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The essence of Christmas is similar across the globe – but the traditions and celebrations differ from country to country. BurdaInternational bundles the global activities of Hubert Burda Media – it operates in 17 countries and employs 2,400 people in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Join us on a world tour from Malaysia to India, France, Denmark, to the UK, and finally to Poland, to find out how some of the BurdaInternational divisions celebrate at the office. And learn what they have planned this Christmas, given the pandemic.
Raffles in Malaysia
The team at BurdaLuxury Kuala Lumpur gathers annually for an end-of-year party where they eat, drink and are merry. They stage raffles – with colleagues randomly drawing their presents “blind” from an array of surprise mystery gifts. Under Covid regulations, the festivities will take place on a smaller scale this December, but like always it will be a fun way for the team to wrap up the old before taking a break and embarking on the new year.
Virtual Games in India
The Burda Media India team absolutely loves traditions during Christmas time: For the past seven years, the members have been playing Secret Santa. In this ritual, they draw a fellow employee’s name from a pot to become that person’s secret benefactor – and give them a present. This year, the colleagues in Gurugram will be celebrating virtually by playing games and wearing holiday outfits, all the while ensuring they maintain social distancing. The important thing is spending time and enjoying the festive season together.
Secret Santa in France
The BurdaBleu team from Montrouge (France) usually gathers for a Christmas lunch to eat, drink, and play Secret Santa – typically giving each other funny gifts. The colleagues might get back to the tradition this year after it had to be cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Finally, in January, when everyone has returned from holiday break, the whole team celebrates the new year at a big party.
Mulled wine in Denmark
The publishing house BurdaNordic, which is part of Burda’s crafting unit Burda Create!, puts a new spin on the Secret Santa custom with a wonderful tradition that extends throughout the month of December. After setting up a Christmas tree at their office in Kolding, Denmark, and decorating it with scores of handmade ornaments, the colleagues all bring a small present to place under the tree. Every day in December, a lucky employee receives one of the gifts. On the last working day before Christmas, the company leaves a present under the tree for each member of staff. Before everyone is sent home to begin a peaceful holiday season, the whole team gathers and enjoys cups of mulled wine – a traditional hot winter drink in northern Europe.
Winter wonderland in the UK
Shortly before Christmas, Immediate Media will be hosting its annual IM Awards – a hybrid event with a live audience in London that will also be streamed to the colleagues in Bristol and at home. Among Immediate’s holiday traditions is a performance by the in-house choir “Immediate Voices”. Due to the pandemic, this year’s concert will be an edited version of pre-recorded individual performances. Following that, Immediate will be staging further Christmas celebrations – with Covid regulations in place – at its London and Bristol offices. The garden in London will be converted into a winter wonderland, with street food, drinks, and entertainment, along with silent disco competitions in which colleagues can DJ against each other to see who “wins” the most dancers.
CSR campaigns in Poland
While Burda Media Polska cannot plan in-person meetings due to Poland’s high incidence of Covid this year, there will still be numerous activities for the team in Warsaw. In addition to a Christmas competition for employees and their children and a St. Nicolas Day celebration on December 6, the colleagues will receive advent calendars brimming with fun holiday facts. Furthermore, Burda Media PL has organised a heart-warming corporate responsibility campaign for children who are forced to spend the holidays in the hospital: Burda will donate books for them, and employees are asked to contribute presents as well. What a great way to give something back during the festive season!
Merry Christmas! Or to put it in the languages of the BurdaInternational teams: Selamat Hari Natal! Krisamas Kee Badhaee! Joyeux Noël! Glædelig Jul! Merry Christmas! Wesołych Świąt!
