As we bid farewell to 2023 and eagerly step into the new year, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on the milestones we’ve achieved and the wonderful support we’ve received from our local community. This past year has been nothing short of wonderful for us as a team, filled with growth and many achievements.
One of the many joys of this past holiday season was hosting our First Annual Pet Photos with Santa event alongside Skyline Realty Group, adorning our office space with decorations and lights, and seeking out the perfect gifts by exploring the offerings of our local shops and businesses. The vibrant hues of holiday lights and beautifully crafted ornaments transformed our workspace into a festive wonderland, creating an atmosphere of joy and celebration that inspired us through the season.
A special thank you to the following businesses who helped us celebrate the season:
Dis & Dat Party Studio
Dis & Dat Party Studio is located in downtown Jacksonville and offers party decor, balloon decor and more! Tawana (owner) worked hard to bring her magical touch to our workspace. Her creativity and attention to detail made the Horizons East office look beautiful, both inside and out. Our tree served as backdrop for the Santa photo event and even had custom branded ornaments – too cute!
Let There Be Light
If you drove by our office on either New Bridge Street or Warlick Street, you may have seen our building beautifully lit up at night. Thank you to Let There Be Light of Jacksonville for installing the lights and helping to brighten our little corner of downtown Jacksonville this year!
A Shining Light Photography
If you are in need of a local photographer, we absolutely loved our experience with Mayah, owner of A Shining Light Photography! She went above and beyond by helping us choose the proper size backdrop, assessing the space and lighting prior to our event, setting things up, having a very streamlined process and just genuinely being a delight to work with. The photos from our Pet Photos with Santa event turned out great and everyone really enjoyed themselves.
Ellie’s Leaves
A huge shoutout to Ellie’s Leaves, a mobile plant pop-up shop, for hand delivering beautiful plants for a lovely team members Christmas gift. The sweetest “plant girls” are popping up all over town and have an awesome assortment of plants for sale. Not only that but if you have a black thumb or need advice on keeping your plant babies alive, they are super knowledgeable and will definitely help you out!
Rachel’s Sugar Shack
Not only did Rachel, owner of Rachel’s Sugar Shack, knock out 500 cookies in a matter of a few days but they looked AND tasted wonderful. We included the cookies as part of our Christmas gifts delivered to local businesses that we work with throughout the year. Thank you Rachel (and your mom) for accommodating our last minute order!
The Lazy Daisy Bookshop
Speaking of last minute orders – a huge shoutout to The Lazy Daisy Bookshop for special ordering and hand delivering a collection of books for a teammates Christmas present. We were in a time crunch and they ordered and delivered the books just in time for the holiday – super impressive!
Dewey’s Bar + Bistro
When planning our Christmas party, we knew the perfect location that offered a great space, good vibes and delicious food – Dewey’s Bar + Bistro! Located in downtown Jacksonville, Dewey’s is an awesome spot to grab a bite, a cocktail or a beer after work. The ambiance is top tier, featuring traditional dining but also an “indoor courtyard” with cozy couches, tvs and board games. They have an awesome Sunday Brunch as well as great weekly events and specials (Wine + Whiskey Wednesday features 50% off all wine and whiskey for example!). Be sure to check them out!
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As we step into 2024, we’re fueled by gratitude and optimism. The connections we’ve made pave the way for more growth, collaboration, and local involvement. Let’s keep fostering creativity, backing local projects, and nurturing togetherness.
Here’s to a vibrant 2024, brimming with possibilities, collective success, and ongoing progress!
Wishing everyone a joyful and prosperous New Year!