Free Coffee Offered at Highway Service Plazas on Christmas Night

There will be free java served at the state's 18 travel plazas from 10 p.m. on Christmas night to 5 a.m. on Dec. 26.

One theory about how Santa gets all his work done is: Coffee. Lots of it. Even if you're not St. Nick, if you need to stay alert driving on Christmas night, the state's highway service areas are here to help. All 18 Department of Transportation service plazas will serve up free java from 10 p.m. on Dec. 25 to 5 a.m. on Dec. 26, including Westborough westbound on the MassPike. The same offer applies between 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 5 a.m. on Jan. 1. The free coffee is sponsored by McDonalds, Burger King and Gulf. Here is a list of all 18 service plazas in Massachusetts.

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Viewfinder

IMAGE GALLERY: Fatima Lights Draw Locals to Christmas Display

Every year, Holliston's Fatima Shrine hosts thousands of area residents who flock to the site to take in a massive display of Christmas lights.

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How Do You Balance Greed and Gifts?

Consumerism surrounds the holiday season: is greed inevitable, and how do you avoid it?

For those children who celebrate, Christmas' biggest connotation can be a pile of gifts under the tree. With this in mind, a panel of staff contributors at The Chicago Tribune tackled the question of whether it's inevitable to see greed in their kids around Christmastime. The parents weighed in on suggestions to remind kids of Christmas spirit. Among their suggestions? Help your kids round up some old toys to donate to charity before giving them new toys. Sign them up to participate in a community service project. The Tribune's advice got us thinking at Patch about how we were taught or are teaching our kids to be less greedy around the holidays. Some of our suggestions? Find a giving tree and let your child pick a name or two off of it, …

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Santa Arrives in Westborough

The Rotary Club of Westborough's Festival of Lights annual tree lighting ceremony was Sunday night.

Santa began receiving Westborough kids' Christmas lists Sunday night, visiting town exactly one month before the holiday. With "Here Comes Santa Claus" echoing through downtown Westborough, Santa arrived at the rotary by Westborough fire engine for the Rotary Club of Westborough's Festival of Lights annual tree lighting ceremony. Santa then took his special seat in front of the World War II and Korean War memorial. One by one (and in some cases, two by two), kids shared their holiday wish lists with him, and then received a candy cane. The Rotarians provided "the lights, the electricity and everything that lights this town for the winter season," club President Kathy Wilfert told the crowd. The Westborough High School Choral Group sung …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 25

Merry Christmas, Westborough.

    Each morning, Westborough Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events and reminders to help you organize your day. 1. Merry Christmas! Christians around the world celebrate Christmas to mark the birthday of Jesus of Nazareth. 2. Beginning on Jan. 2, energy cost assistance is available through The Salvation Army’s Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund. The fund helps families in temporary crisis who do not qualify for federal or state assistance. For information on the fund and how to apply, call 800-334-3047 or visit www.magoodneighbor.org. 3. The MBTA commuter rail through Westborough will run on a regular Sunday schedule today. 4. As always on major travel holidays, free coffee will be served …

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Photo of the Day

Wicker Deer Don Holiday Apparel

What do you think Santa's reindeer think when they see the wicker deer on Christmas Eve?

  The wicker deer are out, decked for the holidays and waiting to meet their flying deer peers. If you have not yet seen the wicker deer, known for their various wardrobe changes during the year, they are located at the intersection of Ruggles and Eli Whitney streets near Fales Elementary School. Happy Holidays!   Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on the latest Westborough news, or simply hit the "like" button at the top of this page.

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Holidays 2011

Get Away on Christmas Day: 5 Places That Are Open

Whether you're craving Chinese food, need a coffee or just need a break from the chaos, there are places to go on Christmas Day.

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Holidays 2011

Holiday Spending is Creeping Up This Year [Poll]

Statistics show an increase in consumer spending.

With less than ten days until Christmas, it appears that Americans are willing to pad the holiday budget a smidge. The National Retail Federation (NRF) issued a statement yesterday in which it predicts that holiday spending is expected to rise 3.8 percent this year to a record $469.1 billion. In October, the group predicted a rise of 2.8 percent. “After strong sales reports in October and November, along with a successful Black Friday weekend, retailers are cautiously optimistic that this season will turn out better than initially expected, bringing added stability to our recovering economy at a time when America needs it most,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said, in the prepared statement. In today’s poll, Westborough Patch wants to…

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Holidays 2011

Did Your Holiday Budget Go Up This Year? [Poll]

When it comes to holiday spending, do you plan to cut corners or cut loose?

  Surveys show that Black Friday spending was up by nearly seven percent over last year, and our online shopping on Black Friday increased nearly 25 percent over 2010. But not everyone is wrapping their hard earned cash around holiday gift shopping. If you are looking to cut costs going into the holiday shopping season, the Better Business Bureau recently released these four tips: 1. Cut down on gift-giving. For work gatherings, have everyone draw a name and give one gift. Set limits with family members and then get creative about finding something in your new, lower price range. Consider giving only to children. For the person who has everything, consider making a charitable donation in his or her name. 2. Give homemade gifts. Consider …

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