• Take one leading SEO consultancy, and extract the staff from the office.
• Pour staff into tuxedos and dresses.
• Add to a large, city-centre venue and stir well.
• Add one DJ, a meal to line the stomach and allow to sit for around thirty seconds.
• Pour in the contents of a free bar, mix, and step back.

What you should now have in front of you is all the fun and frolics of the FirstFound Christmas Party, 2009.

The FirstFound team, fortified by a glass or two of fine wine, danced the night away at Manchester’s City Inn. Fun was had by all – including one plucky young consultant who spent his evening working his magic on the young lady DJ.

 It wasn’t all drunken kisses and bad dancing though, as the traditional Annual Awards were handed out to those people who’ve really made a contribution this year.

 SEO Consultant of the Year: Roger Davies. Roger walked away with the award for the second year running, thanks in part to the fact that he’s always the first into the office, and the last to leave (rumours that he’s moonlighting as the office cleaner proved to be unfounded).

 Sales People of the Year: Gareth Chadwick and Kristen Massey.  Gareth and Kristen took home the sales awards, thanks to their tireless dedication to keeping the rest of us in a job. Which is nice of them.

 SEO Manager of the Year:  Richard Hassall. Claiming his first award mere months after taking over as AdWords manager, Richard’s success could be put down to a combination of hard work, dedication and bribing the judges.

Sales Manager of the Year: Paul Cunningham. It takes a lot to manage a sales team. Threats, bribes and pleading seem to work well though, and it’s certainly enough to land Paul an award.

Director’s Commendations: Adam Ramsden and David Farrell. Those in the know suggest that Adam’s win was less about his design contributions and more about him begging for recognition. We can only assume that David was much more deserving of his award.

 Thanks again to the City Inn for having us – and if you want to see just what they needed to put up with, cast your eye over this rogues’ gallery.