It started with an invitation, emailed to colleagues and clients, about Hot Tomali’s Christmas party, held in our newly expanded office on December 13, 2007.

It was an ugly Christmas sweater party, and we had scored some awesome sweaters at Value Village to distribute to those unfortunate souls who were lacking in the ugly sweater department.

We offered an international buffet — to correspond with our multicultural team — with various snacks from England, Scotland, China, Japan, Germany and Mexico.

Our office was shining with pretty Christmas decorations and our staff were dressed up in our ugliest sweaters. We all decided the winner of the contest for the ugliest outfit was client Ryan Oughtred! He showed up in checkered pants, combined with a Christmas vest and blinking cap, saying “Ho ho ho”. Thomas’s Santa boots were definitely an eye-catcher, though.

The secret drink on this night was “Lumumba”, a specialty from Germany made of hot chocolate and rum, which put everybody in a good mood.

The ugly sweaters were given to charity after the event.