example - share some variables to your templates in express...

shared.js

//
// Shared Variables Middleware
// ---------------------------
// will get passed to app.locals
//
// Usage:
// app.use(require('./path/to/file'));
//

// require dependencies
var config = require('../../config');

// translation object, probably a good 
// idea to keep it flat
var shared = {
  brand: config.title,
  year: new Date().getFullYear()
};

// middleware fn, express loves simplicity
function vars(req, res, next) {
  res.locals.shared = shared;
  return next();
}

module.exports = vars;