Can’t think of what to give ‘em this year? How about something fun from a place that they adore? Not only is Chattanooga known for its beautiful outdoors and vibrant downtown, but also the variety of companies, artisans and attractions that sell some pretty neat stuff. From cookware to garden accessories, eccentric snacks and more, there’s a Christmas gift for everyone found right here in Chattanooga.
Rock City birdhouse
Nothing is more “Chattanooga” than a “See Rock City” birdhouse. It’s like our Hollywood sign signifying place and pride. You’ll find these red and black birdhouses in yards not just around town but around the country—and even around the world. Each birdhouse comes disassembled in a compact box and is easy to put together. It’s the perfect gift for any yard or garden and great for in-house decoration too.
Lodge Cast Iron
Lodge Cast Iron has been crafting quality cookware in South Pittsburgh, Tennessee since 1896, and still does so today. The reliable cookware has evolved from your typical frying pan to everything imaginable, including colorful, enamel-coated do-it-all pieces good for all kinds of cooking.
Lodge Cast Iron makes a great gift because it lasts a lifetime. You can’t go wrong with a classic skillet, but it’s worth checking out the Holiday Collection. May we suggest the gnome skillet?
Chattanooga art prints
Perhaps you’re looking for something creative. Check out the lovely Chattanooga art prints from local artist Andrea Davis. Some of her most popular pieces feature Chattanooga’s favorite landmarks, like the Walnut Street Bridge in Chattanooga No. 1 Art Print.
The watercolor prints by Chattanooga artist Catharine Coll also make thoughtful gifts. Her annual Chattanooga calendar offers beautiful prints that can be enjoyed year around.
Chattanooga soccer jerseys and scarves
For the sports fans in your life, spruce up their wardrobe with a new soccer jersey or scarf.
Chattanooga boasts two professional soccer teams—Chattanooga FC and Chattanooga Red Wolves. It’s unusual for a city of our size to have two teams, but it’s a testament to our profound soccer culture. The success of both teams has sparked a friendly inner-city rivalry between the clubs, which makes cheering for one or the other so much fun. Have them rep their team with an official jersey or scarf—the latter is perfect for the coming winter season.
Ignis Glass Studio ornament
Ignis Glass Studio’s hand-blown ornaments are sure to put a sparkle in their eyes. Each unique, colorful and textured ornament is artisan-made by Chris Mosey at his studio on Broad Street in downtown Chattanooga. Blow your own glass ornament or leave it to the expert. Either way, you’ll have a prized piece that will light up any Christmas tree.
Rock City ornament
A Rock City-themed Christmas ornament is a fun memento for anyone who’s seen Rock City. The Gardens Gateway Gift Shop features an extensive collection of ornaments to choose from, like the new Enchanted Garden of Lights metal plated ornament, which depicts Rock City’s longtime resident gnomes. You can’t go wrong with a classic, like the Rock City Birdhouse Glass Ornament. This glass piece is handcrafted entirely by European artisans over the course of seven days.
Sweet treats
Chattanooga is home to America’s favorite snack cakes, Little Debbie. It feels like the Christmas season officially begins when Little Debbie’s Christmas Tree Cakes return to store shelves. These iconic, white tree-shaped cakes decorated with red strands of icing and green sprinkles are found in grocery stores nationwide, and they’re only sold for a limited time each year.
MoonPie is another famous Chattanooga snack—a delicious chocolate, graham, and marshmallow sandwich. The story goes that in 1917, a Kentucky coal miner asked a traveling salesman from the Chattanooga Bakery about making a treat “as big as the moon.” Thus, the MoonPie was born. These circular, chocolate-covered sandwiches are famous as toss items in Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans and Mobile, but there’s no denying their Chattanooga roots.
MoonPies are sold in nearly every grocery store, and they even come in mini sizes—perfect for stuffing into stockings.
Pint Pack from Clumpies Ice Cream Co.
You can’t go wrong with ice cream…ever. How about six pints delivered to their doorstep? This takes the hassle out of the holidays, and is a gift everyone will love.
Each pint of Clumpies is handcrafted nine gallons at a time right here in Chattanooga. That handcrafted quality can be shared with anyone in the continental United States with the Clumpies Holiday Cheer 2025 Pint Pack—a bundle of six festive pints packed into a bright red box (with dry ice) and delivered to their door. They’ll have their pick of White Chocolate Peppermint Bark, Gingersnap, Chocolate Orange, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Dasher’s Delight, and Spiked Eggnog.
Mike’s Monster Cookies
You’ve probably had a plateful of cookies. But have you ever had a cookie the size of a plate? That’s the best way to describe Mike’s Monster Cookies. “Mike” is Michael Ferris, who bakes with his wife Heather and their three children.
These incredibly large, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, dye-free, and seed oil-free cookies come in fun flavors like Confetti Sugar Cookie, Gingerbread Molasses S’mores, and more. The family bakes and sells their cookies from their Trenton, Georgia bakery and at the Chattanooga Market every weekend.
Chattanooga Whiskey
There’s nothing as smooth as Tennessee Whiskey—especially in Chattanooga, where award-winning spirits are distilled, aged, and bottled.
In 2011, Tim Piersant successfully overturned Chattanooga’s more than 100-year-old ban on whiskey distillation, paving the groundwork to open the only standalone experimental distillery in the country.
For those whose idea of fun is to sit back in their favorite chair with a glass of whiskey, finding a bottle of Chattanooga Whiskey 91 under the tree would be a pleasant surprise.
Restaurants
Whether trying to impress out-of-town visitors or treating friends and family, taking them out for a wonderful meal makes for a memorable gift. Chattanooga’s food scene has been on the rise for quite some time now.
The Michelin Guide, considered the arbiter of culinary excellence, has for the first time included restaurants from the American South. The 2025 Guide gave a shoutout to a handful of Chattanooga eateries, including Little Coyote, which earned the Bib Gourmand distinction for good quality, good value cooking. Also recommended were Easy Bistro, Main Steet Meats, and The Rosecomb.
You can’t go wrong with any one of these specific choices, but Chattanooga has a variety of other restaurants to enjoy as well!
Stay at the Chanticleer Inn
A gift certificate to the Chanticleer Inn Bed and Breakfast makes a lovely gift for couples.
Atop Lookout Mountain, they’ll find solitude at this adults-only inn, nestled in a lush garden courtyard framed by a tall grove of trees. The stone dwellings dotted throughout the property offer the finest amenities. They’ll enjoy a delicious made-to-order breakfast each morning in the nearly 100-year-old main house, then unwind by the pool or explore the mountain’s abundant beauty. The Chanticleer Inn is just a short drive from downtown Chattanooga and is within walking distance of Rock City and Starbucks.
Naughty Cat Cafe
Adding a pet to the family is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Your family will receive love and companionship for years to come with the adoption of a furry friend. Located in St. Elmo, Naughty Cat serves as a foster home for shelter cats in the area and claims to be one of the largest cat cafes in the world.
Around 30 cats lounge around their “cafe” at any given time—and all are available for adoption. Cafe visits must be scheduled and there is an entrance fee. What’s more, you must be 11 years old to visit. You can book a one-hour reservation online, or surprise someone with the gift of an hour at the Naughty Cat Cafe. You just might find a new best friend the next time you visit.
Hang gliding lessons
Hang gliding lessons might be a hit for those who like to live life on the edge. Lookout Mountain is famous among hang gliders for its ridge and thermal soaring. So, it only makes sense that a hang-gliding school would call the mountain home.
The Lookout Mountain Flight Park offers a Hang Gliding Introductory Experience that’s perfect for beginners. At the base of the mountain, you’ll learn the basics of launching and landing and how to safely control the glider. After completing five flights from the bunny hills, you’ll graduate to a Discovery Tandem flight to 1,500 or 3,000 feet. Give them the gift of flight this year!
Volkswagen ID.4 all-electric SUV
You read that correctly—now you need one of those oversized bows from the car commercials.
The Scenic City has been home to the Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant since 2011, where it currently manufactures the Volkswagen ID.4 all-electric SUV. This compact SUV is sporty but practical, achieving 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds with a range of up to 291 miles. Its fast-charging battery makes the ID.4 a reliable vehicle to match your active lifestyle.
When it comes to gifts, it doesn’t get much bigger than a Chattanooga-built Volkswagen!
However, you don’t have to go all out to nail the perfect present. A Rock City birdhouse with a bow on top is sure to put a smile on their face. Ditch the mall this Christmas and skip the overwhelming online marketplace. Great gifts are found right here in the Scenic City.