Wrapping Up 2025: Pottery, Karaoke, and the Art of Software Development

As the year drew to a close, our teams across the globe came together to celebrate in ways that perfectly reflected who we are as a company: creative, collaborative, and deeply connected.

Across all locations, two unexpected stars emerged during our year-end gatherings: pottery and karaoke. No matter where they were, Magnolians showed they could shape clay and hit the high notes—proving that those who master code can also master craft and chorus.

Pottery, much like coding, starts with an idea and a rough shape. It requires patience, iteration, and willingness to get your hands dirty. Sometimes the result isn’t exactly what you envisioned, yet with collaboration, creativity, and a bit of resilience, it becomes something uniquely valuable.

Karaoke, on the other hand, mirrors teamwork and delivery. It’s about confidence, timing, and trusting yourself—and your audience—even when things don’t go perfectly. Just like launching software, it takes courage to step up, adaptability when things go off-key, and support from those around you to turn it into a success.

The UK team embraced the Christmas spirit with caffeine and snacks before launching into a boozy pottery class where clay and prosecco flew freely. The day continued with Quiz Boxing—a high-energy mashup of a quiz show and a boxing ring, complete with fog machines, music, and actual boxing gloves. Adding to the excitement, the celebration was made extra special by the CEO joining from HQ. The festivities wrapped up with what the UK team does best: karaoke.

Meanwhile, in Spain, Magnolians split into two equally creative adventures—half delved into a pottery class (perhaps secretly coordinated with the UK team by Santa himself), while the other half explored the world of esports through VR, proving that holiday fun can be as high-tech as it is hands-on.

Czechia kept things delightfully on-prem, opting for table football, bowling, and a team dinner instead of VR headsets. Fueled by beer, wine, and friendly rivalry, the team wrapped up the evening with laughter, lively conversation, and a winning spirit the old-school way.

At HQ, “The Grand Wrap-Up” was an unforgettable 80s-themed celebration, and for one night, we truly partied like it was 1985. From bold outfits and retro vibes to big laughs and brilliantly wicked games, the evening was a perfect reminder not to take ourselves too seriously, at least not all the time.

The night began with a deceptively calm challenge: peeling apples to create the longest unbroken peel. Next came an artistic test straight out of an abstract gallery—drawing the perfect snowman on a paper plate balanced on your head, without looking. The results were… abstract, at best.

The energy peaked during the challenge that required guiding a dangling candy cane into a bottle using nothing but hip movements—a true test of rhythm, focus, and confidence.

By the end of the games, the scoreboard revealed a dramatic twist: a tie between two teams. The only way to settle it? A final, unexpected showdown—karaoke.

Adding to the drama, the karaoke duel was between two brothers. Proof that while we often say ‘we’re all like family,’ sometimes we actually are. In the end, experience prevailed, and the older brother claimed victory.

In Vietnam, the office wrapped up the year with a joyful Christmas Lunch filled with laughter, festive spirit, and an impressive potluck spread. The table was a wonderful mix of homemade dishes, each one reflecting the care and personality of the team. From decorating the space together to cheering each other on during Bingo games, Gift Unboxing challenges, and the much-anticipated Best Dishes awards, the day was full of energy and warmth. The return of a much-loved tradition, Secret Santa, added an extra layer of surprise, with thoughtfully wrapped gifts gathering around the Christmas tree and creating unforgettable moments.

Moving just a bit south-west from Vietnam, we land in Magnolia’s Singaporean office, where the team wrapped up the year with a lively dinner followed by—you wouldn’t guess—karaoke, keeping the spirit of fun and connection alive late into the evening.

Last but not least, from across the globe, the US team set the tone for our year-end celebrations. Meeting in Florida at the end of November, they kicked off the festivities in casual T-shirts and shorts, seamlessly tying their celebrations to the energy of our Partner Summit.

From clay-covered hands to off-key choruses, from potluck tables to bowling lanes, this year’s end-of-year celebrations reminded us of what truly matters: people, connection, and shared experiences.