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 Eve to 5 a.m. on Christmas Day.

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. The same offer applies on New Year's Eve. That's 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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3 Local Holiday Gifts for Mom

Buying for mom can be hard and you are running out of time, but here are some local gift ideas for her this holiday season.

1. The Boston Post Road Art Center has an array of interesting and unique gifts, along with a strong selection art supplies and frames. See some examples here.  2. Get mom a gift certificate to a local hair salon and spa. Drumais, for example, in the downtown area offers a variety of services. Check out our photo gallery here.  3. A lot of moms could probably use some time to themselves and a chance to relax. What better way to relax than with a nice glass of wine. There are several fine package stores in Marlborough with a great wine selection including Marlborough Wine and Spirits and the Vin Bin on Main Street.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on the latest Marlborough news, or simply hit the "like" button at the …

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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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Santas Who Are Stacked, Santas Who Smoke

This week's Best of Craigslist has some missed connections, and free coal.

Notes on Craigslist perusing this week: there's someone in Hopkinton trying to sell a whole lot of Playskool toys; it's easy to pick up Dave Matthews tickets if you want them; and a nativity scene can be yours (even a glowing one) if you should do a search.   There is also someone in the MetroWest area offering you an opportunity to make money by printing your own money, legally. Patch didn't feel comfortable passing along that link. That Santa's stacked, and that's a fact—ain't holding nothin' back David in Westborough is trying to unload a unique stacking ceramic Santa that is professionally hand-painted for $25. He'll only take cash, and you must pick it up.   This smoking Santa comes from a non-smoking home We can't confirm that the …

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Home for the Holidays on the Common Tonight

The Home for the Holidays tradition will take place tonight beginning at 6 p.m. at the Marlborough Union Common.

Kick off the holidays with Marlborough's Christmas Tree lighting and holiday music tonight. The celebration will take place at the Marlborough Union Common at the intersection of Route 20 and Route 85. The tree lighting by the mayor will take place at 6 p.m. with the Marlborough High School Mixed Chorus. Performances at the First Congregational Church will also take place at 6:45 p.m. with the Marlborough High School String Ensemble and the  Marlborough High School Jazz Band at 7:30 p.m. The event will also feature Santa, hot chocolate, balloons, popcorn and barn animals.

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5 Things: Antiques and Christmas Spirit

From an opportunity to shop for antiques this weekend to the Marlborough Middle School staff helping you to get into the Christmas spirit; we have what you need to know right here.

1. Want to try to find a unique gift this weekend? There is an antique show taking place at the Royal Plaza Trade Center on Boston Post Road West on Saturday. 2. Did you see the winner of the Local Landmarks photo contest? The picture is of a covered bridge in Grafton and certainly captures the nature of the town. You can also take a look at all the entries here. 3. City Hall will only be open a half day today due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. 4. It is a known fact that five minutes after your last piece of pie (the last one, not the one you say is going to be your last one) Christmas is fair game. This weekend, the Marlborough Middle School is hosting a night to get in the Christmas Spirit. The event starts Sunday at 10 a.m. and runs until…

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Marlborough to Begin Christmas Tree Pickup Program

Put your Christmas trees on the curb because the DPW is on its way.

The city of Marlborough Department of Public Works announced recently that there will be a curbside pickup of Christmas trees in the coming weeks. The city’s Department of Public Works, Forestry, Parks and Cemeteries Division, will cover the city collecting Christmas trees for a three week period beginning Monday, Jan. 9 through Friday, Jan 27. "Trees should be left curbside for pickup on the same day as your normal weekly refuse pickup," said a release. "Condominiums that are on the city’s regular refuse schedule will also be picked up." Trees that are not completely clean and free of tinsel, ornaments and/or bows will not be picked up. No trees will be picked up in plastic bags or with tree stands, said the release. Follow us on Facebook…

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POLL: What Gadget Did You Get for Christmas?

Was your favorite gift an electronic one?

Tis the year of the smartphone and tablet. Did your Santa deliver one to you?

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5 Last-Minute Christmas Gifts You Can Buy Locally

Time is almost up, but you still have a short while to find some great presents in Marlborough.

1. The Vin Bin has all kinds of choices for procrastinators! There's collectible wine (which improves as it ages and can increase in value when stored correctly), very old whiskey, premium cigars, microbrew beer, fancy foods and rare, imported cheeses. One wine in particular, the 2001 Salvali Vejo Amarone, is "one of the best amarones I've tasted in five years." says owner, Rick Lombardi. This wine was a highlight of a recent "14 Days of Christmas Tasting" event at the Vin Bin. $49.99/bottle. Visit The Vin Bin's website or call 508-480-9463 for more information.  Holiday Hours: Friday, Dec. 23: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec, 24 (Christmas Eve): 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (gift basket delivery until noon) Sunday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day): CLOSED …

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Frugal Family

Frugal Ideas for the Holiday Homestretch

If you haven't finished your holiday shopping, take some of these ideas with you on your next trip out to the mall.

1. Deals at Target this week: Target is giving away gift cards with select electronics purchases: Get a $20 Target Gift card when you purchase the Nook color reader and get a $15 Target gift card when you purchase a Nook Simple Touch; Get a $75 Target gift card when you purchase a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Artificial trees are 50 percent off. Maybe you've procrastinated setting yours up, or perhaps you want to retire your old tree and get a pre-lit one, in any case now is a good time to pick one up. Offers are good until December 24 or while supplies last. See the Target Weekly ad for more details and terms and conditions for these offers. 2. Shop Kick: If you think you'll be going to the mall or the area big box stores this week (and you …

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