Christmas is as magical as you want to make it! It doesn’t have to cost a penny to enjoy this season of love, giving, togetherness… This round up of local Chattanooga area spots to hit will hopefully get you into some Christmas cheer this weekend before the BIG DAY! Included a few of my family’s traditions too! What do you do every year to celebrate the season?
LIGHTS
Christmas Lights on Foot: All of downtown is lit up. My favorite spot by far is the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo. In my 30 years of living in the area, it has only grown bigger! Traveling down Market Street, turn on West Main Street to park.
Stop in Frothy Monkey for hot chocolate or coffee then walk through the Choo Choo courtyard. You’ll see a huge Christmas tree in the lobby, lighted wreaths on the door, and the new “Chattanooga’ lights just through the doors into the courtyard. You can ice skate here too! That costs, and honestly I skirt by it with my kids letting them know we are on a walking mission to get to….
EPB windows! just about a 15 minute walk down Market Street to the corn of MLK where the newly redone Miller Park is. If you’re needing dinner, stop in Community Pie for my favorite NY style pizza slice! Kids meals are cheap and Milk and Honey scoops are served too!
Drive around looking at lights. ChattMom has all the best stops highlighted if you’re up for a drive! Bradley lights in Cleveland is one stop where you can turn your radio to 96.9 to listen to music synchronized to lights. Jason Drive is a magical traditional spot for my family. We grab a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts before going down Belvoir. Take a few dollars with you to donate to local charities!
Ringgold Lights- my hometown has a display near the Depot! If you’re looking to antique shop or support a local business, we have plenty! Great southern restaurants too if you want to make an evening of it. I recommend Richard’s or Home Plate! Just type in “Ringgold Depot” in your GPS and you’ll pass through a few red lights that will take you back in time.
Family Traditions
Serve others: I’ll be honest- this year in 2019, I have done well to serve just my family daily. Instead of feeling “less than” for this, I’m thankful for the families and friends that have found a way to serve us! In years past, we have visited nursing homes with stockings of colored pictures; made treats and delivered to shut ins from the church; walked cards and treats to neighbors; made meals for someone in need; adopted a child for Christmas.
Christmas Eve Service- most of my family attends the church I grew up in, First Baptist of Ringgold, and they have put on a wonderful cantata! Just that word- cantata- brings back so many memories. My Dad plays handbells, and I can still count on hearing a certain Soprano high above the rest in “Joy to the World!” Nothing sets the tone like Christmas hymns, praising the newborn King. My church, Calvary Chapel Chattanooga, will have 5 services Christmas Eve- 1,3,5,7, and 9! Pick a time and bring the family!
Ornaments- This needs a whole post, because I LOVE LOVE LOVE ornaments. It’s the only thing collected (other than oils LOL). Each year, the kids pick out a new ornament. This year, they had so many, we had to upgrade their bedroom little trees to one bigger tree in the playroom! When I travel, an ornament one souvenir that is for certain coming home.
Advent- this is new to us! Just this year, we hung up daily scriptures that highlight the birth and life of Jesus. The kids have taken turns reading and we talk. It’s really set a good tone of remembering what this season is celebrating- the soon coming of our Savior!