A Night to Celebrate

As another season comes to a close, December gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect not just on the projects we completed, but on the people who made them possible. Our annual holiday party is one of our favorite traditions at M.J. Design because it allows us to do just that.

This year, we gathered at the Longaberger Alumni House at The Ohio State University, a fitting place to slow down, celebrate, and come together as a team after a full season of hard work. After months of installations, maintenance, early mornings, and long days, spending time together outside of the job site reminds us why team culture matters so deeply. It’s a chance to share stories from the season, laugh together, and recognize the craftsmanship, pride, and dedication that go into every project we take on. Landscaping is demanding work, and our crews show up every day with pride, care, and commitment. This celebration is our way of recognizing that effort and say thank you to the people behind the scenes who make M.J. Design what it is.

The evening included a mix of meaningful and lighthearted moments. Along with fun games and laughter, we handed out a few humorous awards that reflected the everyday realities of our work — from Last One Out and Most Overtime Worked to Most Likely to Take the Truck Keys Home. These moments remind us that while we take our work seriously, we value camaraderie and enjoy celebrating the personalities that make our team unique.

We also took time to recognize those who consistently go above and beyond. While our entire team plays an important role in our success, this year we were proud to honor Grady, Gavin, Lorenzo, Geronimo, Victor, and Antonio with our Most Valuable Employee award. Their reliability, leadership, and work ethic truly help keep our business running, and we believe it’s important to let our most impactful team members know just how valued they are. If you see these team members around in 2026, know you’re working with some of the most dedicated professionals at M.J. Design and some of the very best in the field.

Equally important, we acknowledged the families who support our team behind the scenes. Long hours, early mornings, and busy seasons require understanding and encouragement at home, and we are grateful for the families who help make our work possible.

As we head into a well-earned two-week shutdown, this celebration serves as both a thank you and a reset—a moment to recharge before we begin planning and preparing for the hard work ahead in 2026. Moments like these remind us that strong teams build strong landscapes, and we’re proud of the people who continue to build with us year after year.