!

Pin the calendar!

What to write in a Valentine’s Day card

January 27 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

Thoughts from American Greetings Writing Studio Creative Director Rochelle Lulow…

Real Love…Real Life

We’ve been creating Valentine’s Day cards for a long time–and along the way, we’ve seen the words we use to talk about love have changed, too. Today’s romantic relationships are about “real love” and “real life.” Being in love isn’t something that you are in, or fall into – it’s something that you do. It’s about everyday living, and the little things you do for (and with!) each other that mean the most. Like a goodbye kiss as you head out the door, and saying “I love you” when you say goodnight… it’s the little ways you share love every day!

Love is Ever Changing

Our romantic relationships start out new and evolve into stronger bonds as time goes by. That means we may say, and feel, different things as our relationship grows. From playfulness to passion, to commitment and endurance, and everything in between – from how it all started to what it has become – that’s the where the things you want to say in a card come from.

What to write in a Valentine’s Day card–

When it comes to what you want to say, these ideas might help…

Think back to when you first met, maybe a special time you’ve shared, or look at favorite photos, and think about how these things make you feel…try putting that feeling into words…that becomes the “story” you write.
Try playing songs that make you think of that person…it’s a great backdrop that can set the mood for writing.
Create a list of words that describe the person or special things about him, or her, that you love – those words are great ideas for what you might want to say.
Think of it as a conversation… like you would be talking to that person…the words will come easier that way, and will be said the way you would say it.
Just before you sign it, try writing your own ending, like “Forever in love with you,” “I love you, and I love us,” or “You’re my everything”…it brings a meaningful wrap up to your thoughts.
Write as much, or as little, as you’d like…it’s not about how long it is…it’s about how meaningful it is…a few simple sentences that describes that person, how grateful you are, and everything that you love about that person is what matters!

Love and life go hand in hand. You’re in it together–caring, sharing, hugging, holding, laughing, crying, trusting, supporting, and loving each other through it all… Because that’s what real love is!

Wishing you love, Rochelle

Still need some help? We’ve got you covered. From funny to sweet, romantic to risque, we have a great selection of Valentine’s Day cards you can print at home. Click here to view our collection!

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Happy January! (Free Digital Download)

January 9 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

The holidays are behind us and the novelty of our New Year’s resolutions is starting to fade. Instead of getting back into our usual routines, we need to remember that the changing of the calendar from one year to the next should inspire us to take on new challenges and seek new beginnings.

We hope this background inspires you every time you look at your phone or computer screen! Happy 2017!

January New Years Quote Background

2560 x 1440 / 1680 x 1050 / 1440 x 900 / 1280 x 800 /

Mobile Background / Facebook Cover Photo

Click here for directions on how to change your backgrounds.

How to Tie a Bow (for people who can’t tie bows!)

December 20 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

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Don’t know how to tie a bow? No problem!

Creating a full and pretty bow to add to a gift can feel like a big challenge for the average person. But don’t worry! Here at American Greetings, we came up with an easy bow hack using a common household item that will have you looking like a bow-tying professional in no time!

You’ll need:

A wrapped present
Wire ribbon (about 10 ft.)
Curling ribbon
A paper towel roll
Scissors
Tape

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To start off, cut down the paper towel roll to about the length of your hand (for reference, that’s about 7-8”). Place your hand against the roll and cut just above your fingers. Discard the small end; you’ll use the larger section to make your bow. AG_FB_LINK_Bow_Tying_Tutorial_Cut_Roll

Starting about ¾ of the way down the power towel roll, gently wrap the wired ribbon around the paper towel until the ribbon runs out. Using the entire spool of ribbon will create a big, beautiful bow!

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Gently remove the paper towel and fold both sides of the ribbon toward each other long ways to find the middle. Then, cut a small slit on each side, about 1/3 of the way through each side of the ribbon.

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Now, take the curing ribbon and tie it tightly in a knot between the two slits.

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Then, tape the ends of the curling ribbon to your gift to attach the bow and cut off any excess curling ribbon. We’ve found it easier to secure your bow to your present before you begin to fluff it.

AG_FB_LINK_Bow_Tying_Tutorial_Tape-Ribbon Finally, spread out the loops of ribbon. Twist and pull up on each loop to create volume. Loops of ribbon often look good in 3’s, so pull three of them towards the middle. Play with it a little to get it the way you like.

AG_FB_LINK_Bow_Tying_Tutorial_Fluff_Bow You’ll find yourself with one strip of excess ribbon. If you’re using single-sided, it may even be upside-down. Twist it over and then finish it by cutting a “V” in it so that it looks finished.

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There you have it – a pretty bow that will have people thinking, “That’s so crafty!”

Still need some extra help? Watch our full video tutorial below:

From all of us at American Greetings, happy holidays and happy wrapping!

How to Make a Delicious Christmas Wassail Recipe in 5 Easy Steps

December 9 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

You may have sung this holiday carol since childhood and, to this day, still have no idea what wassail, or wassailing is. Coming from the Anglo-Saxon waes hael , the word literally means ‘be you healthy’ or ‘good health’ and was first used as a simple greeting before being turned into a traditional drinking beverage. (Which is why, “To your health!” is often said when drinking with others.) This hot, mulled cider became the focal point of “wassailing,” which started as a Medieval drinking ritual as an honor to the trees, intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year. The tradition later changed from going orchard to orchard, to going door to door with a large, ornate bowl asking for it to be filled, which became the custom of wassailing – or the habit of visiting neighbors, singing carols, and sharing drink — much like our customs today of caroling and Mumming. Plus, enjoy a delicious Christmas Wassail Recipe below.

The phrase Waes hael caught on as a common toast due to the piece of toast or crisp breads that were traditionally floated on top of the wassail, which is where our phrase, “Let’s have a toast,” or “I’ll toast to that!” comes from. Traditionally made of mulled ale, curdled cream, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar with pieces of toast and roasted apples floating in it, wassail was also sometimes called ‘Lamb’s Wool’ because the pulp from the roasted apples made it look frothy, resembling soft wool. The legendary drink was served on the Feast of the Three Kings, or Twelfth Night, which marks the three wise men’s visit to baby Jesus, but the wealthy drank Wassail on all the 12 days of Christmas.

If you haven’t made wassail before – time for a new tradition! Plus, your house will transform into a cozy Christmas cottage the minute this sweet pot of joy-joy starts simmering. There are many variations of wassail but most all of them contain several basic ingredients, and you can make it with hard cider and brandy or forgo the alcohol altogether to make it kid-friendly like the delicious wassail we’re sharing here. We promise that it will wrap you in warm yuletide cheer the entire season.

Step 1: Pour apple cider into your pot, then add the orange juice, and lemon juice and gently stir together until well blended.

Step 2: Add the hibiscus tea bags, cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, and star anise.

Step 3: Slice the ginger and add in with the juniper berries.

Step 4: Lastly, make round slices with your apple and orange and add them to your pot.
Tip: if you’d like, you can stud your orange slices with cloves on the edge of the peel or on the top for a festive look.

Step 5: Set the slow cooker to high heat and cook for 3-4 hours, until the color has darkened and the fruit is soft. If using a pot on the stove, allow to simmer all day, then remove the tea bags and serve hot.

We hope you’ll enjoy the warmth and comfort of this traditional drink all throughout the season. May you drink it in ‘good health’ with your family and friends. “To your health!”

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What is Figgy Pudding? (Figgy Pudding Recipe Card)

December 7 By American Greetings Leave a Comment

Have you ever stopped to wonder, “Wait, what exactly is figgy pudding?!” We’re here to explain, and we have a yummy Figgy Pudding Recipe for you!

Dating back to at least the 16^th century, figgy pudding (a dense, moist, cakelike dessert also called “plum pudding” or “Christmas pudding”) was part of an old English tradition where the wealthy would hand it out as a treat to carolers on Christmas Eve to brave the chilly night.

In time, figgy pudding became part of another popular British tradition, too, called “Stir-Up Sunday,” which took place on the Sunday before Advent each year. Entire families would get together to make their Christmas pudding, with each member taking turns stirring the mixture and wishing for good luck.

Some fun facts:

The original recipe contained 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and his 12 disciples.
Stirring was done from East to West to remember the Wise Men who visited Jesus after his birth.
Coins were traditionally added to the batter to bring luck to anyone who found them in their “pud.” (We wouldn’t suggest doing that today!)
The garnish of holly represented Jesus’s crown of thorns.

Today, the figgy pudding recipe is more like something akin to fruitcake—certainly more cake-ish than pudding-ish—that’s been steamed and served flambé. It’s an extra-special holiday treat that’s as delicious as it is unique.

Now that you know what it is, it’s the perfect time to make one for the holiday season! Click here to print your free recipe card. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

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