Natal na Focus BC

Descubra como a Focus BC celebra o Natal com a equipa, reforçando cultura, proximidade e espírito de empresa em conjunto.

’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.

Founders wearing Santa hats and festive glasses pose closely together, smiling and hugging in front of a Christmas backdrop.

Founders with Santa hats and holiday glasses stand arm in arm, smiling at the camera during a Christmas celebration.

Founders in Santa hats and festive glasses laughing and embracing for a holiday photo indoors.

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.

A small decorative Christmas tree with warm white lights, displaying printed team photos and holiday messages clipped to its branches.

Close-up of the lit Christmas tree branches with personal photos attached as festive decorations.

Several printed photos clipped to the Christmas tree branches, including a holiday message wishing a Merry Christmas.

The illuminated Christmas tree decorated with team photos and handwritten holiday notes.

Close-up of printed photos hanging from the tree, with handwritten Christmas wishes visible below them.

A printed pic attached to the tree featuring photos and a handwritten message wishing a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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.

Food donations collected indoors, with grocery bags and supplies placed on tables and the floor at a community food center.

Open car trunk filled with grocery bags containing donated food items ready for delivery.

Multiple grocery bags with food supplies placed beside colorful bean bags in an office space, prepared for donation.

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.

Colleagues gathered around a table filled with wrapped gifts during an office Secret Santa exchange.

Three team members chatting and smiling, one speaking animatedly while holding a drink.

A team member reading from a paper while others stand nearby listening during the gift exchange.

A team member smiling and holding up a small gift box during the celebration.

A colleague standing in front of the group holding a gift bag while others watch and smile.

A team member laughing while opening a wrapped present at the office table.

Colleague selecting a gift from a table stacked with wrapped presents during Secret Santa.

Two team members smiling as one holds a wrapped gift box in front of the group.

Two colleagues chatting across a desk covered with papers and small items during the office celebration.

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.

Colleagues seated at a warmly lit restaurant while a waiter serves their table.

Restaurant table setting with candles, bread, butter, and condiments under soft lighting.

A plated dish of seared fish served over creamy green risotto with diced vegetables.

Two colleagues seated by a window at night, dining and talking over wine and shared dishes.

A plated appetizer featuring small bites topped with pickled onions and garnishes.

A plated octopus dish served with greens and sauce in an elegant presentation.

Team members gathered around a long restaurant table enjoying dinner and conversation.

A plated dessert with caramel sauce, cream, and a crisp garnish.

Colleagues chatting at the restaurant table with wine glasses and finished plates visible.

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 🎄✨