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                                                                       EXHIBIT 5





                                 August 28, 2001


American Greetings Corporation
One American Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44144

Gentlemen:

We are acting as counsel to American Greetings Corporation (the "Company") in
connection with the registration on Form S-4 by the Company of its outstanding
11.75% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2008 in the aggregate principal amount of
$260,000,000 (the 11.75% Notes"). The 11.75% Notes were issued in a private
offering exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the
Securities Act of 1933 on June 29, 2001, pursuant to an indenture of even date
therewith with The Huntington National Bank, as Trustee (the "Indenture").

We have examined such documents, records and matters of law as we have deemed
necessary for purposes of this opinion, and based thereon we are of the opinion
that:

1.       The Indenture, which has been duly authorized by the Company and duly
         executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee, constitutes a
         valid and binding instrument of the Company and complies with the
         requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

2.       The Notes, which have been duly authorized by the Company and duly
         executed, authenticated and paid for by the underwriters, constitute
         valid and binding obligations of the Company and are entitled to the
         benefits of the Indenture.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 being filed today by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission to effect registration of the 11.75% Notes under the
Securities Act of 1933.


                                Very truly yours,


                                Brouse McDowell
                                A Legal Professional Association