Send The Very Best With KeyRingThing & Hallmark

With Spring having finally made an appearance, what might be called "The Celebration Season" is upon us. First Communions, Confirmations, Graduations, Passover, Easter, Baptisms and Christenings--all events to be marked with some good wishes (and the occasional check). Let your KeyRingThing card make shopping easier at the Hallmark Gold Crown store nearest you.

Hallmark has been a great American company for more than 100 years and a treasure trove of gifts for any occasion can be found at your local store. Ornaments capturing the imprint of a newborn's hand or a precious silver frame holding a christening announcement...Digital scrapbooks to which you add your own photos, music, and words to commemorate a special Easter dinner or Passover Seder with the family...a personalized photo plate, decked out with mortar boards for the graduate...True to the long-standing motto, "When you care enough to send the very best, choose Hallmark."

Become a member of the Hallmark Crown Rewards Program and shopping gets even better. Joining is free and you gain rewards and coupons with every purchase. Here's some particulars about the program:

• Shopping Rewards
  During select months, you'll receive a Shopping Rewards coupon to use on products throughout your Hallmark Gold Crown store.
• More Bonus Points
  The higher your level, the more Bonus Points you get for every card you buy. When you've reached a higher level within a calendar year, you'll enjoy more rewards the following year. A higher level means even more rewards.

Crown Rewards Program Member Levels:

Plan Name	Bonus Points	Shopping Rewards
SILVER Spend $100.00 - $199.99 or buy 20-29 cards	10 with every card you buy in stores	1 Silver Shopping Reward
GOLD Spend $200.00 - $299.99 or buy 30-49 cards	15 with every card you buy in stores	2 Gold Shopping Rewards
PLATINUM Spend $300.00+ or buy 50+ cards	20 with every card you buy in stores	3 Platinum Shopping Rewards

To join and see program terms and conditions, visit Hallmark.com.

Hallmark has been the author of some of the most memorable messages of your life. Now let them help you pass along some heartfelt congratulations to a young person you know who is embarking on their future. Here's a little Hallmark help:

The Right Words To Congratulate A Grad

It's more than a cap, gown or diploma. Graduation is a milestone that marks a fresh phase of life. Whether your grad is 12, 18, 22 or 42, this major accomplishment deserves a huge pat on the back! Here are a few easy ways to make your words of congrats—whether written in a card or spoken in a toast—extra memorable.

Commemorate the noteworthy event
Cards are so much more meaningful when they include a personal message. There are six basic steps to putting together a scrapbook-worthy congratulatory note.

1. Greet the grad. Be as formal as your relationship. (Close enough to share a nickname? Use it!)
2. Express your congratulations clearly. This is the first sentence of your note, so be straightforward, yet warm.
3. React to the news. Let the grad know how you felt when you received the announcement in the mail.
4. Compliment & look ahead. Always knew the grad could do it? This is the time to say so! Take a few sentences to make the note feel extra personal.
5. Restate your congratulations. Because, truly, you just can't say it enough.
6. Give your regards. A "sincerely" makes for a good general closing, but consider warmer options for a closer relationship.

I'll toast to that!
A great congratulatory speech is constructed similarly to a memorable note. But toasts come with the added benefit of fewer space and time restraints. So take an extra moment to share anecdotes that the grad—and party guests—will appreciate, from humorous to heartfelt. Props are encouraged! So bring your art major-to-be's very first refrigerator door creation, or recall a story about the law student's earliest attempts at talking his way into an extra helping of dessert.

Add the Hallmark Crown Rewards barcode to your KeyRingThing card, freeing up your wallet, and then get to your local Hallmark store and start shopping. Here are some special offers available for a limited time:

Easter

Save $15

Totally Ticklish Duck

$1495

with each purchase of three Hallmark cards (regularly $29.95). Press this little duck's foot to hear her sing. She won't stop until she's tickled under her wings—then her song changes to giggles. Valid through 4/24/11

Save $15

"Don't Pull My Ears!" Donald Duck

$1495

with each purchase of three Hallmark cards (regularly $29.95). Back by popular demand! Donald Duck sings a song and flaps his arms. But pick him up by the ears and he'll move his arms faster as he squawks "Hey! Put me down!" Valid through 4/24/11

Tossed Eggs Gift Bag

$299

with any purchase (regularly $3.99). This colorful gift bag is perfect for holding just about any Easter surprise. Valid through 4/24/11

Everyday

Free Watson and the Case of the Sneaky Stealer Book

with purchase of Watson Raccoon Interactive Story Buddy (regularly $9.95). This lovable raccoon will steal your heart! Read his adventure aloud and he'll chime in with his own responses. While supplies last.

Free Cooper's Big Bear Hug Book

with purchase of Cooper Interactive Story Buddy(regularly $9.95). Story time just got a lot more fun! Read this story aloud with your little one and Cooper will chime in with his own responses. While supplies last.

Hallmark Roll Wrap

$399 each or two for $5.99. Stock up on colorful roll wrap perfect or just about any occasion.

Let KeyRingThing and Hallmark's Crown Reward Club make this "Celebration Season" a truly memorable one.