Stephanie and her husband Eric have 4 children; Jared, Ben, Zach and Erika. Stephanie owns Nails by Stephanie and recently founded the Chattanooga Coupon Mafia, where she teaches private classes on how to save money using coupons. Both are at 1310 Hanover Street in North Chattanooga, behind Cynthia Howell Stationary store. Stephanie be reached at (423)605-7376 or couponmafia@aol.com

Chattanooga Traditions at the Choo-Choo

By Stephanie Steiman

The Steiman Family Chattanooga Holiday Tradition came to be many years ago quite by accident…after I decided I would NEVER AGAIN make my young children stand in a 2 hour line at the mall to have their picture made with Santa.   When it was our turn,  Mr. Claus was always on break feeding the reindeer.

My husband and I wanted the holidays to be happy, to make memories that we would all cherish and to enjoy the family we were growing so we searched for alternatives to that holiday tradition.

I’d heard that there was a wonderful Santa at the Chattanooga Choo-choo, so we decided to check it out.  It was fabulous!  Not much of a line, a very jolly Santa and a beautiful background right here in our city.

The photographer was wonderful, took his time with each family and took lots of pictures until he was satisfied that each child was happy and had a beautiful smile to prove it!  It was perfect and we were sure that the Santa pictures would prove that we had enjoyed our holiday.

So after our picture with Santa, we decided to walk next door and treat the kids to special dinner at the Station House restaurant for being so good!  When the wait staff was not bringing our food, they were up on stage singing all the old Christmas carols we have come know and love.  After our tummies were full, we were about to head home, when we spotted a horse and carriage sitting there for hire and with one look I knew that my husband and I were thinking the same thing.

EVeryone piled in, snuggled up under blankets and took in the Christmas lights as we slowly plodded along the streets of the city.  After saying goodbye to our driver and her lovely Dalmatian, we were about to go home when we noticed the window decorations at the Electric Power Board and, with another knowing look, my husband and I led our children to the next part of the adventure unfolding for us.

We decided to get a closer look at the window decorations at the Electric Power Board and marveled at the display before us.  The kids loved the decorations and we were amazed at how much work goes into setting that up every year.  What a great present they give Chattanooga families each year.  When we were finished, and too cold to be outside any longer, we headed home for hot chocolate and homemade sugar cookies.

We all talked about what a fun night it had been and decided we should do this every year.  That night our family tradition was born and I now have thirteen framed portraits of my children with Santa.  I bring them ALL out every year.  Some nights I sit and look at them, in order, and watch my family grow, increasing from one child to four, from infants to a teenager,  right before my eyes.

Thank you Chattanooga Choo-Choo for being a part of our annual family holiday tradition.

We are all looking forward to adding picture number 14 this month!