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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Christmas Fun Facts and Trivia

How much will we spend this year? And what's the best-selling Christmas song of all time? Find the answers below.

  We know that there were three Wise Men, 12 days of Christmas and that Santa delivers all his presents around the world in one night. But did you know... $23,439.38  How much it would cost to buy your "true love" all the gifts in the 12 Day of Christmas . 12.9 billion hours, $447 billion How many hours Americans were expected to spend shopping, wrapping and returning gifts last year. That was about 42 hours and $688.87 per person.  Get your postman/postwoman a gift According to Hallmark, Christmas is the largest card-sending occasion . Nearly 1.5 billion cards are sent to friends and family every Christmas Season. (That's actually down 400 million cards since 2004.) $983 million The value of U.S. imports of Christmas tree ornaments from…

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TELL US: Which Street in Westwood Has The Best Christmas Decorations?

The holidays are upon us, and we want your take on which street or neighborhood in Westwood has the best Christmas decorations.

If you couldn't make it to the tree lighting at Town Hall, don't worry! We want to give you a chance to share your best Christmas decorations with the world! Just take a picture and hit the "Share Photos and Videos" button. Make sure to tell us about the decorations in the captions! And if you have an opinion on where the best decorations are in town, let us know in the comments. Oh...by the way....you can win tons of cash with your decorations and win tons of cash for Westwood Public Schools while you're at it.

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A Holiday Wish to Westwood

Upload your holiday photos to the site and contribute to a growing sense of community in Westwood!

Westwood resident Colin Varga contributed the above photo to Westwood Patch wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday.  We'd like to reiterate the warm notion to our readers, and hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday in Westwood, or wherever you may be spending this time of year.  All the best to Westwood residents moving into 2012! Do you have photos from the holidays you'd like to submit? Please do! Simply click on the button below to add your own videos or photos from the holidays. 

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Westwood Girl Scouts Bring Holiday Cheer to Fox Hill Village

The group sang a variety of tunes at the complex last week.

Last week, students from Hanlon Elementary took some time to sing Christmas Carols at Fox Hill Village's Clark House.  But it wasn't the only group to bring holiday cheer to seniors at the complex.  The Westwood Girl Scout Daisy Troop #65134 enjoyed holiday caroling, also at the Clark House at Fox Hill Village. The girls, ages 6 and 7, enjoyed singing a variety of songs including "Jingle Bells" and "Deck the Halls".  

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Last Minute Gift Ideas for Holidays in Westwood

Still stuck on a gift? Here are some last minute gift ideas.

It's Christmas Eve, and you're still looking for some last minute gifts? Fear not - we've got some ideas on what you can get Mom, Dad and even your pets this year, and where to get them in Westwood.  Here are some last-minute ideas for you to conisder, and where to get them in and around Westwood. Jewelry: It may seem simple enough, but a nice pair of earrings, a tasteful necklace or a charming bracelet might be the perfect gift to show Mom you care. Where to get it in Westwood: Dolabany Jewelers on Providence Highway. A Memorable Dessert: Got a parent or sibling who loves a good dessert? Dessert Works on Providence Highway has a number of treats your mother would love, from cakes to cookies to chocolate. Dinner For Two: This could be …

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Religious Holiday Services in the Westwood Area

A listing of venues and times for religious services being held this holiday weekend.

While Santa Claus is a recurrent figurehead frequently associated with the holiday season, the basis of the holidays are spiritual in nature.  As such, here is a listing of what religious services are taking place in the Westwood area this weekend: Westwood First Baptist Church of Westwood: First Parish of Westwood: St. Margaret Mary Church St. John's Episcopal Chuch St. Denis Catholic Church Dedham Church of The Good Shepherd - 62 Cedar St, Dedham Needham Temple Aliyah - 1664 Central Ave, Needham

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Get Out

Holiday Weekend Preview: Dec. 23-26

A few last-minute events/activities to keep in mind for the Westwood area heading into Christmas weekend.

The holidays are upon us in Westwood! And while many will be celebrating the holiday in their own way this weekend, there are two nearby events to take note of this weekend:  Boston Children's Theater Carolers Where/When: Legacy Place Management Office, 680 Legacy Pl, Dedham; Friday, Dec. 23: 5 p.m. Why Go: Come see carolers sing great holiday songs throughout Legacy Place right before Christmas Eve! Price: Free Temple Aliyah Men's Club Family Hanukkah Party  Where/When: Temple Aliyah, 1664 Central Ave, Needham; Saturday, Dec. 24: 5:30 p.m. Why Go: Bring your family for a night of spirituality, food, entertainment and socializing with friends. The even includes Havdalah, menorah lighting, dinner (latkes, deli, apps, and drinks), and …

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Question of the Day: How Do You Celebrate the Holidays?

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, what traditions do you enjoy each year for the holidays?

Whatever it is you are doing this month to celebrate the holidays in Westwood, we here at Westwood Patch understand and respect that each and every person has their own traditions each year.  For those who celebrate Christmas, we're wondering what kinds of unique and interesting traditions you enjoy year after year. Whether it's a Yankee Swap on Christmas Eve or a sit-down meal on Christmas Day, we're curious as to how you celebrate each year. For Westwood residents who celebrate Hanukkah - what traditions do you and your family return to each year? Are there any you'd like to share with your fellow residents?  Let us know your traditions in the comments section below or send an email to Westwood Patch editor Matt Perkins at mattp@patch.…

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