Todays-Woman - Hop To It! Holiday Stories Wanted for Hallmark Easter Essay Contest

Consumers encouraged to submit fun Easter traditions for a chance to win $2,500

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 15, 2007) — Holidays and traditions ... they go hand-in-hand. Whether a long-standing family custom passed down through the generations or just a fun activity you’ve always done with the kids, favorite pastimes are the joy of any holiday, from Christmas to Halloween. But what about Easter? Do you and your family have a special Easter tradition that brings smiles and laughter every spring? Hallmark wants to know … and is offering a chance at a $2,500 grand prize to find out!

Today, Hallmark is launching the Hallmark Easter Essay Contest, encouraging consumers to write in and share why Easter is a “hoppy” holiday. In 100 words or less, entrants can describe what makes Easter special. Whether it’s making bunny-shaped pancakes, watching the kids’ fingers turn pink from Easter egg dye, or hiding chocolate bunnies for the big hunt, write it down. Hallmark wants to know what’s fun, what’s festive, and what keeps you looking forward to the Easter holiday.

And this year, consumers have the chance to create a new Easter tradition by interacting with Hallmark Gold Crown’s “Spring Quartet,” a singing and dancing plush bunny. Standing about 14 inches tall, the quartet features an Easter bunny, two dancing chicks, and a deep-throated frog who nearly steals the show with his baritone voice. At just $12.95 with the purchase of three Hallmark cards, the “Spring Quartet” is the perfect Easter basket addition — and singing and beboppin’ along to it with the kids just might become your newest Easter tradition. (And if it is, enter it in the contest!)

To enter the Hallmark Easter Essay Contest, log on to HallmarkGoldCrown.com between March 14 and April 8, 2007. One grand prize winner will receive $2,500; other prizes include $1,000 for first runner-up and $500 for second runner-up. The three winners — selected based on originality, creativity, story-telling, and humor — will be posted on HallmarkGoldCrown.com starting April 16, 2007. Complete contest rules are posted on the Web site. No purchase is necessary.

About Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Kansas City-based Hallmark is known throughout the world for its greeting cards, related personal expression products, and television’s most honored and enduring dramatic series, the Hallmark Hall of Fame. The company’s Crayola subsidiary is the leading producer of art materials for children and students. Through licensing leadership and joint ventures, Hallmark continues to expand its product formats and distribution avenues. The company publishes products in more than 30 languages and distributes them in more than 100 countries through a multi-national strategy. In 2005, Hallmark reported consolidated net revenues of $4.2 billion.