Holiday celebrations are a special time of year across the country, but especially in Seattle.
Whether it’s the magic of wandering through Pike Place Market, or the decorated ships setting sail on Lake Union and Lake Washington, holidays in the Pacific Northwest are something truly special.
So it’s no surprise that Seattle-based tech companies have created special ways of celebrating the holidays through unique in-office celebrations. Read on to learn more about what makes the season especially bright at Clean Power Research and DoubleDown Interactive — and what these festive experiences say about the two companies’ cultures.
Clean Power Research is a B2B cloud software company that supports utilities, energy agencies and industry as they navigate the energy transition toward renewables and a modernized grid.
What do holiday celebrations look like in your office? How did these traditions develop?
For holiday celebrations, our focus is on fun and working to get a great turnout while accommodating varying levels of participation and passion. Years ago, we launched a themed gingerbread building contest with categories including Best On-Mission creation. Given our passion for the clean energy transition, we wondered if people would embrace the challenge — and they exceeded all expectations. The results were stunning: intricately decorated structures featuring rooftop solar arrays, electric vehicle charging stations and candy-coated wind turbines. The enthusiasm was contagious and the event instantly became an annual fixture.
Each year, we've refined the concept based on what worked. Last year, we shifted to a team-based approach and invited teams to create an entire gingerbread village. Suddenly teams were designing community solar farms, constructing hydroelectric plants complete with frosting waterfalls and engineering working windmills with chocolate filigree blades that actually rotated.
What started as a simple holiday activity has become a genuine showcase of imagination and problem-solving. It's a reminder that the best traditions aren't necessarily the ones you plan meticulously from the start — they're the ones that tap into your team's natural energy and give them room to surprise you.
How does your company best support inclusive celebrations that allow everyone to participate comfortably?
We try to keep our focus on our mission and incorporate elements of the holidays that anyone can enjoy, from our gingerbread building competition to comfort foods and drinks. We also frequently have potlucks and invite people to bring a holiday dish that they really love and want to share. This allows people to experience favorites from other cultures and traditions they might not have had the opportunity to try before. We also try to schedule our company events on a timetable that doesn’t compete with the many family obligations people often have at this time of the year.
What advice do you have for organizations seeking to build new traditions or festive holiday gatherings?
Lean into what your team enjoys, marry that to some holiday fun and find a way to tie that into your greater mission. The most memorable workplace traditions emerge when you start with your team's genuine interests rather than defaulting to generic celebrations.
Take a moment to consider what makes your team tick. Are they competitive? Creative? Food-focused? Do they love getting outdoors, or would they rather gather around a table? Once you've identified that core energy, look for ways to channel it through a festive lens. Then the activity becomes both a celebration and a subtle reinforcement of the work you care about.
The key is authenticity. Your team will sense when a tradition feels forced versus when it genuinely reflects who you are as an organization. Start small, stay flexible and don't be afraid to iterate. The best traditions often evolve organically, growing richer each year as they become woven into your company's culture.
DoubleDown Interactive is a global gaming company that develops popular casual games for mobile & desktop with a mission of becoming the best gaming company by providing top gaming experiences for everyone.
What do holiday celebrations look like in your office? How did these traditions develop?
We celebrate the holidays with a mix of beloved traditions and cultural activities, adding a twist each year. These traditions began as a way for employees to come together, share experiences over food and enjoy the holiday season.
In November, our Worksgiving tradition continues and over the past few years, has evolved into a potluck. One year, company leaders brought their favorite baked goodies and the next, employees contributed sweet desserts or savory side dishes. Everyone shares recipes and stories to a collective cookbook. In December, we celebrate the end of year with festive activities, curated gifts and heartfelt messages from leadership to recognize everyone’s hard work and achievements. For a fun touch, it has become a tradition for our director of people & culture to wear an inflatable costume, adding extra excitement to every holiday celebration.
How does your company best support inclusive celebrations that allow everyone to participate comfortably?
Our celebrations are thoughtfully planned to empower our employees and recognize the cultures that shape our workplace. When planning meals, we accommodate a variety of dietary preferences, as well as offering a balanced mix of activities that appeal to different engagement styles. Whether we're in office or working from home, we celebrate and highlight diverse backgrounds and interests to ensure both introverts and extroverts can participate at a level they feel most comfortable. Our goal is to create meaningful and impactful experiences that allow employees to connect, grow and thrive while strengthening our culture and sense of belonging.
What advice do you have for organizations seeking to build new traditions or festive holiday gatherings?
Definitely start with employee feedback! We value this input and let it guide our company celebrations, as it’s an essential part of the planning process. Be sure to ask specific questions in your survey to collect actionable insights about what employees enjoy and the type of activities they’d like to see. Once you spot the patterns, incorporate interactive experiences that engage employees and foster connection while ensuring everything aligns with your company values. Examples could include scavenger hunts, charity activities, a DIY crafts or treat station, trivia or friendly competitions that encourage team collaboration, or recognizing milestones and achievements during the celebration.
