Are You Celebrating Valentine's Day?

CBS News says 60 percent of consumers plan to celebrate the holiday.

A CBS News report says 60 percent of people plan to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.  That number comes from the National Retail Federation, which says the average consumer will spend $130, with 51 percent gifting candy, 36.6 percent buying flowers and 19.7 percent springing for jewelry — $4.4 billion worth.  The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association that represents retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries abroad, estimates total Valentine's Day spending on cards and gifts this year at $18.6 billion — with consumers spending $10.5 billion on a significant other, almost $3.8 billion on gifts for other family members and even $815 million on pets. Are you part of the 60 percent who …

• Photos (1)

Three Traffic Deaths Reported in Georgia During New Year's Holiday

The Georgia State Patrol reported its troopers investigated 362 accidents as of 6 p.m. Monday.

UPDATED 6:50 p.m. Georgia State Troopers already have investigated more crashes during this New Year's holiday than last year, but fewer injuries and only three deaths have been reported – so far. Troopers have investigated 362 accidents as of 6 p.m. today, Dec. 31, which included 162 injuries and two deaths. During last year's entire 102-hour holiday, the Department of Public Safety investigated 296 accidents. But those accidents included 172 injuries and 7 deaths. Statewide last year, law enforcement agencies reported 1,929 accidents with 716 inuries and 13 deaths. During holiday period patrols by troopers in 2011, 262 people were arrested for driving under the influence. Colonel Mark McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of …

• Photos (1)

Georgia Home Wins Deck the House Contest and $100,000 for Paulding County Schools

After thousands of votes from across the country, Joseph Felix's home was crowned the best decked house in the country and the winner of $100,000 for local schools.

Christmas in Fort Stewart: Share Your Photos

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, share your photos with Patch this holiday season.

Fort Stewart Patch wants to be the merriest site you can find this holiday season and we need your help. Upload photos from your holiday celebrations to this photo gallery by clicking the "Upload photos or videos" link above. It's easy to join in the fun and share your photos with other Patch readers.

• Photos (5)

Santa Visits Wounded Warriors in Afghanistan

Santa came to town recently and brought joy with him as he gave Christmas stockings to staff members and patients at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

Army News Service BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- For many service members deployed to Afghanistan, Christmas can be a very emotional and depressing time of year, as they are separated from their friends and family back home. However, this year, Santa came to town and brought joy with him as he gave Christmas stockings to staff members and patients at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital, at Bagram Airfield, Dec. 18. Santa wandered the halls passing out stockings filled with fun to every staff member and patient he passed. For those not on shift yet, he left some behind. For the wounded warriors lying in hospital beds, Santa was a sight for sore eyes. Spc. Joseph Beldon, an infantryman with Delta Company, 3-187 Infantry Regiment "Iron Rakkasans," and a…

• Photos (5)

Soldiers Worldwide Launch Holiday Activities

The holidays are just around the corner, but soldiers everywhere are already busy with a variety of holiday activities.

Army News Service WASHINGTON -- The holidays are just around the corner, but soldiers everywhere are already busy with a variety of holiday activities. Many soldiers will spend the holidays overseas, far away from loved ones. In today's social media world, however, they will still manage to find ways to stay connected. But getting a fruit cake or greeting card from home still means doing it the old fashioned way, making a trip to the post office. To handle the flood of letters and packages, installation mail room clerks are working harder, longer hours, according to Staff Sgt. William Sims, who is in charge of operations at the Camp Casey post office in South Korea. He said about 1,000 pieces of mail arrives on a normal day, but now it is …

• Photos (1)

Hinesville Businesses Show Support for Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade

Hinesville city staff and volunteers raised $5,000 for patients at Georgia Regional Hospital this year.

By Krystal Hart Hinesville Public Relations Manager Before the holiday season even arrived, Hinesville businesses and faith-based organizations began in August spreading holiday cheer through support of the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade. Representing the City of Hinesville, Mayor James Thomas, Jr. and City of Hinesville staff joined 21 other cities in celebrating with consumers at Georgia Regional Hospital in Savannah, Ga., on Dec. 8. “I think it is awesome that all of these mayors are here representing our cities to show support for the residents at Georgia Regional,” Hinesville Mayor James Thomas told the crowd during a ceremony on the hospital campus. “Truthfully, none of us could have done it without the support of our city council and …

• Photos (1)

Enter Patch's “Deck the House” Contest For a Chance to Win $100,000

Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our "Deck the House" contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!

How to Make Latkes and Other Hanukkah Recipes

Make these brisket, latke, and sufganiyot recipes for the festival of lights.

This year, Hanukkah began on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 8 and ends on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 16. Observing the Festival of Lights goes hand-in-hand with making special Hanukkah foods. Before you light the menorah, make sure you have all the ingredients for some great brisket, latke, and sufganiyot. Although there are many recipes, below are a few to try during the eight nights. Potato Latkes Ingredients Instructions Once they are ready to eat, try them with some apple sauce mixed with sugar & cinnamon, sour cream or just a sprinkling of salt. Brisket Ingredients Instructions   Sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) from chabad.org Ingredients Instructions   TELL US: What are your favorite things to eat during Hanukkah? Do you have any …

• Photos (1)