In “Tennessee Christmas,” Amy Grant sings of missing out on snow in Colorado and wishing she could bring home a California tan for New Year’s Eve but decides she’ll gladly forsake her travels for a tender Tennessee Christmas and the love and laughter she’ll find around the tree at home.

Which brings us to a Chattanooga Christmas. Family is at the heart of the holidays for most of us, no matter how and when we celebrate. What if we drilled down further? How are we spending our time before the cocooning starts? What are the broader traditions that make a Chattanooga Christmas special?

Here are some of the events that many families include in their traditions, along with a handful of one-offs that are sure to get you feeling festive.