What is the Worst Christmas Present?

From ugly sweaters to charcoal—yes, charcoal!—Patch users told us on Facebook about their least favorite holiday gifts.

It may indeed prove better to give than to receive, particularly if you've received a horrible holiday present. On Dec. 20, Dearborn Patch, Grosse Pointe Patch, Macomb Patch, New Baltimore-Chesterfield Patch, St. Clair Shores Patch, Shelby-Utica Patch, Trenton Patch and Wyandotte Patch used Facebook to ask people to share their worst Christmas presents. Using Storify, we've included some of the best of the worst. People responded with answers that ranged from funny to sad, and some even suggested that it's the thought that counts. After all, it's Christmas.

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Is There a War on Christmas?

Dearborn joins other cities each year in displaying a manger scene in a public park.

The holiday decorations are up at City Hall Park in Dearborn: A sprawling, lit-up "Season's Greetings" welcomes drivers and pedestrians on Michigan Avenue in east downtown. And next to it, a Christmas nativity scene. Is it an OK display for the holiday season? In November, Santa Monica officials opted to forego their traditional Christmas display due to pushback from local athiests. Several area churches involved with the setup sued, but their case was dismissed in federal court on Nov. 30, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press. Also this month in Michigan, a Warren man won his court battle to be able to put up a nativity scene on Mound Road. According to Fox 2, it was something his family had done since the 1940s, until being stopped …

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haji

9:14 am on Friday, December 21, 2012

well said yellowman... i have no problem with ppl saying happy holidays, but if someone wants to say merry chistmas then so be it - and if someone has a problem with saying it then they just need to reply happy holidays back at them and just honor the spirit in which it was meant to be given - and just smile! If we can wish happy Eid to muslim ppl then we can wish merry christmas to christans and…   more ›

Share Your Elf on the Shelf Hiding Spots: What Has that Elf Been Up To?

Our Patch Elf on the Shelf has gotten ahold of our computer and now wants to know what his buddy elves are up to. Share your photos here!

Hi friends! I'm the Patch Elf on the Shelf. Call me Patchy. I've heard about more of my friends hanging around the area lately, and I wondered what they were up to. Could their families post pictures here on Patch to show me? I'd love to catch up with them. We all go back to Santa on Christmas Eve, but in the meantime, we'll be watching you! Cheers, Patchy the Elf Add your photo by clicking on the green "Upload Photos and Videos" icon.

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John Hetzler

1:53 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012

These are great photos! Remember to upload your pictures, too.   more ›

How Will You Give This Christmas?

Leave a comment below to let us know what charity you plan to help this holiday season.

Let Us Know: What Are Your Plans for Black Friday?

Will you be in line early in the morning? Or will you avoid the crowds? Leave a comment to tell us your plans for Black Friday.