Blintzes For Blitzen Children’s Book Combines Christmas and Hanukkah

MixedBlessing®’s Blintzes for Blitzen Celebrates Hanukkah and Christmas

Raleigh, NC, November 1, 2010— For this 2010 holiday season, MixedBlessing, Inc., a leading producer of interfaith and multicultural holiday greeting cards, is introducing a children’s book, Blintzes For Blitzen.  Written by Elise and Philip Okrend, owners of MixedBlessing, and illustrated by Alice Io Oglesby, this delightful tale of Christmas and Hanukkah tells the story of Blitzen, Santa’s curious and hungry reindeer who wanders off from Santa and the other reindeer one Christmas Eve. Blitzen unexpectedly finds himself celebrating Hanukkah with Bernie the Deli owner and his family, renowned throughout town for their delicious, mouthwatering blintzes. Blitzen also shares the story of Christmas with the Jewish family, and the two holiday celebrations magically come together with stories, songs and great-tasting food. The book is a wonderful story that teaches children to understand how Christmas and Hanukkah can coexist with respect and joy.  Bernie’s famous blintzes recipe is included for the reader.

MixedBlessing has been producing cards and products for interfaith families for almost 20 years. The company was the first to offer a full line of holiday cards that acknowledges more than one religion and is suitable for Jewish-Christian families. “Interfaith families love MixedBlessing cards because they reflect the way they live and the way they spend the holidays,” says Elise Okrend.

With over 50 percent of Jews marrying outside the faith, interfaith marriage is not just a passing trend, and has become mainstream in American life. This is evident by the recent interfaith marriage of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky whose high profile wedding was officiated by both a rabbi and a minister. Even though interfaith marriage is more accepted, the issues around religious differences can still be difficult especially around the holidays, and even more so when children are involved.  MixedBlessing’s mission has been to make interfaith couples and families feel acknowledged and respected. Blintzes for Blitzen and MixedBlessing cards can help lessen holiday anxiety for interfaith families by expressing how the two holiday celebrations can be joined together in a spirit of diversity and inclusiveness.

Praise For Blintzes for Blitzen:

“Full of respect and information, it is a worthwhile teaching tool for all children.”

—Deborah Zink Roffino, South Florida Parenting

“Blintzes For Blitzen tells the sweet tale of Santa’s hungriest reindeer…Full of respect and information, it is a worthwhile teaching tool for all children.”—South Florida Parenting

“Blintzes For Blitzen reassures your child that the holiday season is meant to be shared by people of all faiths. ” —Child Magazine
“This is a unique fable blending Christmas and Hanukkah traditions.” —Family Circle Tips-Best Holiday Gifts For Kids

About the Authors

Elise and Philip Okrend, the authors of Blintzes For Blitzen are the founders of MixedBlessing, a well-known company that produces holiday greeting cards and related products for people who celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas and for people who want to celebrate diversity and peace.

MixedBlessing greeting cards and other items such as mugs, multicultural cards, music, interfaith stockings and books are available online at www.mixedblessing.com. Catalogs are available by calling 1-800-947-4004. Card art is available in your publication with permission.

Elise and Philip Okrend are available for interviews. 919-847-7944

Santa “Friends” Hanukkah Harry on Facebook

Santa Friends Hanukkah Harry on Facebook.

As the winter holidays approach, Santa has been expanding his “Friend List” on Facebook and befriends Hanukkah Harry. After days of checking, Santa’s friend request has not been answered! Seems that Hanukkah Harry has taken a little hiatus from Facebook to work on his Linked in profile! Finally after waiting some time, Santa decides to reach out to Hanukkah Harry through a different way, “ let’s try one of those mixed holiday cards for Christmas and Hanukkah, that should get noticed.”

After Googling, Santa found the perfect holiday card from MixedBlessing! Within days of mailing the card, Santa received his 100,000th friend on Facebook, Hanukkah Harry.

This holiday season, instead of sending a virtual e-card or a general Facebook message, write a personal message on a MixedBlessing holiday card. Show that you care and be noticed with cards that celebrate all faiths, including and honoring both Christmas and Hanukkah.

MixedBlessing cards celebrates diversity, inclusion and respect among inter-faith couples and all diverse families. In addition to its interfaith and multicultural cards and products, Mixedblessing is now incorporating Coexist Products into their holiday selections. Coexist celebrates diversity and peace among all religions!

Visit MixedBlessing at www.mixedblessing.com.

Christmas Tree, Menorah or Both for Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky?

This past summer the high profile wedding of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky was officiated by both a rabbi and a minister, a true interfaith ceremony incorporating the Jewish and Christian faiths. Though the wedding was a triumph for the young couple, what will happen as the December holidays approach? With over 50 percent of Jews marrying outside the faith, interfaith marriage may be more in the mainstream, but issues revolving around holiday celebrations, where religious differences are pronounced can be difficult. Chelsea and Marc may face some tough questions on how they can honor their own faiths while celebrating the holiday season together. Will their home have a Christmas tree, menorah, both, or neither and which religious practices will they incorporate into their home and life? What kind of holiday card will they send? A Hanukkah card to his side of the family, a Christmas card to her side, or a generic Season’s Greeting card?

This issue of what kind of holiday card an interfaith couple will send has been addressed by one card company for over 20 years. When Elise Okrend, the creator of MixedBlessing® pondered over what kind of greeting card to send to co-workers and family members in interfaith relationships, her clever design of a Star of David morphing into a Christmas tree hit the mark. Okrend has been designing tasteful and respectful cards combining Christmas and Hanukkah images ever since. “Interfaith families love MixedBlessing cards because they reflect the way they live and the way they spend the holidays,” said Okrend, “I’m sure Chelsea and Marc will 

find a MixedBlessing card design that fits who they are.”

The challenges of being in an interfaith marriage can be great, but sharing and celebrating in two faiths can add a deep sense of richness to the couple’s life together. As with all issues, respect and communication is key to making decisions that work for each. So, Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to Chelsea and Marc.

MixedBlessing interfaith and multicultural greeting cards and other items such as mugs, multicultural cards, music, interfaith stockings and books are available online at www.mixedblessing.com. Greeting cards are available at Bed Bath and Beyond, and Barnes & Noble. Elise and Philip Okrend are available for interviews. Catalogs are available by calling 1-800-947-4004. Card art is available in your publication with permission.

After Holiday Sale Ends 1/31

Stock up Now With MixedBlessing Holiday Cards and Save Over 40%. Please share this with a friend you know who loves our cards!!

All of our card packs are on sale for $8.50 per pack. Please order a minimum of 4 packs. See our site for available designs. Help us reduce our inventory so we have room for next year’s new designs and SAVE MONEY! Sale prices good until 1/31/10.

Give your loved ones a Valentine’s Day gift expressing peace and Love. Our Coexist T’s and merchandise can really change the world! Let’s spread the message together!

Order between Now and 1/31 and receive a Free Peace & Unity Bumper Sticker. Order from our Peace Shop.

Our After Holiday Sale Is On!

Stock up Now With MixedBlessing Holiday Cards! Send your cards out now to wish your family and friends a joyous New Year or save for next year’s holiday season!All of our card designs are on sale for $8.50 per pack. Please order a minimum of 3 packs. See our site for available designs. Help us reduce our inventory so we have room for next year’s new designs and SAVE MONEY! Shipping starts week of 12/28.

Cards For The Stars

This holiday season, Veteran Screen and Stage Actor Ben Vereen chose a MixedBlessing holiday card to send to his colleagues, family and friends expressing a message of world peace.  This design, “Religions Of The World” is a new MixedBlessing Card introduced this season and reads, “May this holiday season bring us peace, joy and understanding.” There is still time to send messages of peace for the New Year. Go to  www.mixedblessing.com. Happy Holidays and Peace To All.

Hanukkah and Christmas Video To Share

Here is a great video showing the diversity of the season with MixedBlessing cards.  These designs warm the heart and help you to celebrate together.  Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to All!

De-Stress the Holiday Season

For many families, the holidays can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Caught between visiting in-laws, the quandary over Christmas gifts, and questions over which traditions to celebrate, the holiday season can cause much anxiety and tension.

Try these quick tips to de-stress your family over the holidays:

 

MixedBlessing celebrates diversity, tolerance and peace.

• Gratitude lists. While sitting around the Thanksgiving table or celebrating the December holidays, take some time to reflect on what’s really important in your life.

 

• Generosity. This winter season, donate a coat, children’s toys or warm clothes to a local community center.

• Make gifts. There’s more fun in making something special- be creative and make your gift truly unique.

• Tell stories. Stories told around the dinner table create a sense of family and community.

• Family feast. Decorating cookies, making matzo balls, latkas, or eggnog, there’s nothing like food to bring a family together.

Here at MixedBlessing, we celebrate interfaith traditions such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and other global faith traditions by our diverse line of greeting cards and holiday gifts. Our vision is to celebrate multi-culturalism and tolerance around the world. In addition, COEXIST apparel and gifts promote global and religious peace and diversity. To find out more about MixedBlessing cards and products, visit www.mixedblessing.com. 

MixedBlessing’s®, Diversity and Peace Greeting Card Line Proves More Than A Passing Trend

MixedBlessing, an interfaith and multicultural greeting card company has been producing holiday cards combining images of different religious traditions for almost 20 years. What was originally considered a “fad” to combine Christmas and Hanukkah in one design was not taken lightly by MixedBlessing’s creator, Elise Okrend. Her mission was to represent multicultural families and move people toward peace, tolerance and diversity, one greeting card at a time.

Joy, a new design for 2009, celebrates diversity and peace.

When MixedBlessing started, it endured criticism from religious leaders and skepticism from others accusing the small company of promoting intermarriage and blending religion. But MixedBlessing tapped into more than a passing trend. In contrast, today Okrend’s dream of celebrating and respecting our differences is more alive than ever. There is a growing acceptance of multiculturalism and a desire for peace spreading throughout the country. From electing Barack Obama, a multi-ethnic president with a message of Hope, to the proliferation of peace emblems on everything from socks to jewelry, to songs of peace by Jewish rapper, Matisyahu, the seeds of multiculturalism are blooming.

MixedBlessing offers a line of over 50 interfaith, multicultural, peace and diversity holiday cards. A new design for this year, illustrates the word JOY, with the J being a peace dove, O a Christmas wreath and Y, a golden menorah.

Mixed Blessing offers interfaith holiday cards.

The design that started MixedBlessing, created by Elise Okrend, combined a Star of David on one side with a Christmas tree on the other. Our multicultural snowman is decked out with colorful hanging menorahs, dreidels  and Christmas ball ornaments, as he gleefully tunes into his iPod. “Customers love MixedBlessing cards because they reflect the way they live and the way they spend the holidays,” said Elise Okrend.

MixedBlessing strives to be more than a greeting card company, it offers resources and related products to interfaith families. At. Mixedblessing.com you can find relative articles, books, music, interfaith stockings and multicultural cards, all in the spirit of diversity. This year the company has added The Peace Shop, featuring COEXIST merchandise. This cleverly designed logo combines the symbols of the religions of the world to form the word COEXIST. “I’m excited to be continue to offer innovative products inspiring people to imagine a better world,” said Elise Okrend.

MixedBlessing greeting cards and other items such as mugs, multicultural cards, music, interfaith stockings and books are available online at www.mixedblessing.com.

Chrismukkah for Families

Chrismukkah Celebrates Inter-faith Families

Many interfaith couples have questions from their children about what holiday traditions they will celebrate with their family. Should they celebrate Christmas with presents under a tree or Hanukkah with dreidels and a menorah? Chrismukkah was born, as an all-inclusive holiday for interfaith couples that celebrate both traditions. Believe it or not, Chrismukkah goes back to Germany in the 1880s, where they celebrated Weihnukkah (Weihnachten, German for Christmas, and Hanukkah).

 

Coexist celebrates diversity around the world.

Chrismukkah isn’t about limiting either faiths tradition; it’s about celebration, inclusion, and diversity. So this Chrismukkah, be creative. Find and establish your own holiday traditions, food creations, music selections and family fun!

 

To help you out, MixedBlessings has a variety of interfaith and multicultural holiday cards and products to help you celebrate your diversity. In addition to celebrating Chrismukkah, MixedBlessings is now incorporating Coexist Products into their holiday selections. Coexist celebrates diversity and peace among all religions!