What Is the Worst Holiday Gift Ever?

What gift have you received that left you speechless?

There's one every holiday, it seems. You could relate it to the book Alexander and his teribble, horrible no good very bad day. That gift that puzzles you, irritates you, embarrasses you, frustrates you. And even if you know in your heart that it's the holiday season and that you should be gracious and thankful, you just want to shake your head in disbelief? Was it the ugly Christmas sweater that you gave to Aunt Margie last year, carefully wrapped and unknowingly (or knowingly) re-gifted right back to you? Was it that set of salt-and-pepper shakers shaped like cheese wedges that your grandmother gave you because she thinks you need a hobby, and shouldn't everyone have a collection of something? Was it the donation made in your name to a …

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Missouri Mercantile: 14 Gifts Made in Missouri for the Holidays

Here's a list of some great local items you can purchase for those on your holiday shopping lists.

There is nothing like buying local, supporting the local economy and local businesses. Here are a few gift ideas for this holiday season from a local shop. The products were created here in the Show-Me State. Missouri Mercantile's original location is at St. Louis Outlet Mall in the City of Hazelwood. Missouri Mercantile owner Bill Olwig recently opened a second shop on Main Street in St. Charles. . (Get instant news updates. Like Hazelwood Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.)

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Hazelwood Patch Picks

Patch Picks: Top Holiday Movies

Vote in our poll and let us know which of the listed movies finds your fancy.

Each year in the month of December there's a stack of movies that almost everyone watches, no matter how many times they've seen the movies before. We're talking about those holiday flicks that keep you light in spirit and wanting to hang out with this family. We've listed our picks for best holiday films below, take to the poll and vote on which is your favorite. (Get instant news updates. Like Hazelwood Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.) Lets get things started:

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Ask the Patch Pro: Local Experts Answer Your Holiday Budgeting Questions

Our panel of experts are waiting in the comments to answer your questions about shopping and maintaining a budget during the holidays in the latest installment of Ask the Patch Pro.

It's time for another edition of Ask the Patch Pro, where each week we tackle a different topic and open up the comments section for questions. Our team of experts stop in to help you out and answer your questions. This week we're talking about sticking to a budget for the holiday shopping season. Patch wants to help find the answers to all your questions about wise holiday spending, but we needed a little help.  We've compiled a team of experts to help us out. Meet the experts:

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Ask the Patch Pro: Seeking Local Holiday Budgeting Experts

Patch is looking for experts who can talk saving, budgeting and share their expertise with holiday shopping this week.

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and that means trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list without breaking the bank. Patch wants to help find the answers to all your questions about budgeting and wise holiday spending, but we need a little help.  In the latest edition of "Ask the Patch Pro" we need local experts who can answer readers' questions and offer advice. If you are a local financial advisor, credit counselor or just consider yourself an expert at budgeting during the holidays, we want you to help answer these questions and more. You can let us know two ways. One: You can leave a comment on this post along with your email address. Two: You can send an email to jordan.lanham@patch.com. We need experts to …

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Support The Backstoppers, Purchase A Holiday Ornament

Get involved in a local fundraiser to benefit local families of fallen heroes.

If you are looking to help a good cause you can help area law enforcement families make it through the holiday season. Ornaments for Officers, a local fundraiser is selling new and gently used ornaments, and the proceeds go soley to The Backstoppers. The goal is to raise $60,000, according to the charity's local website. Ornaments donated to Ornaments for Officers will be displayed at a number of participating retailers, more than 300, until Christmas and will be sold for $9 each. The Backstoppers will use the proceeds to help support the families of fallen and injured local heroes. To find a location nearest you click here to visit the Ornaments for Officers purchase location page.

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Join in the Holiday Countdown

You might be surprised what other days fall within December.

Christmas gets most of the press this time of year, but December is a month full of religious and secular festivals and holidays, along with some wild and wacky days as well. Here’s a reminder of the major holidays this month, along with a collection of the most bizarre holidays gleaned from the corners of the Internet. We can’t vouch for the authenticity of some of these lesser known observances, but if you need a moment to forget the stress that sometimes comes with the major holidays, there’s got to be a few here to make you smile. Forget the 12 Days of Christmas. Here’s a whole month of ways to celebrate. December is Human Rights Month. What days will you celebrate?

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Light Up the Holiday with Three Public Menorahs

Three public Menorah celebrations will illuminate University City and Chesterfield for Chanukah.

Chabad centers in St. Louis have announced Show-Me-Chanukah, a program designed to maximize awareness of the upcoming Jewish holiday of Chanukah. The program includes three Menorah displays throughout the region, with a public celebration at each on different nights of the holiday. The displays and events aim to highlight the history and traditional observances of Chanukah, which begins this year after nightfall on Saturday, Dec. 8 and lasts for eight days. The Market Pub House, located at 6655 Delmar Blvd., will be the site of the first public Menorah lighting, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. This event is sponsored by Chabad at Washington University. The program will include a Menorah lighting ceremony, live music and Chanukah Gelt (…

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Brian Spear

12:03 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Happy Hannukah to all of my jewish friends in the area!   more ›

Ask the Patch Pro: Local Techies Answer Your Questions

Our panel of experts are waiting in the comments to answer your questions in the latest installment of Ask the Patch Pro.

It's time for another edition of Ask the Patch Pro, where each week we tackle a different topic and open up the comments section for questions. Our team of experts stop in to help you out and answer your questions. This week we're talking all about electronics. It's the season of giving and chances are, you probably have some fancy technology to cross off your holiday shopping lists. Patch wants to help find the answers to all your questions about Blue-ray players, iPads, smartphones and television sets, but we needed a little help. We've compiled a team of experts to help us out. Meet the experts: If you have a technology related questions, ask below in our comment section and one of our experts will answer!  If you consider yourself a …

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Kitty Scholten

8:53 am on Friday, December 7, 2012

Hi Laurie, The simplest solution would be to make an appointment at your local Apple Store. Their technical support is called the "Genius Bar" and appointments are free. If there is a repair that needs to be made, they quote it in advance. Just remember that you do need an appointment in advance. Walk-ins usually have to wait a while.   more ›