Other Income and Expense - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Nov. 27, 2015	Aug. 28, 2015	May. 29, 2015	Nov. 28, 2014	Aug. 29, 2014	May. 30, 2014	Nov. 27, 2015	Nov. 28, 2014
Other Income And Expense [Line Items]
State tax credits	$ 975						$ 7,516
Non-cash loss on disposal of fixed assets	41			$ 90			108	$ 15,823
Clinton Cards secured debt recovery								3,390
Distribution received								11,926
Interest income	64			2,517			247	2,658
Ohio [Member]
Other Income And Expense [Line Items]
State tax credits	1,000						7,500
WHQ Location [Member]
Other Income And Expense [Line Items]
Non-cash loss on disposal of fixed assets					$ 15,500			15,500
Clinton Cards [Member]
Other Income And Expense [Line Items]
Clinton Cards secured debt recovery						$ 3,400
Distribution received				11,300
Interest income				2,500				2,500
Strawberry Shortcake [Member]
Other Income And Expense [Line Items]
Net gain on sale of disposal group	(391)	$ (100)	$ 61,700				61,234
AGI In-Store [Member]
Other Income And Expense [Line Items]
Net gain on sale of disposal group	$ (1,073)			$ (139)	$ 38,800		$ (1,073)	$ 38,663

AMERICAN GREETINGS CORP 10-Q