It started with 24 clove sprouts in an orange. In recent times, pack calendars have become more common. With increased interest rates and higher prices for food, electricity and fuel, a packed calendar can quickly feel a little extra on the wallet this year. – You have to dare to say that you can’t afford it, says Linda Tofteng Eliassen, consumer economist at Sparebank1 Nord-Norge. She says that one of the biggest financial challenges most people face is changing their buying habits. – We live in one of the countries where the majority of the population spends the most money in the world. We have become accustomed to having very good advice. CHANGE THE PRIORITIES: Tofteng Eliassen says we must get better at saving our money, and cut down on unnecessary consumption. Photo: Marius Fiskum To make the run-up to Christmas a little easier for someone else, nursing student Anna Kristine Longva Jørgensen has made an advent calendar with 24 packages. She published a picture of this in a Facebook group, and wrote that she wanted to give it away to a stranger. – I have received very good feedback, and I hope that it might inspire others to do the same, says Longva Jørgensen. Many people contacted about the calendar, but Longva Jørgensen had already imagined who she wanted to give it to. – Someone contacted me because they wanted the calendar for themselves, but I wanted to give it to someone who wants to pass it on to their children or grandchildren. GIVING A CALENDAR AWAY: – There are 24 small packages with various beauty products, scented candles and really typical girly things, says Longva Jørgensen with a smile. Photo: Anna Kristine Longva Jørgensen Increased consumption linked to Christmas and Advent Virke believes the average consumer will shop for more than NOK 12,000 this Christmas. Four out of ten want to spend less money on Christmas presents than they did last year. – And many people probably say that every year, but still we break all records again and again, says Tofteng Eliassen. – If we don’t get consumption down, interest rates will continue to rise, and then even more people will struggle financially. The UN estimates that approximately one in ten Norwegians lives below the poverty line. Anna Kristine Longva Jørgensen says that some of those who contacted about the advent calendar found it difficult not to be able to afford to make a calendar for the children. – I see for myself how difficult it can be and I have relatively good finances. I hardly dare to think about those who are in a predicament from before, she says. FOUND INSPIRATION FROM CHILDREN: Last Christmas, Longva Jørgensen read a Facebook post with children who wanted to pass on their used toys in Advent packages. It stuck in her memory, and inspired her to do the same. Photo: Malin Nygård Solberg / news The Christmas mood doesn’t have to cost a lot. Consumer economist Toften Eliassen likes cheap solutions for advent calendars and Christmas gifts, and thinks people need to ask themselves what they actually value most at Christmas time. – Is it time with friends and family, traditions or perhaps to relax? Many will probably agree that expensive gifts are not the most important thing to have a nice Christmas. She herself has previously made several different advent calendars for her children, without having to spend much money. – One year when my children were younger we had an adventure advent calendar. A gift could, for example, be that “tonight we will make a fire in the forest and have a barbecue together”. She says that one of the best things you can give is quality time and attention, and encourages consumers to think alternatively.
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Anna (22) gave away a Christmas calendar with things she has no use for: – Hope it can inspire – news Nordland
