Nvidia did have grand holiday parties in its early years. Around 2000, they threw a big Christmas bash at Monterey Aquarium. Great food, drinks, dancing etc.

When Jensen learned some employees grumbled about the distance, how some food ran out, and how loud the music was, he grew upset.

He decided to end Nvidia's holiday parties and use the same funds for an annual holiday event where the company volunteered and did community service together. One year it was feeding the hungry, another year building a park.

It was a tradition that lasted nearly two decades until transitioning to a year-round charity donation program for good causes five years ago.