Hallmark Business Connections identifies top five card trends for the holiday season
The 2010 holiday collection takes cues from what's hot in fashion and decor

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Hallmark Business Connections, the b-to-b subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., translates the hottest trends in its 2010 holiday greeting card collection. According to the Hallmark Cards experts, the top five trends in holiday greeting cards for 2010 are:

1. Warm up with radiant red. The color of 2010 is a rich red - intensified with hues of fuchsia, magenta and copper lending a glowing radiance and luster. Festive and fashionable, red captures the warm vitality of the holidays in a way that is both traditional and up-to-date all at once.
2. A throwback to the "Mad Men" era, retro styling makes a statement with unexpected and unusual elements influenced by the lettering and illustration styles of 1960s Madison Avenue. Refined and sophisticated, these cards juxtapose a modern take on a golden age.
3. Get in touch with your inner Martha. Hand assembled and packaged with care, 3-D paper shapes and cut outs celebrate the artist in all of us. Embellishments such as buttons, ribbons and rubber stamped images enhance the hand-done aspect without having to start from scratch.
4. Back to nature. Mixed with burnished metallics, such as bronze and pewter, nature's winter bounty has never looked more appealing. Classic holiday icons of pine cones, berries and birds pop up in unexpected ways providing a joyful feel to familiar holiday greetings.
5. Sparkle and shine evoke wonder. The shimmer of snowflakes and the twinkle of starlight pop against the deep night sky. Cards with images silhouetted against the night sky become hopeful reminders of the season of peace, joy and happiness is upon us.

"No matter how you choose to say thank you this holiday season, we have a card that matches your sentiment," said Keith Fenhaus, president of Hallmark Business Connections. "We were inspired from the world around us and it's reflected in the choices we offer businesses that want to send meaningful holiday wishes."

In addition to including a custom sentiment, company logos can be incorporated into the card adding another personalized touch. Hallmark Business Connections also offers free shipping on all holiday business cards with an online account.

About Hallmark Business Connections
Hallmark Business Connections, the business unit of Hallmark Cards, Inc., leverages more than 100 years of Hallmark heritage, creativity and innovation in the business arena to provide meaningful, memorable and measurable solutions that strengthen business relationships with employees and customers. Serving a wide variety of businesses from small to medium sized companies up to the Fortune 50 to 500, Hallmark Business Connections provides innovative and customizable solutions to recognize and reward employees; attract, retain and re-engage customers; deliver turnkey, custom sales programs; and, create incentives for corporate health and wellness programs. Hallmark Business Connections is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., with locations in Kansas City, Mo. and Duluth, Minn. For more information, visit www.HallmarkBusinessConnections.com and www.Hallmark.BusinessGreetings.com.