Last Chance: Only One Day Left to Vote in Patch's Deck the House Contest

Vote now in our Deck the House contest and help someone win $100,000 for his or her local schools.

We’re continuing our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America — the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center. If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page at http://deckthehouse.patch.com/contest/. Voting ends tomorrow at noon. A grand prize winner will be announced on Dec. 29. Only residents of Patch towns are eligible to enter. We’ll select 24 regional finalists, and from them, pick one grand prize winner. Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while our national winner will have $100,000 donated to his …

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Christmas Traditions for Those Who Don't Celebrate the Holiday

Many local families mark the day

The Roths of West Orange will spend Tuesday with "flicks and 'sticks," says Debra Roth. Three generations of her family, including her children and one set of grandparents, will gather at her home for a movie marathon, the "flicks," and their favorite Chinese food. "That's the sticks, as in chopsticks" she explains. While her family doesn't celebrate Christmas as a holy day, they have marked the day with movies and their favorite food for decades. The Roths are hardly alone; when Patch asked others how they will spend Tuesday, Nancy Janow of South Orange described a day of movie-going and food from two different Chinese restaurants. "Les Mis" is at the top of the agenda.  Many other local families go into the city for movies and a meal. …

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Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas to Take Money, Stress Out of Christmas

As you look over the list of gifts you need this holiday season, an unsettling feeling starts. How will I pay for all these gifts? How about homemade gifts?

Gift-giving is meant to be a time for sharing how much you appreciate others, but rising prices and tight budgets take the feel-good vibes right out of gift-giving traditions. This year, take the money stress out of the holidays by turning to homemade gifts. Homemade gifts are a great way to show you appreciate someone while also adding a personal touch. Gifts don’t need to be expensive to be special. Get the family involved in the fun and you will be creating memories while making unique gifts for those who mean the most in your life. Patch explores the homemade holidays in hopes that you will find something to inspire you to enjoy the season more. Healthy options: Pack energy in a jar with healthy snacks like energy bars, dark chocolate…

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GW

11:32 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

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Santa Returns to Berkeley Heights on Saturday

Kris Kringle will arrive by horse.

Berkeley Heights is receiving a very special visitor this weekend: Santa Claus. Ol' St. Nick arrives by horse and wagon at Town Hall at 10 a.m. with his elves.  After greeting our mayor, he will be inside to meet with kids of all ages until 1 p.m.  Families are encouraged to bring cameras to capture special holiday memories. Children can ride on the horse and wagon and enjoy hot cocoa or reindeer juice while they wait. At 5 p.m. Santa arrives with the help of the Berkeley Heights Fire Department- join us in Memorial Park for some caroling and more hot cocoa while we wait.  Right after the Tree Lighting, a special ground fireworks show will be presented by Garden State Fireworks. Familes are encourage to bring unwrapped toys to donate to …

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Berkeley Heights Residents Hold Annual Toy Drive

Berkeley Heights residents again collect for the needy.