EXHIBIT 99.1

                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                  David J. M. Erskine
                                  President and Chief Executive Officer
                                  (215) 569-9900

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  October 18, 2002


          CSS INDUSTRIES, INC. ACQUIRES CRYSTAL CREATIVE PRODUCTS, INC.


         CSS Industries, Inc., (NYSE: CSS) announced today that its Cleo Inc
subsidiary has acquired all of the capital stock of Crystal Creative Products,
Inc. ("Crystal"). Crystal Creative, which is headquartered in Middletown, Ohio,
is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of consumer convenience gift
wrap products. Its product lines include gift tissue, gift bags, and related
packaging products for the consumer market, as well as specialty tissues used by
retailers for in-store packaging.

         Following post-closing adjustments, the acquisition purchase price is
anticipated to approximate $22,750,000. The Purchase Price, payable in cash, is
also subject to indemnification obligations. Due to the timing of the
acquisition and the seasonality of Crystal's business, CSS' earnings are not
expected to be significantly impacted by this acquisition for fiscal year 2003.
The acquisition is expected to add approximately $65 million in sales and
$3,800,000 of operating income in fiscal year 2004.

         "Crystal has a well-deserved reputation for innovation, design, quality
and service", said David J. M. Erskine, President and Chief Executive Officer of
CSS. "Bringing that reputation and the talented team responsible for it into our
Cleo gift wrap business makes tremendous sense. Cleo is a leader in seasonal
gift wrap and Crystal is the leader in gift tissue. The combined entity will
have strong market positions in the Christmas gift wrap, tissue and gift bag
product lines. We will now be able to enhance our customers' coordinated design
and merchandising suggestions, as well as ordering and delivery efficiencies for
all their convenience gift wrap purchases."

         CSS is a consumer products company primarily engaged in the manufacture
and sale to mass market retailers of seasonal, social expression products,
including gift wrap, gift bags, boxed greeting cards, gift tags, tissue paper,
paper and vinyl decorations, classroom exchange Valentines, decorative ribbons
and bows, Halloween masks, costumes, make-ups and novelties, educational
products and Easter egg dyes and novelties.

         All statements other than statements of historical fact included in
this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are
based on the beliefs of the Company's management as well as assumptions made by
and information currently available to the Company's management. These
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results and events to differ materially.