Morning, y’all! I’m going to keep it short and sweet so we can get on with wassailing and braving weapons-grade levels of holiday nostalgia. Merry everything to everyone, you are loved and appreciated.
Let’s get to it.
JOLLY GOOD LONG READS
🗞️ A newspaper’s final rides: As we tearfully near the end of the AJC in print, reporter Tom Lake rode along with a newspaper carrier who’s delivered more than 2 million editions over his career. Among the many things he learned: Boy, can a paper route make you carsick.
🎵 The music of love: Two widowed musicians found love again through their art, and now use their music to give back.
⛲ Water for Savannah’s soul: A beautiful deep-dive (so to speak) into the restoration of the Forsyth Park fountain, a landmark of the historic city since 1858.
Not signed up yet? What’re you waiting for? Get A.M. ATL in your inbox each weekday morning. And keep scrolling for more news.
RECIPES FOR WHEN YOU NEED TO MAKE SOMETHING FESTIVE BUT COULDN’T FORM ANOTHER ORIGINAL THOUGHT IF SANTA HIMSELF DEMANDED IT
To show off: fancy dancy smoked trout dip
For New Year’s fortune: three good-luck desserts from around the world
When it’s just you and them: elegant holiday recipes for two
To try something new: Brazilian, Caribbean and Latin American desserts from Atlanta’s immigrant communities
BOOKMARK-WORTHY EVENTS FOR THE NEW YEAR AND BEYOND
Immerse yourself in Atlanta’s cultural scene: 10 stellar Atlanta cultural events coming up in 2026
Your hub for arts and entertainment: These 5 Atlanta arts venues will open new or renovated spaces in 2026 and 2027
More for the foodies: These are the metro Atlanta restaurants we’re excited to see open in 2026
Add to your bookshelf: 5 nonfiction books we can’t wait to read in 2026
FOR THE KID IN ALL OF US
It’s the question that will be on every child’s mind this Christmas Eve: Where is Santa now and when will he get to my house?
The NORAD Santa tracker is live, and you can see where the man in the red suit is traveling in real time.
- NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, is normally tasked with detecting potential attacks from missiles, aircraft or space vehicles.
- For more than 60 years, the U.S.-Canadian joint operation has taken on the additional mission of tracking Santa and his sleigh on Christmas Eve.
- NORAD tracks Santa’s journey in eight languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Chinese.
- NORAD’s posts on social media sites like Facebook also help update the public on the big guy’s progress.
🎅 READ MORE: There’s a NORAD app and number kids can call for updates from a real person.
FINALLY, FIRM UP SOME PLANS
On the couch: All the best Christmas Day sports matchups
On the town: ATL places to celebrate New Year’s Eve
ON THIS DATE
Dec. 24, 1890
A funny episode. At the opera house the other evening it was noticed that there was something sticking to the bald head of a gentleman sitting in the front row. It was causing so much comment and amusement among the audience that finally one of the ushers called the gentleman’s attention to the fact. He at once put his hand to his head and snatched from it an advertisement sticker reading: “The cheapest place in Atlanta to buy Christmas shoes and slippers is at Porter Brothers, 37 Peachtree Street.” “Guess I’ll have to charge them for the space,” he said, as he tore up the sticker.
ONE MORE THING
The whole AM ATL team sends warm and wonderful wishes your way. That’s me, AJ, plus Producer Nicole, Boss Eric and AM ATL Pinch Hitter Tyler.
We’re off for the next few days, so we’ll see you back in the inbox Monday, Dec. 29.
Thanks for reading to the very bottom of A.M. ATL. Questions, comments, ideas? Contact us at AMATL@ajc.com.
Until next time.
About the Author
AJ Willingham is an National Emmy, NABJ and Webby award-winning journalist who loves talking culture, religion, sports, social justice, infrastructure and the arts. She lives in beautiful Smyrna-Mableton and went to Syracuse University.
