BEST OF THE BEST. According to locals, here are the best tree farms, holiday events, holiday drinks, and more seasonal resources and things! (Photo by Andrea Paulseth)

Our annual Best Of The Chippewa Valley Readers Poll gets bigger and bigger every year – we had over 380 questions and 150,000 votes last year! – thanks to locals. Here are all the holiday-related 2024 Best Of winners to help make this season your very best yet!

Best Christmas Dining

1. Your Own Home (give workers the day off)

2. The Informalist

3. Fuji Sushi & Steak House

When the holidays roll around, enjoying food is just as important as finding the perfect gift. Making a meal in Your Own Home and giving the workers a day off is the fan favorite this season. Nothing says the holidays like coming together and cooking in a small crammed kitchen to make the meal of the century. If you prefer to eat out, you can’t go wrong with visiting The Informalist (205 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire) and trying some of their delicious entrees that have show-stopping flavor, locally sourced ingredients, and homemade eats. Fuji Sushi & Steak House (4864 Keystone Crossing, Eau Claire) creates visually appealing meals to satisfy any holiday hunger through authentic Japanese and Asian cuisine. –Evie Heidel

Best Christmas Tree Farm

1. Pleasant Valley Tree Farm

2. Lowes Creek Tree Farm

3. Curvue Tree Farm + Gardens

When is the appropriate time to put up a Christmas Tree? That has been a debate for ages.hat isn’t a debate is the best place to get your tree from. Pleasant Valley Tree Farm (N7240 810th St., Elk Mound) has been voted the best place to go when you need to spruce things up. Lowes Creek Tree Farm (S9475 Lowes Creek Rd., Eleva) is the runner up and has a fantastic spread of trees that you can bring home this holiday season. Last, but certainly not least, Curvue Tree Farm + Gardens (6760 Curvue Rd., Eau Claire) has a great selection of trees along with little market items that pair nicely with any holiday decor. –Evie Heidel

Best Community Holiday Event

1. Irvine Park Christmas Village

2. Bridge to Wonderland Parade (Chippewa Falls)

3. The Brewing Projekt Holiday markets

If you're looking for something to do this holiday season, look no further! There are so many fun things to do to keep you and your family busy. The Irvine Park Christmas Village (1 N. Bridge St., Chippewa Falls) is a sure way to lighten any mood. With displays of Christmas lights, winter wonderland activities, and even horse-drawn wagon rides, there is something for everyone. Bridge to Wonderland Parade in Chippewa Falls is something you're not going to want to miss. Grab some hot chocolate, a chair, and have a seat to watch over 50 magical  floats go by. The Brewing Projekt Holiday Markets (1807 N. Oxford Ave., Eau Claire) are a great way to feel festive and get all of your gifts this season. With the best local arts, crafts, food, and more, you will walk away feeling jolly. –Evie Heidel

Best Holiday Caterer

1. Karl's BBQ Express

2. Bijou Catering

3. KP Katering

The holiday season is perhaps best at two things: Gathering friends and families, and filling bellies with savory and sweet grub. If you're looking for help with the latter, Chippewa Vallians voted Karl's BBQ Express (1410 S. Hastings Way, Eau Claire) as the best local biz to do so! With mouthwatering meats and side options to fill your plate, you're guaranteed a full stomach. b (2629 E. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire), the same folks of Bijou Bistro, offer European-style delicacies that are ure to wow you and your guests. Rounding out the top three is KP Katering (5775 20th Ave., Eau Claire), the local catering company providing customizable catering service for just about any occasion – five-course formal dinners, breakfast or lunch, hors d'oeuvres, and more. –McKenna Scherer

Best Holiday Decorated Business

1. Leinenkugel's

2. The Local Store & Volume One Gallery

3. Wisconsin Makers Market

Arguably the best part of the holidays is looking at all of the festive decor, and some businesses go above and beyond to make their space into a winter wonderland. Leinenkugel's (124 E. Elm St., Chippewa Falls) takes the tinsel this year! They create a festive environment that draws people in and keeps them there while they enjoy a pint. Located in downtown Eau Claire,  The Local Store & Volume One Gallery (205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire) creates a holiday atmosphere like no other. With garland, ornaments, and a full-sized Christmas tree, and more, , true Christmasification takes place there. Wisconsin Makers Market (106 E. Grand Ave., Eau Claire) creates a welcoming environment for both vendors and the community. Find  holiday-themed gifts for all your loved ones in this decked-out small business.  –Evie Heidel

Best Holiday Decorating Company

1. Green Oasis

2. Thomas Leigh Lighting

3. Western Wisconsin Trimlight Select

Celebrating the holiday season is a lot easier than decorating for it, so why stress? Let the professionals do it for you. Green Oasis (1403 122nd St., Chippewa Falls) has been voted the best thanks to the team’s quick service turnaround and over 10 years of experience. Thomas Leigh Lighting (6760 Curvue Rd., Eau Claire) creates elegant and professional holiday  lighting displays for  any house to showcase the spirit of the holidays. If you want a captivating and interactive display for the holidays, Western Wisconsin Trimlight Select (WI-64, Boyceville) services the Chippewa Valley and surrounding areas with technological, customizable holiday lights that you can control off your phone, make them dance to music, and even change the colors! –Evie Heidel 

Best Holiday Menu Item

1. Pies at Main Street Cafe (Bloomer)

2. Bridge Street Brew Seasonal Specialty Drinks

3. Tom & Jerrys – Johnny's Italian Steakhouse

One thing that we all look forward to every year are the holiday-themed menu items that get released no sooner than the day after Halloween. This year, the best holiday menu item voted by locals are the Pies at Main Street Cafe (1418 Main St., Bloomer). With over 20 types of pies to choose from, both hot and cold, there is something for every pie lover. Bridge Street Brew Seasonal Specialty Drinks (114 N Bridge St., Chippewa Falls)  offers several  holiday drinks to choose from each year, making that extra boost of caffeine a lot more festive. You can’t ever go wrong with dessert, so the Tom & Jerrys at Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse (4751 Owen Ayres Ct., Eau Claire) is a jolly way to celebrate the holiday season. Paired with a fantastic meal, and you will be full of the season's eatings. –Evie Heidel 

Best Holiday Party Venue

1. The Brewing Projekt

2. Johnny's Italian Steakhouse

3. Cowboy Jack's

Your home is a great place to have a get together, but sometimes you need to  go all out with a venue. The Brewing Projekt (1807 N Oxford Ave., Eau Claire) is  best place to host your holiday get-togethers according to locals. Its rentable space is available all year round and can fit tons of people! If you're looking for a restaurant and hotel setting, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse (4751 Owen Ayres Ct., Eau Claire) is the ultimate venue for you. With two bedrooms and a pre-venue space for rent thanks to its proximity to a hotel, Johnny’s makes it easy to fit any holiday party this season. Another great place to host your holiday parties is Cowboy Jack’s (1432 Front Porch Place, Altoona) where they have three types of venues to rent, both indoor and outdoor, to accommodate lots of holiday cheer all while enjoying great food. –Evie Heidel

Best Holiday Performance

1. UWEC Holiday Concert

2. Christmas with Lorie Line

3. Nutcracker at Pablo Center – Chippewa Valley Symphony and Diamond School of Dance

Treat your ears to a musical feast this holiday season. Kick back, relax, and soak in the soundscapes of some of the best holiday performances the Chippewa Valley has to offer. The annual UWEC Holiday Concert is back at the Pablo Center (128 Graham Ave., Eau Claire), where over 100 talented students will fill the air with holiday cheer. For a special piano-infused experience, don’t miss Christmas with Lorie Line (128 Graham Ave., Eau Claire), a night of timeless Christmas classics. Last year, the world of dance took over Graham Ave. when the  mesmerizing performance of the Nutcracker at Pablo Center – Chippewa Valley Symphony and Diamond School of Dance hit the stage – a beautiful blend of music and movement. –Alexis Thompson  

Best Holiday Pop-Up Shopping

1. Eau Claire Makers Market

2. Banbury Place

3. Slate Boutique & Gifts

Here for a short time, not a long time! The Eau Claire Makers Market has graciously given us the chance to support over 300+ local vendors over their three years of operation. Though they’re taking a break for now, their impact is far from forgotten. Explore three floors of local festivities at the Banbury Place Holiday Market (800 Wisconsin Ave., Eau Claire) where you can find unique gifts for yourself and a friend this holiday season. Last year, Slate Boutique & Gifts (3834 Talmadge Rd., Eau Claire) brought holiday shopping to a whole new level with a three-day event featuring an array of local vendors. –Alexis Thompson  

Best Holiday Sleigh/Wagon Ride

1. Downtown Chippewa Falls through Christmas Village

2. Ferguson's Country Christmas Wagon Rides

3. Pleasant Valley Tree Farm wagon rides

Sit down, stay a while, and take a load off. Gather your friends for a horse-drawn wagon ride through the dazzling streets of Downtown Chippewa Falls and the enchanting Christmas Village (514 N. Bridge Street). For a festive experience, you can never go wrong with Ferguson’s Country Christmas Wagon Rides (6470 Balsam Rd., Eau Claire), where you’ll be whisked away on a scenic ride around the farm. Over at Pleasant Valley Tree Farm (N7240 810th St., Elk Mound), the wagon ride takes you to their choose-and-cut field, where you can pick the perfect tree to adorn your home. –Alexis Thompson

Best Local Holiday Drink

1. Sex in the Snow – Cowboy Jack's

2. Caramel Brulee Crunch Martini – River Jams

3. Peppermint Dream – Chippewa River Distillery & Brewery

Dressing up in layers is the classic way to keep yourself warm during the holiday season, but what if I told you there's a more fun way to do it? Get into the holiday spirit with these festive spirits! Sip on a Sex in the Snow from Cowboy Jacks (1432 Front Porch Pl., Altoona) a playful blend of coconut rum, blue curaçao, piña colada mix, and pineapple juice, all topped with whipped cream and a cherry. Not a fan of fruity cocktails? No worries! The Caramel Brulee Crunch Martini from River Jams (2940 109th St., Chippewa Falls) offers a sweet treat made with vodka, horchata, crème de cacao, and some toffee bits. For some holiday-candy-cane magic, the Peppermint Dream from Chippewa River Distillery & Brewery (402 W River St., Chippewa Falls) offers a merry mix of peppermint schnapps, vodka, french vanilla creamer, and cherry juice. –Alexis Thompson 

Best Local Holiday Gift Idea for Grown-Ups

1. Glass Orchard – blown glass

2. Ope! It's Soap

3. Handmade jewelry – Token Jewelry

While everyday necessities make thoughtful gifts, why not step outside of the box and treat your adult loved ones to something truly special? Glass Orchard (130 Deerfield Rd., Eau Claire) offers a stunning selection of vibrantly colored, festive hand-blown glass goodies. For a gift that’s both practical and luxurious, head over to Ope! It’s Soap (116 N Bridge St., Chippewa Falls), where you’ll find body and facial bars, shaving essentials, body butter, and much more – perfect for pampering your loved ones. Dazzle someone with Token Jewelry (106 W Grand Ave., Eau Claire), which offers a wide selection of handmade jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, and rings that are sure to catch the eye. Plus, you can personalize a gift with their charm bar, creating a one-of-a-kind charm bracelet or necklace. –Alexis Thompson

Best Local Holiday Gift Idea for Kids

1. Children's Museum Membership

2. Beaver Creek Reserve annual membership

3. Tokens for Reboot Social

Show appreciation for the kids in your life with these fan-favorite gift ideas. A Children’s Museum Membership (126 N Barstow St., Eau Claire) is the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. With various membership levels and great perks, it’s perfect for sparking curiosity and having fun. The Beaver Creek Reserve annual membership (S1 County Hwy K., Fall Creek) is also highly recommended, offering bonus perks that make it a well-rounded gift for nature lovers. For a fun-filled day of gaming, Tokens for Reboot Social (220 S Barstow St., Eau Claire) are a must-have! With a wide variety of games to enjoy, it’s the ultimate way to get your competitive on and have hours of fun. –Alexis Thompson

Best Place to Buy Holiday Decor

1. Hobby Lobby

2. The Glass Orchard

3. Down to Earth Garden Center

You know the holidays are just around the corner when decorations peek through neighboring windows and twinkling lights begin to brighten the streets. These one-stop shops are here to make your decorating journey a breeze. Head over to Hobby Lobby (4606 Golf Rd., Eau Claire), where you'll find a plethora of holiday cheer, from festive decor to unique accents that will fill every space. The Glass Orchard (130 Deerfield Rd.,Eau Claire) offers one-of-a-kind holiday pieces, including hand-blown candy canes, ornaments, snowflakes, and Christmas trees. For a splash of greenery, Down to Earth Garden Center (6025 Arndt Ln., Eau Claire) is the perfect place to deck your halls with a wide array of colorful plants to spruce up your decorations. –Alexis Thompson  

Warmest Local Holiday Memory

1. Visiting Irvine Park's Christmas Village

2. Bruce the Spruce

3. Clearwater Winter Parade

Memories are the pinpoints on the map that shape who we are, filling us with warmth just by reminiscing. Many of you have created unforgettable holiday memories right here in the Chippewa Valley, and this year, you have the chance to make more! A visit to Irvine Park’s Christmas Village (125 Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls) is, in my opinion, an absolute must. The mesmerizing array of lights creates a magical backdrop for making cherished memories. Though long gone, the legend of Bruce the Spruce, the crafted tree that once graced the hallway of London Square Mall, still lives on in the hearts of those who remember him. While Bruce has retired from his role as the beloved seasonal greeter, the Clearwater Winter Parade (through 1st Ave., Eau Claire) offers an exciting opportunity to create new memories, with ever-changing themes that make each year unique. Gather friends and family to enjoy games, music and fireworks in a festive parade of celebration. –Alexis Thompson