The holidays are just around the corner + this year you may want to do your shopping as early as possible. Hanukkah starts Nov. 28, Christmas is 46 days aways, and Kwanzaa starts on Dec. 26. Long story short — we’ve got some shopping to do. Here’s our curated list of 25+ quali-tree gift ideas.
Reader recommendations
“My favorite gifts for friends and family aren’t things, but experiences.
One of our favorite experiences in town is String Theory concerts at the Hunter. Even if you don’t love classical music, it is the most beautiful experience in town. Watching a Chattanooga sunset over the river, sitting under the art at the Hunter- it’s incredible!” — Claire S.
“Blue Skies on the North Shore - best stocking stuffers and gifts for the friends and family that have everything.” — Deana G.
(Pro tip: they also do wrapping.)
“Locals Only Gifts and Goods; they have it all!” — Terri S. (Thanks to Terri — we had trouble not putting Locals Only for every section.)
Stocking stuffers
○ Coffee (complete with “genuine holy indulgences”) from Mad Priest Coffee
○ Small batch hot sauce from Hoff & Pepper — maybe even the Haus Sauce featured on “Hot Ones”
○ Masks, bandanas + custom print shirts from Burlaep
○ Any of the local pieces of art, jewelry + pottery on Shop Local Chatt
If you’re shopping for…
The music maven who will sell out the Tivoli one day:
- Treat them to “Music From the Scenic City” on vinyl, a home audio setup from AV Simplified Solutions, or local records + band shirts from Yellow Racket.
The White Elephant gift exchange match — with a $25 limit to boot:
- Grab some incense + soaps from Studio Eleven, or gourmet salt and infused oil from Alchemy Spice Company. (And if your gift works its way back around to you, these things happen.)
The coworker who has an Instagram page for their pet:
- Shop + visit Naughty Cat Cafe to support local rescue efforts, plus pamper the pups with treats from Nooga Paws.
The craft beer aficionado who loves a local brew:
- OddStory and Chattanooga Brewing Co. have swag for the true diehards, or enjoy a night out with tickets to an event at Wanderlinger.
The foodie in your life who loves trying new restaurants:
- Sophie’s Shoppe has curated oils, spices, and sauces (plus kitchen goods + cookbooks). For the vegans in your life (or anyone who loves good food), try dairy-free cheeses from Cashew, Suga’s pimento cheese (catch them at the Chattanooga Market), and CrumbleBerry.
The runner always prepping for their next half marathon:
- You could go tried-and-true with equipment from Fast Break + Front Runner Athletics — or help them branch out with skates from Moonlight Roller or climbing at High Point.
The next door neighbor always looking to learn something new:
- Get them into gardening with a plant from Bees on a Bicycle, The Secret Garden, or the recently-opened Botanica Plant Shop.
The sports fans:
- Get the fútbol fan in your life tickets to an upcoming Red Wolves or Chattanooga FC game, or even put their names on the list for the Red Wolves’ upcoming Sky Suite reservations.
- Or the one who likes to root, root, root for the home team — gift season tickets to the Chattanooga Lookouts (or mini-plans, if their schedule won’t allow for every single game). Some Lookouts swag never hurt, either.
The pal who always forgets about self care, but could use a break:
- Send some good energy their way with incense from Ritual + Remedy, or tell them to treat themself with soaps and balms from Belle Rive Boutique or Moccasin Bend Soap.
The bookworm who loves reading the latest book release:
- Introduce them to the wonderful world of Noogan lit — Ishmael Reed + Jon Meacham, or new releases like “Dragonfly Dreams” by Eleanor McCallie Cooper, “The List of Unspeakable Fears” by J. Kasper Kramer, or “A Boy Named Boy” by Earl Braggs. (Maybe even pick them up at the city’s newest book nook.)
The friend who values an experience over material things:
- Everyone loves a trip to the Tennessee Aquarium (with the re-opened Butterfly Garden, hint hint), or you can fly tandem with Lookout Mountain Flight Park.
The parents who love a good game night and just learned how to FaceTime:
- Deck out the den with quilts, throws + pillows from Amani ya Juu, or show ‘em you care with Divine Goods’ gift boxes.
The kiddo in your life who happens to be the cutest nugget of all time:
- The Sandbox Boutique has some adorable caps + stuffies for the really little ones — plus, I Go Tokyo’s Daruma figurines symbolize perseverance and good luck.
The fashionista up on all of the latest trends:
- Check out Good World Goods for local artist-made accessories + complete the fit with pieces from Charlotte’s Web and Antibes.
The outdoorsy type that knows all the best local hikes:
- The Happy Birdwatcher will curate birdseed for even the pickiest enthusiast. Plus, something I (City Editor Bri) was given + love — an aeropress to make coffee while camping, gifted with local coffee grounds.
