United Way has been participating in Giving Tuesday for more than a decade now. | Photo by NOOGAtoday
We had Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and now — it’s Giving Tuesday.
The global movement focuses on spreading generosity, whether it be through donating money, making a meal for a neighbor, or volunteering at a local organization. If you need some ideas, here are several ways to make a difference in our community.
Give money
United Way of Greater Chattanooga | Helps Chattanoogans dealing with food insecurity, housing instability, healthcare disruptions, and more
Salvation Army Chattanooga | Offers emergency help in the form of food boxes, utility payments, and medication payments for low-income Chattanoogans
Mini Christmas trees | Help cheer up pediatric patients by bringing a small decorated tree to the Children’s Hospital at Erlanger this Thursday, Dec. 4 or Friday, Dec. 5 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Every Sunday in December leading up to Christmas (read: Dec. 7, 14, and 21), the big guy himself will be making his list and checking it twice at Stompin’ Grounds, located in the JW Marriott.
Soddy-Daisy is getting in the spirit with two holiday events. Its Holly Jolly Jamboree is Friday, Dec. 5 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Veterans Park. Get pictures with Santa, listen to Christmas carols, and enjoy holiday lights. The Christmas parade is Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. (The Pulse)
Open
The holidays can be wonderful — but they can also be stressful. If you need a place to relax, The Black Cat Spa & Lounge recently opened on Broad Street. It offers massages and other spa services in a vintage and cat-inspired setting. Yes please.(Local 3 News)
Drink
Need a gift idea? Chattanooga Whiskey is now offering its signature 91 recipe in a 1.5L bottle. The distillery says the new bottle is “sized for holiday hosting, white elephant steals, or an over-the-top stocking stuffer.” (Breaking Bourbon)
Active
Legs still feeling good after those Thanksgiving races? Run Santa Run is coming up on Sunday, Dec. 14, and it includes a 5K, 10K, and half marathon. All of the races start and end at the Tennessee Riverpark near the dam.
Read
The winners are in for the 2025 National Book Awards. This year’s top fiction, nonfiction, poetry, young adult literature, and translated works were all awarded for their excellence. Whichever pages you’re turning at the moment, we think these are some of the best local places to grab a new read. (NPR)
Sports
The island nation of Curaçao recently became the smallest-ever country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. The group stage draw will happen in Washington, DC this Friday, Dec. 5, but we’re already dreaming of a flight from CHA to catch a taste of the action next summer. (AP News)
There’s Elf on the Shelf... and then there’s Clark in a Park.
Keep your eyes peeled — Clark Griswold is already on “Christmas Vacation,” and he’ll be popping up in Chattanooga parks all month long. Of course, he had to start with the oldest: East Lake Park. Did you know it used to have a zoo in it?
The perfect two-piece sweater set for winter. It features a long sleeve crew neck top paired with a split hem midi skirt. We love that it’s cute, comfy, and warm, and can be dressed up or down for any occasion. Bonus: It’s available in some great seasonal colorways like almond white + red white.
We hope you got lots of rest over the holiday weekend, because one of Chattanooga’s most action-packed weekends is almost here.
MAINx24 is this Saturday, Dec. 6, and it starts bright and early with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by a parade at 10:30 a.m. Dozens of other events are happening, so check out our guide for the ones we recommend.
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