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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Document and Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information (USD $)	Aug. 26, 2011	Aug. 27, 2010	Oct. 03, 2011 Common shares - Class A [Member]	Oct. 03, 2011 Common shares - Class B [Member]
Entity Registrant Name	AMERICAN GREETINGS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000005133
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Aug. 26, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-29
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$ 729,061,401
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			37,116,563	2,781,131