We have a tradition at BeginTimes: we celebrate important milestones twice – once in the office and once outside the city. Welcoming 2026 was no exception.

On December 29, we wrapped up the year at D16. Instead of a standard catered dinner, we chose to make the evening something special – warm, relaxed and truly home-like.

That’s how the idea of a culinary challenge came to life: competing for the most festive, the most impressive and the most elaborate dish prepared entirely by hand. Our table had never seen such a variety of creativity and flavors before.

Among the highlights were a New Year’s fruit tree, dozens of homemade mini burgers (yes, even the buns were baked from scratch) and classic aspic.

The New Year gifts from BeginTimes also had to be earned. We passed ornaments, carefully transported the symbol of 2026 – the horse – using paper towels and played improvised “snowball” game. For a moment, everyone got to feel like a kid again and simply enjoy the fun.

On January 9, carrying the holiday spirit forward and despite the unpredictable weather, the BeginTimes team gathered almost in full – joined by family members and friends – and headed to the countryside retreat at Zarechany.

And what about Ulli, you might ask?

For us, it was just another shared adventure. As a reward, we were welcomed by a true winter fairytale: snow-covered fir trees, deep snowdrifts and festive decorations throughout the estate – instantly elevating the holiday mood.

We played board games, relaxed in the aqua zone, enjoyed a private dinner and, true to BeginTimes tradition, wrapped up the evening with a karaoke battle.

The photos of snow angels will stay on our memory board, while here we keep a few warm snapshots – reminders of how much can be achieved when a close-knit team of professionals comes together.

This is the spirit a great year begins with.