Celebrating Christmas the Strategic Way: From Just Six People to a Global Family
At Strategic Sports, our Christmas celebrations are about holiday spirit, marking the end of the year, and about remembering where we started. It’s a chance to honor our years of hard work building this company together, as we celebrate the sense of family that continues to define who we are today.
This year, Strategic hosted its two annual Christmas celebrations in Hong Kong and Portugal. These gatherings reflect both the roots of our company and its growing global footprint, bringing together colleagues, friends, and families to celebrate another year of shared success.
“Our Hong Kong Christmas party is where everything began,” said Strategic Sports Managing Director Norman Cheng. “At the time of our first party, the Hong Kong office had grown…to six people. My mother suggested that we celebrate Christmas together, and she booked a buffet at a nearby hotel. We invited a few friends, and that was it.”
What began as a small gathering has grown into a tradition that now brings together hundreds of our people from around the world.
Hong Kong: Tradition, Family, and Continuity
The Hong Kong Christmas party remains deeply rooted in tradition. Each year begins with a prayer, reflecting the openness and cultural diversity that defines both the city and the company.
“We always say a prayer,” Cheng shared. “Years ago, a young boy named Enrico used to read it for us. Today, he’s graduated from college, he’s married, and now he sends us the prayer by video. Seeing moments like that reminds me how long we’ve been doing this, and how people grow alongside Strategic.”
The evening was filled with shared meals, conversation, singing, children’s performances and gifts, reinforcing the sense of connection that has defined Strategic from the very beginning.
“When I look back at these gatherings, I see friends, coworkers, and families all celebrating together,” Cheng said. “That’s really what this is about. A special time of the year, spent together as the Strategic family.”
Portugal: Honoring Commitment and Building the Future
In Portugal, Strategic’s European production outpost hosted its own Christmas celebration, with a special focus on recognizing long-term service and dedication.
“We think of Portugal as the new production base for Strategic Sports,” Cheng explained. “But when you look at the names, many of these team members have already been with us for 10 years or more. That says a lot about the people and the culture we’re building.”
During the celebration, long-term service awards were presented to honor team members who have contributed to Strategic’s growth over many years. While not every award recipient was able to attend, the recognition reflects the depth of experience and loyalty within the Portugal team.
Celebrating 10+ years of Service at Strategic Sports:
Isabel Luísa Silva Amorim
Rosa Maria da Silva Costa
Sandra Marisa Tavares Carreiro
Carlos Manuel Martins de Almeida
João Carlos Simões da Silva Lopes
Silvia Tavares Ferreira
Susana Cristina Pinto Azevedo Campos
Ana Patricia Fernandes Barreiro
Elisabete Andrade Pereira
Joana Ferreira de Brito
Vera Lucia Dias Maciel
A Celebration That Grows With Us
While Hong Kong and Portugal remain Strategic’s two company-wide Christmas celebrations, the spirit of the season extends further. At the factory level, Christmas is also celebrated with a special event organized just for employees’ children.
Over the years, these gatherings have created many memorable moments, including former colleague Kurt Kempainen famously dressing up as Santa Claus.
“I was chatting with Kurt the other day,” Cheng said. “I still have the Santa suit.”
Our tradition of coming together over the holidays goes beyond immediate employees as well. Yang Kui, a friend of Cheng’s father and longtime Strategic Christmas party attendee, notes, “Your families are all so kind. l think it is a warmest Company Christmas Party in Hong Kong.” And Kui, a journalist by trade, goes to a lot of parties.
From a six-person dinner organized by family to celebrations spanning continents, Strategic’s Christmas traditions tell the story of a company built on people first.
“This is a reminder of how far we’ve come,” Cheng reflected. “But more importantly, it’s a reminder of why we do what we do. Strategic has always been about people, relationships, and growing together.”
As the year comes to a close, these celebrations serve as both a reflection and a thank-you to everyone who continues to make Strategic Sports what it is today.
Happy Holidays friends, partners, and Strategic Family!
