The calendar is not being kind to Christmas shoppers this year, so the Times Free Press is jumping in to help.
There is one less week of shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2013, amping up the stress in what can be a stressful season anyway.
That's where the HoHo Expo steps in. Sponsored by the Times Free Press and set for Saturday-Sunday Nov. 23-Nov. 24 at the Chattanooga Convention Center, the event is bringing more than 200 businesses and vendors for a one-stop shopping opportunity. Rather than traveling hither and yon to buy your gifts, you may be able to get them all in one place.
"We were hearing concerns from many retailers that this year's holiday shopping season will be shorter than years past," says Times Free Press President Jason Taylor. "Combine that with our desire to create a new holiday tradition in Chattanooga that is similar to bigger cities, and the HoHo Expo was born."
Admission is free to the expo, which runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 23 and 1 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 24.
Along with gift shopping, the kids can have their pictures made with Santa Claus. There is also a gingerbread house decorating contest.
"We plan on creating many special holiday moments for the attendees that will have them looking forward to next year," Taylor says. "And the shopping opportunities will be vast."
So take a little of the stress out of your holiday shopping this year.
"Whether you choose to get a sneak peek of the hottest gifts, fully complete your holiday shopping list early or make some great memories, you'll find it at the HoHo Expo," Taylor says.