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A stored-value card includes an audio circuit, a speaker, a housing, decorative indicia, and a button. The audio circuit stores an audio file, and the speaker is coupled to the audio circuit. The housing generally encloses the audio circuit and the speaker and includes an account identifier signifyi

A stored-value card includes an audio circuit, a speaker, a housing, decorative indicia, and a button. The audio circuit stores an audio file, and the speaker is coupled to the audio circuit. The housing generally encloses the audio circuit and the speaker and includes an account identifier signifying a financial account or record linked to the stored-value card. The decorative indicia corresponds with the audio file. The button and the audio circuit are adapted such that depressing the button activates the audio circuit to play the audio file via the speaker. Stored-value card assemblies and methods of using a stored-value card are also disclosed.

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What is claimed is: 1. A stored-value card, comprising: an audio circuit storing an audio file; a speaker coupled to the audio circuit; a housing generally enclosing the audio circuit and the speaker, the housing including an account identifier signifying a financial account or record linked to the

What is claimed is: 1. A stored-value card, comprising: an audio circuit storing an audio file; a speaker coupled to the audio circuit; a housing generally enclosing the audio circuit and the speaker, the housing including an account identifier signifying a financial account or record linked to the stored-value card; decorative indicia corresponding with the audio file; and a button interfacing with the housing and the audio circuit, the button and the audio circuit being adapted such that depressing the button activates the audio circuit to play the audio file via the speaker. 2. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the audio circuit includes an electronic switch aligned with the button, and wherein the button is adapted such that depressing the button applies force to the electronic switch to activate the audio circuit and play the audio file via the speaker. 3. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the decorative indicia is disposed on a face panel adhered to an outer surface of the housing. 4. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the decorative indicia relates to at least one of a brand identifier, a store identifier, a holiday, a season, an occasion, and a media format identifier. 5. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a plurality of holes generally aligned with the speaker to facilitate transfer of sound from the speaker out of the stored-value card. 6. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the housing includes: a base, and a cover, wherein the base and cover are coupled to one another, and the audio circuit and the speaker are disposed between the base and the cover. 7. The stored-value card of claim 6, wherein the base defines a base inner surface, and the cover defines a cover inner surface, wherein at least one of the base and the cover includes at least one protrusion extending away from the respective inner surface, wherein the protrusion is configured to generally maintain a spacing of the base from the cover at an area adjacent to and including the protrusion. 8. The stored-value card of claim 6, wherein each of the base and the cover define a primary panel and a plurality of side walls extending from the primary panel, wherein the plurality of side walls of the cover abut the plurality of side walls of the base. 9. The stored-value card of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sidewalls of the base and the plurality of sidewalls of the cover each define a stepped edge, and the stepped edge of the base abuts the stepped edge of the cover. 10. The stored-value card of claim 6, wherein the base is a first color and the cover is a second color. 11. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the housing includes internal indentations to provide sufficient clearance to enclose at least one of the audio circuit and the speaker. 12. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the decorative indicia includes a character and the audio file includes an audible expression readily associated with the character. 13. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the audio circuit includes a recording element. 14. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the audio file is a personalized message for a recipient of the stored-value card. 15. The stored-value card of claim 1, in combination with a carrier releasably coupled to the stored-value card. 16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the carrier includes indicia relating to at least one of a store logo, a store name, a slogan, an advertisement, instructions, directions, brand indicia, promotional information, and media format identifiers. 17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the carrier is adapted to be selectively foldable between a first configuration and a second configuration, the first configuration being adapted to display the stored-value card in a retail setting, and the second configuration being adapted to wrap the stored-value card for presentation to a recipient. 18. The combination of claim 16, wherein the carrier includes indicia instructing how to play the audio file of the stored-value card. 19. A financial transaction card comprising: means for linking the financial transaction card with a financial account or financial record; means for storing a sound file to the financial transaction card; means for playing the sound file upon demand; and means for associating the financial transaction card with at least one of a product brand, a store, a holiday, a season, an occasion, and a media format identifier. 20. The financial transaction card of claim 19, wherein the sound file corresponds to the means for associating. 21. The financial transaction card of claim 19, wherein the means for playing and the means for associating collectively define a means for presenting an audio and visual presentation to amuse a bearer of the financial transaction card. 22. The financial transaction card of claim 19, further comprising: means for recording the sound file. 23. The stored-value card of claim 19, in combination with means for removably supporting the financial transaction card for display in a retail setting. 24. The combination of claim 23, wherein the means for removably supporting includes means for informing a user how to initiate playing of the sound file. 25. A method of encouraging purchase of a stored-value card assembly linked to a financial record or a financial account, the method comprising: displaying the stored-value card assembly to a potential consumer, the stored-value card assembly including decorative indicia and storing an audio file related to the decorative indicia; and playing the audio file on a demand by the potential consumer; wherein playing the audio file in combination with the decorative indicia provides a collective audio and visual presentation that entices the potential consumer to purchase the stored-value card assembly. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the decorative indicia and audio file each relate to at least one of a life event, a holiday, a media scene, and a media character. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein playing the audio file includes providing amusement to the potential consumer via the collective audio and visual presentation. 28. A method of using a card linked to a financial account or a financial record, the method comprising: providing a card assembly including decorative indicia and a memory configured to store an audio file relating to the decorative indicia; activating the card assembly to permit deductions from the financial account or the financial record; playing the audio file stored on the card assembly upon user demand to enhance the decorative indicia of the card; and receiving at least a portion of the card assembly as payment for goods or services, the value of the goods or services being deducted from the financial account or the financial record. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein providing the card assembly includes providing a recording element configured to record the audio file. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the card assembly includes a button, an integrated circuit, at least one battery, and a speaker, and wherein playing the audio file includes depressing the button, which causes increased current to flow from the at least one battery to the integrated circuit that drives the speaker to produce sound waves corresponding to the audio file. 31. The method of claim 25, wherein the stored-value card assembly includes a stored-value card storing the audio file and a backer supporting the stored value card. 32. The method of claim 28, wherein the card assembly includes a financial transaction card including the memory and a carrier supporting the financial transaction card. 33. A stored-value card assembly, comprising: an audio circuit including a memory and a recording element, wherein the recording element is configured to record an audio file to the memory; a speaker coupled to the audio circuit; a housing maintaining the audio circuit and the speaker, the housing including an activation area aligned with a switch of the audio circuit and decorative indicia corresponding with the audio file, wherein depressing the activation area depresses the switch and plays the audio file from the memory through the speaker; and an account identifier linking the stored-value card assembly to a financial account or record. 34. The stored-value card assembly of claim 33, further including a stored-value card and a backer coupled to and supporting the stored-value card, wherein the stored-value card includes the audio circuit, the speaker, and the housing.