Suddenly, our Kovai.co office looked a little different. People were making quiet deals, laughing about secret gifting plans, and casually asking questions that clearly meant more than they let on. That’s when it became obvious – this wasn’t just another work week. It had quietly turned into full-on dare mode.
With Christmas around the corner, the days leading up to it became a mix of playful challenges and the growing buzz around Secret Santa. What started as simple tree décor preparations slowly grew into weeks filled with creativity, and fun – the kind that made the Christmas season feel special.
The Christmas Tree Décor Day
Two weeks before Christmas, the excitement kicked off with the Christmas Tree Décor Competition. All the essentials were ready – tree bases, dangles, wreaths, baubles, lights, hangings, and more, laid out for the registered teams to begin.
The activity started with eight teams, but as the energy picked up, a few teams grew bigger with people joining along the way. Each team picked a chit with a theme like Candyland, Winterland, Santa’s workshop, and more. The idea was simple: choose a theme, pick matching décor items, and start building your tree.
But things took an unexpected turn.
Instead of sticking strictly to themes, teams picked everything that caught their eye. What followed was friendly bargaining, exchanging décor pieces, and lots of laughter, all in the spirit of making the best-looking tree. We spent over an hour building, swapping, and admiring each other’s trees.
The evening felt special as trees came together, wish-keepers were picked, and conversations quickly shifted to dares and gifts.
Janani Aishwarya Kumar, Associate Product Marketer, says,
I had so much fun decorating our team’s Christmas tree with Candyland as a theme! The highlight was definitely trading décor items with other teams. And seeing all the trees together, finally decorated in their vibrant colours was stunning.
The Dares That Stole the Show
The dares turned the entire week into a mix of laughter, cheers, and playful embarrassment. Some involved instant fitness challenges with push-ups happening right in our step-seater inside the office. A few dares came with sweet consequences – like buying chocolates for teammates and treating someone to a milkshake. There were moments of unexpected wholesomeness, too, with people going around sharing compliments and appreciation that instantly lifted the mood. Festive fun showed up in different ways, from braiding hair and decorating it with flowers to singing songs and even reciting rhymes with full child-like actions.
Vishnuprasanth Murali, SDET, says,
This Christmas became even more fun with our Secret Santa activity. As part of a dare, I treated my wish-keeper to an Oreo milkshake, which later turned into a light, happy moment filled with laughter. It was a simple break from the usual routine, and this made it truly memorable.
Gifts, Guesses, and Secret Santas
Gift time brought its own kind of excitement. People showed up with gifts of all sizes, creative wrapping, and clever clues for their Secret Santas. While a few forgot their gifts initially, last-minute online orders saved the day, which we quickly ordered and wrapped with festive cheer.
The gifts themselves were a mix of thoughtful and fun – notebooks, pens, plants, scented candles, fur dolls, bags, books, wallets, perfumes, sports balls, earbuds, table décor, and more.
Some Santas were lucky enough to get close friends or familiar teammates, making it easier to plan meaningful gifts and fun dares. Others were paired with someone new, which led to conversations, effort, and learning what a new teammate might like, making the gifting experience even more special.
Christmas Evening Celebrations
The Christmas celebrations officially began well before the holidays, ensuring everyone could be part of the joy before leaving for vacation.
The evening started with a simple ice-breaker – reading the colour of the font, not the word written. It was trickier than it sounded and set the mood right away. Next came a balloon game. Each person tied a balloon to one leg, with the goal of protecting their own balloon while popping others’.
For our Christmas evening, Ajit Praveen Karal, Intern, took on the role of Santa and added to the festive vibe.
Finally, with eight teams and four themes in play, two standout teams were chosen as winners in each category this season.
Gifts Under the Trees
But the excitement couldn’t be contained for long. Soon, everyone rushed towards the Christmas trees to collect their gifts.
Curiosity was everywhere. People checked if their gifts had been noticed, guessed what might be inside, and waited eagerly to unwrap them. No matter the age, the excitement of receiving a gift felt the same for everyone.
Almost everyone walked away with a smile and a gift in hand.
Wrapping Up with Memories
The celebrations ended with happy faces, exciting gifts, and a group photo that captured the spirit of the season. What made the day special wasn’t just the activities or gifts. It was the memories, laughter, these moments, and the joy of celebrating together.
Here’s a glimpse to it – Christmas Celebrations
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