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Beware of Killer Christmas Cards

KANSAS CITY -- Hallmark Cards, Inc., the personal expression industry leader virtually synonymous with consumers' preferred brand of greeting card, quietly settled a lawsuit with the Concerned League of Academics and Pundits, agreeing to include a warning label on all Christmas Cards stating that "scientific studies have shown that the holiday season could be hazardous to your health."

CLAP studies have documented that in the United States more heart attacks happen in December than in any other month, in large part due to holiday stress.

"It can really be an inconvenience to your family if you keel over dead during the holidays," said Digby Dalhaber, Provost Marshal of CLAP. "With mail volume nearly tripling due to Christmas cards, people need to be told to slow down and take it easy, especially since their doctor is probably going to be on vacation."

Hallmark, with expected annual revenues in excess of $4 billion and more than 18,000 employees, holds more than 50% of the greeting card market. Company spokesmen declined all comment on the settlement.

CLAP, which also has litigation pending against American Greetings, Bo-Tree, Fran-Mar, Carolyn Bean and Oatmeal Studios, claims that the warning label will save nearly 5 million lives over the next ten years.

Local attorney Steve Dallas quickly filed what is believed to be the first greeting card related wrongful death suit against Chuckleberry's Paper Card Company on behalf of Cindy Scittals, whose husband suffered a fatal myocardial infarction upon opening a humorous card for his fortieth birthday.



©2005 MFTHPPPGT




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