Christmas at Focus BC

’Tis the season to be jolly and at Focus BC that means closing the laptops, stepping away from the screens and actually being in the same room for a change. As a mostly remote team, the majority of our days happen through cameras and headphones, but this one was different.

The office was buzzing, with people catching up and laughing together. There were proper hugs, a few very dramatic gift steals and, to top it all off, we ended the day gathered around the table for a cosy Christmas dinner that felt just right.

Here’s how it went.

Founders in full festive mode

Our founders, Sandro Batista, Nuno Serra and Vasco Pinheiro, wasted no time getting into Christmas mode with a mini photoshoot. No formal poses or corporate stiffness, just real smiles, end of year energy and a bit of that classic Focus BC playfulness. They brought along a few festive touches that made everything feel lighter and more seasonal, turning what could have been a quick photo into a proper little celebration. You can tell from the photos that they’re not just running the show, they’re fully enjoying the season too.

Our Office Christmas Tree

Of course our office has a Christmas tree, but it’s very much Focus BC style. This year, it’s less about perfect ornaments and more about memories, smiles and little wishes for the year ahead. We filled it with photos of the team, mixed with handwritten notes and messages full of warmth.

Every photo tells a story and every message adds a piece of personality, turning the tree into something that feels less like decoration and more like a living snapshot of who we are together.

Giving back with Refood Lumiar

Christmas at Focus BC is also about looking beyond our own walls. This year, our team joined forces to organise a food collection with Refood Lumiar, helping support families in our local community. Everyone brought food and essential goods, and by the end of the afternoon we had a generous set of items ready to be delivered and hopefully make someone’s Christmas a little brighter.

It was a simple gesture but a very meaningful one, a reminder that community does not stop at our office door and that we can always share a bit of what we have with those who need it most.

Not so innocent Secret Santa

Then came the loudest part of the day, our twist on Secret Santa. Instead of the classic “I got your name, here’s your gift”, we played Secret Thief Santa, where no present feels truly safe. The rules were simple: when your turn came, you either opened a mystery gift from the pile or stole one that someone else had already unwrapped. If your gift was stolen, you went back to the pile and tried again.

Very fair and very friendly in theory. In reality there was plenty of drama, suspicious smiles and a lot of joking around about who “deserved” which gift. By the end, everyone still went home with a present, but the real fun was everything that happened in between.

Gift baskets and dinner at Erva Restaurant

Before heading out to dinner, each team member picked up their Christmas Gift Basket, packed with seasonal goodies and essentials to enjoy at home. It’s something we do every year and a small but special way of saying thank you for the work, dedication and good energy everyone brings, and of sending a bit of Focus BC warmth into the holidays.

Then it was time for dinner. This year we celebrated at Erva Restaurant, where the atmosphere was exactly what we needed. The food was delicious, giving everyone plenty of time to taste, talk and relax. The room felt cosy and comfortable, the kind of place where conversations flow naturally. Around the table, people shared stories from the year, travel plans, family updates, favourite series and movies and, of course, plenty of football talk. It was the kind of evening that reminds you how good it is to spend time together away from laptops and meeting.

Our Christmas get-together had a bit of everything, from founders fully embracing the festive mood, to a tree built from memories, to a team effort to support Refood Lumiar, to a not so innocent Secret Santa that turned into a friendly gift heist and a dinner that felt like the perfect bow on top of the day. If Christmas is about connection, gratitude and joy, we definitely had all three.

From all of us at Focus BC, merry Christmas and here’s to more good work, more time together and many more moments like this 🎄✨