MixedBlessing 2010 PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Elise Okrend
919-847-7944
www.mixedblessing.com
mixedblessing@earthlink.net
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.
MixedBlessing 2010 PRESS RELEASE
  
Christmas Tree, Menorah or both for Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky?
Raleigh, NC September 24, 2010 –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 they just love,”
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.
MixedBlessing 2009 PRESS RELEASE
  
CONTACT: Elise Okrend
919-847-7944
www.mixedblessing.com
mixedblessing@earthlink.net
MixedBlessing’s®, Diversity and Peace Greeting Card Line Proves More Than A Passing Trend
Raleigh, NC 2009 – 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.
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. 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. 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.
MixedBlessing 2008 PRESS RELEASE
   
CONTACT: Elise Okrend
919-847-7944
www.mixedblessing.com
mixedblessing@earthlink.net
MixedBlessing®, Interfaith and Multicultural Cards Offer A Solution To The December Dilemma
Raleigh, NC 2008 –This year, with Hanukkah and Christmas falling on the same week, interfaith families in the U.S. face some tough questions, How can we balance our celebrations of Christmas and Hanukkah, and at the same time remember the true significance of these two distinct and wonderful holidays? Do we send a Hanukkah card or Christmas card? MixedBlessing, is dedicated to offering interfaith and multicultural holiday cards that send an inclusive universal message. Each card design connects people by acknowledging both Christmas and Hanukkah and bringing people together of all faiths, backgrounds and culture to embrace the Oneness of our world. “Customers love MixedBlessing cards because they reflect who they are and how they celebrate the holidays.”said Elise Okrend, owner of MixedBlessing.
MixedBlessing has been creating cards for interfaith families for eighteen years. The company was the first to offer a full line of holiday cards acknowledging more than one religion and suitable for Jewish-Christian families. At first, MixedBlessing endured criticism from religious leaders and skepticism from others, accusing them of promoting intermarriage and the blending of religion. The success of the company has come with the strength of their mission to move people toward peace, tolerance and diversity.
The company offers a line of over 50 interfaith, multicultural, peace and diversity holiday cards. A new design for this year, offers a chic duet of festive martini glasses, one with a bobbling dreidel and Star of David stirrer, the other with candy cane mixers. The original design, created by Elise Okrend, combined a Star of David on one side with a Christmas tree on the other. A favorite multicultural design depicts decorated houses representing different nationalities surrounding a peace globe.
The company continues to grow with the national trend towards intermarriage, spirituality and global diversity.
MixedBlessing 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 Borders Books & Music, 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.
MixedBlessing®, Holiday Cards Celebrate Our Differences and Unite Us As One
Raleigh, NC 2008 – With all the stress and uncertainty in people’s lives, what a breath of fresh air it is to receive a holiday card that envisions a world of peace and tolerance. This is something we all need, now more than ever. MixedBlessing, is dedicated to offering interfaith and multicultural holiday cards that send an inclusive universal message. Each card design connects people by acknowledging both Christmas and Hanukkah and bringing people together of all faiths, backgrounds and culture to embrace the Oneness of our world. “Our cards reflect the magic of the holiday season and inspires people to imagine a better world,” said Elise Okrend, owner of MixedBlessing.
MixedBlessing has been creating cards that touch people’s hearts for eighteen years. The company was the first to offer a full line of holiday cards acknowledging more than one religion and suitable for Jewish-Christian families. At first, MixedBlessing endured criticism from religious leaders and skepticism from others, accusing them of promoting intermarriage and the blending of religion. The success of the company has come with the strength of their mission to move people toward peace, tolerance and diversity.
The company offers a line of over 50 interfaith, multicultural, peace and diversity holiday cards. A new design for this year, offers a chic duet of festive martini glasses, one with a bobbling dreidel and Star of David stirrer, the other with candy cane mixers. The original design, created by Elise Okrend, combined a Star of David on one side with a Christmas tree on the other. A favorite multicultural design depicts decorated houses representing different nationalities surrounding a peace globe.
The company continues to grow with the national trend towards intermarriage, spirituality and global diversity. Elise Okrend says, “Customers love MixedBlessing cards because they reflect who they are and how they want the world to be.”
MixedBlessing 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 Borders Books & Music, 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.
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