Has your inner Grinch got a hold on you? Here are a few ways to banish the bah-humbug and add some sparkle to the season:
- O Tannenbaum: Get yourself an honest-to-goodness live Christmas tree. Knoxville-founded Mayo Garden Center, 4918 Kingston Pike, has a large selection of trees, including some very tall specimens, as well as classic Christmas lawn ornaments and more. Info: 865-588-1351.
Angel tree at Long’s Drugs.
- Play Santa to a senior through Home Instead’s angel tree at Long’s Drugs. Pick a name from the tree and deliver wished-for presents for a senior citizen in need back to Long’s by Dec. 19. Requested items include toiletries, robes, sleepwear, throws and more. The Bearden pharmacy and gathering place has sponsored a tree for seniors for the last few years, and the community’s response has been generous and heartfelt. Long’s anchors the Kingston Pike Center at 4604 Kingston Pike – while you are there, enjoy the holiday-themed window mural by local artist Gale Hinton.
- Wreaths: Generations of the Rauhuff family work with owner Sam at Rauhuff’s Christmas Wreaths and Trees, a seasonal business going strong in the community since 1954. At the Bearden location, dozens of freshly cut Fraser firs stand proudly in front of the Royal Chaplain Corps Chapel at 5902 Kingston Pike, across from Food City. (There are three other locations in town). There is also a large selection of handmade wreaths and other adornments, live cut greenery and more. Rauhuff’s, which grows many of its own trees, expects to have them available right up until Christmas Eve, for you procrastinators (or traditionalists). Info: call Sam at 865-919-1028.
- Swing by the first Holiday Market at Duncan Boat Dock. Lots of East Tennesseans make “docking at Duncan” a summer tradition. This year the family-owned business, at 2329 Duncan Road in West Knoxville, has its first Holiday Market, open noon to 5 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 17. The market features wreaths, centerpieces and more, created from locally-sourced boxwood and other greenery. There’s also hot chocolate and sweets to peruse while you shop, plus work by local artists. Info: 865-212-9949.