Coordea is more than a workplace – it’s a vibrant community where connection, fun, and shared experiences thrive. As a Nordic outsourcing company, we dedicate days of the year to traditions that bring us closer, creating memories that will last forever. From more general events like team buildings and the company birthday to more specific celebrations like Secret Santa and Midsummer, our yearly company holiday traditions agenda is rich in celebrations that add value to our company culture, positively impacting our office relationships.
Winter Celebrations and Festive Cheer
Most of our annual celebrations are during the holiday season. We have a month-long event agenda we call the Festive Season. It’s our way to kick off winter with some magic and fun.
Picking of Secret Santa
We start the celebrations with one of the most interesting company holiday traditions, the Picking of Secret Santa show, where names are drawn in a fun reveal, pairing givers and receivers with real buzz.
We usually have two colleagues hosting the event, telling fun company facts and jokes while inviting employees one by one to pick the name of the person they’ll be Secret Santa to.
This event brings excitement and anticipation into the office. Drawing names and secretly preparing gifts adds an element of surprise and fun, encouraging creativity and thoughtful gestures.
It’s a simple tradition that strengthens personal connections and fills the workplace with festive energy.
Christmas Tree Decoration
Decorating the Christmas tree is a collective moment where co-workers across departments come together, stringing lights and ornaments to create a cozy glow that sparks cheer around the office.
But it goes beyond setting a cheerful tone for the season in our offices. Each ornament represents shared effort and holiday spirit, and the finished tree stands as a symbol of togetherness, reminding everyone of the joy in doing things together.
Santa for Kids
The Santa for Kids event is one of the most heartwarming company holiday traditions. This celebration extends our community beyond the office, including our employees’ families.
During this event, employees bring their children into the office, show them around, and then the kids embark on a dreamy adventure – meeting Santa Claus, who gives them a gift and takes a photo with their family. Additionally, they participate in a New Year workshop or another fun activity, which makes their time in our office an unforgettable experience.
Ugly Sweater Day
On the third Friday of December, ugly Christmas sweaters take the center stage. Employees who want to participate come into the offices dressed in a funny Christmas sweater, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.
Pre New-Year Celebration
The Pre New-Year celebration is our way of closing the year together on a high note and welcoming the new one with excitement and hopes that it will be even better. We enjoy good food and music, exchange Secret Santa gifts, and receive company gifts.
It’s a wonderful wrap-up of the year, where we spend several wonderful hours together, celebrating everything we’ve achieved as a team.
St. Basil’s Day
St. Basil, commonly known as Vasilica in Macedonia, is a celebration that blends tradition with modern workplace culture. It brings us together for a delicious piece of special pie hiding coins. It’s believed that those who find a coin will have luck throughout the year, and they get to be godparents for the next year, which means they buy the pie.
Team-Buildings
We have two team-building activities per year – one in spring and the other in winter – where each team decides upon an activity they’ll participate in.
While some teams prefer a quieter, chilling dining experience over a good talk or a paint-and-wine workshop, others opt for outdoor or indoor activities (depending on the season) like kayaking, bowling, laser tag, and axe-throwing. Some teams even combine activities and dining.
Regardless of the activity chosen, these events help strengthen bonds across all departments and teams through activities that combine fun, growth, and enjoying a few hours together.
Midsummer
Apart from the regular, bi-annual team-buildings, we also have a special event we consider the biggest team-builder of all – Midsummer.
As a Swedish-based outsourcing company, we incorporate major festivities into our yearly event agenda, bringing their culture closer.
Midsummer, which takes place on the last Friday of June, celebrates the sunshine, nature, and community. We hold this event outdoors, in a lane or a mountain, combining sports team activities with delicious food, drinks, and good music, while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect occasion for co-workers to unwind and enjoy time together outside the usual work setting.
Awareness and Social Responsibility Events
While most of our events throughout the year are about celebrating important days and having fun, we also host events that depict important topics. October and November are reserve to raising awareness about women’s and men’s health.
Breast Cancer Awareness
In October, we join the Breast Cancer Awareness movement by preparing educational materials, wearing pink, and hosting a quiz to check their knowledge. This event reflects our commitment to care, responsibility, and showing solidarity. It’s a reminder that we stand for causes that matter beyond the workplace.
Movember
In November, we take part in the Movember initiative by preparing educational materials, trivia, and having some of the male colleagues grow moustaches. By participating in awareness activities, employees contribute to important conversations while strengthening team spirit. It’s a meaningful blend of fun, education, and social impact.
Coordea Birthday
Each year, in the first week of November, we celebrate the company’s birthday, which honors the company’s journey since 2009. This event marks a milestone that celebrates our journey, growth, and achievements, strengthens pride, and reinforces a shared sense of purpose. It’s a moment to look back on how far we’ve come and to recognize the people who make it possible. This celebration
First, we start with an online meeting where the general manager gives a speech that reflects the growth Coordea had in the last year and reads the names of the co-workers who have been promoted or acknowledged for their work in the past 365 days.
Afterwards, we have a party in the canteens in both offices, serving drinks and a cake. Also, the employees who are rewarded for an achievement receive their certificate.
General Company Events
Last but not least, we have more general and individual celebrations throughout the year. Employee birthdays, work anniversaries, weddings, newborns, and Halloween – we celebrate all of them in the office and/or by including them in our monthly internal newsletter, The Coordinator, ensuring every milestone feels special.
These small but consistent gestures reinforce appreciation and create a positive, inclusive environment year-round.
The Power of Tradition
At Coordea, we work hard but celebrate harder, balancing fun and professionalism throughout the year, every year.
These company holiday tradtions traditions define life at Coordea. They create memories, build trust, and a sense of togetherness, strengthening our relationships.
As we continue to grow, these celebrations remain at the heart of who we are – bringing people together, year after year.
