HOLIDAY MESSAGE FOR PARENTS

Expert Shows Parents How Crafting Holiday Cards

Can Be a Fun & Teachable Moment

Carew Papritz, also known as The Cowboy Philosopher, is the author of the multi-award winning book The Legacy Letters. Though fictional, The Legacy Letters has won acclaim as a life lessons book for all generations, gaining the distinction of being the only book in publishing history to win awards in both fiction and non-fiction categories. A Renaissance Man in an age that lauds the specialist, The Huffington Post says Papritz “intrigues and enlightens, charms and catalyzes change for every reader.” 

As part of his many innovative and adventurous first-ever book signings, Carew truly lives his book’s central message to “live life to the fullest” while signing books on top of volcanoes and horses. These events and other YouTube videos, such as the “I Love to Read” series and his annual literacy-driven charity event, “The Great Book Balloon Launch,” inspire kids and adults to rediscover the joy of reading! proceed of the summer’s sales of The Legacy Letters went to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.  Proceeds from his recent “First-Ever Book Signing while Stomping Grapes” went to the Seattle Children’s Hospital.  Other charities include Reading is Fundamental and the Military Mama’s Network. Find his videos at: Carew Papritz_YouTube Channel 

Featured Article:

Cookies, Crayons, & Cards this Christmas!

By Carew Papritz—Author of the Award-Winning Inspirational Book, The Legacy Letters

Winter break is fast approaching and the Christmas “kid-giddiness” is starting to fill the air.  But the long dark days of Winter are also filling some of us parents with the Grinchian dread of how to not only occupy are little elves but to also keep their minds engaged until the school year starts back up.

Do we just default to our “universal babysitters” (the brainsucking TV and video games), or do we realize the amazing opportunity to give our kids the best Christmas present of all—new traditions.  Traditions are a vital part of the legacy we give to our children.  Traditions provide history to our lives and the memories that bind families together.  In my inspirational book, The Legacy Letters, I realized that the most powerful legacy we can give—and show—our kids is how to live life to the fullest—right now.   And that’s how our family traditions should be—living in the moment so the moment will last forever.

Now if we just utilize our secret Yuletide parenting skills, we can not only create these new traditions, which help to create newer memories, but we also get our “sugarplums” to read and write under the guise of holiday fun.  The key to this tradition making is the “gift of participation!”  Let our kids discover the joy, beauty, and fun of leading us in these “new” traditions.  Enjoy their curiosity and adventure in discovering new ways to create holiday traditions—and memories.

The Classic Holiday Letter to Santa Claus

As a writer, the Santa letter is one of my favorite things to teach.  I even have a fun video with kids talking about how to write the “perfect letter to Santa!” (http://bit.ly/Writing_the_Perfect_Letter_to_Santa)   Coral your kids around the table with big cup of hot cocoa (and marshmallows), and hand write this classic letter to old St. Nick:

Grab a real piece of paper, a pen, and/or colored pencil, and start your letter to Santa by writing on the top, “Dear Santa.”

Three simple parts to write a great letter to Santa:

#1—Tell Santa about something good you’ve done or someone you’ve helped. (I cleaned my room, or I shared my toys.)

#2—Tell Santa what you’d like for Christmas and remember to say please!

#3—Say something nice to Santa and always say Thank you! (“Thank you, Santa. Have a good day!”)

And don’t forget to write your name at the end so Santa knows who the letter is from.

The “Old/New Fashioned” Holiday Thank You Letter

I’m a big believer in “Thank You” letters, especially those during the holidays.  Start a new tradition of having your kids write thank you letters for the gifts they received.  They don’t have to be long.  They just need to be written in their own hand.  What a great “life and legacy gift” to give your kids.  Who doesn’t love getting a thank you letter, especially from a child!