I’ll be honest. I’ve been having a really hard time getting into the holiday spirit this year. We hauled out the decorations and put up the lights, but something was missing. That changed as I started to get into the nitty gritty details that come with planning Thanksmas.

So what is Thanksmas exactly? Well, it’s not your typical office holiday party. You’re more likely to find us wearing PJs or an elf costume than getting dressed up. We usually have it in the office and there are games and competitions with complicated rules, many that can change at any time. Think “Let’s Make a Deal” meets “The Amazing Race”. Of course we have food and drink (it is a party after all), but the theme and games are the stars of the show. It’s a chance to be silly and forget about work for a while and maybe walk away with a prize or two. Most importantly it’s a chance to share thanks and appreciation for the people that make Rustici a truly magical place to work.

Father Thanksmas aka JoeThanksmas was one of the first big pieces of work I’ve taken on since becoming MD 2 months ago. From tiki parties to dunk tanks and magic shows, there are some tough acts to follow! Figuring out how to recreate the magic of Thankmases past virtually was a challenge for sure. Thankfully, we are a team of helpful and supportive people that made this a lot easier. From Liz and her planning expertise, food from Goldbelly and a visit from Father Thanksmas (aka Joe), things came together.

So while I was having trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year, Thanksmas helped remind me that there is so much to be thankful for. Though we might not get to celebrate in person, the celebration is still important.

Tammy knew what SCORM was several years before joining Rustici Software, and she’s not even a standards geek. She’s the Managing Director and leads our company with a passionate commitment to caring for our people and customers. She’s also an Iron(wo)Man many times over.