AMSCAN HOLDINGS INC
8-K, 1998-08-06
PAPER & PAPER PRODUCTS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                 --------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


        Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): August 6, 1998


                              AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)




           Delaware                       000-21827               13-3911462
(State or Other Jurisdiction of    (Commission File Number)     (IRS Employer 
        Incorporation)                                       Identification No.)




                               80 Grasslands Road
                            Elmsford, New York 10523
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)



                                 (914) 345-2020
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>


ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.

                  On August 6, 1998, Amscan Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant"),
entered into a stock purchase agreement (the "Stock Purchase Agreement") with
the stockholders of Anagram International, Inc. and certain related companies
(collectively, the "Anagram Companies"), providing for, among other things, the
acquisition (the "Acquisition") by the Registrant of all of the capital stock of
each of the Anagram Companies. Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, the
Registrant will acquire all of the capital stock of the Anagram Companies
presently owned by Garry Kieves and certain related parties in a transaction
valued at approximately $87 million, including the issuance of equity of the
Registrant and the payment or assumption of certain indebtedness of the Anagram
Companies. In connection with the Acquisition, the Registrant entered into an
employment agreement (the "Employment Agreement") with Garry Kieves, the founder
and principal stockholder of the Anagram Companies. Consummation of the
Acquisition is subject to a number of conditions, including the availability of
financing and customary consents and approvals.

                  The Registrant is planning to finance the Acquisition with
approximately $40 million of senior term debt, approximately $24 million of
additional revolving credit borrowings, cash on hand and the issuance of
approximately $13 million of equity (including warrants pursuant to a Warrant
Agreement) to the existing stockholders of the Anagram Companies. The
Registrant's existing credit agreements are required to be amended in connection
with the Acquisition, including to provide for the senior debt. The Registrant
has received a commitment for the senior debt financing from Goldman Sachs
Credit Partners L.P. Also in connection with the Acquisition, the Registrant has
executed an amendment to the Stockholders' Agreement (the "Stockholders'
Agreement Amendment"), dated as of December 19, 1998, by and among the
Registrant and the stockholders of the Registrant.

                  The foregoing description of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the
Warrant Agreement, the Employment Agreement and the Stockholders' Agreement
Amendment do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Employment
Agreement and the Stockholders' Agreement Amendment, copies of which are
attached hereto as Exhibits 2.1 and 4.1, 10.1 and 10.2 and are incorporated
herein by reference. A copy of the press release announcing the execution of the
Stock Purchase Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated
herein by reference.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

 (c)      Exhibits.

         2.1    Stock  Purchase  Agreement,  dated as of August 6, 1998, by 
                and among Amscan  Holdings,  Inc. and certain stockholders of
                Anagram International, Inc. and certain related companies.

                                       -2-
<PAGE>

         4.1    Warrant  Agreement,  dated as of August 6, 1998, by and between
                Amscan  Holdings,  Inc. and Garry Kieves Retained Annuity Trust

         10.1   Amendment No. 1 to the Stockholders'  Agreement,  dated as of 
                August 6, 1998, by and among Amscan Holdings, Inc. and certain 
                stockholders of Amscan Holdings, Inc.

         10.2   Employment  Agreement,  dated as of August 6, 1998, by and
                between Amscan Holdings, Inc. and Garry Kieves.

         99.1   Press Release, dated as of August 6, 1998.


















                                      -3-
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

                  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                      AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.



                                      By:/s/James M. Harrison
                                           Name:  James M. Harrison
                                           Title: President



















                                      -4-
<PAGE>


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

       EXHIBIT
        NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION

         2.1    Stock  Purchase  Agreement,  dated as of August 6, 1998, by and 
                among Amscan  Holdings,  Inc. and certain stockholders of 
                Anagram International, Inc. and certain related companies.

         4.1    Warrant  Agreement,  dated as of August 6, 1998, by and between 
                Amscan  Holdings,  Inc. and Garry Kieves Retained Annuity Trust

         10.1   Amendment No. 1 to the Stockholders'  Agreement,  dated as of 
                August 6, 1998, by and among Amscan Holdings, Inc. and certain 
                stockholders of Amscan Holdings, Inc.

         10.2   Employment  Agreement,  dated as of August 6, 1998,  by and 
                between  Amscan  Holdings,  Inc.  and Garry Kieves.

         99.1   Press Release, dated as of August 6, 1998.

















                                      -5-








================================================================================







                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                                  by and among


                              AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.



                                       and


                              THE SELLERS LISTED ON
                           THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO





                        -------------------------------






                                 August 6, 1998








================================================================================





<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

                                    ARTICLE I
                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS


                                   ARTICLE II
                        SALE OF STOCK AND ASSETS; CLOSING

Section 2.1.        Purchase and Sale.....................................     9
Section 2.2.        Payment of the Cash Purchase Price....................     9
Section 2.3.        Stock Transfer Taxes..................................    10
Section 2.4.        Agreement to Issue Securities.........................    10
Section 2.5.        Stockholders' Agreement...............................    10
Section 2.6.        Restrictive Legends...................................    10
Section 2.7.        Time and Place of Closing.............................    10
Section 2.8.        Deliveries by the Sellers.............................    11
Section 2.9.        Deliveries by Buyer...................................    11

                                   ARTICLE III
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS

Section 3.1.        Incorporation; Authorization; etc.....................    11
Section 3.2.        Capitalization; Structure.............................    13
Section 3.3.        Financial Statements..................................    14
Section 3.4.        Real Properties.......................................    15
Section 3.5.        Tangible Personal Property............................    17
Section 3.6.        Absence of Certain Changes............................    18
Section 3.7.        Litigation; Orders....................................    18
Section 3.8.        Intellectual Property.................................    19
Section 3.9.        Governmental Licenses, Approvals, Other Authorizations, 
                        Consents, Reports, etc............................    20
Section 3.10.       Labor Matters.........................................    21
Section 3.11.       Compliance with Laws..................................    21
Section 3.12.       Insurance.............................................    21
Section 3.13.       Material Contracts....................................    22
Section 3.14.       Brokers, Finders, etc.................................    23
Section 3.15.       Affiliate Transactions................................    23
Section 3.16.       Environmental Compliance..............................    23
Section 3.17.       Customer and Supplier Relationships...................    25
Section 3.18.       Undisclosed Liabilities...............................    25
Section 3.19.       Disclosure............................................    26
Section 3.20.       Banks, Powers of Attorney.............................    26

                                      -i-
<PAGE>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

Section 3.21.       Sufficiency and Condition of Assets...................    26
Section 3.22.       Non-Foreign Certification.............................    26
Section 3.23.       Securities Laws Representations.......................    26
                                                                      
                                   ARTICLE IV
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

Section 4.1.        Incorporation; Authorization; Capitalization; 
                        Structure.........................................    27
Section 4.2.        Licenses, Approvals, Other Authorizations, Consents, 
                        Reports, etc......................................    29
Section 4.3.        Investment Representations............................    29
Section 4.4.        Securities............................................    30
Section 4.5.        SEC Filings; Financial Statements.....................    30
Section 4.6.        Brokers...............................................    30
Section 4.7.        Financing.............................................    30
Section 4.8.        Litigation; Orders....................................    31
Section 4.9.        Compliance with Laws..................................    31
Section 4.10.       Undisclosed Liabilities...............................    31
Section 4.11.       Disclosure............................................    32

                                    ARTICLE V
                         COVENANTS OF SELLERS AND BUYER

Section 5.1.        Investigation of Business; Access to Properties and 
                        Records...........................................    32
Section 5.2.        Efforts; Obtaining Consents...........................    33
Section 5.3.        Further Assurances....................................    34
Section 5.4.        Conduct of Business...................................    34
Section 5.5.        Preservation of Business..............................    36
Section 5.6.        Non-Solicitation......................................    36
Section 5.7.        Related Party Matters.................................    37
Section 5.8.        Financing.............................................    37
Section 5.9.        Stockholders' Agreement...............................    37
Section 5.10.       Resignations; Nominee Shareholders....................    37
Section 5.11.       Current Information...................................    37
Section 5.12.       Financial Statements..................................    38
Section 5.13.       Further Actions.......................................    38
Section 5.14.       Liquidation of Anagram Exports........................    39
Section 5.15.       Employee Benefit Plans................................    39
Section 5.16.       Supplements and Updates to Schedules..................    40
Section 5.17.       Additional Filings or Approvals.......................    40

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Section 6.1.        Employee Benefit Plans................................    41
Section 6.2.        Company Employee Benefit Plans........................    42

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>

Section 6.3.        Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plans...............    44
Section 6.4.        Administration........................................    45

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                   TAX MATTERS

Section 7.1.        Tax Returns of the Companies and the Subsidiaries.....    45
Section 7.2.        Elections and Forms...................................    47
Section 7.3.        Allocation of Certain Taxes...........................    48
Section 7.4.        Filing Responsibility.................................    49
Section 7.5.        Refunds and Carrybacks................................    49
Section 7.6.        Cooperation and Exchange of Information...............    50
Section 7.7.        Tax Indemnification by Sellers........................    51
Section 7.8.        Definitions...........................................    52
Section 7.9.        Survival of Obligations...............................    53

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                    CONDITIONS OF BUYER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE

Section 8.1.        Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Seller...    54
Section 8.2.        Filings; Consents; Waiting Periods....................    54
Section 8.3.        Litigation; Injunction................................    54
Section 8.4.        Financing.............................................    55
Section 8.5.        Opinions..............................................    55
Section 8.6.        FIRPTA Affidavit......................................    55
Section 8.7.        Employment Arrangement................................    55
Section 8.8.        Stockholders' Agreement...............................    55
Section 8.9.        Company Design Licenses...............................    55
Section 8.10.       Proceedings; Certificates.............................    56

                                   ARTICLE IX
                 CONDITIONS TO THE SELLERS' OBLIGATION TO CLOSE

Section 9.1.        Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Buyer....    56
Section 9.2.        Filings, Consents and Waiting Periods.................    57
Section 9.3.        Litigation; Injunction................................    57
Section 9.4.        Opinions..............................................    57
Section 9.5.        Proceedings; Certificates.............................    57
Section 9.6.        Grant of Stock Options................................    57
Section 9.7.        Employment Agreement..................................    57
Section 9.8.        Stockholders' Agreement...............................    57
Section 9.9.        No Material Adverse Change............................    58


                                     -iii-
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE X
                            SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION

Section 10.1.       Buyer Indemnified Parties' Right to Indemnification...    58
Section 10.2.       Limitations on Buyer Indemnified Parties' Right to 
                        Indemnification...................................    58
Section 10.3.       Seller Indemnified Parties' Right to Indemnification..    60
Section 10.4.       Limitations on Seller Indemnified Parties' Right to 
                        Indemnification...................................    60
Section 10.5.       Indemnification Procedures............................    61
Section 10.6.       Satisfaction of Indemnification Obligations...........    62
Section 10.7.       Sole Remedy Regarding Representations and Warranties..    62
Section 10.8.       Losses Net of Insurance...............................    62

                                   ARTICLE XI
                                   TERMINATION

Section 11.1.       Termination...........................................    62
Section 11.2.       Procedure and Effect of Termination...................    63

                                   ARTICLE XII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.1.       Counterparts..........................................    63
Section 12.2.       Governing Law.........................................    63
Section 12.3.       Entire Agreement......................................    63
Section 12.4.       Expenses..............................................    64
Section 12.5.       Notices...............................................    64
Section 12.6.       Successors and Assigns................................    65
Section 12.7.       Designated Representative.............................    65
Section 12.8.       Publicity.............................................    65
Section 12.9.       Headings; Definitions.................................    66
Section 12.10.      Amendments and Waivers................................    66
Section 12.11.      Severability..........................................    66
Section 12.12.      Interpretation........................................    66
Signatures          ......................................................    67




                                      -iv-
<PAGE>

                                    SCHEDULES

Schedule 2.1      Stock of the Companies
Schedule 2.2      Allocation of Purchase Price
Schedule 2.4      Allocation of Securities and Warrants
Schedule 3.1(a)   Jurisdictions in Which Companies and Subsidiaries are 
                    Qualified to Do Business
Schedule 3.1(d)   Conflicts, Violations, Defaults and Accelerations
Schedule 3.2(a)   Stock Information
Schedule 3.2(c)   Officers and Directors
Schedule 3.2(d)   Indebtedness
Schedule 3.3(a)   Financial Statements and Exceptions to Applicable Accounting 
                    Principles of Anagram
Schedule 3.3(b)   Combined Financial Statements
Schedule 3.3(d)   Non-Recurring, One-Time and Extraordinary Source of Income
Schedule 3.3(e)   Liens on Inventory
Schedule 3.4      Owned & Leased Properties
Schedule 3.5      Tangible Personal Property
Schedule 3.6      Absence of Certain Changes
Schedule 3.7A&B   Litigation
Schedule 3.8      Intellectual Property
Schedule 3.9(a)   Government Licenses
Schedule 3.9(b)   Seller Governmental Consents
Schedule 3.10     Labor Matters
Schedule 3.11     Compliance With Laws
Schedule 3.12     Insurance Policies
Schedule 3.13     Material Contracts
Schedule 3.14     Broker Payables
Schedule 3.15     Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 3.16     Environmental Compliance
Schedule 3.17     Customer, Supplier and Distributor Relationships
Schedule 3.18     Undisclosed Liabilities
Schedule 3.20     Access Bank Accounts
Schedule 4.1(a)   Conflicts, Violations, Defaults and Accelerations
Schedule 4.1(c)   Buyer Options
Schedule 4.2      Buyer Consents
Schedule 5.2      Seller Consents
Schedule 5.4      Conduct of Business
Schedule 5.18     Certain Guarantees
Schedule 6.1(a)   Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule 6.1(d)   Payments Caused By This Agreement
Schedule 7.1(a)   Income Tax Returns
Schedule 7.1(b)   Contested Taxes; Reserves
Schedule 7.1(c)   Tax Extensions and Powers of Attorneys
Schedule 7.1(d)   Audits
Schedule 7.2(c)   Allocations
Schedule 8.2      Buyer Filings and Consents
Schedule 8.9      Company Design Licenses Condition
Schedule 9.2      Sellers' Filings and Consents

                                      -v-
<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBITS

Exhibit 1         Trust Agreements
Exhibit 2.4       Form of Warrant
Exhibit 2.5       Form of Stockholders' Agreement Amendment
Exhibit 3.14      Piper Jaffray Engagement Letter
Exhibit 4.7       Commitment Letter
Exhibit 8.5       Form of Opinions of Sellers' Counsel
Exhibit 8.7       Kieves Form of Employment Agreement
Exhibit 9.4       Forms of Opinions of Buyer's Counsels

















                                      -vi-
<PAGE>

                             INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS


                                      Page                                  Page
                                      ----                                  ----

accredited investor.................24, 26    Determination................4, 48
Action...................................1    disqualified individuals........39
Affiliate................................1    disqualified person.............39
Agreement................................1    employee........................39
Allocation Schedule..................1, 44    Environmental Law............4, 21
Anagram...............................1, 2    ERISA............................4
Anagram Exports.......................1, 2    ERISA Affiliate..............4, 40
Anagram France........................1, 2    Ernst & Young....................4
Anagram Holdings......................1, 2    Evaluation Material.............29
Anagram Japan.........................1, 2    excess parachute payments.......39
Anagram Mexico........................1, 2    Exchange Act.....................4
Anagram Nevada........................1, 2    family..........................21
Anagram Spain.........................1, 2    Financial Statements.........4, 12
Anagram U.K...........................1, 2    Financing.......................34
Applicable Accounting Principles.....2, 12    FIRPTA affidavit.............4, 51
Arthur Andersen..........................2    foreign person..................24
Business.................................2    Governmental Authority.......4, 11
Business Condition...................2, 10    Hazardous Substance..........4, 21
Buyer.................................1, 2    HSR Act..........................4
Buyer Business Condition.............2, 25    including.......................62
Buyer Common Stock.......................2    Income Tax Returns...........4, 48
Buyer Indemnified Parties............2, 53    Income Taxes.................4, 48
Buyer's Confidentiality Agreement........2    Indebtedness.....................5
Cash Purchase Price...................2, 8    Indemnitee...................5, 56
Closing..................................2    Indemnitor...................5, 56
Closing Date.............................3    Intellectual Property........5, 17
Code.....................................3    IRS..........................5, 48
Combined Balance Sheet...............3, 12    Leased Properties............5, 13
Combined Financial Statements........3, 12    Licenses.....................5, 18
Commitment Letter....................3, 28    Lien.............................5
Company Design Licenses..................3    Losses.......................5, 54
Company Employee Benefit Plans.......3, 37    Non-U.S. Company Employee 
                                                   Benefit Plans...........5, 38
Company Intellectual Property........3, 17    Notice of Claim..............5, 56
Company Leases.......................3, 13    Owned Properties.............5, 13
Company or Companies..................1, 3    party-in-interest...............40
Company Patents......................3, 17    Patents......................5, 17
Company Pension Plan.................3, 38    Permitted Liens..................5
Company Real Property................3, 22    Person...........................6
Company Trademarks...................3, 17    Piper Jaffray................6, 21
Controlled Group Liability...........3, 40    Pre-Closing Period...........6, 48
Covered Liabilities......................4    QSS Sub......................6, 48
Designated Representative............4, 60    
                                                    
                                                     
                                      -vii-
<PAGE>                                               
                                                     
RCRA Hazardous Waste.................6, 21    Shares...........................7
Related Agreements...................6, 10    Statute Representations......7, 54
Related Party........................6, 21    Stock Purchases...............1, 7
Returns..............................6, 48    Stockholders..................1, 7
S Corp...............................6, 49    Stockholders' Agreement.......7, 8
SEC..................................6, 27    Straddle Period..............7, 45
SEC Reports..........................6, 27    Subsidiaries or Subsidiary....1, 7
Section 338 Elections................6, 49    Tax Audit....................7, 47
Section 338 Forms....................6, 49    Tax Laws.....................7, 49
Section 338(g) Election..............6, 49    Taxes........................7, 49
Section 338(h)(10) Election..........6, 49    Taxing Authority.............7, 49
Securities............................6, 8    Title Matters................7, 13
Securities Act...........................6    Trademarks...................7, 17
Seller Indemnified Parties...........7, 55    Trusts...........................7
Sellers...............................1, 6    U.S. GAAP....................7, 12
Sellers' Confidentiality Agreement.......7    Warrants.........................7
Sellers' knowledge or knowledge               Withdrawal Liability.........7, 40
     of Sellers..........................7                             

















                                     -viii-
<PAGE>

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                  THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated August
6, 1998, is by and among the persons and entities listed on the signature pages
hereto as the stockholders (the "Sellers" or the "Stockholders"), and Amscan
Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Buyer").

                  WHEREAS, the Business (as defined herein) of the Sellers is
conducted through Anagram International, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
("Anagram"), and its subsidiaries, Anagram International Holdings, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation ("Anagram Holdings"), Anagram France S.C.S., a French
corporation ("Anagram France"), Anagram Mexico S. de R.L., a Mexican corporation
("Anagram Mexico"), Anagram International Ltd., a U.K. corporation ("Anagram
U.K.") and Anagram International LLC, a Nevada limited liability company
("Anagram Nevada" and, together with Anagram Holdings, Anagram France, Anagram
Mexico and Anagram U.K., the "Subsidiaries," and each a "Subsidiary"), and
certain affiliates of Anagram consisting of Anagram Exports, Inc., a Minnesota
corporation ("Anagram Exports"), Anagram Espana, S.A, a Spanish corporation
("Anagram Spain") and Anagram International Japan, Ltd., a Japanese corporation
("Anagram Japan" and, together with Anagram Exports, Anagram Spain and Anagram,
the "Companies," and each a "Company"; provided, however, that from and after
the time of its liquidation pursuant to Section 5.14 hereof, Anagram Exports
shall not be a "Company" or included in "Companies");

                  WHEREAS, Buyer desires, either directly or through certain of
its subsidiaries, to purchase from the Sellers, and the Sellers desire to sell
to Buyer, 100% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Companies upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein (the "Stock
Purchases").

                  NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                               Certain Definitions

                  As used in this Agreement the following terms shall have the
following respective meanings: 

                  "Action" shall mean any complaint, claim, prosecution,
indictment, action, suit, arbitration, investigation, inquiry or proceeding by
or before any Governmental Authority. 

                  "Affiliate" shall mean any Person that directly, or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under
common control with the party specified. 

                  "Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereof. 

                  "Allocation Schedule" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.2(c) hereof. 

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

                  "Anagram" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
hereof. 

                  "Anagram Exports" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof. 

                  "Anagram France" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof. 

                  "Anagram Holdings" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof.

                  "Anagram Japan" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof. 

                  "Anagram Mexico" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof. 

                  "Anagram Nevada" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof. 

                  "Anagram Spain" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof. 

                  "Anagram U.K." shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof. 

                  "Applicable Accounting Principles" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.3(c) hereof.

                  "Arthur Andersen" shall mean Arthur Andersen LLP. 

                  "Business" shall mean the business of designing,
manufacturing, selling and distributing metallic balloons and related products
and certain other products made by extruding synthetic materials and fabricating
flexible packaging therefrom and all other businesses conducted by the Companies
including any licensing of Intellectual Property by the Company. 

                  "Business Condition" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1(a) hereof. 

                  "Buyer" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereof. 

                  "Buyer Business Condition" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.1 hereof. 

                  "Buyer Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, par value
$.10 per share, of Buyer. 

                  "Buyer Indemnified Parties" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 10.1 hereof. 

                  "Buyer's Confidentiality Agreement" shall mean the letter
agreement dated May 7, 1998 by and between Anagram and Buyer. 

                  "Cash Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.2 hereof. 

                  "Closing" shall mean the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by Section 2.1 of this Agreement. 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                  "Closing Date" shall mean, unless this Agreement shall have
been terminated and the transactions herein contemplated shall have been
abandoned pursuant to Section 11.1, the date which is five days following the
date on which the closing conditions in Sections 8.2 and 9.2 have been
satisfied, or if all other closing conditions in Articles VIII and IX have not
then been satisfied, as soon as is reasonably practicable when all closing
conditions in Articles VIII and IX shall be satisfied or waived (but, subject to
such satisfaction or waiver, in no event later than the date specified in
Section 11.1(b)) or such other date as the Designated Representative and Buyer
may agree in writing, in either case, upon which the Closing shall occur. 

                  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and any successor thereto. 

                  "Combined Balance Sheet" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.3(b) hereof. 

                  "Combined Financial Statements" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.3(b) hereof. 

                  "Commitment Letter" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.7 hereof. 

                  "Companies" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
hereto. 

                  "Company Design Licenses" shall mean licenses with respect to
the use of proprietary designs or characters which have been granted to any of
the Companies or the Subsidiaries. 

                  "Company Employee Benefit Plans" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.1(a) hereof. 

                  "Company Intellectual Property" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.8 hereof. 

                  "Company Leases" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.4(b) hereof.

                  "Company Patents" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.8 hereof. 

                  "Company Pension Plan" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.1(c) hereof. 

                  "Company Real Property" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.16(a)(iv) hereof. 

                  "Company Trademarks" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.8 hereof. 

                  "Controlled Group Liability" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 6.2(d) hereof. 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                  "Covered Liabilities" shall mean any and all debts, losses,
liabilities, claims, fines, royalties, deficiencies, damages, obligations,
payments (including, without limitation, those arising out of any demand,
assessment, settlement, judgment or compromise relating to any Action), costs
and expenses (including, without limitation, interest and penalties due and
payable with respect thereto and reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees and
any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in investigating, preparing,
defending, avoiding or settling any Action or in enforcing another party's
obligations hereunder), mature or unmatured, absolute or contingent, accrued or
unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, known or unknown, including, without
limitation, any of the foregoing arising under, out of or in connection with any
Action, order or consent decree of any Governmental Authority or award of any
arbitrator of any kind, or any law, rule, regulation, contract, commitment or
undertaking. 

                  "Designated Representative" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 12.7 hereof. 

                  "Determination" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7.8(a) hereof. 

                  "Environmental Law" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.16(a)(ii) hereof. 

                  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended. 

                  "ERISA Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6.2(c) hereof. 

                  "Ernst & Young" shall mean Ernst & Young LLP. 

                  "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended. 

                  "Financial Statements" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.3(a) hereof.

                  "FIRPTA affidavit" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
8.6 hereof. 

                  "Governmental Authority" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1(d) hereof. 

                  "Hazardous Substance" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.16(a)(i) hereof. 

                  "HSR Act" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. 

                  "Income Tax Returns" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.8(b) hereof. 

                  "Income Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7.8(c) hereof. 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                  "Indebtedness" shall mean (a) all obligations for borrowed
money or purchase money indebtedness, (b) all obligations evidenced by notes,
bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) all obligations under conditional
sale or other title retention agreements relating to property purchased, (d)
capital lease or sale-leaseback obligations, (e) all reimbursement obligations
under letters of credit, bankers' acceptances and similar instruments (whether
or not matured) or (f) any guarantee or assumption of any of the foregoing in
clauses (a) through (e) or guaranty of minimum equity or capital or any
make-whole or similar obligation. 

                  "Indemnitee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
10.5(a).

                  "Indemnitor" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
10.5(a). 

                  "Intellectual Property" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.8 hereof. 

                  "IRS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(d)
hereof. 

                  "Leased Properties" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.4(a) hereof. 

                  "Licenses" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(a)
hereof. 

                  "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, lien, lease, claim, charge,
instrument, order, security interest, easement, restrictive covenant,
right-of-way, lease, purchase agreement, option and other legal or equitable
encumbrance or restriction of any kind or character to which a Person is or may
be subject or by which a Person is or any of such Person's property is or may be
bound.

                  "Losses" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1
hereof. 

                  "Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plans" shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a) hereof. 

                  "Notice of Claim" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
10.5(a). 

                  "Owned Properties" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.4(a) hereof. 

                  "Patents" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.8
hereof. 

                  "Permitted Liens" shall mean (a)(1) platting, subdivision,
zoning, building and other similar legal requirements, (2) easements,
restrictive covenants, rights-of-way, non-material leases, encroachments and
other encumbrances and agreements (other than contracts or options pursuant to
which any of the Owned Properties is or may be required to be sold), whether or
not of record, (3) reservations of coal, oil, gas, minerals and mineral
interests, whether or not of record, (4) governmental laws, rules, ordinances
and regulations, and (5) minor imperfections of title, none of which items set
forth in this clause (a), individually or in the aggregate, would have a
material adverse effect on the use or value of the property to which such
Permitted Lien relates, (b) mechanics', materialmen's, carriers', workmen's,
warehousemen's, repairmen's, landlords' or other like liens securing obligations
that are not delinquent or, if delinquent, that are being 



                                      -5-
<PAGE>

contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and which do not exceed
$50,000 in the aggregate, and (c) liens for Taxes and other governmental
charges, assessments or fees which (i) are not yet due and payable or which may
be paid without penalty or (ii) are being contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings; provided, however, that Permitted Liens shall not
include (1) Liens for delinquent Taxes (unless and to the extent reserved or
accrued on the books and records of the Companies or the Subsidiaries and for
which the Sellers are responsible pursuant to Section 7.7 hereof). 

                  "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company or other entity (including Governmental
Authorities), and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such
entity. 

                  "Piper Jaffray" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.14 hereof. 

                  "Pre-Closing Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.8(f) hereof. 

                  "QSS Sub" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(g)
hereof. 

                  "RCRA Hazardous Waste" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.16(a)(iii) hereof. 

                  "Related Agreements" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1(c) hereof. 

                  "Related Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.15 hereof. 

                  "Returns" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(h)
hereof.

                  "S Corp" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(i)
hereof. 

                  "SEC" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5 hereof.


                  "SEC Reports" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5
hereof. 

                  "Section 338 Elections" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.8(j) hereof. 

                  "Section 338 Forms" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.8(k) hereof. 

                  "Section 338(g) Election" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.8(l) hereof. 

                  "Section 338(h)(10) Election" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 7.8(m) hereof. 

                  "Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4
hereof. 

                  "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. 

                  "Sellers" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereof. 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

                  "Sellers' Confidentiality Agreement" shall mean the letter
agreement dated June 30, 1998, by and between the Sellers and Buyer. 

                  "Seller Indemnified Parties" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 10.3 hereof. 

                  "Sellers' knowledge" or "knowledge of Sellers" shall mean the
knowledge of the Sellers and those individuals who as of the date hereof or at
any time thereafter and prior to the Closing are directors or officers of the
Companies. 

                  "Shares" shall mean the shares of capital stock of the
Companies to be purchased and sold pursuant to Section 2.1. 

                  "Statute Representations" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10.2(a) hereof. 

                  "Stock Purchases" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof. 

                  "Stockholders" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble hereof. 

                  "Stockholders' Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.5 hereof. 

                  "Straddle Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7.3 hereof. 

                  "Subsidiaries" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof. 

                  "Tax Audit" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(d)
hereof. 

                  "Tax Laws" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(n)
hereof. 

                  "Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(o)
hereof. 

                  "Taxing Authority" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7.8(p) hereof. 

                  "Title Matters" shall have the meaning set for the Section
3.4(a) hereof. 

                  "Trademarks" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.8
hereof. 

                  "Trusts" shall mean the trusts that are parties hereto created
and governed by the respective trust agreements listed on Exhibit 1 hereto.


                  "U.S. GAAP" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(c)
hereof. 

                  "Warrants" shall mean the warrants to purchase 10.00 shares of
Buyer Common Stock substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.4 hereto. 

                  "Withdrawal Liability" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.2(c) hereof. 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II

                        Sale of Stock and Assets; Closing

                  Section 2.1. Purchase and Sale. On the basis of the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements and subject to the
satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted) of the applicable conditions
set forth herein, at the Closing the Sellers will sell, convey, transfer, assign
and deliver, and Buyer or direct or indirect subsidiaries of Buyer will
purchase, the number of shares of each of the Companies which is set forth in
Schedule 2.1, which constitute, and will constitute as of the Closing, 100% of
the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the Companies.

                  Section 2.2. Payment of the Cash Purchase Price. In partial
consideration of the sale, conveyance, transfer, assignment and delivery of the
Shares to Buyer, Buyer will pay to the Sellers at the Closing, the aggregate
amount of Seventy-Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($74,500,000)
reduced dollar for dollar by (x) the principal amount of the consolidated
Indebtedness of the Companies and the Subsidiaries as of March 31, 1998 in the
amount of $16,249,719 and (y) any prepayment penalties and premiums and other
costs and expenses incurred by the Companies and the Subsidiaries in connection
with the repayment of any Indebtedness of the Companies and the Subsidiaries
made in connection with the Closing (as so reduced, the "Cash Purchase Price").
The Cash Purchase Price shall be payable in the respective percentages to the
Sellers as specified on Schedule 2.2, and by wire transfer of immediately
available federal funds to the accounts to be designated in writing at least
three business days prior to the Closing Date by the Designated Representative
to Buyer.

                   Section 2.3. Stock Transfer Taxes. Sellers shall pay any and
all stock transfer taxes which are due as a result of the sale of the Shares to
Buyer at the Closing. Buyer shall pay any and all stock transfer taxes or stamp
taxes as a result of the issuance of the Securities and the Warrants to the
Sellers at the Closing.

                   Section 2.4. Agreement to Issue Securities. In partial
consideration of the sale, conveyance, transfer, assignment and delivery of the
Shares to Buyer, Buyer shall issue to the Sellers (x) $ 12,600,000 worth of
Buyer Common Stock which the parties hereto agree shall be equal to an aggregate
of One-Hundred-Twenty (120.00) shares of Buyer Common Stock (the "Securities"),
and (y) $225,280 worth of Warrants which the parties hereto agree shall be equal
to the 10.00 Warrants, in each case, allocated to the respective Sellers as set
forth on Schedule 2.4.

                   Section 2.5. Stockholders' Agreement. Each Seller
acknowledges and agrees that the Securities and the Warrants (including the
Buyer Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof) will be subject to the
Stockholders' Agreement, dated as of December 19, 1997, by and among Buyer, the
Estate of John A. Svenningsen and certain employees of Buyer who are signatories
thereto (the "Stockholders' Agreement") and that effective as of the Closing
Date Sellers shall become parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and the
transfer of the Securities and the Warrants (including the Buyer Common Stock
issuable upon exercise thereof) shall be governed 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

by the Stockholders' Agreement, in each case as amended by the form of amendment
to the Stockholders' Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 2.5, which is to be
executed at or prior to the Closing by Buyer, such other parties to the
Stockholders' Agreement as are necessary to effect such amendment, and the
Sellers.

                   Section 2.6. Restrictive Legends. Each Seller acknowledges
and agrees that any certificates representing the Securities and Warrants will
bear restrictive legends in substantially the forms set forth in the
Stockholders' Agreement and a stop-transfer order may be placed against their
transfer.

                   Section 2.7. Time and Place of Closing. Subject to
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to Closing hereto, the Closing shall
take place on the Closing Date at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, at the offices
of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, 51 West 52nd Street, New York, New York and
shall be deemed effective as of the opening of business on the Closing Date.

                   Section 2.8. Deliveries by the Sellers. At the Closing, the
Sellers shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer, in addition to such
other instruments or documents as are required by any other provisions of this
Agreement to be delivered on the Closing Date by the Sellers to Buyer, and such
other instruments and documents as Buyer may reasonably request, certificates
representing the Shares, which certificates shall be either duly endorsed in
blank or accompanied by stock powers duly executed in blank, in either case, as
is reasonably satisfactory to Buyer.

                   Section 2.9. Deliveries by Buyer. At the Closing, Buyer shall
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Sellers, in addition to such other
instruments or documents as are required by any other provisions of this
Agreement to be delivered on the Closing Date by Buyer to the Sellers, and such
other instruments and documents as the Designated Representative may reasonably
request, the Cash Purchase Price in accordance with Section 2.2 and certificates
representing the Securities and certificates representing the Warrants, in
accordance with Section 2.4.

                                   ARTICLE III

                    Representations and Warranties of Sellers

                  Sellers hereby represent and warrant to Buyer as follows:

                  Section 3.1. Incorporation; Authorization; etc. (a) Each of
the Companies and each Subsidiary is a corporation or other entity (as listed on
Schedule 3.1(a)) duly organized, validly existing and, to the extent applicable,
in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Each
of the Companies and each Subsidiary has full corporate or other power and
authority to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is
now being conducted and is in good standing and is duly qualified to transact
business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the property owned or
leased by it or the conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified,
except where the failure to be in good standing or to be duly qualified to
transact business, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material
adverse 


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

effect on the business, assets, liabilities, prospects, financial condition or
results of operations of the Business (the "Business Condition"). For purposes
of this Agreement, a material adverse effect on the Business Condition shall not
include any change resulting from general economic conditions. Each jurisdiction
in which any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries is qualified to do business is
set forth in Schedule 3.1(a).

                  (b) Each of the Sellers which is a trust is duly formed,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its
formation and has full power and authority to own the Shares and to sell the
Shares to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement.

                  (c) Each of the Sellers which is a natural person has all
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and each other agreement
contemplated hereby (the "Related Agreements") to which it is a party, to
perform its respective obligations hereunder and thereunder, and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Each of the Sellers which is a
trust has full power to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Related
Agreements to which it is a party, to perform its respective obligations
hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related
Agreements, the performance of their obligations hereunder and thereunder and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by the
Sellers have been duly and validly authorized with respect to those Sellers
which are trusts, by all necessary proceedings on the part of the trustees of
such Seller and, if required, the beneficiaries thereof. This Agreement and each
of the Related Agreements to which any Seller is a party have been duly executed
and delivered by each of the Sellers party thereto and, assuming the due
execution hereof and thereof by Buyer and any other parties thereto, constitute
the legal, valid and binding obligations of each of the Sellers party thereto,
each enforceable against such Seller in accordance with its respective terms.

                  (d) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the Related Agreements by each Seller will not (i) violate or conflict with
any provision of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of or any other
organizational or governing instrument or trust agreement of any Seller, the
Companies or the Subsidiaries, (ii) except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(d),
conflict with, violate or constitute a default under any provision of, or be an
event that is (or with the giving of notice or passage of time or both will
result in) a violation of or default under, or result in the acceleration of or
entitle any party to accelerate (whether after the giving of notice or lapse of
time or both) any obligation or right under, or result in the imposition of any
Lien upon any of the Shares or any of the assets or properties of any of the
Companies or of any of the Subsidiaries pursuant to, or require a consent or
create a penalty or increase any Company's or Subsidiary's payment or
performance obligations under, any Lien, order, arbitration award, judgment,
decree or any contract, agreement, license or permit, to which any Seller,
Company or Subsidiary is a party or by which any of them or any of their
property is bound, or (iii) except as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(d), violate or
conflict with, or result in the imposition of any Lien (other than Liens arising
from any actions taken or arrangements made by Buyer and restrictions on
transferability of the Shares under applicable securities laws) upon any of the
Shares or any of the assets or properties of any Company or any Subsidiary
pursuant to, any provision of law, regulation, rule, writ, injunction, decree,
statute, order, judgment or ruling of 


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

any federal, state, local, foreign, supernational or supranational court or
tribunal (including any court or tribunal dealing with labor matters),
governmental, regulatory or administrative agency, department, bureau, authority
or commission or public or private arbitral panel or arbitrator ("Governmental
Authority") or any other material restriction of any kind or character to which
any Seller, Company or Subsidiary is subject or by which any of them or any of
their property is bound, that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), would,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Business
Condition or prevent any of the Stock Purchases or otherwise impair the
performance of the other obligations of the Sellers under this Agreement or the
Related Agreements.

                  (e) Upon consummation of the Stock Purchases at the Closing,
as contemplated by this Agreement, the Stockholders will deliver to Buyer good
title to the Shares free and clear of any Liens (except those imposed by any
action taken or arrangement made by Buyer and restrictions on transferability of
the Shares under applicable securities laws).

                  (f) The Sellers have delivered or caused to be delivered to
Buyer complete and correct copies of the trust instruments establishing and
governing each Seller which is a trust, the organizational instruments of each
Seller and each Company or Subsidiary which is neither a corporation, a trust
nor an individual, the certificates of incorporation and by-laws (or similar
instruments) of each Company or Subsidiary which is a corporation, and has made
available to Buyer the corporate minute books and other books and records of the
Companies and the Subsidiaries requested by Buyer. The minutes of the Companies
and the Subsidiaries and the books and records delivered to Buyer are true and
correct in all material respects.

                  Section 3.2. Capitalization; Structure. (a) All of the
outstanding Shares of the Companies are owned beneficially and of record by the
Stockholders. The authorized capital stock of each of the Companies and the
amount of such stock which is outstanding is as set forth in Schedule 3.2(a).
All of the outstanding Shares of capital stock of the Companies, as listed on
Schedule 3.2(a), are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and owned by
the Stockholders in the respective amounts set forth in Schedule 3.2(a). The
authorized capital stock or other equity interests of the Subsidiaries and the
amount of such stock or other equity interests which is outstanding is as set
forth in Schedule 3.2(a). All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or
other equity interests of the Subsidiaries, as listed on Schedule 3.2(a), are
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and owned by the Companies or other
Subsidiaries, in the amounts and as set forth on Schedule 3.2(a). Neither the
Shares nor the shares of outstanding common stock or other equity interests of
any Subsidiary have been issued in violation of, or are subject to, any
preemptive rights. Except for the Liens set forth on Schedule 3.2(a) which will
be released prior to the Closing, the shares of capital stock or other equity
interests of the Subsidiaries and the Shares are owned in each case free and
clear of any Liens. There are no outstanding options, warrants, subscriptions or
other rights of any kind to acquire, or obligations to issue, shares of capital
stock of any class of, or other equity interests in, any Company or any
Subsidiary or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for
any shares of capital stock of any class of, or other equity interests in, any
Company or any Subsidiary.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

                  (b) Neither any Company nor any Subsidiary directly or
indirectly owns any capital stock of or other equity interests in any
corporation, partnership or other entity or other Person except for the
ownership of the outstanding shares or other equity interests in the
Subsidiaries, as set forth in Schedule 3.2(a).

                  (c) Schedule 3.2(c) identifies the officers, directors,
partners or other governing or similarly empowered Persons of the Companies and
the Subsidiaries, which list shall be updated to reflect any changes as of a
date not later than ten business days prior to the Closing Date.

                  (d) Schedule 3.2(d) lists all of the contracts, loan
agreements, mortgages, notes, capital leases and similar instruments and
documents creating, evidencing or securing Indebtedness of the Companies and the
Subsidiaries (or pursuant to which the Companies or the Subsidiaries may incur
Indebtedness or otherwise be bound), and set forth in Schedule 3.2(d) are the
respective amounts of Indebtedness outstanding under such contracts, loan
agreements, mortgages, notes, capital leases and similar instruments and
documents as of June 30, 1998. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.2(d), all
Indebtedness of the Companies and the Subsidiaries is prepayable on not more
than 30 days' notice, without additional cost other than reimbursement of
customary breakage costs (calculations of which, as of June 30, 1998, are listed
on Schedule 3.2(d)) and reimbursement of legal costs.

                  Section 3.3. Financial Statements. (a) Attached hereto as
Schedule 3.3(a) are true and complete copies of the consolidated financial
statements of Anagram and the Subsidiaries, including consolidated balance
sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 and consolidated statements of income
for the years ended December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1997, being audited and
accompanied by the unqualified opinion of Arthur Andersen (the "Financial
Statements").

                  (b) Attached hereto as Schedule 3.3(b) are true and complete
copies of unaudited combined financial statements consisting of Anagram and the
Subsidiaries and related parties Anagram Exports, Anagram Spain and Anagram
Japan, including the unaudited combined and combining balance sheets and
combined and combining statements of income (the "Combined Financial
Statements") as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 and as of
and for the three (3) months ended March 31, 1998 and the six (6) months ended
June 30, 1998. The unaudited combined balance sheet as of June 30, 1998 is
referred to in this Agreement as the "Combined Balance Sheet."

                  (c) The Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) and
the Combined Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with United
States generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") applied on a
consistent basis throughout the periods (except as otherwise indicated therein
or in Schedule 3.3(a) or Schedule 3.3(b)) (such accounting principles, with such
indicated exceptions thereto, are referred to herein as "Applicable Accounting
Principles") covered thereby and present fairly the financial condition of the
Companies as of such dates and the results of operations of the Companies for
such periods; provided, however, that the Combined Financial Statements as of
and for the three (3) months ended March 31, 


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

1998 and the six (6) months ended June 30, 1998 are subject to normal year-end
adjustments (the effect of which will not, individually or in the aggregate, be
material) and lack certain footnotes (the effect of which will not, individually
or in the aggregate, be material) and other presentation items. The Combined
Financial Statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with the Financial
Statements. The Financial Statements and the Combined Financial Statements have
been prepared from and in accordance with the books and records of the Companies
and the Subsidiaries.

                  (d) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(d) or in the Financial
Statements and the Combined Financial Statements, the consolidated revenues of
the Companies and the Subsidiaries for each of the calendar months during the
period reflected in the Financial Statements and the Combined Financial
Statements are not attributable to any sales to customers of a non-repeating
nature other than sales to flexible packaging customers and sales to first time
customers not in excess of $250,000 in any such first time sale during the 1997
calendar year and the six-months ended June 30, 1998.

                  (e) To the knowledge of the Sellers, all of the inventory of
the Companies and the Subsidiaries consists of a quality and quantity reasonably
usable and saleable in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
practice, subject to normal and customary allowances for spoilage, damage and
outdated items reflected on the books and records of the Companies and the
Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(e), all items included in the
inventory of the Companies and the Subsidiaries are the property of the
Companies and the Subsidiaries, free and clear of any Liens (except with respect
to the sale thereof by the Companies and the Subsidiaries and Liens set forth on
Schedule 3.3(e)), are not held by the Companies and the Subsidiaries on
consignment from others and, to the knowledge of the Sellers, conform in all
material respects to all standards applicable to such inventory or its use or
sale imposed by any law.

                  Section 3.4. Real Properties. (a) The Companies or one of the
Subsidiaries has (i) good and marketable fee title to the real property owned in
fee by the Companies or any of the Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Owned
Properties") and (ii) valid leasehold interest or other occupancy right to the
real property leased, subleased or licensed by the Companies or any of the
Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Leased Properties"), in each case free and
clear of all options to purchase or lease (in the case of the Owned Properties),
leases, subleases, rights of first offer, conditions of limitation, Liens and
other restrictions and encumbrances (collectively, "Title Matters"), except for
Permitted Liens and such Title Matters set forth in Schedule 3.4, which
Permitted Liens and Title Matters, individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the property to
which they relate or the Business Condition. Schedule 3.4 sets forth a complete
and accurate list and description of all Owned Properties and all Leased
Properties.

                  (b) Each agreement under which real property is leased,
subleased or licensed to the Companies or one of the Subsidiaries, including any
agreements with respect to the use or occupancy thereof and any and all
amendments or modifications thereof or side letters with respect thereto
(collectively the "Company Leases"), is in full force and effect and enforceable
in accordance with its respective terms and the Companies or one of the
Subsidiaries is the holder 


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

of the lessee's or tenant's interest thereunder and there exists no default
under any of the Company Leases by the Companies or any of the Subsidiaries and
no circumstance exists which, with the giving of notice, the passage of time or
both would result in such a default, except for such defaults or other
circumstances which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the Business Condition. Except as
set forth in Schedule 3.4, the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby does not violate the terms of any of the Company Leases. Except as set
forth in Schedule 3.4 and except for Permitted Liens, the interests of any of
the Companies or Subsidiaries under any Company Lease is not subject to any
pledge, Lien, sublease, assignment, license or other agreement granting to any
third party any interest in such Company Lease or any right to the use or
occupancy of any of the Leased Properties. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.4,
true and complete copies of the Company Leases have previously been delivered to
Buyer, including (without limitation ) all amendments or modifications thereof
and all side letters or other instruments affecting the obligations of any party
thereunder. The lessees under the Company Leases are now in possession of the
applicable Leased Properties except as set forth in Schedule 3.4.

                  (c) Each of the Companies and the Subsidiaries has all permits
necessary to own or operate the Company Real Property as it is currently owned
or operated, and no such permits will be required, as a result of the
transactions contemplated hereby, to be issued after the Closing in order to
permit the Companies following the Closing to continue to own or operate such
Company Real Property, other than any such permits the absence of which,
individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the Business Condition. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.4, neither the Companies nor the Subsidiaries has received, with
respect to any Company Real Property, any written notice of default or any
written notice of non-compliance with respect to applicable federal, state,
local and foreign laws and regulations relating to zoning, building, fire, use
restriction or safety or health codes which have not been remedied in all
respects which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the Business Condition. There is no pending, or, to the Sellers' knowledge,
threatened condemnation or other governmental taking of any of the Owned Real
Property. Each parcel of the Owned Properties is located adjacent to public
roads or streets with adequate ingress and egress available between such roads
or streets and such Owned Real Property for all purposes related to the Business
and as contemplated by the expansion plans disclosed on Schedule 3.4. All
parcels of land included in the Owned Real Property that purport to be
contiguous are contiguous and are not separated by strips or gores. Except as
set forth on Schedule 3.4, no portion of any of the Owned Properties lies in any
flood plain area (as defined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or otherwise)
or includes any wetlands, vegetation or species protected by any applicable law.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.4, no improvements constituting a part of the
Owned Properties encroach on real property not owned by the Companies or the
Subsidiaries. To the knowledge of Sellers, all buildings, structures,
improvements and fixtures located on, under, over and within the Owned Real
Property, and all other aspects thereof, (A) are in good operating condition and
repair and are structurally sound and free of any material defects and (B) are
suitable, sufficient and appropriate in all respects for their current uses.
Subject to necessary governmental approvals, which the Sellers have no reason to
believe would not be available in the ordinary course (it being understood that
in connection with making this representation the Sellers are not required to
make any investigation with respect so such approvals), to the knowl-


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

edge of Sellers, the Owned Properties are capable of being expanded to
accommodate increased production and distribution capacity thereat to the extent
and in the manner contemplated by the expansion plans disclosed on Schedule 3.4
and nothing has come to the attention of the Sellers (it being understood that
in connection with making this representation the Sellers are not required to
make any investigation with respect to such matters) regarding any applicable
federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to zoning,
building, fire, use restriction or safety or health codes or other matters
relating to the Owned Properties that would materially restrict the ability of
the Companies to so expand the Owned Properties.

                  (d) The Sellers have previously provided Buyer with all
existing surveys, title insurance policies, title insurance abstracts and other
evidence of title in the possession of or available to the Companies, the
Subsidiaries or the Sellers covering the Owned Properties and all Permitted
Liens arising with respect to the Owned Properties. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.4, American Land Title Association policies of title insurance (or
marked title insurance commitments having the same force and effect as title
insurance policies) have been issued by national title insurance companies
insuring the fee simple title of the Companies and the Subsidiaries, as
applicable, to each parcel of Owned Properties in amounts at least equal to the
original cost thereof, subject only to Permitted Liens, and, to the Sellers'
knowledge, such policies are valid and in full force and effect and no claim has
been made under any such policy.

                  (e) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.4, the Owned Properties
and the Leased Properties constitute, in the aggregate, all of the real property
used to conduct the Business in the manner in which each of those Businesses was
conducted during the one year period ending December 31, 1997 and since such
date, except for additions thereto and deletions therefrom in the ordinary
course of business, consistent with past practice and which would not have a
material adverse effect on the Business Condition.

                  (f) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.4, there are no
outstanding options or contracts with other Persons for the sale, mortgage,
pledge, hypothecation assignment, sublease, lease or other transfer of all or
any part of the Owned Real Property. No Person has any right or option to
acquire, or right of first refusal with respect to, the interest of the
Companies and the Subsidiaries in the Company Real Property or any part thereof.

                  Section 3.5. Tangible Personal Property. Each of the Companies
and the Subsidiaries has good and valid title to all tangible personal property
which it owns, including all tangible personal property reflected in the
Combined Balance Sheet as being owned by such Company or Subsidiary, as the case
may be, except for tangible personal property disposed of to third parties since
June 30, 1998 in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice
and which would not have a material adverse effect on, the Business Condition,
in each case free and clear of all Liens, except (i) Permitted Liens; (ii) other
Liens, if any, set forth in Schedule 3.5; and (iii) Liens which would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Business
Condition. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
material adverse effect on the Business Condition, all of the tangible personal
property which the Companies and the Subsidiaries lease are subject to leases
which are in full force and effect and which are the valid and binding
obligations of the Companies and the Subsidiaries and, to the 


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

knowledge of the Sellers, the other parties thereto, and there are no existing
defaults under such leases. The tangible personal property of the Companies and
the Subsidiaries which is used in the Business and owned or leased by the
Companies and the Subsidiaries is, in the aggregate, all of the tangible
personal property used to conduct such businesses in the manner in which each
such business was conducted during the one-year period ending December 31, 1997
and since such date, except for additions thereto and deletions therefrom during
such periods in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice
and which would not have a material adverse effect on the Business Condition.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.5 or 3.15, no Seller owns or has any interest
in any tangible personal property used in conducting the Business.

                   Section 3.6. Absence of Certain Changes. Except as disclosed
in Schedules 3.6 and 5.4 hereto, since December 31, 1997 the Business has been
conducted in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and there has
been no material adverse change in, or any development which would have a
material adverse effect on, the Business Condition. In addition, except as
disclosed in Schedules 3.6 and 5.4, since December 31, 1997: (i) there has been
no physical damage, destruction, loss or abandonment that would have,
individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Business
Condition; (ii) there has been no sale, assignment or transfer of any material
assets of any Company or Subsidiary, except in the ordinary course of business,
consistent with past practice and which would not have a material adverse effect
on the Business Condition; (iii) there has been no sale, assignment, transfer or
license of any Intellectual Property owned by any Company or Subsidiary nor has
any Company or Subsidiary sold, assigned, transferred or licensed any trade
secrets (including formulae) or software which it owns; (iv) none of the
Companies or the Subsidiaries has taken any action which, if taken from the date
hereof through the Closing, would violate Section 5.4(b) through (l) (and there
have been no changes required by U.S. GAAP referred to in Section 5.4(f)); and
(v) none of the Companies or the Subsidiaries has entered into any agreement to
do any of the things previously described in this Section 3.6.

                   Section 3.7. Litigation; Orders. Except as disclosed in
Schedule 3.7A hereto, there are no Actions pending with respect to which any
Company or Subsidiary or any Seller has been served with notice or process or,
to the knowledge of Sellers, pending in which no notice or process has been
served or threatened or claims asserted against any Company or Subsidiary (or
against any officer, director or employee of any Company or Subsidiary or any
Related Party or any other Person to the extent such officer, director,
employee, Related Party or other Person is entitled to indemnification from the
Companies or the Subsidiaries with respect to such Action or claim) that would,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Business
Condition or in which the complaint or claim specifically seeks to prohibit any
of the Stock Purchases or otherwise impair the consummation of this Agreement or
the transactions contemplated hereby. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.7A
hereto, there are no judgments, verdicts or outstanding orders, injunctions,
decrees, stipulations, settlement agreements, citations, fines or awards against
or binding upon any Company or Subsidiary or any of their respective properties
or businesses (or to the knowledge of the Sellers against any officer, director
or employee of any Company or Subsidiary or any Related Party or any other
Person to the extent such officer, director, employee, Related Party or other
Person is entitled to indemnification from the Companies or the Subsidiaries
with respect to such Action or claim) that would have, individually or in 


                                      -16-
<PAGE>

the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Business Condition or prohibit
any of the Stock Purchases or otherwise impair the ability of any Seller to
complete the Stock Purchases or the transactions contemplated hereby. Except as
set forth in Schedule 3.7A, there is no material Action by any Company or
Subsidiary, or by any Seller or Related Party and relating to the Business,
pending against any other party. Schedule 3.7B lists all Actions to which (i)
any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries is or was a party or subject or (ii)
any of the Sellers or Related Parties is or was a party or subject which relate
to the Business, in each case which was pending at any time since January 1,
1996 to the date hereof.

                   Section 3.8. Intellectual Property. Schedule 3.8 hereto is a
true, complete and accurate list, by country, of (a) all United States and
foreign trademarks and service marks (and registrations and applications
therefor) (collectively, "Trademarks") owned by any Company or Subsidiary or by
any Seller and utilized by or on behalf of any Company or Subsidiary, (b) any of
the foregoing licensed to or by or on behalf of any Company or Subsidiary
(together with the Trademarks referred to in clause (a), the "Company
Trademarks"), (c) all United States and foreign patents and patent applications
(collectively "Patents") owned by any Company or Subsidiary or by any Seller on
behalf of any Company or Subsidiary and (d) any of the foregoing (described in
clause (c)) licensed to or by or on behalf of any Company or Subsidiary
(together with the Patents referred to in clause (c), the "Company Patents").
Schedule 3.8 accurately identifies, where appropriate, the following for each
item of the foregoing: name of mark or title of patent, the registration or
patent number or serial number, patent issue or filing date and inventor(s).
Neither any Company nor any Subsidiary owns or licenses Company Trademarks or
Company Patents except as listed in Schedule 3.8. None of the Sellers owns any
Intellectual Property used by or on behalf of any of the Companies or the
Subsidiaries. "Intellectual Property" shall be defined herein as (i) Trademarks
and Patents, (ii) non-patented formulae, inventions, know-how, manufacturing
procedures, processes, trade secrets, proprietary information, software
licenses, registered and unregistered design rights and all other intellectual
property and proprietary rights, and (iii) the Company Design Licenses; and the
Intellectual Property owned by any Company or Subsidiaries is hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Company Intellectual Property." Except as
otherwise set forth on Schedule 3.8 hereto, the Companies and Subsidiaries own
all Company Intellectual Property free and clear of any Liens, licenses, or, to
the knowledge of Sellers, adverse claims or other restriction (except those
imposed by any action taken or arrangement made by Buyer). Schedule 3.8 lists
the extent of any rights of any Persons other than the Companies or the
Subsidiaries in any Company Intellectual Property and all payments that have
been made or are required to be made by such other Persons in connection with
acquiring any such rights. Except as specifically identified in Schedule 3.8, no
Seller owns or has any interest in any Company Intellectual Property. Except as
set forth on Schedule 3.8, to the knowledge of the Sellers, there are no
existing claims or threatened claims, of any third party based on the use by, or
challenging the ownership of, the Companies, the Subsidiaries or the Sellers of
any of the Company Intellectual Property or claims of adverse ownership,
invalidity, unenforceability or misuse of the Company Intellectual Property. No
offers have been made to license to any of the Companies, the Subsidiaries or
the Sellers any Intellectual Property that any Company or Subsidiary purports to
own as Company Intellectual Property. Except as described in Schedule 3.8, to
the knowledge of the Sellers neither any Company nor any Subsidiary has
infringed or misappropriated, or is infringing or misappropriating, any U.S. or
foreign patents or  


                                      -17-
<PAGE>

copyrights or any U.S., state or foreign trademarks, or other Intellectual
Property rights of any Person. Except as described in Schedule 3.8, to the
knowledge of the Sellers, there are no uses or sales of the Company Intellectual
Property by any other Person that would limit the Companies' ability to make any
filing in respect of or enforce the exclusive rights of any Company Intellectual
Property in any domestic or foreign jurisdiction, whether or not any filings in
respect of such rights have been made in such jurisdictions (it being understood
that in connection with making this representation the Sellers are not required
to make any investigation with respect to such uses or sales in any jurisdiction
in which the Companies and the Subsidiaries do not sell any products as of the
date hereof). Except as described in Schedule 3.8, to the knowledge of the
Sellers, the Companies and the Subsidiaries have taken all reasonable actions to
maintain and protect all Company Intellectual Property in all material respects.
Except as described in Schedule 3.8, to the knowledge of the Sellers, neither
any Company nor any Subsidiary has used or enforced, or failed to use or
enforce, any of the Company Intellectual Property in any manner which limits its
validity or enforceability or is reasonably expected to result in its
invalidity, unenforceability or misuse. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.8
hereto, to the knowledge of Sellers there is no material infringement or
misappropriation by any Person of the Company Intellectual Property. The
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not alter,
impair or extinguish any of the Company Intellectual Property except as set
forth in Schedule 3.8.

                   Section 3.9. Governmental Licenses, Approvals, Other
Authorizations, Consents, Reports, etc. (a) The Companies and the Subsidiaries
possess or have been granted all registrations, filings, applications,
certifications, notices, consents, licenses, permits, approvals, certificates,
franchises, orders, qualifications, authorizations and waivers of any
Governmental Authority necessary to entitle it presently to conduct the Business
in the manner in which it is presently being conducted (the "Licenses"), except
as set forth in Schedule 3.9(a) and except those Licenses whose failure to
possess or have granted would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a
material adverse effect on the Business Condition. Except as noted in Schedule
3.9(a), (i) all of the Licenses are in full force and effect except for those
Licenses whose failure to be in full force and effect would not have,
individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Business
Condition, and (ii) no Action is pending or, to the Sellers' knowledge,
threatened seeking the revocation or limitation of any License that would,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Business
Condition.

                  (b) Schedule 3.9(b) hereto contains a list of all
registrations, filings, applications, certifications, notices, consents,
licenses, permits, approvals, certificates, franchises, orders, qualifications,
authorizations and waivers required to be made, filed, given or obtained by any
Seller, Company or Subsidiary with, to or from any Governmental Authority in
connection with, the consummation of the Stock Purchases and performance of the
other obligations of Sellers under this Agreement, except for those (i) that
become applicable solely as a result of the specific regulatory status of Buyer
or its Affiliates, or (ii) the failure to make, file, give or obtain which would
not, individually or in the aggregate, either have a material adverse effect on
the Business Condition or prevent the consummation of the Stock Purchases and
the other transactions contemplated hereby.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

                  Section 3.10. Labor Matters. None of the Companies nor the
Subsidiaries are party to, or bound by any collective bargaining agreement,
contract or other agreement or understanding with any labor union, trade union,
employee representative, work committee, guild or association representing
employees of any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries. As of the date hereof, no
work stoppage against any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries is pending or, to
the Sellers' knowledge, threatened. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10, none
of the Companies or the Subsidiaries is, or since January 1, 1996 has been,
involved in or, to the Sellers' knowledge, threatened with any labor dispute,
arbitration, lawsuit, grievance or administrative proceeding (other than
immaterial grievances), relating to material labor matters involving any current
or former employee of any Company or Subsidiary. No union or association
organizing or election activities involving any nonunion employees of any
Company or Subsidiary are in progress or, to the knowledge of Sellers, have been
threatened since January 1, 1996.

                   Section 3.11. Compliance with Laws. Except as may be
disclosed on Schedule 3.11, the conduct of the business of the Companies and the
Subsidiaries is in compliance and, to the knowledge of Sellers, has been in
compliance with all statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments,
orders or decrees applicable thereto or to their properties, except for
violations or failures so to comply, if any, that, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the Business Condition.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11, none of the Sellers, and to the knowledge
of Sellers, none of the Companies or the Subsidiaries has received notice of any
alleged violation of any statute, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, judgment,
order or decree from any Governmental Authority applicable to the Companies or
the Subsidiaries or to their properties which has not been satisfactorily
addressed except for violations, if any, that would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Business Condition or would
give rise to material fines or other material civil penalties or any criminal
liabilities. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, none of the
Sellers, the Companies or the Subsidiaries has, directly or indirectly, paid or
delivered any fee, commission or other sum of money or item of property, however
characterized, to any government official or other governmental party, in the
United States or any other country, which is in any manner related to the
business or operations of the Companies or the Subsidiaries and which was
illegal under any statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments,
orders or decrees of any Governmental Authority (including, without limitation,
the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act).

                   Section 3.12. Insurance. To the knowledge of the Sellers,
each of the Companies and the Subsidiaries is covered by valid and currently
effective insurance policies issued in favor of the Companies or the
Subsidiaries that are customary for privately-owned companies of similar size
and financial condition. Schedule 3.12 lists all insurance policies which are in
effect covering any of the Companies, the Subsidiaries, their respective Owned
Properties or Leased Properties or their employees and such Schedule lists each
of the parties to such policies. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12, all such
policies are in full force and effect, all premiums due thereon have been paid,
no notices of limitation or non-renewal have been delivered with respect thereto
and the Sellers, the Companies and the Subsidiaries have complied with the
provisions of such policies, except for failures to be in full force and effect,
to pay premiums and to comply which, individually or in the aggregate, would not
have a material adverse effect on the Business Condition.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

                   Section 3.13. Material Contracts. Except as set forth on
Schedules 3.2(d), 3.4, 3.8, 3.13 or 6.1(a) hereto, as of the date hereof,
neither any of the Companies nor any of the Subsidiaries is a party to or bound
by any written or oral (a) employment, consulting or non-competition agreement
or contract (in the case of oral agreements or contracts, excluding those which
are terminable at will without any additional expense other than the payment of
previously accrued compensation) requiring payments of compensation to any one
Person in excess of $50,000 per year or aggregate payments of compensation to
any one Person in excess of $100,000; (b) joint venture or partnership contract
or agreement; (c) contract or agreement restricting the right of the Business to
compete in any way with any other Person, which would apply to Buyer or any
Affiliate thereof, including any Company or Subsidiary, after the Closing; (d)
agreement or contract creating, evidencing or securing obligations of any
Company or Subsidiary for Indebtedness or any loan or extension of credit by any
Company or Subsidiary; (e) agreement or contract relating to any outstanding
commitment for capital expenditures in excess of $50,000; (f) licenses, whether
as licensor or licensee, of any Intellectual Property, including the Company
Design Licenses; (g) other than as set forth on Schedule 3.4, lease or sublease
of, or option relating to, any of the Leased Properties; (h) any other material
lease as lessee or lessor of real or personal property; (i) material conditional
sale agreement; (j) material distributorship or franchise agreement; (k)
material raw material or other supply agreements other than routine purchase
orders entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice or any exclusive dealing, requirements or take-or-pay contracts; (l)
any brokerage or finders fee agreements; or (m) other contract or agreement,
entered into other than in the ordinary course of business, involving an
estimated total future payment or payments in excess of $50,000. Schedule 3.8
lists and sets forth with respect to each Company Design License the party from
whom the license was granted, the date of expiration of the license, the royalty
rate, the total guaranteed royalties due under the license, the royalties paid
pursuant to the license as of June 30, 1998, and also lists, to the knowledge of
the Sellers, all open audits (both domestic and foreign) with respect to the
Company Design Licenses. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.8, no Action is
pending or, to the Sellers' knowledge, threatened seeking the revocation or
limitation of any Company Design License that would, individually or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Business Condition. Except as
set forth on Schedule 3.13 hereto, each contract or agreement set forth on
Schedule 3.13 hereto is in full force and effect, and, to the Sellers'
knowledge, is legal, valid and binding and enforceable against each other Person
party thereto in accordance with its terms, subject to limitations imposed by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other
similar laws and principles of equity. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.13
hereto, neither any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries, nor, to the Sellers'
knowledge, is any other party to any such contract or agreement, in breach
thereof or default thereunder and there does not exist under any provision
thereof, any event that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both,
would constitute such a breach or default by any Company or Subsidiary or, to
the Sellers' knowledge, by any other party to any such contract or agreement,
except for such breaches, defaults and events as to which requisite waivers or
consents have been obtained or which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Business Condition. Except as
set forth on Schedule 3.13, Seller has delivered to Buyer true and correct
copies of each of such written agreements and contracts or provided written
summaries of any such oral agreements and contracts.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

                   Section 3.14. Brokers, Finders, etc. Except for the services
of Piper Jaffray Inc. ("Piper Jaffray"), neither any of the Sellers nor any of
their Affiliates (including any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries) has
employed, or is subject to any valid claim of, any broker, finder, or other
similar intermediary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement who might be entitled to a fee or commission in connection with such
transactions. Schedule 3.14 sets forth the aggregate amount payable to Piper
Jaffray in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby plus out of
pocket expenses pursuant to the engagement letter between Piper Jaffray and the
Sellers and their Affiliates (including the Companies and the Subsidiaries),
which engagement letter has been provided to Buyer pursuant to Section 3.13.
Except as provided by Section 12.4, none of Buyer, the Companies or the
Subsidiaries has or will have any obligations to Piper Jaffray with respect to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                   Section 3.15. Affiliate Transactions. Except as disclosed in
Schedule 3.15 hereto, (i) no Seller and no trustee, fiduciary or beneficiary of
any Seller or any member of such Seller's family (as "family" is defined under
Section 267(c) of the Code) (a "Related Party") sells, provides or causes to be
sold or provided to any Company or Subsidiary any assets, loans, advances,
services (other than as an employee), goods or facilities and (ii) none of the
Companies or the Subsidiaries provides or causes to be provided to any such
Seller or Related Party any assets, loans, advances (other than immaterial
advances to employees in the ordinary course of business), services, goods or
facilities. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.15 hereto, neither any Company nor
any Subsidiary, jointly with any Seller or Related Party, purchases or sells
goods or services and the Companies and the Subsidiaries do not have any other
significant business relationships with any Seller or Related Party. The only
agreements, arrangements, relationships or other items listed on Schedule 3.15
that will remain in place from and after the Closing or with respect to which
Buyer, the Companies, the Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates will have any
ongoing obligations or duties, are those items (and only with respect to such
obligations or duties) which are explicitly identified in Schedule 3.15 as
remaining in place and having ongoing obligations or duties.

                  Section 3.16. Environmental Compliance. (a) For purposes of
this Section 3.16, (i) "Hazardous Substance" means any pollutant, contaminant,
hazardous or toxic substance or waste, solid waste, petroleum or any fraction
thereof, or any other chemical, substance or material listed or identified in or
regulated by or under any Environmental Law; (ii) "Environmental Law" means the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C.
ss. 9601 et seq., the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 6901 et seq., the Clean Water Act,
33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 7401 et seq., the
Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. ss. 2601 et seq., the Safe Drinking
Water Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 300f et seq., the Emergency Planning and Community
Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 11001 et seq., the Occupational Safety and
Health Act, 29 U.S.C. ss. 651 et seq., the Oil Pollution Act, 33 U.S.C. ss. 2701
et seq., and the Minnesota Environmental Response and Liability Act, Minn. Stat.
Section 115B et seq. and 115C et seq. in each case as amended from time to time,
and any other statute, rule, regulation, law, by-law, ordinance or directive of
any Governmental Authority dealing with the pollution or protection of natural
resources or the indoor or ambient environment or with the protection of human
health or safety; (iii) "RCRA Hazardous Waste" means a solid waste that is
listed


                                      -21-
<PAGE>

or classified as a hazardous waste, as that term is defined in or pursuant to
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. ss. 6901 et
seq.; and (iv) "Company Real Property" means the Owned Properties and the Leased
Properties.

                  (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, there are no claims
pending or, to the knowledge of Sellers, threatened, and none of the Sellers,
the Companies or the Subsidiaries has received any notice, alleging, warning or
notifying any Company or Subsidiary that any Company or Subsidiary is, has been
or may be in violation of or non-compliance with any Environmental Law.

                  (c) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, to the knowledge of
the Sellers, no Hazardous Substances have ever been buried, spilled, leaked,
discharged, emitted, generated, stored, used or released, and to the knowledge
of the Sellers no Hazardous Substances are now present in amounts,
concentrations or conditions requiring investigation, study, removal,
remediation or any other response action or corrective action under, or forms
the basis of a claim pursuant to, any Environmental Law, in, on, from or under
the Company Real Property or any other property with respect to which any
Company or Subsidiary may be identified as a potentially responsible party or
otherwise bear liability, except for immaterial quantities stored or used by any
Company or Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business and in accordance
with all applicable Environmental Laws.

                  (d) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, the Owned Properties
and, to the knowledge of the Sellers, the Leased Properties, are not being used
and, to the knowledge of Sellers, never have been used in connection with the
business of manufacturing, storing or transporting Hazardous Substances in
violation of any Environmental Law, in any material respect, and no RCRA
Hazardous Wastes have been treated, stored or disposed of there in violation of
any Environmental Law.

                  (e) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, there are not now
and, to the knowledge of Sellers, never have been any underground or above
ground storage tanks or other containment facilities of any kind on the Owned
Properties which contain or contained any Hazardous Substances.

                  (f) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, to the knowledge of
the Sellers, none of the Company Real Property is or has been listed on the
National Priorities List, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Information System or any similar federal, state, local or foreign
list, schedule, log, inventory or database of sites or facilities with
potential, threatened, suspected or actual releases of Hazardous Substances.

                  (g) Schedule 3.16 identifies, and Sellers have provided to
Buyer true and correct copies of, all written environmental audits or
assessments in the possession of or available to any Company, Subsidiary or
Seller relating in whole or in part to any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries
or the Business undertaken by or on behalf of any of the Sellers or any of their
Affiliates, or, to the Sellers' knowledge, by Governmental Authorities or other
third parties, and any written communications by the Companies or the
Subsidiaries or, to the Sellers' knowledge, relating in whole or in part to any
of the Companies or the Subsidiaries or the Business with 


                                      -22-
<PAGE>

environmental agencies, within the past six years which describe the status of
any Company Real Property or the compliance of the owners or lessees thereof
with respect to any Environmental Law.

                   (h) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, neither any
Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice from any Governmental
Authority or other third party that any of them or any of their predecessors is
or may be a potentially responsible party or may otherwise bear liability for
any actual or threatened release of Hazardous Substances at or from any site or
facility other than Company Real Property.

                   Section 3.17. Customer and Supplier Relationships. Schedule
3.17 lists the 10 largest suppliers to the Business, the 10 largest distributors
or other customers of the Business, in each case based on aggregate purchases or
sales, as the case may be, during each of (x) the period January 1, 1997 through
December 31, 1997 and (y) the period January 1, 1998 through June 30, 1998, and
the approximate dollar amount of such aggregate purchases or sales in each such
period. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17, the relationships of the Companies
and Subsidiaries with such customers, suppliers and distributors are
satisfactory. To the knowledge of the Sellers, the purchase by Buyer of the
Shares pursuant to the Stock Purchases will not materially adversely affect the
relationships of the Companies and the Subsidiaries with such customers,
suppliers and distributors.

                   Section 3.18. Undisclosed Liabilities. To the knowledge of
the Sellers, except (i) as disclosed in Schedule 3.18 hereto, (ii) as and to the
extent disclosed or reserved against on the Combined Balance Sheet, (iii) as
incurred after the date of the Combined Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice and not prohibited by this Agreement and
which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse
effect on the Business Condition and (iv) those Covered Liabilities to the
extent constituting Taxes for which Sellers are responsible under Article VII,
the Companies and the Subsidiaries do not have any liabilities or obligations of
any nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due
or to become due, that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material
adverse effect on the Business Condition.

                   Section 3.19. Disclosure. The representations and warranties
of Sellers contained in this Agreement are true and correct in all material
respects, and such representations and warranties do not omit any material fact
necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                   Section 3.20. Banks, Powers of Attorney. Except as set forth
in Schedule 3.20, neither any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries has any
accounts or safe deposit boxes under its or their control or for their benefit
at any bank or other financial institution and the Companies and Subsidiaries
have not entered into any powers of attorney other than customary powers of
attorneys. Schedule 3.20 sets forth the names of all Persons authorized to draw
on or have access to the accounts and safe deposit boxes of any of the Companies
or the Subsidiaries listed thereon.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

                  Section 3.21. Sufficiency and Condition of Assets. Except as
disclosed in the Schedules to this Agreement, as of the acquisition of the
Shares pursuant to the Stock Purchases, the Companies and the Subsidiaries will
own or have valid rights to use all of the assets, rights and interests which
are used in, and are sufficient for, the operation of the Business as it is
currently being conducted, and as it was conducted during the period January 1,
1997 through December 31, 1997 and since such date to the Closing Date, in all
material respects. The tangible assets of the Companies and the Subsidiaries are
in good working order, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and are suitable for
the use for which they are intended in all material respects.

                  Section 3.22. Non-foreign Certification. None of the Sellers
is a "foreign person" within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.

                  Section 3.23. Securities Laws Representations.

                  (a) Each Seller is acquiring the Securities for his or its own
account and not for the account or benefit of any other Person;

                  (b) The Designated Representative is an "accredited investor"
as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act;

                  (c) Each Seller, together with its advisors, has knowledge and
experience in financial and business matters such that such Seller is capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Securities;

                  (d) Each Seller understands that the Securities are a
speculative investment which involves a high degree of risk of loss of such
Seller's investment therein, that there are substantial restrictions on the
transferability of the Securities and that on the date hereof and for an
indefinite period following such date there will be no public market for the
Securities and, accordingly, it may not be possible to liquidate such Seller's
investment in the Company at all, including in the case of emergency;

                  (e) Each Seller's financial situation is such that such Seller
can afford to bear the economic risk of holding the Securities for an indefinite
period of time and suffer complete loss of such Seller's investment in the
Securities; 

                  (f) Such Seller (i) has been furnished with all such
information as such Seller has deemed necessary to make an informed investment
decision with respect to the Securities and (ii) has been afforded an
opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from authorized officers and
other representatives of Buyer concerning Buyer;

                  (g) Each Seller confirms that he had the opportunity to obtain
such independent legal and tax advice and financial planning services as such
Seller has deemed appropriate prior to making a decision to invest in the
Securities;

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

                  (h) The Securities are being acquired by each Seller solely
for investment, and are not being purchased with a view to a distribution or
resale thereof otherwise than in compliance with the Securities Act; and

                  (i) Each Seller understands that the Securities have not been
registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities laws, in reliance
upon exemptions from registration for non-public offerings and such Seller
understands that the Securities will be subject to the restrictions and other
terms and conditions of the Stockholders' Agreement, as amended as contemplated
hereby.



                                   ARTICLE IV

                     Representations and Warranties of Buyer

                  Buyer hereby represents and warrants to the Sellers as
follows:

                  Section 4.1. Incorporation; Authorization; Capitalization;
Structure. (a) Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Buyer has full corporate
power to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Related Agreement to which
it is a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Buyer has full
corporate or other power and authority to own its properties and assets and to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted and is in good standing and
is duly qualified to transact business in each jurisdiction in which the nature
of the property owned or leased by it or the conduct of its business requires it
to be so qualified, except where the failure to be in good standing or to be
duly qualified to transact business, individually or in the aggregate, would not
have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, prospects,
financial condition or results of operations of Buyer and its subsidiaries (the
"Buyer Business Condition"). For purposes of this Agreement, a material adverse
effect on the Buyer Business Condition shall not include any change resulting
from general economic conditions. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the Related Agreements, the performance of its obligations hereunder and
thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby by Buyer have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors
of Buyer and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Buyer, its Board of
Directors or stockholders are necessary therefor. Except as set forth in
Schedule 4.1(a), the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
the Related Agreements by Buyer will not (i) violate or conflict with any
provision of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational instrument of
Buyer, (ii) conflict with, violate or constitute a default under any provision
of, or be an event that is (or with the giving of notice or passage of time or
both will result in) a violation of or default under, or result in the
acceleration of or entitle any party to accelerate (whether after the giving of
notice or lapse of time or both) any obligation or right under, or require a
consent under, any Lien or any material contract, agreement, license or permit,
to which Buyer is a party or any of its property is bound, or (iii) violate or
conflict with any provision of law, regulation, rule, writ, injunction, decree,
statute, order, judgment or ruling 


                                      -25-
<PAGE>

of any Governmental Authority or any other material restriction of any kind or
character to which Buyer is subject or by which any of its property is bound,
that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), would, individually or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on Buyer's ability to consummate the
Stock Purchases or would otherwise prevent the performance of the other
obligations of Buyer under this Agreement or the Related Agreements. This
Agreement and each of the Related Agreements to which Buyer is a party have been
duly executed and delivered by Buyer, and, assuming the due execution hereof and
thereof by the Sellers and the other parties thereto, constitutes the legal,
valid and binding obligations of Buyer, each enforceable against Buyer in
accordance with its terms.

                  (b) Buyer has delivered or caused to be delivered to the
Sellers complete and correct copies of the certificates of incorporation and
by-laws of Buyer, and has made available to the Sellers and their advisors the
corporate minute books and other books and records of Buyer. The corporate
minute books of Buyer made available to the Sellers and their advisors are true
and correct in all material respects.

                  (c) As of the date hereof 1,012.4088748 shares of Buyer Common
Stock are issued and outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of
Buyer Common Stock are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and none of
such shares have been issued in violation of, or are subject to, any preemptive
rights. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, on Schedule 4.1(c) hereof, or as
contemplated hereby and by the Related Agreements, as of the date hereof, there
are no outstanding options, warrants, subscriptions or other rights of any kind
to acquire, or obligations to issue, shares of capital stock of any class of, or
other equity interests in, Buyer or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of capital stock of any class of, or
other equity interests in, Buyer.

                  Section 4.2. Licenses, Approvals, Other Authorizations,
Consents, Reports, etc. Schedule 4.2 hereto contains a list of all
registrations, filings, applications, certifications, notices, consents,
approvals, certificates, franchises, orders, qualifications, authorizations and
waivers required to be made, filed, given or obtained by Buyer with, to or from
any Governmental Authority in connection with the consummation of the Stock
Purchases and performance of the other obligations of Buyer under this Agreement
except for those (i) that become applicable solely as a result of the specific
regulatory status of Sellers, the Companies or the Subsidiaries or any change of
ownership thereof or (ii) the failure to make, file, give or obtain which would
not, individually or in the aggregate, either have a material adverse effect on
the Business Condition of Buyer or prevent the consummation of the Stock
Purchases and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

                  Section 4.3. Investment Representations. In connection with
the acquisition of the Shares, Buyer makes the following representations:

                  (a) Buyer is acquiring the Shares for its own account and not
for the account or benefit of any other Person;

                  (b) Buyer is an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501
of Regulation D under the Securities Act;

                                      -26-
<PAGE>

                  (c) Buyer has knowledge and experience in financial and
business matters such that Buyer is capable of evaluating the merits and risks
of an investment in the Shares;

                  (d) Buyer understands that the Shares are a speculative
investment which involves a high degree of risk of loss of such Buyer's
investment therein, that there are substantial restrictions on the
transferability of the Shares and that on the date hereof and for an indefinite
period following such date there will be no public market for the Shares;

                  (e) Buyer (i) has been furnished with all such information as
Buyer has deemed necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect
to the Shares and (ii) has been afforded an opportunity to ask questions and
receive answers from authorized officers and other representatives of Seller,
the Companies and the Subsidiaries concerning the Companies and the
Subsidiaries;

                  (f) Buyer confirms that it had the opportunity to obtain such
independent legal and tax advice and financial planning services as such Buyer
has deemed appropriate prior to making a decision to invest in the Shares;

                  (g) The Shares are being acquired by Buyer solely for
investment, and are not being purchased with a view to a distribution or resale
thereof otherwise than in compliance with the Securities Act; and

                  (h) Buyer understands that the Shares have not been registered
under the Securities Act, or any state securities laws, in reliance upon
exemptions from registration.

                  Section 4.4. Securities. At the Closing, the issuance of the
Securities and the Warrants will have been duly authorized and, upon their
issuance pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Securities will be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to any preemptive
or similar right other than the rights and obligations under the Stockholders'
Agreement.

                  Section 4.5. SEC Filings; Financial Statements. (a) Buyer has
filed all forms, reports, statements and documents filed or required to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") since January 1, 1998
(collectively, including all exhibits and schedules thereto and documents
incorporated therein by reference, the "SEC Reports"), each of which has
complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as
applicable, each as in effect on the date so filed.

                  (b) Each of the audited and unaudited consolidated financial
statements of Buyer (including any related notes thereto) included in the SEC
Reports, complies as to form in all material respects with all applicable
accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC
with respect thereto, has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP applied on
a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated
in the notes thereof) and fairly presents the consolidated financial position of
Buyer and its subsidiaries 


                                      -27-
<PAGE>

at the respective date thereof and the consolidated results of its operations
and changes in cash flows for the periods indicated.

                   Section 4.6. Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker
is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements
made by and on behalf of Buyer for which the Sellers or any of their Affiliates
would be responsible.

                   Section 4.7. Financing. Attached as Exhibit 4.7 hereto is a
true and complete copy of the commitment letter, dated on or about the date
hereof (the "Commitment Letter"), issued in connection with the financing of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The terms and conditions of the
Commitment Letter are satisfactory to Buyer.

                   Section 4.8. Litigation; Orders. Except as disclosed in the
SEC Reports, there are no Actions pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer,
threatened or claims asserted against Buyer (or, to the knowledge of Buyer,
against any officer, director or employee of Buyer or any other Person to the
extent such officer, director, employee, or other Person is entitled to
indemnification from Buyer with respect to such Action or claim) that would,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Buyer
Business Condition or in which the complaint or claim specifically seeks to
prohibit any of the Stock Purchases or otherwise impair the consummation of this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Except as disclosed in the
SEC Reports, there are no judgments, verdicts or outstanding orders,
injunctions, decrees, stipulations, settlement agreements, citations, fines or
awards against or binding upon Buyer or any of its properties or businesses (or,
to the knowledge of Buyer, against any officer, director or employee of Buyer or
any other Person to the extent such officer, director, employee, or other Person
is entitled to indemnification from Buyer with respect to such Action or claim)
that would have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on
the Buyer Business Condition or prohibit any of the Stock Purchases or otherwise
impair the ability of Buyer to complete the Stock Purchases or the transactions
contemplated hereby.

                   Section 4.9. Compliance with Laws. Except as may be disclosed
in the SEC Reports, the conduct of the business of Buyer is in compliance and,
to the knowledge of Buyer, has been in compliance with all statutes, laws,
regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders or decrees applicable thereto
or to its properties, except for violations or failures so to comply, if any,
that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect
on the Buyer Business Condition. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, Buyer
has not received notice of any alleged violation of any statute, law,
regulation, ordinance, rule, judgment, order or decree from any Governmental
Authority applicable to Buyer or its subsidiaries or to their properties which
has not been satisfactorily addressed except for violations, if any, that would
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the
Buyer Business Condition or would be reasonably likely to give rise to material
fines or other material civil penalties or any criminal liabilities. In
furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, Buyer has not, directly or
indirectly, paid or delivered any fee, commission or other sum of money or item
of property, however characterized, to any government official or other
governmental party, in the United States or any other country, which is in any
manner related to the business or operations of Buyer 


                                      -28-
<PAGE>

and which was illegal under any statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules,
judgments, orders or decrees of any Governmental Authority (including, without
limitation, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act).

                   Section 4.10. Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as disclosed in
the balance sheet included in the most recent SEC Reports or as incurred after
the date of the most recent SEC Report in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice which could not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a material adverse effect on the Buyer Business Condition, Buyer does not
have any liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether absolute, accrued,
contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due, that, individually or
in the aggregate, have or could have a material adverse effect on the Buyer
Business Condition.

                   Section 4.11. Disclosure. The representations and warranties
of Buyer contained in this Agreement are true and correct in all material
respects, and such representations and warranties do not omit any material fact
necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.



                                    ARTICLE V

                         Covenants of Sellers and Buyer

                  Section 5.1. Investigation of Business; Access to Properties
and Records. (a) After the date hereof until the Closing Date, each party hereto
shall continue to afford to representatives of the other parties hereto full
access (and the Sellers shall cause the Companies and Subsidiaries to continue
to afford to representatives of Buyer full access), to their respective
officers, employees, suppliers, customers, distributors, auditors, environmental
auditors, counsel, financial advisors and other agents, offices, plants,
warehouses, properties, books, contracts and records (including environmental
surveys and accountant's workpapers), during normal business hours, in order
that such party may continue to have full opportunity to make such
investigations as it desires of the affairs of the Companies and Subsidiaries or
Buyer, as the case may be; provided, however, that such investigation shall not
unreasonably disrupt the personnel and operations of the Companies, the
Subsidiaries or Buyer, as the case may be.

                  (b) After the date hereof until the Closing Date or the date
of termination of this Agreement, if earlier, Sellers will continue to supply
Buyer with all relevant documents and information for use in connection with
Buyer's investigation contemplated hereby. Such material, including the
materials provided prior to the date hereof, is hereinafter referred to as
"Evaluation Material." Buyer agrees that it and its representatives will hold in
confidence any Evaluation Material in accordance with the Buyer's
Confidentiality Agreement. If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
are not consummated, the provisions of the Buyer's Confidentiality Agreement
shall survive and shall apply to the Evaluation Materials.

                  (c) At the Closing or as soon thereafter as practicable, but
in no event later than three days after the Closing Date, Sellers will deliver
or cause to be delivered to Buyer all 


                                      -29-
<PAGE>

corporate records of the Companies and the Subsidiaries, and all other original
(or copies thereof, if originals are not immediately available) agreements,
documents, books and records relating to the Business in the possession of
Sellers or their respective Affiliates to the extent not then in the possession
of any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries.

                  (d) Sellers agree to maintain confidentiality set forth in the
Sellers' Confidentiality Agreement, including with respect to "Evaluation
Material" as defined in the Sellers' Confidentiality Agreement supplied after
the date hereof, at all times, on the terms thereof, which are incorporated by
reference herein. If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not
consummated, the provisions of the Sellers' Confidentiality Agreement shall
survive and shall apply to such "Evaluation Material."

                   Section 5.2. Efforts; Obtaining Consents. (a) Subject to the
terms and conditions herein provided, each of the Sellers and Buyer (provided
that with respect to Buyer's financing, Section 5.8 and not this Section shall
govern the matters covered thereby) agrees to use its commercially reasonable
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective
as promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
to cooperate with the other in connection with the foregoing, including using
its commercially reasonable efforts (i) where practicable, to obtain all
necessary waivers, consents and approvals from other parties to material
agreements and contracts (including, without limitation, any agreements relating
to Indebtedness) and, on the part of Buyer and the Sellers, to obtain without
additional cost to Buyer, the Companies, the Subsidiaries or the Sellers (except
that Buyer and the Sellers agree to take such actions as specified on Schedule
5.2 hereto) all consents and agreements and to make such other provisions
reasonably necessary or requested by Buyer to enable Buyer to continue to
operate the Business and in the same manner and under the same terms and
arrangements currently operated without increasing the costs of such activity to
Buyer or the Companies and the Subsidiaries, (ii) to obtain all consents,
approvals and authorizations that are required to be obtained from Governmental
Authorities, (iii) to lift or rescind any injunction, restraining order, decree
or other order adversely affecting the ability of the parties hereto to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (iv) to effect all necessary
registrations and filings including, but not limited to, filings under the HSR
Act and any similar required foreign filings and submissions of information
requested by Governmental Authorities, (v) to cooperate with the other parties
hereto in connection with planning the transition of the ownership of the
Companies and managing the integration of operations of the Business with the
operations of Buyer and (vi) to fulfill all conditions to this Agreement.

                  (b) The parties hereto shall promptly inform the others of any
material communications from the United States Federal Trade Commission, the
Department of Justice or any other Governmental Authority regarding any of the
transactions contemplated hereby. If any party or any Affiliate thereof receives
a request for additional information or documentary material from any such
Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby,
then such party will endeavor in good faith to make, or cause to be made, as
soon as reasonably practicable and after consultation with the other party, an
appropriate response in compliance with such request.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

                  Section 5.3. Further Assurances. Sellers and Buyer agree that,
from time to time, whether before, at or after the Closing Date, each of them
will execute and deliver such further instruments of conveyance and transfer and
take such other action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes
and intents of this Agreement, to assure that Buyer has acquired all of the
rights and assets used or held for use in the Business during the one year
period ended December 31, 1997 and since such date to the Closing Date, other
than to the extent such rights or assets are owned by third parties or have been
disposed of to third parties prior to the Closing in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice. From and after the Closing, the
Sellers will not use any Company Intellectual Property in their names or
operations of any of their affiliated businesses or entities.

                  Section 5.4. Conduct of Business. From the date hereof until
the Closing, except as disclosed on Schedule 5.4 hereto or otherwise provided
for in this Agreement, and, except as consented to or approved by Buyer in
writing, Sellers covenant and agree that:

                  (a) each of the Companies and the Subsidiaries shall operate
its business in the ordinary and usual course in accordance with past practices;

                  (b) neither any Company nor any of the Subsidiaries shall
issue, sell or agree to issue or sell (i) any shares of its capital stock or
other equity interests in any Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or (ii) any
securities convertible into, or options with respect to, or warrants to purchase
or rights to subscribe for, any shares of its capital stock or other equity
interests or make any change in its issued and outstanding capital stock or
other equity interests or redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its
capital stock or other equity interests;

                  (c) neither any Company nor any Subsidiary shall (i) increase
in any manner the compensation of, or enter into any new bonus or incentive
agreement or arrangement with, any of its directors, officers or other
employees, other than as required by law; (ii) pay or agree to pay any pension,
retirement allowance or other employee benefit to any director, officer or
employee, whether past or present, other than as required by contracts or plan
documents in effect on the date of this Agreement; (iii) enter into any new
employment, severance, consulting, or other compensation agreement with any
director, officer or employee or other Person; or (iv) commit itself to any
additional pension, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, group insurance,
severance pay, retirement or other employee benefit plan, fund or similar
arrangement or adopt or amend or commit itself to adopt or amend any of such
plans, funds or similar arrangements except as required by law or any contract
disclosed in paragraph (c)(iv) of Schedule 5.4;

                  (d) except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement,
neither any Company nor any Subsidiary shall (i) amend its certificate of
incorporation or by-laws, (ii) declare any dividend or make any distribution
with respect to its stock (other than dividends or distributions payable solely
to a Company or a Subsidiary) except for dividends or distributions made to any
of the Sellers from Anagram in an amount that, when added to any dividends or
distributions made from January 1, 1998 through the date hereof, is no greater
than the sum of (A) an amount equal to $974,152, which is reflected on the
Financial Statements as of December 31, 1997 as accrued dividends payable
relating to tax liabilities of the Sellers in respect of the taxable income 


                                      -31-
<PAGE>

of Anagram in respect of the taxable period beginning on January 1, 1997 and
ending on December 31, 1997, which amount was paid on the dates and in the
amounts set forth on Schedule 5.4(d)(ii), and (B) the reasonably expected tax
liabilities of each Seller in respect of the taxable income of Anagram (and the
Subsidiaries of Anagram that are disregarded entities for Income Tax purposes)
arising from operations in the ordinary course of business of Anagram and such
disregarded Subsidiaries (or from transactions listed on Schedule 3.3(d)) in
respect of the taxable period beginning on January 1, 1998 and ending on the day
before the Closing Date (using in the case of (A) and (B) each such Seller's
actual effective tax rate for federal income tax and Minnesota income tax for
the purpose of calculating such tax liability); provided, however, that no less
than five days prior to making or paying such amount, the Sellers shall provide
to Buyer, for its review and approval, in writing the amount that the Sellers
propose to withdraw pursuant to this clause (ii) setting forth the calculation
thereof in reasonable detail, (iii) cancel or compromise any debts owed to it,
except for compromises of current or former short-term trade receivables or
other current assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, (iv) waive or release any rights of material value, or (v) close any
of its facilities;

                  (e) neither any Company nor any Subsidiary shall (i) sell,
transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any of its material assets or any
Company Intellectual Property other than expiration of licenses, leases or other
contracts, in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with their terms
on the date hereof, (ii) create or permit to exist any new Lien on any of its
properties or assets, other than Permitted Liens on Owned Properties, (iii)
enter into any joint venture, partnership or other similar arrangement or form
any other new material arrangement for the conduct of its business, or (iv) make
any investment or purchase any assets or securities of any Person or make any
capital expenditures in an amount in excess of $100,000 individually or $300,000
in the aggregate;

                  (f) neither any Company nor any Subsidiary shall permit a
material change in its credit practices or its methods of maintaining its books,
accounts or business records or, except as required by U.S. GAAP (in which event
prior notice shall be given to Buyer), change any of its accounting principles
or the methods by which such principles are applied for tax or financial
reporting purposes, and in the case of financial reporting purposes, from those
used in producing the Financial Statements and the Combined Financial Statements
with respect to the one-year period ended as of December 31, 1997;

                  (g) neither any of the Companies nor any of the Subsidiaries
shall substantially increase the total number of its employees or enter into any
collective bargaining agreement with any employees;

                  (h) neither any of the Companies nor any of the Subsidiaries
shall enter into a material lease of real property, other than renewals of
leases with unrelated third parties in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice, or permit any modification, amendment or waiver
of the provisions of any existing lease of real property, whether in connection
with seeking or obtaining a lessor's consent to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or otherwise, without the consent of Buyer which will not be
unreasonably withheld if there are no significant changes to the economic terms
thereof;

                                      -32-
<PAGE>

                  (i) neither any of the Companies nor any of the Subsidiaries
shall enter into a new Company Design License or permit any modification,
amendment or waiver of the provisions of any existing Company Design License,
whether in connection with seeking or obtaining a licensor's consent to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise, without the consent of
Buyer;

                  (j) neither any of the Companies nor any of the Subsidiaries
shall engage in purchases of inventory or raw materials other than in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;

                  (k) neither any of the Companies nor any of the Subsidiaries
shall enter into any non-competition agreement;

                  (l) neither any Company nor any of the Subsidiaries shall
enter into any financing transactions, including permitting or causing the
issuance of letters of credit, that would create an impediment to satisfaction
of the conditions and covenants contained in this Agreement or to timely
consummation of the Closing, and the Company and the Subsidiaries shall only
incur or assume additional Indebtedness under the contracts, loan agreements,
mortgages, notes, capital leases and similar instruments and documents listed on
Schedule 3.2(d); and

                  (m) neither any of the Companies nor any of the Subsidiaries
shall agree to take any action prohibited by this Section 5.4.

                  Section 5.5. Preservation of Business. From the date hereof
until the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Sellers shall, and shall cause the Companies and Subsidiaries to, use
commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the Business and the Company
Intellectual Property intact, to preserve the good will of customers, suppliers,
employees and others having business relations with the Companies and
Subsidiaries, to retain key employees of the Companies and the Subsidiaries, and
to maintain insurance for the benefit of the Business in full force and effect
with responsible companies, comparable in amount to that in effect on the date
of this Agreement, subject to the availability thereof at costs not materially
greater than at present.

                  Section 5.6. Non-Solicitation. Prior to the Closing, until
termination of this Agreement, Sellers shall not, and shall not permit the
Companies or the Subsidiaries to, (i) solicit any inquiries or proposals for, or
enter into or continue or resume any discussions with respect to or enter into
any agreement with respect to, any acquisition of any Shares, any shares of
capital stock of any Subsidiary or all, or a substantial part, of the assets of
any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries or (ii) furnish or cause to be
furnished any non-public information concerning the business and operations of
the Companies or the Subsidiaries to any Person (other than to or at the request
of Buyer and its representatives) other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice. If at any time prior to the Closing, any Seller
or any of their representatives is approached by any third party which expresses
an interest in making an acquisition of the type referred to in clause (i) of
the preceding sentence, Sellers will promptly disclose to Buyer the nature of
such contact and the parties thereto.

                                      -33-
<PAGE>

                   Section 5.7. Related Party Matters. Other than (i) the
Covenant Not To Compete, dated March 27, 1997, by and between Anagram and
Michaela Graeb-Kieves, which Buyer shall cause Anagram to pay in accordance with
its terms after the Closing, and (ii) compensation and benefits with respect to
services as an employee in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
past practice that will be paid in accordance with the customary practices of
the Companies and the Subsidiaries, Sellers shall cause the Companies and the
Subsidiaries to pay in full any amounts owed by the Companies or the
Subsidiaries to any Related Party, and the Sellers shall cause any Related Party
to pay in full any amounts owed by such Related Party to any Company or
Subsidiary (including any accounts receivable or accounts payable), in each case
at or prior to the Closing and otherwise in accordance with the terms thereof
(subject to Buyer's obligation to provide funds to repay certain Indebtedness of
the Companies and the Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 5.13(a)).

                   Section 5.8. Financing. Buyer shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain by the Closing Date, on the terms described in the
Commitment Letter the financing required to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby on the terms set forth therein (the "Financing"), unless
Buyer has made other arrangements for the necessary financing. If any portion of
the Financing becomes unavailable, Buyer will use commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain necessary debt financing from another source, on and subject
to substantially the same terms and conditions as the portion of the Financing
that has become unavailable, in order to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby on the terms and within the time period set forth herein.

                   Section 5.9. Stockholders' Agreement. At or prior to the
Closing, each of the Sellers shall execute and become a party to the
Stockholders' Agreement as amended as contemplated by Section 2.5, to the extent
not executed on the date hereof.

                   Section 5.10. Resignations; Nominee Shareholders. At the
Closing, Sellers shall cause to be delivered to Buyer duly signed resignations,
effective immediately after the Closing, of all directors and officers of all
the Companies and the Subsidiaries designated in writing by Buyer to the Sellers
at least five business days prior to the Closing Date.

                   Section 5.11. Current Information. During the period from the
date of this Agreement to the Closing, (i) Sellers shall notify Buyer of (A) any
change in the normal course of business or operations of the Companies or the
Subsidiaries that would have a material adverse effect on the Business
Condition, (B) the making or commencement of any governmental complaints,
investigations or hearings of which any of the Sellers has knowledge that would
have a material adverse effect on the Business Condition (or the receipt by any
Seller, Company or Subsidiary of any communications indicating that the same may
be contemplated), (C) the institution or threat of any litigation relating to
any Company or Subsidiary or the Business of which any Seller has knowledge, or
the settlement of, or any other significant developments in, any litigation
relating to any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries or the Business or (D) any
notice received from any of the customers, suppliers or distributors listed on
Schedule 3.17 or any licensors under the Company Design Licenses regarding the
relationship between any Company or Subsidiary and such customer, supplier or
distributor and indicating any adverse change in 


                                      -34-
<PAGE>

such relationship as a whole, (ii) Buyer shall notify Sellers of (A) any change
in the normal course of business or operations of Buyer that would be reasonably
likely to have a material adverse effect on the Buyer Business Condition, or (B)
the making or commencement of any governmental complaints, investigations or
hearings of which Buyer has knowledge that would have a material adverse effect
on the Buyer Business Condition of Buyer (or the receipt by Buyer of any
communications indicating that the same may be contemplated); and (iii) Buyer
shall give prompt notice to the Sellers and the Sellers shall give prompt notice
to Buyer, of (A) any representation or warranty made by it or them contained in
this Agreement which has become untrue or inaccurate in any material respect, or
(B) the failure by it or them to comply with or satisfy in any material respect
any covenant, condition, or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it
under this Agreement provided, however, that such notifications shall not excuse
or otherwise affect the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of
the parties or the conditions to the obligations of the parties under this
Agreement.

                   Section 5.12. Financial Statements. Prior to the Closing,
Sellers shall deliver to Buyer promptly after they are prepared such monthly or
other financial statements or financial reports of the Companies as are prepared
by or relating to the Companies in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practices and such other financial information as Buyer may reasonably
request, promptly after such request. Sellers shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to have Arthur Andersen consent (at Buyer's expense) to Buyer's use of
and reliance on the audited Financial Statements, the Combined Financial
Statements and such other audited financial statements of the Companies or its
predecessors as may be required for any portion of the Financing or
refinancings, exchanges or substitutions thereof, or in connection with filings
under the federal securities laws.

                   Section 5.13. Further Actions. At the Closing, Sellers agree
that they will, or will cause the Companies and Subsidiaries to, (a) except (i)
for the capital leases listed on Schedule 5.13, (ii) as provided in Section
5.7(i) or (iii) to the extent explicitly requested by Buyer prior to the
repayment thereof, repay in full at or prior to the Closing (with funds to be
provided by Buyer at the Closing) all of the Indebtedness of the Companies and
the Subsidiaries, including accrued interest, premium, penalties and other
costs, (b) use commercially reasonable efforts (without any payment of breakage
costs unless Buyer agrees to reimburse the Sellers therefor) to arrange for the
prepayment of the capital leases listed on Schedule 5.13 and (c) use
commercially reasonable efforts to eliminate or discharge all Liens on the stock
or assets of the Companies and the Subsidiaries and any other encumbrances on
the stock or assets of the Companies and the Subsidiaries, including, without
limitation, the Owned Properties, other than Permitted Liens. Buyer agrees to
cooperate in connection therewith. Buyer and Sellers agree to cooperate with
each other so that all outstanding letters of credit relating to any Company or
Subsidiary are replaced prior to the Closing and that the parties whose
obligations are being secured by such letters of credit shall take such actions
necessary in order to have such replacements issued for their own accounts.
Following the Closing until April 16, 1999, Buyer and the Sellers agree to
cooperate with each other and take all reasonable action to (i) cause Anagram to
distribute additional cash to the Sellers sufficient to cover any shortfall in
the amount of cash distributed to the Sellers pursuant to Section 5.4(d)(ii)(B)
hereof based on the actual amount of tax due in respect of the taxable income of
Anagram (and the Subsidiaries of Anagram that are 


                                      -35-
<PAGE>

disregarded entities for Income Tax purposes) described in Section 5.4(d)(ii)(B)
hereof and (ii) cause the Sellers to refund to Anagram any cash distributed to
the Sellers pursuant to Section 5.4(d)(ii)(B) hereof in excess of the actual
amount of tax due in respect of the taxable income of Anagram (and the
Subsidiaries of Anagram that are disregarded entities for Income Tax purposes)
described in Section 5.4(d)(ii)(B) hereof.

                  Section 5.14. Liquidation of Anagram Exports. Immediately
prior to the Closing, the Sellers shall cause Anagram Exports to be liquidated
and any assets held by Anagram Exports related to the Business shall be
contributed to Anagram or one of the remaining Companies without additional
consideration.

                  Section 5.15. Employee Benefit Plans. (a) Any transfer of
employment from any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries to Buyer or an
Affiliate or subsidiary of Buyer effected by or in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not be considered a
termination of employment for purposes of any Company Employee Benefit Plan, any
Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plan or any employee benefit plans of Buyer,
including any severance plans or arrangements. In the event that any employees
of the Companies or the Subsidiaries become subject to Buyer's employee benefit
plans, such employees will receive credit for their service with the Companies
or the Subsidiaries under Buyer's benefit plan for eligibility and vesting
purposes.

                  (b) In the event that Buyer provides the employees of the
Companies or the Subsidiaries coverage under Buyer's health and welfare plans:
(i) such coverage shall be, during the period ending twenty-four (24) months
after the Closing Date, in the aggregate, on terms no less favorable to such
employees than those applicable to, at the election of Buyer, either (x)
similarly situated employees of Buyer and its subsidiaries or (y) such employees
of Anagram on the date hereof; (ii) Buyer's health and welfare plans shall
credit the Companies' employees with all service credited to such employees
under the health and welfare plans provided by the Companies for purposes of
determining eligibility to participate in Buyer's health and welfare plans; and
(iii) Buyer shall waive any waiting periods, pre-existing condition exclusions
(except to the extent such exclusions applied immediately prior to the Closing)
and actively-at-work requirements and provide that any expenses incurred on or
before the Closing Date by such employees or such employees' covered dependents
shall be taken into account (to the extent taken into account under current
plans) for purposes of satisfying applicable deductible, coinsurance and maximum
out-of-pocket provisions of Buyer's health and welfare plans.

                  (c) Nothing in this Section 5.15 shall restrict or limit the
firing, demotion, laying off or transfer of employment of any employee of the
Companies or the Subsidiaries by Buyer.

                  Section 5.16. Supplements and Updates to Schedules. Not later
than three business days prior to Closing, by written notice to Buyer that the
condition in Section 8.1 is not capable of being satisfied at the Closing,
Sellers may update the Schedules (such update to be attached to such notice)
with respect to each event or occurrence occurring after the date of this
Agreement which (i) if such event or occurrence had occurred at or prior to the
date of this 


                                      -36-
<PAGE>

Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or described in such
Schedules to Article III and (ii) if such event or occurrence had been omitted
from the Schedules would cause the condition set forth in Section 8.1 hereof not
to be satisfied at the Closing. Following receipt of the updated Schedules,
Buyer may terminate this Agreement by delivering written notice to the
Designated Representative, provided that if Buyer does not elect to terminate
this Agreement within fifteen (15) business days of Buyer's receipt thereof and
instead elects to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
unless the parties hereto agree otherwise in writing, the Schedules, as so
updated, will be deemed to be the Schedules for all purposes, including with
respect to Article X hereof.

                   Section 5.17. Additional Filings or Approvals. In the event
the exercise of any Warrant requires any filings, approvals or consents under
the applicable federal or state law, including the HSR Act, (a) Buyer shall use
reasonable efforts to effect such filings or to obtain such approvals or
consents (but not including the payment of any fees), as soon as reasonably
practicable after notice of or exercise of the Warrant is given to Buyer, and
(b) the expiration date for such Warrant shall be extended (but in no event for
longer than three months beyond such expiration date) until such approvals or
consents have been obtained to permit the exercise thereof.

                   Section 5.18. Release of Certain Guarantee. Buyer shall cause
the Companies and the Subsidiaries to use commercially reasonable efforts to
release Garry Kieves from his guarantees of certain obligations of Anagram U.K.
that are listed on Schedule 5.18 attached hereto, as soon as is reasonably
possible following the Closing, but in any case within six (6) months following
the Closing Date, or, if such release cannot be so obtained, to indemnify Garry
Kieves against all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, costs, expenses, fines
and penalties arising as a result of such guarantees.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                Employee Benefits

                  Section 6.1. Employee Benefit Plans. The Sellers hereby
represent and warrant to Buyer as follows:

                  (a) Schedule 6.1(a) includes a complete list of all employee
benefit plans, programs, policies, practices, employment agreements and other
arrangements providing benefits to any employee or former employee primarily
employed in the United States or subject to the laws of the United States or any
state or jurisdiction thereof or any beneficiary or dependent thereof, whether
or not written, and whether covering one person or more than one person,
sponsored or maintained by any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries or to which
any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries contribute or are obligated to
contribute (collectively, "Company Employee Benefit Plans") , provided that the
Company Employee Benefit Plans do not include any statutory requirements of the
United States or any jurisdiction thereof. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the term "Company Employee Benefit Plans" includes all employee
welfare benefit plans within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA and all
employee pension benefit plans 


                                      -37-
<PAGE>

within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA. Schedule 6.1(a) also includes a
complete list of all employee benefit plans, programs, policies, employment
agreement, superannuation schemes, retirement schemes, provident schemes,
practices, and other arrangements for any employee or former employee (including
arrangements for the payment to employees or their retirement or death or on the
occurrence of any permanent or temporary disability) primarily employed in
countries other than the United States or subject to the laws of countries other
than the United States or any beneficiary or dependent thereof, whether or not
written and whether covering one person or more than one person, sponsored or
maintained by any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries or to which any of the
Companies or the Subsidiaries contribute or are obligated to contribute
(collectively, "Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plans"), provided that the
Non-US Company Employee Benefit Plans do not include any statutory requirements
of the respective foreign country or any jurisdiction thereof.

                  (b) With respect to each Company Employee Benefit Plan and
Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plan, Sellers have delivered to Buyer a true,
correct and complete copy of: (A) each writing constituting a part of such
Company Employee Benefit Plan and Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plan,
including, without limitation, all plan documents, benefit schedules,
participant agreements, trust agreements, and insurance contracts and other
funding vehicles; (B) the most recent Annual Reports (Form 5500 Series where
applicable) and accompanying schedules, if any; (C) the current summary plan
description, if any; (D) the most recent annual financial report, if any; and
(E) the most recent determination letter from the IRS or other relevant Taxing
Authority, if any. All financial statements and actuarial reports, where such
statements or reports are required by applicable law, since January 1, 1996, for
each Company Employee Benefit Plan and each Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit
Plan have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and actuarial principles, applied on a uniform and consistent basis.
Except as specifically provided in the foregoing documents delivered to Buyer,
there are no amendments to any Company Employee Benefit Plan or Non-U.S. Company
Employee Benefit Plan that have been adopted or approved nor have Sellers
undertaken to make any such amendments.

                  (c) Schedule 6.1(a) identifies each Company Employee Benefit
Plan that is intended to be a "qualified plan" satisfying the requirements of
Section 401(a) of the Code (a "Company Pension Plan").

                  (d) Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 6.1(d) hereto,
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will (either alone or in conjunction with any
subsequent or related event, including, without limitation, termination of
employment) (i) result in any material payment (including, without limitation,
severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute or otherwise) becoming
due from the Companies or the Subsidiaries under any Company Employee Benefit
Plan or Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plan or any collective bargaining
agreement or otherwise, (ii) materially increase any compensation or benefits
otherwise payable under any such Company Employee Benefit Plan or Non-U.S.
Company Employee Benefit Plan or collective bargaining agreement or otherwise or
(iii) accelerate any material liability under any Company Employee Benefit Plan
or Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plan because of an acceleration of the 


                                      -38-
<PAGE>

time of payment or vesting of any rights or benefits to which employees may be
entitled thereunder. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby has resulted in or will
result in payments to "disqualified individuals" (as defined in Section 280G(c)
of the Code) of the Companies or the Subsidiaries which, individually or in the
aggregate, will constitute "excess parachute payments" (as defined in Section
280G(b) of the Code) resulting in the imposition of the excise tax under Section
4999 of the Code or the disallowance of deductions under Section 280G of the
Code.

                  (e) For purposes of this Article VI, the term "employee" shall
be considered to include individuals rendering personal services to the
Companies or the Subsidiaries as independent contractors.

                  (f) Each of the Companies and the Subsidiaries has withheld
appropriate withholding Taxes for all employees (within the meaning of the Code)
of the Companies and the Subsidiaries and has paid such Taxes over to the
appropriate Taxing Authority on a timely basis.

                  (g) The Companies and the Subsidiaries have no liability for
life, health, medical or other welfare benefits to former employees or
beneficiaries or dependents thereof, except for health continuation coverage as
required by Section 4980B of the Code or Part 6 of Title I of ERISA and at no
expense to the Companies or the Subsidiaries.

                  Section 6.2. Company Employee Benefit Plans. The Sellers
hereby represent and warrant to Buyer as follows:

                  (a) (a) All Company Employee Benefit Plans which are "employee
benefit plans," as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, are in all material
respects in compliance with and have been administered in compliance with all
applicable requirements of law, including but not limited to the Code and ERISA,
and all contributions required to be made to each such plan under the terms of
such plan, ERISA or the Code for all periods of time prior to December 31, 1997
or the Closing Date to the extent then due and payable, as the case may be, have
been or, as applicable, will by the Closing Date be timely made or paid in full
or, to the extent not required to be made or paid on or before December 31, 1997
or the Closing Date, have been fully reflected on the Combined Balance Sheet or
will be fully reflected as a liability of the Companies as of the Closing Date,
respectively.

                  (b) A favorable determination letter as to the qualification
of each Company Pension Plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has been issued
and remains in effect and the related trust has been determined to be exempt
from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code and no amendment has been made to
such Company Pension Plan subsequent to the date of such determination letter,
nor has any event occurred or circumstance arisen, that could adversely affect
the qualified status of such Company Pension Plan. Each Company Pension Plan has
been administered in accordance with its terms and all applicable laws and
regulations. Sellers, the Companies and the Subsidiaries have performed all
material obligations required to be performed by them under, and are not in
default under or in violation of, the terms of any of the Company Employee
Benefit Plans in any material respect. None of Sellers, the Companies or the
Subsidiaries or any other "disqualified person" (as defined in Section 4975 of
the Code) or "party-in-


                                      -39-
<PAGE>

interest" (as defined in Section 3(14) of ERISA) has engaged in any "prohibited
transaction" (as such term is defined in Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406
of ERISA), which could subject any Company Employee Benefit Plan (or its related
trust), the Companies or the Subsidiaries or any officer, director or employee
of the Companies or the Subsidiaries to the tax or penalty imposed under Section
4975 of the Code; all "fiduciaries," as defined in Section 3(21) of ERISA, with
respect to the Company Employee Benefit Plans have complied in all respects with
the requirements of Section 404 of ERISA; and no "reportable event" within the
meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA has occurred with respect to any Company
Pension Plan.

                  (c) No Company Employee Benefit Plan is subject to Title IV or
Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412, 4971 or 4980B of the Code. None of the
Companies or the Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates now
contributes or has an obligation to contribute, nor has at any time during the
last six years contributed to or been obligated to contribute, to any
multiemployer plan (within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA) or a multiple
employer plan (within the meaning of Section 413(c) of the Code), and none of
the Companies, the Subsidiaries and their respective ERISA Affiliates has
incurred any Withdrawal Liability that has not been satisfied in full. For these
purposes: (i) the term "ERISA Affiliate" means, with respect to any entity,
trade or business, any other entity, trade or business that is a member of a
group described in Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section
4001(b)(1) of ERISA that includes the first entity, trade or business, or that
is a member of the same "controlled group" as the first entity, trade or
business pursuant to Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA; and (ii) "Withdrawal
Liability" means liability to a multiemployer plan as a result of a complete or
partial withdrawal from such multiemployer plan, as those terms are defined in
Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

                  (d) There does not now exist, nor do any circumstances exist
that could result in, any Controlled Group Liability that would be a liability
of the Companies or the Subsidiaries following the Closing. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, neither the Companies, the Subsidiaries nor any
ERISA Affiliate of the Company or the Subsidiaries has engaged in any
transaction described in Section 4069 or Section 4204 of ERISA. "Controlled
Group Liability" means any and all liabilities (i) under Title IV of ERISA, (ii)
under Section 302 of ERISA, (iii) under Sections 412 and 4971 of the Code and
(iv) as a result of a failure to comply with the continuation coverage
requirements of Section 601 et seq. of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code,
other than such liabilities that arise solely out of, or relate solely to, the
Company Employee Benefit Plans.

                  (e) There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Sellers,
threatened claims (other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course),
lawsuits, audits, investigations or arbitrations which have been threatened,
asserted or instituted against the Company Employee Benefit Plans, any
fiduciaries thereof with respect to their duties to the Company Employee Benefit
Plans or the assets of any of the trusts under any of the Company Employee
Benefit Plans, which would reasonably be expected to result in any material
liability of the Companies or the Subsidiaries to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation, the Department of Treasury, the Department of Labor.

                                      -40-
<PAGE>

                  Section 6.3. Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plans. The
Sellers hereby represent and warrant to Buyer as follows:

                  (a) The Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plans comply in all
material respects with, and have been managed in accordance with, all applicable
laws, regulations and requirements.

                  (b) Where Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plans are funded
or insured, all contributions and other amounts due to or in respect of them or
any state pension arrangements by the Companies and the Subsidiaries have been
fully paid at Closing to the extent then due and payable. Where such Non-U.S.
Company Employee Benefit Plans are unfunded or underfunded, appropriate reserves
are established therefor in the Financial Statements or Combined Financial
Statements as liabilities. The Companies and the Subsidiaries have not by any
act or omission, directly or indirectly, materially increased their liabilities
or obligations to the Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plans since the date of
the last actuary's report described in Section 6.3(c) below.

                  (c) The Sellers have given Buyer the actuary's report on the
latest actuarial valuation of each of the Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit
Plans or such other information which accurately describes the financial
position of each of the Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plans. Nothing has
happened since the date of that information which would adversely affect the
funding position of the Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plans in a material
way.

                  (d) None of the Companies or the Subsidiaries intends to
terminate any of the Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plans and there is no
material deficiency in any of the Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plans'
assets which would arise as a result of such a termination.

                  (e) There is no pending or threatened dispute about the
entitlements or benefits payable under any of the Non-U.S. Company Employee
Benefit Plans, and no pending or, to the knowledge of the Sellers, threatened
claim by or against the managers or administrators of the Non-U.S. Company
Employee Benefit Plans or any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries has been made
or threatened, and, to the knowledge of the Sellers, there are no circumstances
which might give rise to any such claim except where any such event would not
have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the
Business Condition.

                  (f) All Taxes which have been assessed or imposed upon a
Non-U.S. Company Employee Benefit Plan: (i) and which are due and payable have
been paid by the final date for payment by the trustee of the scheme; or (ii)
which are not yet payable but become payable prior to Closing will be paid by
the due date.

                  Section 6.4. Administration. Prior to Closing, the Seller
shall cause the Companies and the Subsidiaries to make themselves and their
appropriate representatives and employees available to Buyer and Buyer shall
make itself and its representatives available to the Companies and the
Subsidiaries at such reasonable times as may be necessary for the proper
administration by the other of any and all matters relating to employee benefits
affecting em-


                                      -41-
<PAGE>

ployees of the Companies and the Subsidiaries, including benefits to which such
employees may become entitled after the Closing Date under any tax-qualified
retirement plan maintained by the Sellers or their Affiliates.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                   Tax Matters

                  Section 7.1. Tax Returns of the Companies and the
Subsidiaries. Sellers represent and warrant that:

                  (a) Except as set forth in Schedule 7.1(a) (i) all material
Income Tax Returns required to be filed by, or with respect to any activities
of, any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries have been filed in all material
respects in accordance with all applicable laws, and all Taxes shown to be due
on such Income Tax Returns have been paid, (ii) all other material Returns
required to be filed by, or with respect to any activities of any of the
Companies or the Subsidiaries have been or will be filed in accordance with all
applicable laws and all Taxes shown as due on such Returns have been paid, (iii)
Anagram is and has been an S Corp since 1982 and Anagram Holdings is and has
always been either a QSS Sub or an S Corp, and no action has or will be taken
with respect to either Anagram or Anagram Holdings to terminate and no condition
exists which could result in the termination of such election or status prior to
the Closing; (iv) each of the Trusts is and has always been a "qualified
subchapter S trust" within the meaning of Section 1361(d)(3) of the Code; (v)
none of the Companies or the Subsidiaries are, will be or have been liable for
the tax imposed under Section 1375(a) of the Code; and (vi) none of the
Companies or the Subsidiaries are, will be or have been liable for the Tax
imposed under Section 1374(a) of the Code.

                  (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.1(b), (i) no claim has
been made by any authority in a jurisdiction where the Companies or the
Subsidiaries do not file Returns that any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries
are or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction; (ii) except for Taxes
being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which
appropriate reserves are established (all of which are identified in Schedule
7.1(b)), all material Taxes owed and due by any of the Companies and the
Subsidiaries (whether or not shown on any Return) have (or by the Closing Date
will have) been duly and timely paid; (iii) the unpaid Taxes of any of the
Companies and the Subsidiaries did not, as of December 31, 1997, exceed the
accrued Tax liabilities on the books of any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries
and set forth on the Combined Balance Sheet and will not as of the Closing Date
exceed the accrued Tax liabilities recorded on the books and records of the
Companies and the Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date (recognizing the Sellers
are liable for such Taxes pursuant to Section 7.7); (iv) all material Taxes
required to be withheld by or on behalf of each of the Companies and the
Subsidiaries have been withheld, and such withheld Taxes have been duly and
timely paid to the proper Governmental Authorities; and (v) since December 31,
1997, no liability for Taxes has arisen for any of the Companies or the
Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business.

                                      -42-
<PAGE>

                  (c) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.1(c), no agreement or
other document extending, or having the effect of extending, the period of
assessment, payment or collection of any Taxes for which any of the Companies or
the Subsidiaries or any of their predecessors may be held liable.

                  (d) Sellers have provided to Buyer complete and accurate
copies of all Returns that are or have been required to be filed for all taxable
periods for which the statute of limitations has not run, examination reports,
and statements of deficiencies assessed against or agreed to by any of the
Companies or the Subsidiaries or any of their predecessors. Except as set forth
on Schedule 7.1(d), (i) no Lien exists with respect to any asset of any of the
Companies or the Subsidiaries that arose in connection with any failure (or
alleged failure) to pay Taxes; (ii) there are no material Taxes for which any of
the Companies or the Subsidiaries could be held liable which have been asserted
in writing by any Governmental Authority to be due; (iii) to the knowledge of
Sellers there are no pending audits, examinations, or investigations with
respect to any Taxes of any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries; and (iv) to
the knowledge of Sellers no unresolved issue has been raised in writing by any
Governmental Authority in the course of any audit or examination with respect to
Taxes for which any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries could be held liable.

                  (e) No consent or election has been made to have the
provisions of Section 341(f) of the Code apply to any of the Companies or the
Subsidiaries.

                  (f) None of the Companies or the Subsidiaries is party to or
bound by any closing agreement, gain recognition agreement, tax sharing, tax
indemnity, tax allocation or similar agreement or arrangement.

                  (g) None of the Companies or the Subsidiaries has either
agreed to or is required to make any adjustment under Section 481 of the Code
(or any comparable provision of state, local or foreign law) by reason of a
change in accounting method or otherwise.

                  (h) Each of Anagram Mexico, Anagram France and Anagram Nevada
is, and since the contribution of stock of Anagram Holdings to Anagram has been,
a disregarded entity, and not an association taxable as a corporation, for
United States federal and state Income Tax purposes. Prior to the contribution
of stock of Anagram Holdings to Anagram, each of Anagram Mexico, Anagram France
and Anagram Nevada was a partnership, and not an association taxable as a
corporation, for United States federal and state Income Tax purposes. Each of
Anagram U.K., Anagram Spain and Anagram Japan is a corporation for U.S. federal
and state Income Tax purposes.

                  (i) To the knowledge of Sellers, all information given to any
Taxing Authority in connection with or affecting any application for any ruling,
consent or clearance on behalf of any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries fully
and accurately disclosed all facts and circumstances material for the decision
of the Taxing Authority. To the knowledge of Sellers, each ruling, consent or
clearance is valid and effective, and each transaction for which such ruling,
consent or clearance has previously been obtained has been carried into effect
in accordance with the terms of the relevant application, ruling, consent or
clearance.

                                      -43-
<PAGE>

                  (j) Each of Anagram France, Anagram Mexico, Anagram U.K.,
Anagram Nevada, Anagram Spain and Anagram Japan is not and has never been a (i)
passive foreign investment company, (ii) a foreign personal holding company,
(iii) a FSC or (iv) a foreign investment company, each within the meaning of the
Code.

                  Section 7.2. Elections and Forms. (a) With respect to Buyer's
acquisition of the Shares of Anagram hereunder, the Sellers and Buyer shall
properly make a Section 338(h)(10) Election in accordance with applicable Tax
Laws. With respect to the Sellers' sale of the Shares of Anagram Spain and
Anagram Japan, at Buyer's election, Buyer shall make Section 338(g) Elections in
accordance with applicable Tax Laws (and Buyer shall not make an election
pursuant to Section 338(g) of the Code, or any corresponding election under any
other applicable Tax Laws that requires a separate election, with respect to the
deemed sale of the shares of the capital stock of Anagram U.K.). Buyer and
Sellers agree to report such transfers under this Agreement consistent with the
Section 338 Elections, and shall take no position contrary thereto unless
required to do so by applicable Tax Laws pursuant to a Determination.

                  (b) Buyer shall be responsible for the preparation and filing
of all Section 338 Forms in accordance with applicable Tax Laws and the terms of
this Agreement. Sellers shall execute and deliver to Buyer such documents or
forms as are reasonably requested and are required by any Tax Laws properly to
complete the Section 338 Forms, at least 20 days prior to the date such Section
338 Forms are required to be filed, provided that Buyer provides such documents
or forms to Sellers at least 30 days prior to the date such Section 338 Forms
are required to be filed.

                  (c) Within 60 days following the Closing Date, Buyer and the
Sellers shall jointly prepare as follows a schedule (the "Allocation Schedule")
allocating the "modified aggregate deemed sales price," as defined in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.338(h)(10)-1(f), with respect to the Section 338(h)(10)
Election and the "aggregate deemed sales price," as defined in Treasury
Regulation Sections 1.338-3(b)(1) and 1.338-3(d), with respect to the Section
338(g) Elections. Buyer shall propose the allocations and provide the Sellers
with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon. To the extent the
Sellers agree with Buyer with respect to the allocations and to the extent Buyer
agrees with the Sellers' comments, the Allocation Schedule shall reflect the
agreed-upon allocations, and to the extent the Sellers and Buyer are unable to
agree, the Allocation Schedule, as to such items as are not agreed, shall be
determined by a neutral accounting firm; provided, however, that the Allocation
Schedule shall be reasonable, shall be based on fair market values in accordance
with Section 338 of the Code and the regulations thereunder and shall be based
on the allocations set forth on Schedule 7.2(c) hereof. The parties agree to
have the fixed tangible assets of Anagram appraised by a mutually acceptable
valuation firm for the purpose of this allocation; provided, however, that the
cost of such appraisals shall be borne one-half by Buyer and one-half by the
Sellers. Each of the Sellers and Buyer agrees to file all Income Tax Returns in
accordance with the Allocation Schedule.

                  (d) Sellers shall not take a position before any Taxing
Authority or otherwise (including in any Income Tax Return) inconsistent with
the treatment that the net unrealized built-in gain (as defined in Section 1374
of the Code or any similar provisions of state and local 


                                      -44-
<PAGE>

Tax Laws) of each of the Companies and the Subsidiaries is zero and that no net
recognized built-in gain (as defined in Section 1374 of the Code or any similar
provisions of state and local Tax Laws) results from any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement unless required to do so by applicable Tax Laws
pursuant to a Determination. None of the Companies, the Subsidiaries or the
Sellers shall take any action prior to the Closing that would cause Anagram to
be disqualified as an S Corp or Anagram Holdings to be disqualified as a QSS
Sub. Neither Buyer, the Companies, the Subsidiaries nor any of their respective
stockholders or Affiliates shall take any action (including in connection with
the filing of returns) inconsistent with the treatment of Anagram for any period
from 1982 to the Closing as an S Corp or inconsistent with the treatment of
Anagram Holdings for any period prior to the Closing as a QSS Sub, unless, in
either case, required to do so by applicable Tax Laws pursuant to a
Determination.

                   Section 7.3. Allocation of Certain Taxes. Buyer and Sellers
agree that if any of the Companies are permitted but not required under
applicable state or local Income Tax laws to treat the Closing Date as the last
day of a taxable period, Buyer and Sellers shall treat such day as the last day
of a taxable period. Where it is necessary to apportion between Buyer and the
Sellers the Tax liability of the Companies or the Subsidiaries for a period that
includes but does not end on the Closing Date a ("Straddle Period"), such
liability shall be apportioned between the period deemed to end at the close of
the Closing Date and the period deemed to begin at the beginning of the day
following the Closing Date on the basis of an interim closing of the books,
except that Taxes, such as real property Taxes, imposed on a periodic basis
shall be apportioned on a daily basis and exemptions, allowances and deductions
that are otherwise calculated on an annual basis shall be apportioned on a daily
basis.

                  Section 7.4. Filing Responsibility. (a) Sellers shall prepare
and file or shall cause each of the Companies, the Subsidiaries and their
Affiliates to prepare and file the following Returns with respect to each of the
Companies, the Subsidiaries and their Affiliates:

                    (i)    all United States federal Income Tax Returns and any
                           other Income Tax Returns required to be filed in any
                           jurisdiction in which the relevant Company has in 
                           effect an election similar to the election under 
                           Section 1362 of the Code, in each case, for any 
                           taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date; 
                           provided, however, that  Sellers shall provide Buyer 
                           copies of such proposed Returns at least 30 days 
                           prior to the due date of any such Returns, such 
                           Returns shall be prepared consistently with this
                           Agreement and past practice and, in the event that
                           Buyer reasonably objects to any item in such Returns,
                           such dispute shall be resolved by a neutral 
                           accounting firm prior to the date such Return is 
                           required to be filed; and

                   (ii)    all other Returns with respect to Taxes required to
                           be filed (taking into account extensions) prior to
                           the Closing Date.

                  (b) Buyer, the Companies, the Subsidiaries and the Affiliates
of the Companies and the Subsidiaries shall file all other Returns with respect
to the Companies, the Subsidiaries and the Affiliates of the Companies and the
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Sell-


                                      -45-
<PAGE>

ers shall pay the appropriate Company or Subsidiary at least five days prior to
the due date of such Return any Taxes payable in connection with such Return for
which the Sellers are liable under Section 7.7 hereof. The Sellers shall pay the
appropriate Company or Subsidiary the amount of any Tax for which the Sellers
are liable under Section 7.7 hereof in connection with any audit, examination,
contest or litigation at least five days prior to the date such Taxes are
required to be paid to the applicable Taxing Authority.

                  Section 7.5. Refunds and Carrybacks. (a) Sellers shall be
entitled to any refunds or credits of Taxes (other than foreign Taxes arising by
reason of a loss, credit or other carryback from a taxable period ending after
the Closing Date) for which Sellers are liable pursuant to Section 7.7.

                  (b) Buyer, the Companies, the Subsidiaries or the Affiliates
of the Companies and the Subsidiaries, as the case may be (excluding Sellers),
shall be entitled to all other refunds or credits of Taxes.

                  (c) Buyer shall cause each of the Companies, the Subsidiaries
and the Affiliates of the Companies and the Subsidiaries (excluding Sellers)
promptly to forward to the Sellers or to reimburse the Sellers for any refunds
or credits due Sellers (pursuant to the terms of this Article VII) after receipt
thereof, and Sellers shall promptly forward to Buyer or reimburse Buyer for any
refunds or credits due Buyer (pursuant to the terms of this Article VII) after
receipt thereof.

                  Section 7.6. Cooperation and Exchange of Information. (a)
Sellers shall prepare and submit to Buyer no later than three months after the
Closing Date, 1998 blank tax return workpaper packages. Buyer shall and shall
cause each of the Companies and the Subsidiaries to prepare completely and
accurately and to submit to the Sellers within three months of receipt all
information as Sellers shall reasonably request in such tax return workpaper
packages.

                  (b) As soon as practicable, but in any event within 30 days
after request, from and after the Closing Date, Buyer shall provide Sellers, or
Sellers shall provide Buyer, respectively, with such cooperation and shall
deliver to the Sellers or Buyer, respectively, such information and data
concerning the pre-Closing operations of each of the Companies, the Subsidiaries
and the Affiliates of the Companies and the Subsidiaries and make available such
knowledgeable employees or representatives of the Sellers, the Companies, the
Subsidiaries and the Affiliates of the Sellers, the Companies and the
Subsidiaries as Sellers, or Buyer, may reasonably request, in order to enable
Sellers, or Buyer, respectively, to complete and file all Returns which they may
be required to file with respect to the operations and business of each of the
Companies, the Subsidiaries and the Affiliates of the Companies and the
Subsidiaries or to respond to audits by any Taxing Authorities with respect to
such operations.

                  (c) Buyer and Sellers and their respective Affiliates shall
cooperate in the preparation of all Returns relating in whole or in part to
taxable periods ending on or before or including the Closing Date that are
required to be filed after such date. Such cooperation shall include, but not be
limited to, furnishing prior years' Returns or return preparation packages
illustrating previous reporting practices or containing historical information
relevant to the prepa-


                                      -46-
<PAGE>

ration of such Returns, and furnishing such other information within such
party's possession requested by the party filing such Returns as is relevant to
their preparation.

                  (d) The Designated Representative shall have the right to
control, at the expense of the Designated Representative, any audit or
examination by any Taxing Authority (a "Tax Audit"), initiate any claim for
refund (except to the extent such claim arises by reason of a net operating
loss, credit or other Tax benefit arising after the Closing) and contest,
resolve and defend against any assessment, notice of deficiency, or other
adjustment or proposed adjustment, in each case, with respect to any taxable
period that ends on or before the Closing Date; provided, however, that (i) the
Designated Representative shall provide Buyer with a timely and reasonably
detailed account of each stage of such Tax Audit or other proceeding, (ii) the
Designated Representative shall consult with Buyer before taking any significant
action in connection with such Tax Audit or other proceeding, (iii) the
Designated Representative shall consult with Buyer and offer Buyer an
opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or
furnished in connection with such Tax Audit or other proceeding, (iv) the
Designated Representative shall defend such Tax Audit diligently and in good
faith as if the Designated Representative were the only party in interest in
connection with such Tax Audit or other proceeding and (v) the Designated
Representative shall not settle, compromise or abandon any such Tax Audit or
other proceeding without obtaining the prior written consent, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld, of Buyer if such settlement, compromise or
abandonment could have an adverse impact on Buyer. Buyer shall have the right to
control any other Tax Audit or proceeding. Sellers shall furnish Buyer, and
Buyer shall furnish Sellers, and Buyer and Sellers shall each furnish each of
the Companies, the Subsidiaries and the Affiliates of the Company and the
Subsidiaries, with their complete cooperation, respectively, in connection with
any Tax Audit or other proceeding. Any Tax Audit or other proceeding with
respect to more than one taxable period shall be treated as a separate Tax Audit
or proceeding for each such taxable period.

                  Section 7.7. Tax Indemnification by Sellers. Sellers shall be
liable for, and shall hold Buyer, each of the Companies, the Subsidiaries and
their respective Affiliates and any successor corporations thereto or Affiliates
thereof harmless from and against the following Taxes with respect to the
Companies, the Subsidiaries and the Affiliates of the Companies and the
Subsidiaries:

                  (a) any and all Taxes imposed under Section 1374 of the Code;

                  (b) any and all Taxes arising by reason of the Section 338(g)
Elections and the Section 338(h)(10) Election contemplated by this Agreement;

                  (c) any and all Taxes resulting from or arising out of any
transaction undertaken by Sellers, the Companies, the Subsidiaries or any of
their respective Affiliates outside of the ordinary course of business pursuant
to or in anticipation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

                  (d) any and all Taxes imposed by law on any of the Sellers (or
any of their beneficiaries) or Anagram Exports;


                                      -47-
<PAGE>

                  (e) any and all Taxes imposed on any of the Companies or the
Subsidiaries for the Pre-Closing Period (including any Tax arising by reason of
the failure of Anagram to qualify as an S Corp or Anagram Holdings to qualify as
either an S Corp or a QSS Sub (or, in each case, a comparable provision of state
or local law) for any period prior to the Closing Date), other than Taxes
imposed on any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries that either (i) were accrued
as current Taxes payable on the Combined Balance Sheet or (ii) arose in the
ordinary course of business after June 30, 1998 and accrued as current Taxes
payable on or prior to the Closing Date (it being agreed and understood that any
Taxes arising as a result of any adjustment by any Taxing Authority shall not be
treated as described in clause (i) or (ii)); and

                  (f) any and all Taxes attributable to the operations of an
entity (other than the Companies, the Subsidiaries, or any of their
predecessors) for a Pre-Closing Period and for which the Companies or the
Subsidiaries (including their predecessors) may be held liable solely by virtue
of a relationship to or affiliation with such entity under Treasury Regulation
Section 1.1502-6 (relating to several liability) or any comparable or similar
provision providing for joint and several liability under state, local or
foreign Tax Laws.

                  Section 7.8. Definitions. For purposes of this Article VII,
the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:

                  (a) "Determination" means a "determination" as defined by
         Section 1313(a) of the Code.

                   (b) "Income Tax Returns" means federal, state, local or
         foreign Income Tax Returns required to be filed with any Taxing
         Authority that include any of the Companies, the Subsidiaries or the
         Affiliates (excluding
         Sellers).

                   (c) "Income Taxes" means (a) federal, state, local or foreign
         income, or capital gains, franchise taxes or other taxes measured by
         reference to income, or capital gains and all other taxes reported on
         any Returns, together with any interest, penalties, charges or fees
         imposed with respect thereto, and (b) any obligations under any
         agreements or arrangements with respect to Income Taxes described in
         clause (a) above.

                   (d) "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.

                   (e) "Pre-Closing Period" shall mean each taxable period that
         ends on or before the Closing Date and the portion, ending on the
         Closing Date, of each Straddle Period.

                   (f) "QSS Sub" shall mean a "qualified subchapter S
         subsidiary" within the meaning of Section 1361(b)(3) of the Code and
         comparable provisions of state and local law.

                   (g)      "Returns" means returns, reports and forms required 
         to be filed with any U.S. Taxing Authority or foreign Taxing Authority.

                                      -48-
<PAGE>

                   (h) "S Corp" shall mean an "S corporation" within the meaning
         of Section 1361(a) of the Code and comparable provisions of state and
         local law.

                   (i) "Section 338 Elections" shall mean both a Section 338(g)
         Election and a Section 338(h)(10) Election.

                   (j) "Section 338 Forms" means all returns, documents,
         statements, and other forms that are required to be submitted to any
         federal, state, county, or other local Taxing Authority in connection
         with a Section 338(g) Election or a Section 338(h)(10) Election.
         Section 338 Forms shall include, without limitation, any "statement of
         section 338 election" and IRS Form 8023 (together with any schedules or
         attachments thereto) that are required pursuant to Treas. Reg. Section
         1.338-1 or Treas. Reg. Section 1.338(h)(10)-1.

                   (k) "Section 338(g) Election" means an election described in
         Section 338(g) of the Code with respect to Buyer's acquisition of the
         Shares of Anagram Spain and Anagram Japan pursuant to this Agreement,
         if Buyer so elects. Section 338(g) Election shall include any
         corresponding election under any other applicable Tax Laws that
         requires a separate election with respect to Buyer's acquisition of
         such Shares under this Agreement.

                   (l) "Section 338(h)(10) Election" means an election described
         in Section 338(h)(10) of the Code with respect to Buyer's acquisition
         of the Shares of Anagram pursuant to this Agreement. Section 338(h)(10)
         Election shall include any corresponding election corresponding to Code
         Section 338(h)(10) or Code Section 338(g) under any other relevant Tax
         Laws for which a separate election is permissible with respect to
         Buyer's acquisition of the Shares of Anagram from Sellers under this
         Agreement.

                   (m) "Tax Laws" means the Code, federal, state, county, local,
         or foreign laws relating to Taxes and any regulations or official
         administrative pronouncements released thereunder.

                   (n) "Taxes" means (a) all taxes (whether federal, state,
         local or foreign) based upon or measured by income and any other tax
         whatsoever, including, without limitation, gross receipts, profits,
         sales, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, rates, duties, use,
         occupation, value added, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, withholding,
         payroll and social security, employment, excise, stamp duty or property
         taxes, together with any interest, penalties, charges or fees imposed
         with respect thereto and (b) any obligations under any agreements or
         arrangements with respect to any Taxes described in clause (a) above.

                   (o) "Taxing Authority" means any governmental authority
         including social security administration, domestic or foreign, having
         jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection, or other
         imposition of Tax.

                   Section 7.9. Survival of Obligations. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the obligations of the parties set
forth in this Article VII shall be uncon-


                                      -49-
<PAGE>

ditional and absolute and shall remain in effect until 10 days after the
applicable statute of limitations has expired.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                    Conditions of Buyer's Obligation to Close

                  Buyer's obligation to consummate the Stock Purchases and the
other transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction on
or prior to the Closing Date of all of the following conditions:

                  Section 8.1. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of
Seller. The representations and warranties of Sellers contained in this
Agreement (when read without regard to any qualifications to such
representations and warranties as to materiality, material adverse effect,
knowledge or any similar qualification) shall be true and correct when made on
the date hereof and, except for representations and warranties that speak as of
a specific date or time (which need only be true and correct as of such date or
time), on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though such
representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date, in any
case, except, in the case of all representations and warranties other than those
in Sections 3.1(b), 3.1(c), 3.1(e), 3.2(a) and 3.2(b) (to which this exception
shall not apply), for such breaches and inaccuracies in representations and
warranties which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the Business Condition, and the
covenants and agreements of Sellers contained in this Agreement to be performed
on or before the Closing Date in accordance with this Agreement shall have been
duly performed in all material respects, and Buyer shall have received at the
Closing a certificate to the effect of the foregoing dated the Closing Date and
validly executed by the Designated Representative and the President or Vice
President of Finance of each of the Companies.

                   Section 8.2. Filings; Consents; Waiting Periods. Buyer shall
have received evidence, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to it,
that such licenses, permits, authorizations, registrations, filings,
applications, notices, consents, approvals, orders, qualifications and waivers
of Governmental Entities and other third parties (except in connection with the
Company Design Licenses which are governed by Section 8.9) as are necessary in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby have been filed, made or
obtained without any significant conditions or restrictions imposed, except
where the failure to obtain such items, individually or in the aggregate, would
not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Business
Condition; provided, however, that in any case, the consents and amendments set
forth in Schedule 8.2 shall have been obtained and all applicable waiting
periods under the HSR Act and similar applicable foreign regulations shall have
expired or been terminated.

                   Section 8.3. Litigation; Injunction. There shall be no
injunction, restraining order or decree of any nature of any Governmental
Authority of competent jurisdiction that is in effect that (i) restrains,
prohibits or limits the ownership or operation by Buyer, the Companies or any of
the Subsidiaries of any material portion of the Business, (ii) imposes
limitations on the ability of Buyer or any Affiliate of Buyer to acquire or
hold, or exercise full rights of ownership 


                                      -50-
<PAGE>

of, the Shares, (iii) prohibits Buyer or any Affiliate of Buyer from effectively
controlling in any material respect the Business or (iv) restrains, prohibits or
imposes substantial restrictions, penalties or damages on Buyer, the Companies,
the Subsidiaries or their Affiliates with respect to (or any other materially
adverse relief or remedy in connection with) the consummation of the Stock
Purchases or the performance of the other material obligations of the Sellers or
Buyer under this Agreement, and there shall be no Action pending seeking such
relief.

                   Section 8.4. Financing. Buyer shall have received the
proceeds of the Financing or otherwise obtained the funds necessary to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement upon terms and
conditions which are, in the reasonable judgment of Buyer, substantially
equivalent to those contained in the Commitment Letter, and to the extent that
any terms and conditions are not set forth on Exhibit 4.7, on terms and
conditions reasonably satisfactory to Buyer.

                   Section 8.5. Opinions. Buyer shall have received at Closing
opinions addressed to Buyer and dated the Closing Date from Kaplan, Strangis &
Kaplan, counsel to the Sellers, and, if requested, certain foreign counsel with
respect to the matters and substantially in the forms set forth in Exhibit 8.5
hereto. Such opinions shall state that such opinions are made for the benefit of
Buyer, Buyer's financing sources and Buyer's counsel and that Buyer's financing
sources and counsel shall be entitled to rely thereon as if such opinion were
addressed to such sources.

                   Section 8.6. FIRPTA Affidavit. Sellers shall have delivered
to Buyer an affidavit (a so-called "FIRPTA affidavit") in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Buyer duly executed and acknowledged, certifying
facts that would exempt the transactions contemplated hereby from the provisions
of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act.

                   Section 8.7. Employment Arrangement. Buyer shall be
reasonably satisfied that the employment agreement between Buyer and Garry
Kieves in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit 8.7 shall have been
entered into and is effective as of the Closing. Garry Kieves shall not have
died or become unable to perform his duties as an officer and employee of Buyer
or any of the Companies or the Subsidiaries as a result of any physical or
mental disability, and shall not have ceased, or notified any other party hereto
that he would cease to perform such duties if the Closing were to occur.

                   Section 8.8. Stockholders' Agreement. Each of the Sellers
shall have executed and become parties to the Stockholders' Agreement, as
amended as contemplated by Section 2.5.

                   Section 8.9. Company Design Licenses. The Company Design
Licenses shall be in full force and effect and shall be legal, valid, binding
and enforceable against each other Person party thereto. The Company Design
Licenses shall not have been terminated or cancelled (other than expiration at
the end of the stated term thereof in accordance with the terms in effect on the
date hereof) and there shall not have occurred any default or event that, with
notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default by any party to any
of the Company Design 


                                      -51-
<PAGE>

Licenses; provided, however, that this condition shall be deemed satisfied as
provided in Schedule 8.9.

                   Section 8.10. Proceedings; Certificates. All corporate
proceedings of Sellers, the Companies and the Subsidiaries that are required in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Buyer and its counsel, and
Buyer and its counsel shall have received such evidence of such corporate
proceedings, certified if requested, as may be reasonably requested and is
customary in transactions such as the Stock Purchases. Sellers shall have
delivered to Buyer certificates representing the Shares, duly endorsed in blank
or accompanied by stock powers or other instruments of transfer duly executed in
blank, and bearing or accompanied by all requisite stock transfer stamps. There
shall have been eliminated or discharged, in all material respects, all Liens on
the stock or assets of the Companies and the Subsidiaries (in the case of
assets, other than the Permitted Liens), and all Indebtedness of the Companies
and the Subsidiaries shall have been paid in full or shall be repayable in full
concurrent with the Closing (other than as provided in Sections 5.13(a) and
(b)), and Buyer shall have received evidence thereof which is satisfactory to
Buyer.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                 Conditions to the Sellers' Obligation to Close

                  Sellers' obligation to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the
Closing Date of all of the following conditions:

                  Section 9.1. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of
Buyer. The representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement
(when read without regard to materiality, material adverse effect, knowledge or
any similar qualification) shall be true and correct when made on the date
hereof and, except for representations and warranties that speak as of a
specific date or time (which need only be true and correct as of such date or
time), on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though such
representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date, in any
case, except for such breaches and inaccuracies in representations and
warranties which do not have a material adverse effect on Buyer Business
Condition, and the covenants and agreements of Buyer contained in this Agreement
to be performed on or before the Closing Date in accordance with this Agreement
shall have been duly performed in all material respects, and Sellers shall have
received at the Closing a certificate to that effect dated the Closing Date and
validly executed by a senior officer of Buyer.

                   Section 9.2. Filings, Consents and Waiting Periods. All
registrations, filings, applications, notices, consents, approvals, orders,
qualifications and waivers listed on Schedule 9.2 hereto shall have been filed,
made or obtained, and all applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act and
similar applicable foreign regulations shall have expired or been terminated.

                   Section 9.3. Litigation; Injunction. There shall be no
injunction, restraining order or decree of any nature of any Governmental
Authority of competent jurisdiction that is in effect that (i) restrains or
prohibits, or (ii) restrains, prohibits or imposes substantial penalties or
damages on the Sellers and their Affiliates (other than the Companies and the
Subsidiaries) with 


                                      -52-
<PAGE>

respect to (or any other materially adverse relief or remedy in connection
with), the consummation of the Stock Purchases or the performance of the other
material obligations of Sellers or Buyer under this Agreement and there shall be
no Action pending seeking such relief.

                   Section 9.4. Opinions. Sellers shall have received from
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, Buyer's special counsel and/or Buyer's regular
outside counsel (as apportioned by such counsel), their opinions addressed to
the Sellers and dated the Closing Date with respect to the matters and
substantially in the forms set forth in Exhibit 9.4 hereto.

                   Section 9.5. Proceedings; Certificates. All corporate
proceedings of Buyer that are required in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to the Sellers and their counsel, and Sellers and their counsel shall
have received such evidence of such corporate proceedings, certified if
requested, as may be reasonably requested and is customary in transactions such
as the Stock Purchases. Buyer shall have wire transferred to the Sellers the
Cash Purchase Price in immediately available funds to the account or accounts
specified by the Designated Representative and shall have delivered certificates
representing the Securities and the Warrants.

                   Section 9.6. Grant of Stock Options. Contemporaneous with the
Closing, Buyer shall have granted to Garry Kieves, pursuant to his employment
agreement and under the terms and conditions of Buyer's 1997 Stock Incentive
Plan, stock options to purchase 6.648 shares of Buyer Common Stock at an
exercise price equal to $125,000 per share.

                   Section 9.7. Employment Agreements. Garry Kieves shall be
reasonably satisfied that the employment agreement between Buyer and Garry
Kieves in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit 8.7 shall have been
entered into, and is effective as of the Closing.

                   Section 9.8. Stockholders' Agreement. Each of the parties
other than the Sellers shall have executed and become parties to the
Stockholders' Agreement, as amended as contemplated by Section 2.5.

                   Section 9.9. No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of
the most recent balance sheet referred to in Section 4.5, there shall have been
no material adverse change in the Buyer Business Condition.

                                    ARTICLE X

                            Survival; Indemnification

                  Section 10.1. Buyer Indemnified Parties' Right to
Indemnification. Except as to Garry Kieves whose obligations under this Section
10.1 shall be joint and several with the other Sellers and shall not be limited
to his proportionate consideration received, the Sellers severally in proportion
to the consideration received by each respective Seller, agree to indemnify and
hold Buyer, its Affiliates, each of their respective stockholders, partners,
directors, officers, employees and agents, and each of the heirs, executors,
successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the "Buyer
Indemnified Parties") harmless after the Closing against 


                                      -53-
<PAGE>

all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, costs, expenses, fines and penalties
(including (i) the cost of investigating, preparing or defending any Action
against which such Person would be indemnified if required to pay any Covered
Liabilities as a result thereof, (ii) reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses
and (iii) any such Covered Liabilities incurred in connection with the
enforcement of any valid demand or claim hereunder, but excluding consequential
damages, except to the extent the indemnified party is seeking reimbursement for
the cost of consequential damages it was required to pay to a third party)
(collectively, "Losses") suffered by any Buyer Indemnified Party resulting from
or arising out of (a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations
or warranties made by the Sellers herein or in any of the Schedules thereto; (b)
any breach or nonfulfillment of any covenants or agreements made by the Sellers
herein (including, without limitation, its obligations under Sections 5.3 and
7.7) or in any of the Schedules thereto; or (c) any inaccuracy or
misrepresentation by the Sellers in a certificate, affidavit or other document
or instrument executed and delivered in connection with the Closing in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

                  Section 10.2. Limitations on Buyer Indemnified Parties' Right
to Indemnification. The Buyer Indemnified Parties' rights to indemnification
pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof are subject to the following specific
limitations:

                  (a) Except as provided in Section 10.2(b), a Buyer Indemnified
Party shall not be entitled to assert any right of indemnification pursuant to
clause (a) or (c) of Section 10.1 for any Losses suffered by it arising from a
breach by the Sellers of any warranty or representation set forth in this
Agreement after eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date or, in the case of
the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.16 and in Article VII
and any items referred to in Section 10.1(c) relating thereto (the "Statute
Representations"), after 10 days following the expiration of the relevant
statute of limitations (including extensions); provided that if on or prior to
the end of such eighteen-month period (or, in the case of the Statute
Representations, the 11th day following the expiration of the relevant statute
of limitations (including extensions)) a Notice of Claim shall have been given
to the Sellers, pursuant to Section 10.5 hereof, for such indemnification, the
Buyer Indemnified Party shall continue to have the right to be indemnified with
respect to such indemnification claim until such claim for indemnification has
been satisfied or otherwise resolved as provided in this Article X.

                  (b) The provisions of Section 10.2(a) shall not limit or
restrict any indemnification claims of any Buyer Indemnified Party (i) pursuant
to clause (b) of Section 10.1 or, except as provided in Section 10.2(a), clause
(c) of Section 10.1 or (ii) with respect to any inaccuracy in or breach of any
of the representations or warranties made by the Sellers in Sections 3.1, and
3.2 hereof, the first sentence of Section 3.4(a), the first sentence of Section
3.5 or Article VII and any items referred to in Section 10.1(c) relating thereto
or the Schedules to such Sections. 

                  (c) Anything to the contrary in this Article X
notwithstanding, the Sellers shall (i) be liable to the Buyer Indemnified
Parties pursuant to Section 10.1(a) only to the extent that all Losses
experienced by all Buyer Indemnified Parties subject to indemnification pursuant
to Section 10.1(a) exceed $500,000 in the aggregate with respect to all such
Losses, in which event the indemnity provided for herein by the Sellers shall
apply with respect to all such Losses in 


                                      -54-
<PAGE>

excess of such initial $500,000 and (ii) the maximum aggregate liability of the
Sellers under this Article X shall not exceed $25 million, except with respect
to Losses arising from a breach of Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.23 hereof and Article
VII, as to which this Section 10.2(c) shall not apply.

                  (d) Buyer shall be entitled (but not required) to elect that
any Losses for which the Sellers are liable pursuant to Section 10.1 and which
have not been discharged in immediately available funds on or prior to the date
due pursuant hereto (and such failure to discharge has not been cured within
thirty (30) days after written notice thereof by Buyer to the Designated
Representative) be discharged by delivery of Securities and/or Warrants valued
at their respective fair market values as of the date of election by Buyer (as
determined in accordance with the procedures for determining "Fair Market Value"
of the Securities and/or Warrants applicable to the Sellers under the
Stockholders' Agreement); provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in Section 10.1 or 10.2, the Sellers shall be jointly and severally liable to
the Buyer Indemnified Parties with respect to any Losses (and not limited to
their proportionate consideration received, but subject to the limitations in
Section 10.2(c)) with respect to which the Buyer Indemnified Parties make such
an election; and provided further that the Securities and the Warrants shall
remain subject to this Section 10.2(d) notwithstanding their subsequent transfer
by any of the Sellers (or any direct or indirect transferee thereof) to any
other Person (which transfer shall be made expressly subject to Buyer's right to
require the delivery of such transferred Securities or Warrants by such Seller
or transferee pursuant to this Section 10.2(d), except that, following an IPO
(as defined in the Stockholders' Agreement), such transfer may be made to a
third party not related to any Seller in an arm's length transaction solely for
cash at the then prevailing market price and then only the gross proceeds of
such sale shall remain subject to the provisions of this Section 10.2(d));
provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this
Section 10.2(d) shall terminate and become null and void upon the third
anniversary of the Closing Date, other than with respect to Losses relating to
Notices of Claim given prior to such date.

                  Section 10.3. Seller Indemnified Parties' Right to
Indemnification. Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold the Sellers and each of the
heirs, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the "Seller
Indemnified Parties") harmless after the Closing against any Losses suffered by
the Sellers resulting from or arising out of (a) any inaccuracy in or breach of
any of the representations or warranties made by Buyer herein or in any of the
Schedules thereto; (b) any breach or nonfulfillment of any of the covenants or
agreements made by Buyer herein or in any of the Schedules thereto; or (c) any
inaccuracy or misrepresentation by Buyer in a certificate, affidavit or other
document or instrument executed and delivered in connection with the Closing in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

                  Section 10.4. Limitations on Seller Indemnified Parties' Right
to Indemnification. The Seller Indemnified Parties' rights to indemnification
pursuant to Section 10.3 hereof are subject to the following specific
limitations:

                  (a) Except as provided in Section 10.4(b), a Seller
Indemnified Party shall not be entitled to assert any right of indemnification
pursuant to clause (a) or (c) of Section 10.3 for any Losses suffered by it
arising from a breach by Buyer of any warranty or representation set 


                                      -55-
<PAGE>

forth in this Agreement after eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date;
provided that if on or prior to the end of such eighteen-month period a Notice
of Claim shall have been given to Buyer, pursuant to Section 10.5 hereof, for
such indemnification, the Seller Indemnified Party shall continue to have the
right to be indemnified with respect to such indemnification claim until such
claim for indemnification has been satisfied or otherwise resolved as provided
in this Article X.

                  (b) The provisions of Section 10.4(a) shall not limit or
restrict any indemnification claims of any Seller Indemnified Party (i) pursuant
to clause (b) of Section 10.3 or, except as provided in Section 10.4(a), clause
(c) of Section 10.3 or (ii) with respect to any inaccuracy in or breach of any
of the representations or warranties made by Buyer in Sections 4.1 or 4.4 hereof
and any items referred to in Section 10.3(c) relating thereto.

                  (c) Anything to the contrary in this Article X
notwithstanding, Buyer shall (i) be liable to the Seller Indemnified Parties
pursuant to Section 10.3(a) only to the extent that all Losses experienced by
all Seller Indemnified Parties subject to indemnification pursuant to 10.3(a)
exceed $500,000 in the aggregate with respect to all such Losses, in which event
the indemnity provided for herein by Buyer shall apply with respect to all such
Losses in excess of such initial $500,000 and (ii) the maximum aggregate
liability of Buyer under this Article X shall not exceed $25 million, except
with respect to Losses arising from a breach of Sections 4.1, 4.3 and 4.4 as to
which this Section 10.4(c) shall not apply.

                  Section 10.5. Indemnification Procedures. (a) Upon obtaining
knowledge of any claim or demand which has given rise to, or is expected to give
rise to, a claim for indemnification hereunder, the party seeking
indemnification ("Indemnitee") shall give written notice ("Notice of Claim") of
such claim or demand to the indemnifying party ("Indemnitor"). Indemnitee shall
furnish to the Indemnitor in reasonable detail such information as Indemnitee
may have with respect to such indemnification claim (including, with respect to
any third party claim or demand, copies of any summons, complaint or other
pleading which may have been served on it and any written claim, demand,
invoice, billing or other document evidencing or asserting the same). Subject to
the limitations set forth in Sections 10.2(a) and 10.4(a) hereof, no failure or
delay by Indemnitee in the performance of the foregoing shall reduce or
otherwise affect the obligation of Indemnitor to indemnify and hold Indemnitee
harmless, except to the extent that such failure or delay shall have actually
adversely affected Indemnitor's ability to defend against, settle or satisfy any
Losses for which Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder.

                  (b) If the claim or demand set forth in the Notice of Claim
given by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10.5(a) hereof is a claim or demand
asserted by a third party, Indemnitor shall have 15 days after the date on which
Notice of Claim is given to notify Indemnitee in writing of its election to
defend such third party claim or demand on behalf of the Indemnitee. If
Indemnitor elects to defend such third party claim or demand, Indemnitee shall
make available to Indemnitor and his agents and representatives all records and
other materials which are reasonably required in the defense of such third party
claim or demand and shall otherwise cooperate with, and assist Indemnitor in the
defense of, such third party claim or demand, and so long as Indemnitor is
defending such third party claim in good faith, Indemnitee shall not pay, settle
or compromise such third party claim or demand. If Indemnitor elects to defend
such third party 


                                      -56-
<PAGE>

claim or demand, Indemnitee shall have the right to participate in the defense
of such third party claim or demand, at Indemnitee's own expense. In the event,
however, that Indemnitee reasonably determines that representation by counsel to
Indemnitor of both Indemnitor and Indemnitee may present such counsel with a
conflict of interest, then such Indemnitee may employ separate counsel to
represent or defend it in any such action or proceeding and Indemnitor will pay
the fees and disbursements of such counsel; provided that, in such event,
Indemnitor shall only be responsible for the fees and disbursements of one
separate counsel per jurisdiction for all of the Indemnitees. The Indemnitor
shall not, except with the consent of the Indemnitee, enter into any settlement
or consent to entry of any judgment that provides for injunctive or other
non-monetary relief affecting the Indemnitee or that does not include as an
unconditional term thereof the giving by the Person or Persons asserting such
claim to all Indemnitees (i.e., the Seller Indemnified Parties or the Buyer
Indemnified Parties, as the case may be) of an unconditional release from all
liability with respect to such claim or consent to entry of any judgment. If
Indemnitor does not elect to defend such third party claim or demand or does not
defend such third party claim or demand in good faith, Indemnitee shall have the
right, in addition to any other right or remedy it may have hereunder, at
Indemnitor's expense, to defend such third party claim or demand; provided,
however, that (a) Indemnitee shall not have any obligation to participate in the
defense of, or defend, any such third party claim or demand; and (b)
Indemnitee's defense of or its participation in the defense of any such third
party claim or demand shall not in any way diminish or lessen the obligations of
Indemnitor under the agreements of indemnification set forth in this Article X.

                   Section 10.6. Satisfaction of Indemnification Obligations.
Except for third party claims being defended in good faith, Indemnitor shall
satisfy its obligations hereunder in respect of a valid claim for
indemnification hereunder in immediately available federal funds within 30 days
after the date on which Notice of Claim is given.

                   Section 10.7. Sole Remedy Regarding Representations and
Warranties. (a) The indemnification rights provided in this Article X shall be
the sole remedy to which a Seller Indemnified Party will be entitled for breach
of any representation or warranty of Buyer contained in Article IV hereof
(including the Schedules to such representations).

                  (b) The indemnification rights provided in this Article X
shall be the sole remedy to which a Buyer Indemnified Party will be entitled for
breach of any representation or warranty of the Sellers contained in Article III
hereof (including the Schedules to such representations).

                  Section 10.8. Losses Net of Insurance. The amount of any
Losses for which indemnification is provided under this Article X shall be net
of any amounts recovered by the Indemnitee under insurance policies with respect
to such Losses. In the event that an Indemnitee shall later collect any such
amounts recovered under insurance policies with respect to any Losses for which
such Indemnitee has previously received payments under this Article X from an
Indemnitor, such Indemnitee shall promptly repay to such Indemnitor such amount
recovered.

                                      -57-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                   Termination

                  Section 11.1. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at
any time prior to the Closing by:

                  (a) the mutual consent of Sellers, acting through the
Designated Representative, and Buyer; or

                  (b) either the Sellers, acting through the Designated
Representative, or Buyer, if any condition set forth herein for the benefit of
the Sellers or Buyer, respectively, shall not have been met or waived on or
before the earlier of (i) October 15, 1998 or (ii) the later of (x) forty-five
(45) days after the date hereof and (y) fifteen (15) days after the conditions
set forth in Sections 8.2 and 8.9 shall have been satisfied, or if so extended,
on such later date as the Closing Date may be extended as mutually agreed by the
Designated Representative and Buyer in writing as contemplated in the definition
thereof in Article I hereof.

                  Section 11.2. Procedure and Effect of Termination. In the
event of termination of this Agreement by either or both of Sellers and Buyer
pursuant to Section 11.1, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given by the
terminating party or parties to the other party or parties hereto, and this
Agreement shall thereupon terminate and become void and have no effect, and the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be abandoned without further action by
the parties hereto, except that the provisions of Sections 5.1(b), 5.1(d) and
12.4 shall survive the termination of this Agreement; provided, however, that
such termination shall not relieve any party hereto of any liability for any
breach of this Agreement (other than a non-willful breach of a representation,
as to which no party shall be liable hereunder). If this Agreement is terminated
as provided herein, all filings, applications and other submissions contemplated
by Sections 3.9 and 4.2 shall, to the extent practicable, be withdrawn from the
agency or other Persons to which they were made.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                                  Miscellaneous

                  Section 12.1. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same
agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been
signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party.

                  Section 12.2. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without
reference to the choice of law principles thereof.

                  Section 12.3. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the
Schedules and Exhibits hereto contain the entire agreement between the parties
with respect to the subject matter 


                                      -58-
<PAGE>

hereof and there are no agreements, understandings, representations or
warranties between the parties other than those set forth or referred to herein.
Except for the provisions in Article X, which are intended to benefit, and to be
enforceable by, any of the Buyer Indemnified Parties or the Seller Indemnified
Parties, as applicable, and Section 7.7 which is intended to benefit, and be
enforceable by, the indemnified Persons thereunder, this Agreement (including,
without limitation, Section 5.15 and Article VI hereof) is not intended to
confer and shall not confer upon any Person not a party hereto (other than the
parties' successors and assigns permitted by Section 12.6) any rights or
remedies hereunder.

                  Section 12.4. Expenses. Except as set forth in this Agreement
and the Schedule hereto, all legal and other costs and expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses, except that (A) Buyer
agrees to pay the filing fees required with respect to the filings under the HSR
Act required in connection with the Stock Purchases (except for filing fees
incurred in connection with the acquisition of the Securities by the Sellers,
which fees, if any, will be paid by the Sellers), (B) Buyer, on the one hand,
and the Sellers, on the other hand, each agree to pay one-half of any and all
real property and other property transfer, stamp, gains, conveyance duties and
other similar real property taxes and all documentary stamps, stamp duties,
filing fees, recording fees and sales and use taxes, and any similar expenses,
if any, and any penalties or interest with respect thereto, payable in
connection with consummation of the Stock Purchases; provided, however, that if
the Stock Purchases are consummated, Buyer, shall pay or cause Anagram to pay at
the Closing one-half of the fees and expenses of (A) Piper Jaffray, the Sellers'
financial advisor, (B) Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A., the Sellers' legal
advisor; and (C) Arthur Andersen, the Companies' independent auditor, in each
case, only to the extent such fees and expenses relate to the negotiation and
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and in the
aggregate not to exceed $700,000, and Sellers shall pay all other such fees and
expenses directly.

                  Section 12.5. Notices. All notices hereunder shall be
sufficiently given for all purposes hereunder if in writing and delivered
personally, sent by documented overnight delivery service or, to the extent
receipt is confirmed, telecopy, telefax or other electronic transmission service
to the appropriate address or number as set forth below. Notices to the Sellers
shall be given to the Designated Representative on behalf of any and all Sellers
and addressed to:

                  Garry Kieves
                  Anagram International
                  7700 Anagram Drive
                  Minneapolis, Minnesota  55344-7307
                  Telecopy:  (612) 949-5609


                                      -59-
<PAGE>

                  with a copy to:

                  Bruce J. Parker
                  Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.
                  5500 Norwest Center
                  90 South Seventh Street
                  Minneapolis, Minnesota  55402
                  Telecopy:  (612) 375-1143

or at such other address and to the attention of such other person as Sellers
may designate by written notice to Buyer. Notices to Buyer shall be addressed
to:

                  Amscan Holdings, Inc.
                  80 Grasslands Road
                  Elmsford, New York  10523
                  Attn:  James M. Harrison
                  Telecopier No.:  (914) 345-2056

                  with a copy to:

                  Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
                  51 West 52nd Street
                  New York, NY  10019
                  Attn:   Mitchell S. Presser
                  Telecopier No:  (212) 403-2000

or at such other address and to the attention of such other person as Buyer may
designate by written notice to the Seller.

                   Section 12.6. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns; provided, however, that no party hereto will assign its
rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the express
prior written consent of each other party hereto, except that Buyer may assign
any or all of its right, title and interest under this Agreement to any one or
more Affiliates, provided that in the event of such assignment, Buyer shall not
be released from any obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing sentence, Buyer may assign this Agreement to any lender to Buyer or
any subsidiary of Buyer as security for obligations to such lender in respect of
the financing arrangements entered into in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby and any refinancings, extensions, refundings or renewals
thereof, provided, however, that no assignment hereunder shall in any way affect
Buyer's obligations or liabilities under this Agreement.

                   Section 12.7. Designated Representative. Garry Kieves shall
be the designated representative (the "Designated Representative") of each of
the Sellers hereunder and each of the Sellers hereunder hereby designates the
Designated Representative to make all decisions and determinations and take all
actions (including giving any consents or waivers or agreeing to 


                                      -60-
<PAGE>

any amendments to this Agreement or to termination hereof) required or permitted
hereunder on behalf of such Seller, and any such action, decision, determination
or action so made or taken shall be deemed the decision, determination or action
of such Seller, and any notice, document, certificate or information required to
be given to any Seller shall be deemed so given if given to the Designated
Representative.

                   Section 12.8. Publicity. Sellers and Buyer agree that prior
to the earlier of the termination of this Agreement and the Closing they shall
use reasonable efforts, to coordinate and agree, prior to the release or
issuance thereof, upon any public release or announcement concerning the
transactions contemplated hereby to be issued by Sellers, Buyer or any of their
Affiliates, and Sellers and Buyer further agree that, except to the extent
required by law, no such public release or announcement shall be released or
issued by any of them or their respective Affiliates without the mutual consent
of Buyer and the Designated Representative. The Sellers and Buyer agree that the
initial press release to be issued with respect to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement will be in the form previously agreed to.

                   Section 12.9. Headings; Definitions. The Section and Article
headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference
only and will not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. All
references to Sections or Articles contained herein mean Sections or Articles of
this Agreement unless otherwise stated. All capitalized terms defined herein are
equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

                   Section 12.10. Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may not
be modified or amended except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed
by the party against whom enforcement of any such modification or amendment is
sought (or, in the case of the Sellers, if signed by the Designated
Representative). Any party hereto may, only by an instrument in writing (or, in
the case of the Sellers, if signed by the Designated Representative) waive
compliance by the other parties hereto with any term or provision of this
Agreement on the part of such other parties hereto to be performed or complied
with. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any term or provision of
this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

                   Section 12.11. Severability. In the event that this
Agreement, or any of its provisions, or the performance of any provision, is
found to be illegal or unenforceable under applicable law now or hereafter in
effect, the parties shall be excused from performance of such portions of this
Agreement as shall be found to be illegal or unenforceable under the applicable
laws or regulations without affecting the validity of the remaining provisions
of the Agreement; provided that (i) the remaining provisions of the Agreement
shall in their totality constitute a commercially reasonable agreement, and (ii)
should any method of termination of this Agreement or a portion thereof be found
to be illegal or unenforceable, such method shall be reformed to comply with the
requirements of applicable law so as, to the greatest extent possible, to allow
termination by that method. Nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver of any
party's right to challenge the validity of such law.


                                      -61-
<PAGE>

                   Section 12.12. Interpretation. For the purposes of this
Agreement, (i) a "subsidiary" of an entity means any entity more than 50% of the
voting power of whose outstanding voting securities or equity interests are
directly or indirectly owned by such other entity, and (ii) "including" shall
mean "including without limitation."

                            [SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]























                                      -62-
<PAGE>


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been signed by or on
behalf of each of the parties as of the day first above written.





                                     AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.


                                     By:/s/James M. Harrison
                                        Name:  James M. Harrison
                                        Title: President




                                     STOCKHOLDERS:



                                     /s/Garry Kieves
                                     Garry Kieves



                                     /s/Nina Kieves
                                     Nina Kieves



                                     /s/Nicola Kieves
                                     Nicola Kieves





                                      -63-
<PAGE>





                                     GARRY KIEVES RETAINED ANNUITY TRUST
                                           dated December 30, 1992


                                     By:/s/Michaela Graeb
                                        Name:  Michaela Graeb
                                        Title: Co-Trustee




                                     By:/s/James Plutt
                                        Name:  James Plutt
                                        Title: Co-Trustee




                                     By:/s/Ralph Strangis
                                        Name: Ralph Strangis
                                        Title: Co-Trustee







                                     GARRY KIEVES IRREVOCABLE TRUST
                                           dated December 31, 1992


                                     By:/s/Michaela Graeb
                                        Name:  Michaela Graeb
                                        Title: Co-Trustee


                                     By:/s/James Plutt
                                        Name: James Plutt
                                        Title: Co-Trustee


                                     By:/s/Ralph Strangis
                                        Name: Ralph Strangis
                                        Title: Co-Trustee



                                      -64-



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                              AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.

                                WARRANT AGREEMENT

                           Dated as of August 6, 1998



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>

            WARRANT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") dated as of August 6, 1998,
between AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the
Garry Kieves Retained Annuity Trust (the "Warrantholder").

            WHEREAS, the Company proposes to issue an aggregate of 10 Warrants
(the "Warrants"), each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one
share of common stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Company (collectively
the "Securities") (as used hereinafter, the term "Shares" refers to the
Company's Securities and to equity shares or equity interests in the Company or
any other equity security of or equity interests in any other class into which
such Securities may hereafter be changed);

            WHEREAS, the Company proposes to issue the Warrants to the
Warrantholder as a portion of the aggregate consideration for the sale by the
Warrantholder of a portion of all of the capital stock of Anagram International,
Inc. and certain related companies to the Company pursuant to the Stock Purchase
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, the
Warrantholder and certain other parties listed on the signature pages thereto
(the "Stock Purchase Agreement"); and

            WHEREAS, on the date hereof, the Warrantholder is entering into the
Stockholders' Agreement, dated as of December 19, 1997, as amended as of the
date hereof, with the Company and certain stockholders of the Company (the
"Stockholders' Agreement"), and the Warrants and the Shares issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants shall be subject to the terms of, and the Warrantholder
shall be entitled to certain rights and subject to certain obligations under,
the Stockholders' Agreement.

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

            SECTION 1. Warrant Certificates. The Warrant Certificates (and the 
Form of Exercise attached thereto) shall be substantially in the form
set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto (the "Warrant Certificates"). The Warrant
Certificates may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and
such legends printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to
comply with any applicable law, or to conform to usage.

            SECTION 2. Execution and Countersignature of Warrant Certificates. 
The Warrant Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chief
Executive Officer, its President or a Vice President and attested under the 
corporate seal by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. The signature of any
such officer on any Warrant Certificate may be manual or facsimile. Warrant 
Certificates bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were
at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company 
notwithstanding that such individuals, or any of them, ceased to be such 
officers subsequent to the execution thereof or were not such officers at
the date of this Agreement.

            SECTION 3. Initial Issuance of Warrant Certificates. The
Company shall, concurrently with the "Closing" under the Stock Purchase
Agreement, and conditioned upon 



<PAGE>

such Closing, issue and deliver to the Warrantholder a Warrant Certificate
representing the number of Warrants and registered in the name of the
Warrantholder.

            SECTION 4. Registration; Transfers. Warrant Certificates
shall be registered in the name of the Warrantholder. This Warrant Certificate
and the Warrants evidenced hereby are personal to the Warrantholder and, without
prior written consent of the Company, shall not be assignable or otherwise
transferable by the Warrantholder otherwise than (i) by will or the laws of
descent and distribution or by a distribution of the Warrants from the
Warrantholder to the trust beneficiary of the Warrantholder or (ii) pursuant to
a qualified domestic relations order (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended), and subject in any such case to the assignee, transferee or
distributee agreeing in writing to be bound by and become a party to this
Agreement and the Stockholders' Agreement as if such assignee, transferee or
distributee was the Warrantholder thereunder.

            SECTION 5. Duration and Exercise of Warrants; Company to
Reaffirm Obligations. The Warrants shall expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement (the "Expiration
Date"). Each Warrant may be exercised, in whole and not in part, on any business
day on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, at
which time unexercised Warrants will become wholly void and of no value.

            Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the holder of each
Warrant shall have the right to purchase from the Company (and the Company shall
issue and sell to such holder) one fully paid and nonassessable Share at the
exercise price (the "Exercise Price") at the time in effect hereunder, upon
surrender to the Company, at its principal executive offices, of the Warrant
Certificate evidencing such Warrant, with the Form of Exercise attached thereto
duly completed and signed, and upon payment of the Exercise Price in lawful
money of the United States of America by certified check payable to the order
of, or by wire transfer to, the Company provided, however, that payment of the
Exercise Price upon such exercise in connection with or following a Public
Offering (as defined in Section 6) may also be made by delivery by the
Warrantholder of Shares having a "current market price" (determined as provided
in subsection (e) of Section 12) equal to such Exercise Price, and, if requested
by the Company, the amount of any required federal, state, local or foreign
withholding taxes. The Exercise Price, as of the initial issuance of the
Warrants, shall be $125,000 per Share. The Exercise Price and the number of
Shares purchasable upon exercise of a Warrant shall be subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 12. No adjustments shall be made for any cash dividends on
Shares issuable on the exercise of a Warrant, except as provided in Section 12.

            Subject to Section 8, upon such surrender of a Warrant Certificate
(with the Form of Exercise being duly completed and executed) and payment of the
Exercise Price at the time in effect hereunder, the Company shall issue and
deliver, or if there is a transfer agent for the Shares, request the transfer
agent to issue and deliver, to or upon the written order of the registered
holder of such Warrant Certificate and in the name of the registered holder of
the Warrant Certificate, a certificate for the Share or Shares issuable upon the
exercise of the Warrant or Warrants evidenced by such Warrant Certificate.
Following such surrender, the 


                                      -3-

<PAGE>

surrendered Warrant Certificate shall be cancelled. Such certificate for the
Share or Shares shall be deemed to have been issued and the registered holder of
the Warrant or Warrants being exercised shall be deemed to have become the
holder of record of such Share or Shares as of the date of the surrender of such
Warrant Certificate and payment of the Exercise Price.

            The Warrants evidenced by a Warrant Certificate shall be
exercisable, at the election of the registered holder thereof, either as an
entirety or from time to time for part only (but only in whole numbers of
Warrants) of the number of Warrants evidenced by the Warrant Certificate. In the
event that less than all of the Warrants evidenced by a Warrant Certificate
surrendered upon the exercise of Warrants are exercised, a new Warrant
Certificate or Certificates shall be issued for the remaining number of Warrants
evidenced by the Warrant Certificate so surrendered.

            SECTION 6. Exercise upon Public Offering. The Company shall
have the right to repurchase for cash the Warrants in whole and not in part at
or prior to (but in connection with) the consummation of a public offering or
offerings of Shares with gross proceeds to the Company in the aggregate of at
least $50 million (a "Public Offering") if the Public Offering is the Company's
initial public offering and the underwriter in the Public Offering deems it
required that the Company exercise such right to promote the success of the
Public Offering. The price at which the Company will repurchase the Warrants
under this Section 6 shall be the excess of the public offering price in the
Public Offering over the then Exercise Price of the Warrants. The Company may
exercise such right by delivering to Warrantholder a written notice no more than
60 and no less than 10 days prior to the consummation of the Public Offering.
Such notice shall set forth the expected date of consummation of the Public
Offering. Following delivery of such notice, the Warrantholder shall take all
reasonable actions requested by the Company consistent therewith, including
execution of appropriate repurchase documentation.

            SECTION 7. Warrantholder's Covenants. The Warrantholder
hereby agrees that such Warrantholder shall not offer to sell, transfer or
distribute the Warrants except in compliance with all applicable state and
federal securities laws and in accordance with the terms of the Stockholders'
Agreement and this Agreement, including Section 4 hereof.

            SECTION 8. Payment of Taxes. The Company shall pay all
documentary stamp taxes, if any, attributable to the issuance of Shares or other
securities upon the exercise of any Warrant; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be required to pay any tax or taxes or governmental charges which may
be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance of any
certificates for Shares in a name other than that of the registered holder of a
Warrant Certificate surrendered upon the exercise of a Warrant, which is only
permitted in accordance with Section 4 hereof, and the Company shall not be
required to issue or deliver such certificates unless or until the persons
requesting the issuance thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of
such tax, taxes or charges or shall have established to the satisfaction of the
Company that such tax, taxes or charges have been paid or are not payable.

            SECTION 9. Mutilated or Missing Warrant Certificates. If any
Warrant Certificate shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company
shall issue, in exchange and 


                                      -4-

<PAGE>

substitution for and upon cancellation of such Warrant Certificate, if
mutilated, a new Warrant Certificate representing an equivalent number of
Warrants, and, in the case of any lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificate,
a new Warrant Certificate representing the same number of Warrants evidenced by
the Warrant Certificate lost, stolen or destroyed upon receipt of evidence of
such loss, theft or destruction reasonably satisfactory to the Company and, if
requested by the Company, upon receipt of a duly executed indemnification
agreement or bond of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

            SECTION 10. Reservation of Shares. The Company will at all
times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of the
aggregate of its authorized but unissued Shares or its authorized and issued
Shares held in its treasury, for the purpose of enabling it to satisfy any
obligation to issue Shares upon exercise of Warrants, the full number of Shares
deliverable upon the exercise of all outstanding Warrants.

            The Company covenants that all Shares that may be issued upon the
exercise of Warrants will, upon issuance, be (to the extent the following terms
are applicable to the forms of such Shares at such time) validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens, charges and security
interests with respect to the issue thereof. In furtherance of the provisions of
this Section 10, in the case of any adjustment to the Exercise Price or the
number or type of Shares for which the Warrants are exercisable, the Company and
each holder of Warrants agree to cooperate to provide for reasonable alternative
arrangements.

            SECTION 11. Obtaining of Governmental Qualifications. The
Company will in good faith and as expeditiously as possible take all action
which may be necessary to obtain and keep effective any and all registrations,
qualifications, permits, consents and approvals of governmental agencies and
authorities, and will make any and all filings under federal and state
securities laws, necessary in connection with the issuance, distribution and
transfer of Warrant Certificates, the exercise of the Warrants, and the
issuance, sale, transfer and delivery of Shares upon exercise of Warrants, in
each case to the extent such actions are in compliance with all applicable state
and federal securities laws, the Stockholders' Agreement and this Agreement,
including Section 4 hereof.

            SECTION 12. Adjustment of Exercise Price; Number of Shares
Purchasable and Number of Warrants. The Exercise Price and either the number or
kinds of Shares purchasable upon the exercise of each Warrant or the number of
Warrants outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in
this Section 12.

            (a)   In case the Company shall at any time after the date of this
Agreement declare a Share dividend or other distribution on the Shares in
Shares, the Exercise Price in effect at the opening of business on the day
following the date fixed for determination of shareholders entitled to receive
such dividend or other distribution shall be reduced to a price determined by
multiplying such Exercise Price by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be
the number of Shares outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for
such determination and the denominator of which shall be the sum of such number
of Shares outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such
determination and the total number of Shares constituting 


                                      -5-

<PAGE>

such dividend or distribution, such reduction to become effective immediately as
of the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such
determination. For purposes of this subsection (a) of this Section 12, the
number of Shares at any time outstanding shall not include Shares held in the
treasury of the Company (unless the Company pays such dividend or makes such
distribution on Shares held in the treasury of the Company) but shall include
Shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractional
Shares, if any.

            (b)   In case the outstanding Shares shall be subdivided, split or
otherwise converted into a greater number of Shares, the Exercise Price in
effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such
subdivision, split or conversion becomes effective shall be proportionately
reduced, and, conversely, in case the outstanding Shares shall each be combined
into a smaller number of Shares, the Exercise Price in effect at the opening of
business on the day following the day upon which such combination becomes
effective shall be proportionately increased, such reduction or increase, as the
case may be, to become effective immediately as of the opening of business on
the day following the day upon which such subdivision, split or conversion or
combination becomes effective.

            (c) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute
to all holders of Shares evidences of its indebtedness or assets (including
securities, but excluding any regular periodic dividend paid in cash and any
dividend or distribution referred to in subsection (a) of this Section 12; and
further excluding distributions of its assets referred to in subsection (j) of
this Section 12), the Exercise Price shall be adjusted so that the same shall
equal the price determined by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect
immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for the
determination of holders of Shares entitled to receive such dividend or
distribution by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the current market
price per Share (determined as provided in subsection (e) of this Section 12) on
the date fixed for such determination, less the then fair market value (as
determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Company, whose
determination shall be conclusive) of the portion of assets or evidences of
indebtedness so distributed applicable to one Share, and the denominator of
which shall be such current market price per Share, such adjustment to become
effective immediately as of the opening of business on the day following the
date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such
distribution.

            (d)   The reclassification of Shares into a different number of
Shares or into other property or assets including securities other than Shares
shall be deemed to involve (i) a subdivision or combination, as the case may be,
of the number of Shares outstanding immediately prior to such reclassification
into the number of Shares outstanding immediately thereafter and, to the extent
applicable, shall be governed by subsection (b) of this Section 12 and/or,
without duplication, (ii) a distribution of such other property or assets which,
to the extent applicable, shall be governed by subsection (c) of this Section
12.

            (e) For the purpose of any computation under subsection (c) of this
Section 12, the current market price per Share on any date shall be deemed to be
the average of the closing prices per Share for the 20 consecutive trading days
before the day in question. The closing price for each day shall be the last
reported sale price regular way or, in case no such


                                      -6-

<PAGE>

reported sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid
and asked prices regular way for such day, in either case on the New York Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE"), or, if the Shares are not listed or admitted to trading
on the NYSE, the last reported sales price regular way, or in case no such
reported sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid
and asked prices regular way, on the Nasdaq National Market (the "NNM") or on
the principal national securities exchange on which the Shares are listed or
admitted to trading, or if the Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on
the NNM or on any national securities exchange, the average of the closing bid
and asked prices in the over-the-counter market as reported by Nasdaq or any
comparable system, or if not listed on Nasdaq or a comparable system, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by two members of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. selected from time to time by
the board of directors of the Company for that purpose. If the Shares are not
publicly traded at such time, or such prices are not available, the market price
per share shall be determined in the same manner as the determination of "Fair
Market Value" under the Stockholders' Agreement with respect to the Kieves
Parties (as defined therein).

            (f)   No adjustment in the Exercise Price shall be required pursuant
to subsections (a) through (d) of this Section 12 unless such adjustment would
require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in such price; provided, however,
that any adjustments which by reason of this subsection (f) of this Section 12
are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in
any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 12 shall be made
to the nearest cent or the nearest one-ten-thousandth of a Share, as the case
may be.

            (g)   In the event that at any time, as a result of an adjustment
made pursuant to this Section 12, the Warrantholder shall become entitled to
receive any shares of the Company other than Shares, thereafter the number of
such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Warrant shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as
practicable to the provisions with respect to the Shares contained in this
Section 12 and Sections 6, 8, 10, 11 and 13 with respect to the Shares shall
apply on the like terms to any such other shares.

            (h)   Upon each adjustment of the Exercise Price pursuant to this
Section 12, each Warrant outstanding immediately prior to such adjustment shall
thereafter constitute the right to purchase, at the adjusted Exercise Price per
Share, an adjusted number of Shares determined (to the nearest
one-ten-thousandth) by multiplying the number of Shares purchasable upon
exercise of a Warrant immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to
such adjustment and the denominator of which shall be the Exercise Price in
effect immediately after such adjustment; provided, however, that the Company
may elect, in substitution for the adjustment in the number of Shares pursuant
to this subsection (h) of this Section 12 to adjust the number of Warrants
pursuant to subsection (i) of this Section 12.

            (i)   In substitution for any adjustment in the number of Shares
purchasable upon the exercise of a Warrant as provided in subsection (h) of this
Section 12, the Company 


                                      -7-

<PAGE>

may elect to adjust the number of Warrants so that each Warrant outstanding
after such adjustment in number of Warrants shall be exercisable for one Share.
If the Company so elects, each Warrant held of record immediately prior to such
adjustment of the number of Warrants shall become that number of Warrants
determined (to the nearest one-ten-thousandth) by multiplying the number of
Shares purchasable upon exercise of a Warrant immediately prior to such
adjustment by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Exercise Price in
effect immediately prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which shall
be the Exercise Price in effect immediately after such adjustment. The Company
shall give notice to the Warrantholder of its election to adjust the number of
Warrants, indicating the record date for the adjustment and, if known at the
time, the amount of the adjustment to be made in the number of Warrants. This
record date may be the date on which the Exercise Price is adjusted or any day
thereafter, but shall be at least 10 days later than the date of the earlier of
the public announcement or notice to the holders of Warrants. Upon each
adjustment of the number of Warrants pursuant to this subsection (i) the Company
shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to the Warrantholder
on such record date Warrant Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 13, the
additional Warrants to which the Warrantholder shall be entitled as a result of
such adjustment or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed
to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Warrant
Certificates held by the Warrantholder prior to the date of adjustment, and upon
surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Warrant Certificates
evidencing all the Warrants to which the Warrantholder shall be entitled after
such adjustment. Warrant Certificates to be so distributed may, at the option of
the Company, bear the adjusted Exercise Price and shall be registered in the
names of the Warrantholder on the record date specified in the public
announcement.

            (j)   If the Company consolidates or merges with or into, or
transfers or leases all or substantially all its properties or assets (including
pursuant to a liquidation) to, any person or group of persons (other than a
merger or consolidation which does not result in any reclassification,
conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding Shares), then, upon
consummation of such transaction, the Warrants shall automatically become
exercisable for the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets which
the Warrantholder would have owned immediately after the consolidation, merger,
transfer or lease if the Warrantholder had exercised the Warrant immediately
before the effective date of the transaction. Concurrently with the consummation
of a merger or consolidation transaction referred to in the immediately
preceding sentence, the Company shall require that the corporation formed by or
surviving any such transaction, if other than the Company, shall enter into a
supplemental Warrant Agreement so providing and further providing for (1)
adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practical to the
adjustments provided for in this Section 12 and (2) the assumption of all of the
Company's obligations and responsibilities under this Agreement pursuant to
subsection (n) of this Section 12. Concurrently with the consummation of a
transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the
Company (including pursuant to a liquidation) referred to in the first sentence
of this subsection (j) of this Section 12, the Company shall make adequate
provision for the ability of the Warrantholder to receive the consideration to
which the Warrantholder is entitled under this subsection (j) of this Section
12.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

            (k)  Except as provided in this Section 12, no adjustment in respect
of any dividends or distribution on the Shares shall be made during the term of
a Warrant or upon the exercise of a Warrant.

            (l)  Irrespective of any adjustments in the Exercise Price, the
number or kind of shares purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants or the
number of Warrants outstanding, Warrant Certificates theretofore or thereafter
issued may continue to express the same Exercise Price per Share, number and
kind of Shares and number of Warrants as are stated on the Warrant Certificates
initially issuable pursuant to this Agreement.

            (m)  Anything in this Section 12 to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Company, in its sole discretion, may make such reductions in the Exercise
Price, in addition to those adjustments required by this Section 12, as it
considers to be advisable in order that any event occurring in respect of, or
relating to, the Warrants or the Shares shall not be taxable to the holders
thereof.

            (n)   Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
contrary, the Company will not effect any merger or consolidation transaction
described in subsection (j) of this Section 12 unless, prior to the consummation
thereof, each person (other than the Company) which may be required to deliver
any stock, securities, cash or property upon the exercise of any Warrant as
provided herein shall assume, by written instrument delivered to the
Warrantholder, (1) the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, and (2)
the obligation to deliver to the Warrantholder such shares of stock, securities,
cash or property as, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the
Warrantholder may be entitled to receive.

            SECTION 13. Fractional Warrants and Fractional Shares. (a)
The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Warrants on any
distribution of Warrants to the Warrantholder pursuant to subsection (i) of
Section 12 or distribute Warrant Certificates which evidence fractional
Warrants. In lieu of such fractional Warrants or Warrant Certificates, at the
Company's option, there shall be paid to the registered holders of Warrant
Certificates with regard to which such fractional Warrants would otherwise be
issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market
value (as defined below) of a whole Warrant on the day immediately prior to the
date on which such fractional Warrant otherwise would have been issuable. For
purposes of this subsection (a) of Section 13, the "current market value" of a
Warrant on any day shall be the fair market value of the Warrants on such day,
as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Company. Such
determination shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

            (b)   The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Shares
upon exercise of the Warrants or to distribute Share certificates which evidence
fractional Shares. In lieu of fractional Shares, at the Company's option, there
shall be paid to the registered holders of Warrant Certificates at the time such
Warrants are exercised an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
current market price per Share as determined pursuant to subsection (e) of
Section 11 hereof on the day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

            SECTION 14. Stockholders' Agreement. Notwithstanding anything
in this agreement to the contrary, it shall be a condition to receiving any
Shares upon exercise of this Warrant or upon subsequent transfer of Shares
received upon exercise of this Warrant, that the intended holder of those shares
become a party to the Stockholders' Agreement prior to any such exercise or
transfer.

            SECTION 15. Notices to the Warrantholder. In the case of any
adjustment of the Exercise Price, or the number or kind of shares purchasable
upon exercise of a Warrant or the number of Warrants outstanding pursuant to
Section 12, the Company within 5 business days thereafter shall cause notice of
such adjustment to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid (or by
overnight courier), to the Warrantholder. Where appropriate, such notice may be
mailed in advance and included as a part of any notice required to be mailed
under any other provision of this Agreement.

            SECTION 16. Certificates. Shares issuable upon the exercise
of this Warrant shall be evidenced in such manner as the Company may deem
appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of one or more stock
certificates. Any certificate issued in respect of this Warrant shall be
registered in the name of the Warrantholder and shall bear appropriate legends
referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable thereto,
substantially in the forms provided for in the Stockholders' Agreement. Such
shares may bear other legends to the extent the Company determines it to be
necessary or appropriate.

            SECTION 17. Rights of the Warrantholder. Nothing contained in
this Agreement or in any of the Warrant Certificates shall be construed as
conferring upon the Warrantholder the right to vote or receive dividends or
distributions or to be deemed for any purpose the holder of Shares or of any
other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the
exercise of the Warrant or Warrants evidenced by the Warrant Certificates, nor
shall anything contained herein or in the Warrant Certificates be construed to
confer upon the Warrantholder, as such, any of the rights of a holder of Shares
of the Company or any right to vote upon any matter submitted to holders of
Shares at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any action
(whether upon any recapitalization, issue of stock (or other securities),
reclassification of stock (or other securities), change of par value (if such
term applies to such Shares at such time), consolidation, merger, sale, transfer
or disposition or otherwise) or, to receive notice of meetings, or to receive
dividends or subscription rights or otherwise, until the Warrant or Warrants
evidenced by the Warrant Certificates shall have been exercised as provided
herein.

            SECTION 18. Benefits of This Agreement. Nothing in this
Agreement shall be construed to give to any person or corporation other than the
Company and the registered holders of the Warrant Certificates any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; and this Agreement shall
be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company and the registered holders
of the Warrant Certificates.

            SECTION 19. Notices to Company and Registered Holders. Any
notice pursuant to this Agreement to be given by the registered holder of any
Warrant Certificate to the 


                                      -10-

<PAGE>

Company shall be in writing and be sufficiently given if delivered or sent by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Company as follows:

                  Amscan Holdings, Inc.
                  80 Grasslands Road
                  Elmsford, New York  10523
                  Attention:  Corporate Secretary

            With a copy to:

                  Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
                  51 West 52nd Street
                  New York, NY  10019
                  Attention:  Mitchell S. Presser

(or to such other address as such entities may have furnished in writing to the
registered holders for this purpose).

            Any notice pursuant to this Agreement to be given to any registered
holder of any Warrant Certificate shall be in writing and be sufficiently given,
except as otherwise provided in Section 15, if delivered or sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder as his address appears on the
Warrant Register (or to such other address as such holder may have furnished in
writing to the Company for this purpose).

            SECTION 20. Supplements and Amendments.  This Agreement may be 
supplemented or amended only in a writing signed by the Company and all 
registered holders of Warrants at the time such writing is signed.

            SECTION 21. Successors.  All the covenants and provisions of this 
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrantholder shall bind 
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

            SECTION 22. Termination.  This Agreement shall terminate at 
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the 
foregoing, this Agreement will terminate on any earlier date when all Warrants 
have been exercised.

            SECTION 23. Governing Law. This Agreement and each Warrant
Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the
laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York,
without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

            SECTION 24. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any 
number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be 
deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute 
but one and the same instrument.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

            SECTION 25. Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this
Agreement is contingent upon the consummation of the "Closing" under the Stock
Purchase Agreement. If such Closing does not occur, this Agreement shall have no
effect and shall be void ab initio without any party hereto having any liability
to any other party hereto (provided that the foregoing shall not limit the
rights of the parties thereto under the Stock Purchase Agreement).

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.



                                    AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.




                                       By:/s/James M. Harrison 
                                       Name:    James M. Harrison
                                       Title:   President










                                    GARRY KIEVES RETAINED ANNUITY TRUST
                                             dated December 30, 1992


                                       By:/s/Michaela Graeb
                                       Name:    Michaela Graeb
                                       Title:   Co-Trustee


                                       By:/s/James Plutt
                                       Name:    James Plutt
                                       Title:   Co-Trustee


                                       By:/s/Ralph Strangis
                                       Name:    Ralph Strangis
                                       Title:   Co-Trustee


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A


THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE ARE ISSUED PURSUANT TO AND
ARE SUBJECT TO A WARRANT AGREEMENT WHICH FIXES THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE
COMPANY AND THE HOLDER OF THE WARRANTS. A COPY OF THE WARRANT AGREEMENT IS ON
FILE AT THE COMPANY'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE.

THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES PURCHASABLE
UPON EXERCISE OF THE WARRANTS ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH
IN A STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF DECEMBER 19, 1997, AS AMENDED FROM
TIME TO TIME (THE "STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT"), A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED
FROM THE ISSUER OR FROM THE HOLDER OF THIS WARRANT. NO TRANSFER OF THE WARRANTS
OR THE SHARES PURCHASABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THE WARRANTS WILL BE MADE ON THE
BOOKS OF THE ISSUER UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS
OF THE STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT.

THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES PURCHASABLE
UPON EXERCISE OF THE WARRANTS HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND
MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT WHILE SUCH A
REGISTRATION IS IN EFFECT OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER
SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE AND THE WARRANTS EVIDENCED HEREBY ARE PERSONAL TO THE
HOLDER AND, WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY, SHALL NOT BE
ASSIGNABLE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERABLE BY THE HOLDER OTHERWISE THAN (I) BY WILL OR
THE LAWS OF DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION OR BY A DISTRIBUTION OF THE WARRANTS FROM
THE WARRANTHOLDER TO THE TRUST BENEFICIARY OF THE WARRANTHOLDER OR (II) PURSUANT
TO A QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER (AS DEFINED IN THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
OF 1986, AS AMENDED), AND SUBJECT IN ANY SUCH CASE TO THE ASSIGNEE, TRANSFEREE
OR DISTRIBUTEE AGREEING IN WRITING TO BE BOUND BY AND BECOME A PARTY TO THE
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT AS IF SUCH ASSIGNEE, TRANSFEREE OR DISTRIBUTEE WAS THE
HOLDER THEREUNDER.

                          [FORM OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE]

                                     [FACE]

                                EXERCISABLE ONLY
                      ON OR BEFORE ______________ __, 2008


No. W-                                                     _____________Warrants

                               WARRANT CERTIFICATE

                              AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.

            This Warrant Certificate certifies that_______________, or 
registered assigns, is the registered holder of __________ Warrants (the 
"Warrants") expiring______________ __, 2008 to purchase shares of voting common
stock, par value $.10 per share ("Shares"), of AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase from 
the Company, on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time on ______________ __, 
2008, one fully paid and nonassessable Share of the Company 


                                      A-1

<PAGE>

at the exercise price (the "Exercise Price") at the time in effect under the
Warrant Agreement dated as of______________ __, 1998 (the "Warrant Agreement")
($125,000 per Share, at the time of the initial issuance of the Warrants),
payable in lawful money of the United States of America or in securities as
permitted under the Warrant Agreement, upon surrender of this Warrant
Certificate and payment of such Exercise Price at the principal executive
offices of the Company, but subject to the conditions set forth herein and in
the Warrant Agreement; provided, however, that the number or kind of Shares (or
in certain events other property) purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants, the
number of Warrants evidenced hereby and the Exercise Price referred to herein
may as of the date of this Warrant Certificate have been, or may after such date
be, adjusted as a result of the occurrence of certain events, as more fully
provided in the Warrant Agreement. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be made
by certified check payable to the order of, or by wire transfer to, the Company,
or, to the extent permitted by the Warrant Agreement, by delivery by the holder
of the Warrants of Shares having a "current market price" (determined as
provided in subsection (e) of Section 12 of the Warrant Agreement) equal to the
Exercise Price, and, if requested by the Company, the amount of any required
federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes.

            No Warrant may be exercised after 5:00 p.m. New York City time on
______________ __, 2008 (the "Expiration Date").

            Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of the Warrant
Agreement and of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof and
such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though
fully set forth at this place.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC. has caused this Warrant
Certificate to be duly executed.

                                       AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.


Dated:                                 By______________________________


Attest:


______________________________
         Secretary


            Void after ______________ __, 2008 or such earlier date as may be
fixed under the circumstances set forth in the Warrant Agreement and described
on the reverse hereof.


                                      A-2
<PAGE>


                          [FORM OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE]

                                    [REVERSE]

                              AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.

            The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a
duly authorized issue of Warrants issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement dated
as of ______________ __, 1998 (the "Warrant Agreement") between the Company and
a certain warrantholder who is a party thereto, which Warrant Agreement is
hereby incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is
hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights,
obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company and the holders
(the words "holders" or "holder" meaning the registered holders or registered
holder) of the Warrants.

            The holder of Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may
exercise them by surrendering the Warrant Certificate, with the Form of Exercise
set forth hereon properly completed and executed, together with payment of the
Exercise Price at the time in effect, at the principal executive offices of the
Company. In the event that upon any exercise of Warrants evidenced hereby the
number of Warrants exercised shall be less than the total number of Warrants
evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof or his valid
assignee, transferee or distributee, if any, a new Warrant Certificate
evidencing the number of Warrants not exercised.

            The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain
events, the Exercise Price, the number or kinds of shares purchasable upon
exercise of a Warrant or the number of Warrants outstanding may, subject to
certain conditions, be adjusted and under certain circumstances the Warrant may
become exercisable for securities or other assets other than the Shares referred
to on the face hereof. The Warrant Agreement provides that in such events, at
the election of the Company, either (i) the number of Shares purchasable upon
the exercise of each Warrant shall be adjusted or (ii) each outstanding Warrant
shall be adjusted to become a different number of Warrants. In the case of (ii),
the Company will cause to be distributed to registered holders of Warrant
Certificates either Warrant Certificates representing the additional Warrants
issuable pursuant to the adjustment, or substitute Warrant Certificates to
replace all outstanding Warrant Certificates. No fractional Warrant is required
to be issued upon any such adjustment but the persons entitled to such
fractional interest may be paid, as provided in the Warrant Agreement, an amount
in cash equal to the current market value of such fractional Warrant, as
determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Company.

            This Warrant Certificate and the Warrants evidenced hereby are
personal to the Holder and, without prior written consent of the Company, shall
not be assignable or otherwise transferable by the Holder otherwise than (i) by
will or the laws of descent and distribution or by a distribution of the
Warrants from the Warrantholder to the trust beneficiary of the Warrantholder,
(ii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order (as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), and subject in any such case to the
assignee, transferee or distributee agreeing in writing to be bound by and
become a party to this Warrant Certificate and the Stockholders' Agreement as if
such assignee, transferee or distributee was the Holder thereunder.

            The Company may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the
absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of
ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any
exercise hereof, any distribution to the holder hereof, and for all other
purposes, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to
the contrary.


                                      A-3
<PAGE>

                               [FORM OF EXERCISE]

                    (To be executed upon exercise of Warrant)

            The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right,
represented by this Warrant Certificate, to purchase __________ Shares and
herewith tenders payment for such Shares to the order of Amscan Holdings, Inc.
in the amount of $__________ in accordance with the terms hereof. The
undersigned requests that a certificate for such Shares be registered in its
name. The address of the undersigned is____________________.  If said number of
Shares is less than all of the Shares purchasable hereunder, the undersigned
requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of
the Shares be registered in its name and that such Warrant Certificate be
returned to the undersigned at the address set forth above:


Dated:                                 Signature:_____________________________
                                       (Signature must conform in all
                                       respects to name of holder as
                                       specified on the face of the Warrant
                                       Certificate.)


______________________________
(Insert Social Security or Taxpayer
Identification Number of Holder)


Signature Guaranteed:

______________________________




______________________________



                                      A-4


                               AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO

                             STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT

            AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT, dated as of August 6,
1998 (this "Amendment"), amending the Stockholders' Agreement (as defined
herein), by and among the parties to the Stockholders' Agreement and Garry
Kieves, Nina Kieves, Nicola Kieves, the Garry Kieves Retained Annuity Trust and
the Garry Kieves Irrevocable Trust Agreement (collectively, the "Kieves
Parties"). Capitalized terms used in this Amendment shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Stockholders' Agreement unless otherwise defined herein.

                                    RECITALS

            WHEREAS, the Company has, simultaneously with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of
the date hereof (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), with the Kieves Parties as
stockholders of Anagram International Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("Anagram")
and certain related companies, pursuant to which the Company will acquire from
such stockholders all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Anagram and
such related companies; and

            WHEREAS, in partial consideration for the sale of such capital
stock, the stockholders of Anagram shall receive in the aggregate pursuant to
the Stock Purchase Agreement, One-Hundred-Twenty (120) shares of Common Stock of
the Company and warrants to purchase Ten (10) shares of Common Stock (the
"Warrants"); and

            WHEREAS, in connection with the acquisition of Anagram the Company
has entered into an employment agreement with Garry Kieves (the "Kieves
Employment Agreement"), the principal stockholder and current chief executive
officer of Anagram, pursuant to which Mr. Kieves shall receive Options to
purchase 6.648 shares of Common Stock; and

            WHEREAS, as a condition to entering into the Stock Purchase
Agreement and the Kieves Employment Agreement, the Kieves Parties have agreed to
become parties to the Stockholders' Agreement, dated as of December 19, 1997, by
and among the Company, GS CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership, GS CAPITAL PARTNERS II OFFSHORE, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempt
limited partnership, GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. VERWALTUNGS GMBH, a corporation
recorded in the Commercial Register Frankfurt, as nominee for GS Capital
Partners II Germany C.L.P., STONE STREET FUND 1997, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership, BRIDGE STREET FUND 1997, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and
each of the individuals and the Estate of John A. Svenningsen listed on Schedule
I thereto (the "Stockholders' Agreement"), and the Kieves Parties have
acknowledged that their shares of Common Stock, the Warrants and the Options
shall become subject to the terms and conditions of the Stockholders' Agreement,
including the restrictions on the transferability of the Common Stock and the
Warrants and Options (including the Common Stock acquired by exercise or
conversion thereof).

                                      -1-

<PAGE>

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the terms
and conditions contained herein, the parties hereto agree that the Stockholders'
Agreement shall be amended as follows, and as so amended that the parties hereto
shall become parties thereto:

             A. The definition of "Fair Market Value" in Article I is hereby
amended to add the following at the end thereof:

             "; provided, however, that with respect to shares of Common Stock,
      Warrants or Options owned by any of the Kieves Parties, the Kieves Parties
      shall have the right (at their election within ten days after being
      notified in writing by the Company of the Fair Market Value of such Common
      Stock, Warrants or Options) to require the Company to engage at the
      Company's expense an independent public accounting or investment banking
      firm of national reputation that has not, within two years of such
      engagement, rendered any services to the Company or the Kieves Parties,
      which firm shall be mutually acceptable to the Company and the Kieves
      Parties and which firm shall determine such "Fair Market Value" (without
      regard to any marketability discount, liquidity discount or minority
      interest or similar discount and which determination shall be binding with
      respect to (and only with respect to) the related purchase from the Kieves
      Parties) and notify the Company and the Kieves Parties of such
      determination within fifteen (15) days of such engagement (it being agreed
      that the Kieves Parties shall bear the fees and expenses payable to such
      firm if such firm determines "Fair Market Value" to be not more than 105%
      of the Fair Market Value set forth in the Company's notice to the Kieves
      Parties as provided above)."

             B. The definition of "Options" in Article I is hereby amended to
add after the word "otherwise" at the end thereof and before the period the
following: "including the Warrants ("Warrants") issued to the Garry Kieves
Retained Annuity Trust pursuant to the Warrant Agreement dated August 6, 1998
between the Company and such trust"

             C. The definition of "Warrants" is hereby added in Article I in the
appropriate alphabetical position, which definition shall read as follows:
"'Warrants' shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the definition of
'Options'."

             D. The term "Management Investors" is hereby amended to include
each of the Kieves Parties.

             E. Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of Article IV are hereby amended and
restated in their entirety as follows:

       4.1 Call Rights. If, prior to the consummation of an IPO, a Management
Investor (other than the Estate or the Estate's Permitted Transferees or any of
the Kieves Parties other than Garry Kieves) dies or the Management Investor's
(other than the Estate or the Estate's Permitted Transferees or any of the
Kieves Parties other than Garry Kieves) employment by the Company terminates for
any reason (including due to a Disability, as defined in such Management
Investor's Employment Agreement or any analogous provision of any employment,
compensation or benefit agreement or arrangement, if any, and if not so defined,
upon the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company of
such Disability), the Company shall

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

have the right, at its election,  to purchase all (but not less than all) of the
Management Investor's shares of Common Stock (including any shares held by its
Permitted Transferees, and for purposes of this Article IV, each of the Kieves
Parties other than Garry Kieves shall be deemed to be Permitted Transferees of
Garry Kieves) within six (6) months after such termination, or fifteen (15)
months after such termination in the case of death of the Management Investor
(with respect to any shares of Common Stock acquired after such termination or
death upon the exercise of Options held by the Management Investor, such period
to run from the date of exercise) at a price equal to the Fair Market Value of
such Common Stock determined as of, in all cases other than the death of the
Management Investor, the date such termination is effective and, in the case of
the Management Investor's death, as of the date of death. The Company shall pay
the purchase price in cash to the extent that (x) subsidiaries of the Company
are permitted to dividend the funds for such purchase to the Company (a
"Subsidiary Dividend") (under both applicable law and the indebtedness of the
Company and its Affiliates) and (y) the Company is permitted to purchase such
shares for cash (under both applicable law and such indebtedness). The Company
shall fund any amount not permitted to be funded through a Subsidiary Dividend
or to be used to purchase such shares with a Buy-Out Note; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be required to consummate the funding of any such
amount with a Buy-Out Note unless and until the issuance of such Buy-Out Note is
permissible under the terms of the indebtedness of the Company, and the
consummation of any such exercise and funding, and the effectiveness of such
exercise, shall be delayed to the extent and with the effect that there is no
breach under such indebtedness, provided that any such amount not permitted to
be funded with a Buy-Out Note shall increase at seven (7) percent per annum
until funded and upon consummation of an IPO shall be fully funded, including
such increase, and provided further that if such delay of the effectiveness of
such exercise and consummation of such exercise and/or funding would not result
in avoiding any such breach, the time for electing to purchase such shares shall
instead be extended to permit such election from time to time until any
remaining election shall not result in such a breach (and the Company shall make
such elections and/or consummate such exercises and fundings, pro rata, as they
are permitted). In the event that any amount due to any Management Investor
pursuant to an election by the Company to purchase such shares under this
Section 4.1 has not been paid or funded with a Buy-Out Note (or to the extent
the time for making such election has been extended) for five (5) years
following the date of such election (or of the beginning of such extension, if
applicable), such Management Investor shall be entitled to elect to cancel such
election (or end such extension, if applicable) and retain such shares to which
such unpaid or unfunded amount relates (and such unpaid or unfunded amount shall
no longer be due or payable), such cancellation to be effective upon receipt by
the Company of written notice of such election from such Management Investor.
The Board of Directors of the Company may, in its discretion, assign the rights
and obligations of the Company under this Section 4.1 to any other Person, but
no such assignment shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder to the
extent not satisfied by such assignee.

       4.2 Put Rights. If, prior to the consummation of an IPO, a Management
Investor (other than the Estate or the Estate's Permitted Transferee or any of
the Kieves Parties other than Garry Kieves) dies or the Management Investor's
(other than the Estate or the Estate's Permitted Transferee's or any of the
Kieves Parties other than Garry Kieves) employment by the Company is terminated
by the Company for any reason (including due to a Disability, as defined in such
Management Investor's Employment Agreement or any analogous provision of any
employment,

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

compensation or benefit agreement or arrangement, if any, and if not so defined,
upon the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company of
such Disability), the Management Investor or the Management Investor's legal
representative or trustee, as the case may be, shall have the right, within
three (3) months after such termination is effective (or one year after the date
of death in the case of the Management Investor's death), to require the Company
to purchase all (but not less than all) of the Management Investor's Common
Stock (including any shares held by its Permitted Transferees) at a price equal
to (A) in the case of termination by reason of death or Disability, the Fair
Market Value thereof determined as of the date of death (in the case of
termination due to death) or the date such other termination is effective and
(B) in the case of termination by the Company for any other reason, the lower of
(1) Fair Market Value and (2) the product of (x) the number of shares of Common
Stock and (y) the New Cost Per Share (or, in the case of shares held by the
Kieves Parties and their Permitted Transferees, a per share amount equal to 119%
of the $105,000 original value of one share of Common Stock based on the
aggregate value of 120.00 shares of Common Stock under Section 2.4(x) of the
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 6, 1998, by and among the Company
and the Kieves Parties) (subject to adjustment to reflect any adjustments to the
Common Stock made to reflect any merger, reorganization, consolidation,
recapitalization, spinoff, stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary
distribution with respect to the Common Stock or other change in corporate
structure affecting the Common Stock, as the Company reasonably shall deem fair
and appropriate). To the extent the funds for such purchase are permitted under
the indebtedness of the Company and its Affiliates and applicable law to be
funded through a Subsidiary Dividend and to be used to purchase such shares, the
Company shall pay the purchase price in cash. The Company shall pay any amount
not permitted to be funded through a Subsidiary Dividend or to be used to
purchase such shares with a Buy-Out Note; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be required to consummate the funding of any such amount with a
Buy-Out Note unless and until the issuance of such Buy-Out Note is permissible
under the terms of the indebtedness of the Company and the consummation of any
such purchase and funding, and the effectiveness of such exercise, shall be
delayed to the extent and with the effect that there is no breach under such
indebtedness, provided that any such amount not permitted to be funded with a
Buy-Out Note shall increase at seven (7) percent per annum until funded and upon
consummation of an IPO shall be fully funded, including such increase, and
provided further that if such delay of the effectiveness of such exercise and
consummation of such exercise and/or funding would not result in avoiding any
such breach, the time for exercise of the right to require the purchase of such
shares shall instead be extended to permit such exercise from time to time until
any remaining exercise shall not result in such a breach. In the event that any
amount due to any Management Investor pursuant to the exercise of the right to
require the purchase of such shares under this Section 4.2 has not been paid or
funded with a Buy-Out Note (or to the extent the time for making such election
has been extended) for five (5) years following the date of such exercise (or of
the beginning of such extension, if applicable), such Management Investor shall
be entitled to elect to revoke such exercise (or end such extension, if
applicable) and retain such shares to which such unpaid or unfunded amount
relates (and such unpaid or unfunded amount shall no longer be due and payable),
such election to be effective upon receipt by the Company of written notice of
such election from such Management Investor. The Board of Directors of the
Company may, in its discretion, assign the rights and obligations of the Company
under this Section 4.2 to any other Person, but no such assignment shall relieve
the Company of its obligations hereunder to the extent not satisfied by such
assignee.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>


          F. Article IV is hereby amended by adding Section 4.3 as follows:

       4.3 Warrants. For purposes of Sections 4.1 and 4.2, each outstanding
Warrant shall be treated as a share of Common Stock except that in the case of
any such Warrant, the price at which the Company shall have the right to
purchase such Warrant, in the case of Section 4.1, and the price at which the
Management Investor shall have the right to require the Company to purchase such
Warrant, in the case of Section 4.2, shall be equal to the purchase price
attributable to the share(s) of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such
Warrant less the exercise price of such Warrant with respect to such share(s).

             G. Parties. By executing this Amendment, each of the Kieves Parties
hereby agrees to become a party to the Stockholders' Agreement as a "Management
Investor" as provided herein and as amended hereby and Schedule I shall be
amended and restated as set forth in Schedule I hereto.

             H. Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Amendment is contingent
upon the consummation of the "Closing" under the Stock Purchase Agreement. If
such Closing does not occur, this Amendment shall have no effect and shall be
void ab initio without any party hereto having any liability to any other party
hereto (provided that the foregoing shall not limit the rights of the parties
thereto under the Stock Purchase Agreement).

             I. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed and construed
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without
regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

             J. Descriptive Headings, Etc. The headings in this Amendment are
for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning of terms contained herein. Unless the context of this Amendment
otherwise requires, references to "hereof," "herein," "hereby," "hereunder" and
similar terms shall refer to the entire Stockholders' Agreement, as amended by
this Amendment.

             K. Reaffirmation. In all respects not inconsistent with the terms
and provisions of this Amendment, the Stockholders' Agreement shall continue to
be in full force and effect in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof,
and is hereby ratified, adopted, approved and confirmed. From and after the date
hereof, each reference to the Stockholders' Agreement in any other instrument or
document shall be deemed a reference to the Stockholders' Agreement as amended
hereby, unless the context otherwise requires.

             L. No Waiver. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of any condition, power, remedy or right
exercisable in accordance with the Stockholders' Agreement, and shall not
constitute a waiver of any provision of the Stockholders' Agreement, except as
expressly provided herein.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

                                      -5-

<PAGE>


            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument
to be duly executed on the date first written above.

                                    AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.

                                       By:/s/James M. Harrison
                                          -------------------------
                                          Name:  James M. Harrison
                                          Title: President

                                    Address:    80 Grasslands Road
                                                Elmsford, New York 10523
                                                Attn: Secretary
                                                Telecopier No.: (914) 345-2056



                                    GS CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P.

                                    By:   GS Advisors, L.P.
                                          General Partner

                                    By:   GS Advisors Inc., its
                                          General Partner

                                       By:/s/Terence M. O'Toole
                                          ---------------------------
                                          Name:  Terence M. O'Toole
                                          Title: Vice President

                                    Address:    c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
                                                85 Broad Street
                                                New York, NY  10004
                                                Attn:  David J. Greenwald
                                                Telecopier No.:  (212)
                                                357-5505

                                      

<PAGE>



                                    GS CAPITAL PARTNERS II OFFSHORE, L.P.

                                    By:   GS Advisors II (Cayman), L.P.
                                          General Partner

                                    By:   GS Advisors II, Inc., its
                                          General Partner

                                    By:/s/Terence M. O'Toole
                                       ---------------------------
                                       Name:  Terence M. O'Toole
                                       Title: Vice President

                                    Address:    c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
                                                85 Broad Street
                                                New York, NY  10004
                                                Attn:  David J. Greenwald
                                                Telecopier No.:  (212)
                                                357-5505

                                    GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. VERWALTUNGS GMBH

                                    By:/s/Terence M. O'Toole
                                       ---------------------------
                                       Name:  Terence M. O'Toole
                                       Title: Managing Director

                                    By:/s/Eve Gerriets
                                       ---------------------------
                                       Name:  Eve Gerriets
                                       Title: Registered Agent

                                    Address:    c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
                                                85 Broad Street
                                                New York, NY  10004
                                                Attn:  David J. Greenwald
                                                Telecopier No.:  (212)
                                                357-5505

                                      

<PAGE>


                                    STONE STREET FUND 1997, L.P.

                                    By:   Stone Street Asset Corp.
                                          General Partner

                                    By:/s/Eve Gerriets
                                       ---------------------------
                                       Name:  Eve Gerriets
                                       Title: Vice President

                                    Address:    c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
                                                85 Broad Street
                                                New York, NY  10004
                                                Attn:  David J. Greenwald
                                                Telecopier No.:  (212)
                                                357-5505

                                    BRIDGE STREET FUND 1997, L.P.

                                    By:   Stone Street Asset Corp.
                                          Managing General Partner

                                    By:/s/Eve Gerriets
                                       ---------------------------
                                       Name:  Eve Gerriets    
                                       Title: Vice President  
                                              
                                    Address:    c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
                                                85 Broad Street
                                                New York, NY  10004
                                                Attn:  David J. Greenwald
                                                Telecopier No.:  (212)
                                                357-5505

                                      

<PAGE>




/s/Garry Kieves                           Dated:8/6/98
- --------------------------------------          -------
Garry Kieves
Management Investor
Address:



/s/Nina Kieves                            Dated:8/6/98
- --------------------------------------          -------
Nina Kieves
Management Investor
Address:



/s/Nicola Kieves                          Dated:8/6/98
- --------------------------------------          -------
Nicola Kieves
Management Investor
Address:



                                      

<PAGE>




GARRY KIEVES IRREVOCABLE TRUST
   dated December 31, 1992


By:/s/Michaela Graeb
   ---------------------------
      Name:    Michaela Graeb
      Title:   Co-Trustee

By:/s/James Plutt
   ---------------------------
      Name:    James Plutt
      Title:   Co-Trustee

By:/s/Ralph Strangis
   ---------------------------
      Name:    Ralph Strangis
      Title:   Co-Trustee

GARRY KIEVES RETAINED ANNUITY TRUST
      dated December 30, 1992

By:/s/Michaela Graeb
   ---------------------------
      Name:    Michaela Graeb
      Title:   Co-Trustee

By:/s/James Plutt
   ---------------------------
      Name:    James Plutt
      Title:   Co-Trustee

By:/s/Ralph Strangis
   ---------------------------
      Name:    Ralph Strangis
      Title:   Co-Trustee

                                      

<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE I

          Management Investors
          Gerald C. Rittenberg
          James M. Harrison
          William S. Wilkey
          Diane D. Spaar
          Katherine A. Kusnierz
          Morton Fisher
          William Mark
          Angelo Giummarra
          Karen McKenzie
          Keith Johnson
          Howard Harding
          Walter Thompson
          Charles Phillips
          Susan Scott
          Rose Giagrande
          Randy Harris
          Eric Stollman
          Kathleen Rooney
          James Dotti
          Vincent Anastasi
          Michael A. Correale
          Mark Irvine
          Scott Lametto
          Joseph Walter
          Cheryl Considine
          Patrick Venuti
          Dallas Hartman
          Robert Yedowitz
          Nigel Keane
          Connie Weckman
          Ken Danforth
          Deborah Anderson
          Debra Finn
          Diane Green
          Barbara Schnabel
          Keith Spaar
          Daniel Sullivan
          Garry Kieves
          Nina Kieves
          Nicola Kieves
          Garry Kieves Irrevocable Trust
          Garry Kieves Retained Annuity Trust

                                      


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

            AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") by and between Amscan Holdings, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Garry Kieves (the "Executive"), dated
as of the 6th day of August, 1998.

            WHEREAS, the Company has, simultaneously with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of
the date hereof (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), with certain stockholders of
Anagram International Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("Anagram"), that now
employs the Executive, pursuant to which, among other things, the Company will
acquire all of the stock of Anagram (the "Acquisition"); and

            WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ the Executive after the
Acquisition and the Executive is willing to be so employed.

            NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

             1. Employment Period. (a) Initial Term. The Company shall employ
the Executive, and the Executive agrees to, and shall, serve the Company, on the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, for the period commencing on
the Closing Date (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement) and ending on the
third anniversary of such date (the "Initial Term").

             (b) Extension of Initial Term. The Initial Term of this Agreement
will be automatically extended after the third anniversary of the Closing Date
for additional successive periods of one year each, each such extension to be
effective immediately after the last day of the term then in effect, with the
first such extension period beginning on the third anniversary of the Closing
Date (each such additional period, an "Additional Term") (the Initial Term and
any Additional Term thereof pursuant to this Section 1(b) being hereinafter
referred to as the "Employment Period"), unless either the Company gives the
Executive or the Executive gives the Company not less than twelve months'
written notice prior to the end of the Initial Term or any such Additional Term
of such party's intention not to extend the Employment Period.

             2. Position and Duties. (a) During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be Senior Vice President of the Company and President of
Anagram, in each case, with such duties and responsibilities as are assigned to
him by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") consistent with such
position, including, as the Board may request, without additional compensation,
to serve as an officer or director of certain subsidiaries and other affiliated
entities of the Company.

             (b) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of
vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive shall
devote his full attention and time during normal business hours to the business
and affairs of the Company and shall perform his services primarily at Anagram's
headquarters, wherever the Board may from time to time designate them to be, but
in any case, within a 100-mile radius of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and shall use
his reasonable best efforts to carry out the responsibilities assigned to the
Executive

<PAGE>

faithfully and efficiently. It shall not be considered a violation of the
foregoing for the Executive to (i) serve on civic or charitable boards or
committees and the board of directors of K-tel International, Inc., (ii) deliver
lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions, or
(iii) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not compete
with and are not provided to or for any entity that competes with or intends to
compete with the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates and do not
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an
employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement.

             3. Compensation. (a) Base Salary. During the Initial Term, the
Executive shall receive from the Company an annual base salary ("Annual Base
Salary") of $250,000, payable in regular intervals in accordance with the
Company's customary payroll practices in effect during the Employment Period.
Such Annual Base Salary shall be increased by 5% (from the Annual Base Salary
theretofore in effect) at the beginning of each Additional Term and shall be
payable in accordance with the preceding sentence.

            (b) Other Compensation. In addition to the Annual Base Salary, the
Executive shall be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus for each calendar
year of employment hereunder (the "Bonus"). The exact amount of the Bonus, if
any, payable to the Executive hereunder shall be determined and awarded in the
sole discretion of the Board.

             (c) Other Benefits. During the Employment Period: (i) the Executive
shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans,
practices, policies and programs of the Company, and shall be entitled to paid
vacation, to the same extent and on the same terms and conditions as peer
executives; and (ii) the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case
may be, shall be eligible for participation in, and shall receive all benefits
under, all welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by
the Company (including, to the extent provided, without limitation, medical,
prescription, dental, disability, employee life insurance, group life insurance,
accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the same
extent and on the same terms and conditions as peer executives; provided,
however, that nothing in this Agreement shall impose on the Company any
obligation to offer to the Executive participation in any stock, stock option,
bonus or other incentive award, plan, practice, policy or program other than the
awards made pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 3. The term "peer
executives" means the Chief Executive Officer, the President and the Senior Vice
President in charge of Sales and Marketing of the Company, if such positions
exist.

             (d) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable travel and other expenses
incurred by the Executive in carrying out the Executive's duties under this
Agreement, provided that the Executive complies with the policies, practices and
procedures of the Company for submission of expense reports, receipts, or
similar documentation of such expenses.

            (e) Options. Promptly following the "Closing" under the Stock
Purchase Agreement, the Executive shall be granted options (the "Options") to
purchase 6.648 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price equal
to $125,000 per share. Such Options shall be granted pursuant to the Company's
1997 Stock Incentive Plan and related option

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (together, the "Option
Documents"). Such Options will vest in equal annual installments over a
five-year period and will be subject to forfeiture upon termination of the
Executive's employment, if not vested and exercised within the time period
specified in the Option Documents. Unless sooner exercised or forfeited as
provided for in the Option Documents, the Options shall expire on the tenth
anniversary of the Closing.

             4. Termination of Employment. (a) Death or Disability. The
Executive's employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death
during the Employment Period. The Company shall be entitled to terminate the
Executive's employment because of the Executive's Disability during the
Employment Period. "Disability" means that the Executive has been unable, for a
period of (i) 180 consecutive days or (ii) an aggregate of 210 days in a period
of 365 consecutive days, to perform his duties under this Agreement, as a result
of physical or mental illness or injury. A termination of the Executive's
employment by the Company for Disability shall be communicated to the Executive
by written notice, and shall be effective on the 30th day after receipt of such
notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), unless the Executive
returns to full-time performance of the Executive's duties in accordance with
the provisions of Section 2 of this Agreement before the Disability Effective
Date. In the event of a dispute as to whether Executive has suffered a
Disability, the final determination shall be made by a licensed physician
selected by the Board of Directors of the Company and acceptable to Executive in
Executive's reasonable judgment.

             (b) Not Death or Disability. The Company may terminate the
Executive's employment at any time during the Employment Period with or without
Cause. The Executive may terminate his employment at any time during the
Employment Period for any reason.

             (c) Date of Termination. The "Date of Termination" means the date
of the Executive's death, the Disability Effective Date, or the date on which
the termination of the Executive's employment by the Company, or by the
Executive, is effective, as the case may be.

             5. Obligations of the Company Upon Termination. (a) By the Company,
Other Than for Death or Disability. If, during the Employment Period, the
Company terminates the Executive's employment other than due to the Executive's
death or Disability, the Company shall, except as provided in clause (ii) below,
pay the amounts described in subparagraph (i) below to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination:

             (i) The amounts to be paid in a lump sum as described above are:

                   (A) The Executive's accrued but unpaid cash compensation (the
                  "Accrued Obligations"), which shall equal the sum of (1) any
                  portion of the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date
                  of Termination that has not yet been paid; (2) any Bonus that
                  the Executive has earned for a prior full calendar year that
                  has ended prior to the Date of Termination which has been
                  awarded but not yet paid; (3) any compensation previously
                  deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest
                  or earnings thereon) that has not yet been paid (subject to
                  any applicable provisions of

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

                  any deferred  compensation  plan with respect to the payment
                  thereof); and (4) any accrued but unpaid vacation pay; and

                  (B) Severance pay equal to the Annual Base Salary.

            (ii)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive's employment
            is terminated for Cause, the Executive shall not be entitled to the
            payments contemplated by clause (i)(B) of this Section 5(a) and the
            payment to the Executive in connection therewith shall be limited to
            payment of the Accrued Obligations and the Company shall have no
            further obligations under this Agreement. For purposes of this
            Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (1) conviction of the Executive by a
            court of competent jurisdiction of a felony (excluding felonies
            under the Motor Vehicle Code); (2) any act of intentional fraud
            against the Company; (3) any act of gross negligence or wilful
            misconduct with respect to the Executive's duties under this
            Agreement; and (4) any act of wilful disobedience in violation of
            specific reasonable directions of the Board consistent with the
            Executive's duties.

             (b) Death or Disability. If the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of the Executive's death or Disability during the
Employment Period, the Company shall pay the Accrued Obligations to the
Executive or the Executive's estate or legal representative, as applicable, in a
lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination and the Company shall
have no further obligations under this Agreement.

             (c) By the Executive. If the Executive terminates his employment
with the Company, the Company shall pay the Accrued Obligations to the Executive
in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination and the Company
shall have no further obligations under this Agreement.

             (d) Effect of Employment of Executive by Certain Stock or Asset
Purchasers. If all or substantially all of the stock or assets of the Company is
sold or otherwise disposed of to a third party not affiliated with the Company,
and the Executive is not offered employment on substantially similar terms by
the Company or one of its continuing affiliates immediately thereafter, then,
for all purposes of this Agreement, the Executive's employment shall be deemed
to have been terminated by the Company other than for Cause effective as of the
date of such sale or other disposition; provided, however, that the Company
shall have no obligations to the Executive under this Section 5 of this
Agreement if the Executive is hired or offered employment on substantially
similar terms by the purchaser of the stock or assets of the Company or if the
Executive's employment is continued by the Company.

             6. Full Settlement. The Company's obligations to make the payments
provided for in, and otherwise to perform its obligations under, this Agreement
shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
claim, right or action that the Company may have against the Executive or
others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or
take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced, regardless of whether the Executive obtains other
employment.

             7. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any company affiliated
with the Company or Anagram and its respective businesses that the Executive
obtains during the Executive's employment by the Company or Anagram (whether
before, during or after the Employment Term) and that is not public knowledge
(other than as a result of the Executive's violation of this Section 7)
("Confidential Information"). The Executive shall not communicate, divulge or
disseminate Confidential Information at any time during or after the Executive's
employment with the Company, except with the prior written consent of the
Company or as otherwise required by law.

             8. Noncompetition; Nonsolicitation. (a) During the Employment
Period and during the three-year period following any termination of the
Executive's employment with the Company and any of its affiliates, including due
to expiration of the Employment Period (the "Restriction Period"), the Executive
shall not directly or indirectly participate in or permit his name directly or
indirectly to be used by or become associated with (including as an advisor,
representative, agent, promoter, independent contractor, provider of personal
services or otherwise) any person, corporation, partnership, firm, association
or other enterprise or entity (a "person") that is, or intends to be, engaged in
any business which is in competition with the business of the Company, or any of
its subsidiaries or controlled affiliates, in any country where the products of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or controlled affiliates are sold or
could reasonably be expected to be sold throughout the world (a "Competitor").
For purposes of this Agreement, the term "participate" includes any direct or
indirect interest, whether as an officer, director, employee, partner, sole
proprietor, trustee, beneficiary, agent, representative, independent contractor,
consultant, advisor, provider of personal services, creditor, owner (other than
by ownership of less than five percent of the stock of a publicly-held
corporation whose stock is traded on a national securities exchange or in an
over-the-counter market).

             (b) During the portion of the Restriction Period following any
termination of the Executive's employment with the Company and any of its
affiliates, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, encourage or
solicit, or assist any other person or firm in encouraging or soliciting, any
person that during the three-year period preceding such termination of the
Executive's employment with the Company is or was engaged in a business
relationship with the Company, any of its subsidiaries or controlled affiliates
to terminate its relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
controlled affiliates or to engage in a business relationship with a Competitor.

             (c) During the portion of the Restriction Period following any
termination of the Executive's employment with the Company and any of its
affiliates, the Executive will not, except with the prior written consent of the
Company, directly or indirectly, induce any employee of the Company, or any of
its subsidiaries or controlled affiliates to terminate employment with such
entity, and will not, directly or indirectly, either individually or as owner,
agent, employee, consultant or otherwise, employ, offer employment or cause
employment to be

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

offered to any person (including employment as an independent contractor) who is
or was employed by the Company or any of its respective subsidiaries or
controlled affiliates unless such person shall have ceased to be employed by
such entity for a period of at least twelve months. For purposes of this Section
8(c), "employment" shall be deemed to include rendering services as an
independent contractor and "employees" shall be deemed to include independent
contractors.

             (d) Promptly following the Executive's termination of employment,
including due to expiration of the Employment Period, the Executive shall return
to the Company all property of the Company and its respective subsidiaries and
affiliates, and all copies thereof in the Executive's possession or under his
control, including, without limitation, all Confidential Information in whatever
media such Confidential Information is maintained.

             (e) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Restriction
Period and the covenants and obligations of the Executive in Section 7 and this
Section 8 with respect to noncompetition, nonsolicitation and confidentiality
and with respect to the property of the Company and its subsidiaries and
controlled affiliates, and the territories covered thereby, are fair and
reasonable and the result of negotiation and that this Agreement was entered
into in connection with and as a condition to the Acquisition. The Executive
further acknowledges and agrees that the covenants and obligations of the
Executive in Section 7 and this Section 8 with respect to noncompetition,
nonsolicitation and confidentiality and with respect to the property of the
Company and its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates, and the territories
covered thereby, relate to special, unique and extraordinary matters and that a
violation of any of the terms of such covenants and obligations will cause the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates irreparable injury for which
adequate remedies are not available at law. Therefore, the Executive agrees that
the Company shall be entitled to an injunction, restraining order or such other
equitable relief as a court of competent jurisdiction may deem necessary or
appropriate to restrain the Executive from committing any violation of such
covenants and obligations. These injunctive remedies are cumulative and are in
addition to any other rights and remedies the Company may have at law or in
equity. If, at the time of enforcement of Section 7 and/or this Section 8, a
court holds that the restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under
circumstances then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum period,
scope, or geographical area legally permissible under such circumstances will be
substituted for the period, scope or area stated herein.

             9.    Successors.  (a)  This Agreement is personal to the
Executive and shall not be assignable by the Executive.  This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives.

             (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

             10. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without
reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are
not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no 

                                      -6-

<PAGE>

force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a
written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors
and legal representatives.

             (b) All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall
be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
overnight courier or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

            If to the Executive:

            Garry Kieves
            5020 Woodhurst Lane
            Minnetonka, Minnesota  55345
            Telephone No.:  (612) 939-6033

            with a copy to:

            Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.
            5500 Norwest Center
            90 South Seventh Street
            Minneapolis, Minnesota  55402
            Attention:  Bruce J. Parker
            Telecopier No.:  (612) 375-1143

            If to the Company:

            Amscan Holdings, Inc.
            80 Grasslands Road
            Elmsford, New York  10523
            Attention:  President
            Telecopier No.:  (914) 345-2056

            with a copy to:

            Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
            51 West 52nd Street
            New York, New York  10019
            Attention:  Mitchell S. Presser
            Telecopier No.:  (212) 403-2000

or to such other address as either party furnishes to the other in writing in
accordance with this Section 10(b). Notices and communications shall be
effective when actually received by the addressee.

             (c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>


             (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
Company may withhold from amounts payable under this Agreement all federal,
state, local and foreign taxes that are required to be withheld by applicable
laws or regulations.

             (e) Any party's failure to insist upon strict compliance with any
provision of, or to assert any right under, this Agreement shall not be deemed
to be a waiver of such provision or right or of any other provision of or right
under this Agreement.

             (f) The Executive acknowledges that this Agreement supersedes all
other agreements and understandings concerning the subject matter hereof, both
written and oral, between the Executive and the Company and between the
Executive and Anagram.

             (g) The effectiveness of this Agreement is contingent upon the
consummation of the "Closing" under the Stock Purchase Agreement. If such
Closing does not occur, this Agreement shall have no effect and shall be void ab
initio without any party hereto having any liability to any other party hereto
(provided that the foregoing shall not limit the rights of the parties thereto
under the Stock Purchase Agreement).

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

                                      -8-

<PAGE>


            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization of its Board of Directors, the Company
has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of
the day and year first above written.

                                    AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.

                                       By: /s/ James M. Harrison
                                          -------------------------
                                       Name:  James M. Harrison
                                       Title: President

                                           /s/ Garry Kieves
                                         -------------------------
                                              Garry Kieves

                                      -9-

<PAGE>






                                    EXHIBIT A

                        [Form of Stock Option Agreement]

<PAGE>

                         FORM OF STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

            STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT ("Agreement") dated as of ___________, 1998,
by and between Amscan Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
Garry Kieves (the "Executive"), who is presently an officer of the Company.

            WHEREAS, pursuant to the Amscan Holdings, Inc. 1997 Stock Incentive
Plan (the "Plan"), the Committee (as defined in the Plan) has decided to award
stock options on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

            NOW, THEREFORE, in order to implement the foregoing and in
consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 1.    Definitions.

            As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings ascribed to them below. Any capitalized term used in this Agreement and
not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Plan.

            "Acquisition" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.

            "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, par value $0.10 per
share, of the Company, subject to adjustment pursuant to the third paragraph of
Section 3 of the Plan, under certain circumstances.

            "Exercise Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

            "Grant Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

            "Options" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

            In addition, certain other terms used herein have definitions
otherwise ascribed to them herein.

 2.    Grant and Terms of Options.

             2.1. Grant of Options. The Company hereby grants to the Executive
as of the date hereof (the "Grant Date") 6.648 nonqualified stock options (the
"Options") to purchase one share of Common Stock per Option (i.e., 6.648 shares
in the aggregate) on the terms and conditions set forth below, and in reliance
upon the representations and covenants of the Executive set forth below. Unless
sooner exercised or forfeited as provided for in the Plan or this Agreement, the
Options shall expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement.

             2.2. Exercise Price. The exercise price of the Options is $125,000
per share of Common Stock subject thereto (the "Exercise Price").

<PAGE>

             2.3.  Exercisability.  The Options shall vest and become
exercisable according to the following schedule:

            Years of Employment
            Since the Grant Date                     Vested Percentage

            Less than 1 year                              0 percent
            At least 1 year, but less than 2 years       20 percent
            At least 2 years, but less than 3 years      40 percent
            At least 3 years, but less than 4 years      60 percent
            At least 4 years, but less than 5 years      80 percent
            5 years or more                             100 percent

Options that have become exercisable shall remain exercisable until they
terminate as set forth in this Agreement or the Plan.

3.    Plan Shares.

             3.1. Transferability of Plan Shares and Options. The Executive
shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber
any Plan Shares or Options, except as provided in the Plan or, in the case of
Plan Shares, as provided in Sections 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 of the Stockholders'
Agreement.

            Any transfer of Plan Shares otherwise permitted pursuant to this
Agreement shall remain subject to the terms of the Stockholders' Agreement, and
shall not be permitted other than in accordance with the terms thereof,
notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement that would otherwise permit such
transfer.

4.    Executive's Representations, Warranties and Agreements.

            In connection with the exercise of any Options, the Executive shall
make to the Company, in writing, such representations, warranties and agreements
in connection with such exercise and investment in shares of Common Stock as the
Committee shall reasonably request.

5.    Successors.

             5.1. This Agreement is personal to the Executive and, without the
prior written consent of the Company, shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than (i) by will or the laws of descent and distribution, (ii)
pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order (as defined in the Code) or
(iii) pursuant to a gift to the Executive's spouse, children, grandchildren or
other living descendants, whether directly or indirectly or by means of a trust,
partnership, limited liability company or otherwise. This Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal representatives.

             5.2. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

             5.3. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise (an "Acquisition")) to
all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly
to assume and to agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the
same extent that the Company would have been required to perform it if no such
succession had taken place (or by substituting for such Options new options,
based upon the stock of such successor, having an aggregate spread between the
Fair Market Value of the underlying stock and the Exercise Price thereof, and
the same term, immediately after such substitution, equal to the spread on, and
the term of, such Options immediately before such substitution), and the
Executive hereby agrees to such assumption (or substitution); provided, however,
that the Company or such successor may, at its option, at the time of or
promptly after such Acquisition, terminate all of its obligations hereunder with
respect to the Options by paying to the Executive or the Executive's successors
or assigns an amount equal to the product of (i) the number of Options and (ii)
the Fair Market Value per share of the shares underlying such Options at the
time of such Acquisition less the amount of such Options' exercise price (but
not in excess of such Fair Market Value per share), in either case, in exchange
for the Executive's Options. As used in this Agreement, the "Company" shall mean
both the Company as defined above and any such successor that assumes and agrees
to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

6.    Miscellaneous.

             6.1. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the
principles of conflicts of law thereof. The captions of this Agreement are not
part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement
may not be amended or modified except by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

             6.2. All notices and other communications under this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed if to the Executive, at the address set forth on the signature page
hereto, and if to the Company: Amscan Holdings, Inc., 80 Grasslands Road,
Elmsford, New York 10523, Attention: Secretary, or to such other addresses as
either party furnishes to the other in writing in accordance with this Section
6.2. Notices and communications shall be effective when actually received by the
addressee.

             6.3. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.

             6.4. No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes
includible in the gross income of the Executive for federal income tax purposes
with respect to any Options, the Executive shall pay to the Company, or if
appropriate, any of its Affiliates, or make arrangements satisfactory to the
Committee regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes
of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount. If
approved by the Committee, withholding obligations may be settled with Common
Stock, including Common Stock that is part of the Award that gives rise to the
withholding requirement.

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on such
payment or arrangements, and the Company and its Affiliates shall, to the extent
permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment
otherwise due to the Executive. The Committee may establish such procedures as
it deems appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, for the settlement
of withholding obligations with Common Stock.

             6.5. The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of, or to assert any right under, this Agreement
shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or of any other
provision of or right under this Agreement.

             6.6. The Options are granted pursuant to the Plan which is
incorporated herein by reference and the Options shall, except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, be governed by the terms thereof. The Executive
hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by all
the terms and provisions thereof. The Executive and the Company each
acknowledges that this Agreement (together with the Stockholders' Agreement, the
Plan and the other agreements referred to herein and therein) constitutes the
entire agreement and supersedes all other agreements and understandings, both
written and oral, among the parties or either of them, with respect to the
subject matter hereof.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

                                      -4-

<PAGE>


            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.

                                    AMSCAN HOLDINGS, INC.

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------
                                         Name:  James M. Harrison
                                         Title: President

                                    EXECUTIVE:


                                    -------------------------------
                                    Name:      Garry Kieves
                                    Address:   5020 Woodhurst Lane
                                               Minnetonka, Minnesota  55345

                                      -5-



PRESS RELEASE                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                     AMSCAN ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF ANAGRAM

                  Elmsford, NY, August 6, 1998 - Amscan Holdings, Inc.
("Amscan") announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire
metallic balloon manufacturer and distributor Anagram International, Inc. and
certain related companies ("Anagram"). Under the terms of the agreement, Amscan
will acquire all of the capital stock of the Anagram companies presently owned
by Garry Kieves and certain related parties in a transaction valued at
approximately $87 million, including the issuance of Amscan equity and the
payment or assumption of certain Anagram indebtedness. Amscan is planning to
finance the transaction with approximately $40 million of senior term debt,
approximately $24 million of additional revolving credit borrowings, cash on
hand and the issuance of approximately $13 million of equity to Anagram's
existing stockholders. Amscan has received a commitment for the senior term debt
financing from Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P. Consummation of the
transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including the availability of
financing and customary consents and approvals.

                  Gerald C. Rittenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Amscan, said,
"This acquisition represents a unique opportunity for Amscan to leverage its
distribution in the party superstores, while complementing our existing
offerings of paper and plastic party goods."

                  Garry Kieves, Chief Executive Officer of Anagram, said, "The
entire Anagram team is excited about partnering with Amscan and Amscan's
management in building a world class party goods supply company."

                  Amscan and Anagram expect that on a stand alone basis,
Anagram's revenues for calendar year 1998 will be approximately $65 to $70
million with an earnings margin (before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization) of approximately 13%. In addition, Amscan expects to realize a
number of operational synergies, of both a revenue and cost nature, from its
combination with Anagram.

                  Amscan designs, manufactures and distributes decorative party
goods, offering one of the broadest and deepest product lines in the industry.
Amscan's products include paper and plastic tableware (such as plates, napkins,
tablecovers, cups and cutlery), accessories (such as invitations, thank-you
cards, table and wall decorations and balloons) and novelties (such as games and
party favors). Amscan's products are sold to party goods superstores,
independent card and gift retailers, mass merchandisers and other distributors
which sell Amscan products in more than 20,000 retail outlets throughout the
world, including North America, Australia and Europe.
<PAGE>

                  Anagram was founded in 1977 by Garry Kieves and other members
of the Kieves family and is based in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Anagram
is engaged in the production and worldwide sale of metallic balloons and other
products made of synthetic materials to master distributors and mass merchants
for resale to novelty, gift and industrial markets. Anagram's product line
includes over 1,700 different types of metallic balloons and other related gift,
party and toy products.

For further information, contact:

         James M. Harrison or Michael A. Correale
         Amscan
         80 Grassland Road
         Elmsford, New York  10523
         (914) 784-4014

- ----------------------------
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
various provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All
statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press
release that address activities, events or developments that Amscan expects or
anticipates will or may occur in the future, including consummation of the
acquisition of Anagram and the integration of the business of Anagram with that
of Amscan, and the expected operating results of Anagram and any expected
synergies are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain
assumptions and analyses made by Amscan in light of its experience and its
perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future
developments as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the
circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed.






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