In Haukedalen in Sunnfjord, the snow has settled around the yard of the Ness Tretteteig family. But this year it will be a slightly different Christmas celebration, thanks to seven-year-old Andreas. – We were sitting in the car on the way home from school, then he thought it was a bit silly that we were all alone on Christmas Eve, then he came up with the good idea that we could invite someone we don’t know, says mother, Ingvil Ness Tretteteig. Then the road was short to publish a post on social media where they invited strangers to celebrate Christmas at their home. The family is also not alone in wanting to contribute to others having a good Christmas. Only on the website for buying and selling, Finn.no, the service “offer help for Christmas” has experienced a big increase since last year. It was used 1296 times in 2022 and has already been used 2277 times this year, says Linda Glomlien, press contact at finn.no. The eldest girl in the Ness Tretteteig family, Aina, is excited to maybe celebrate Christmas with someone she doesn’t know. Photo: Arne Stubhaug / news A great need Voluntary organizations and teams organize alternative Christmas celebrations all over the country. At the Church’s City Mission in Bergen, they see an increasing need for an offer for those who either cannot afford to celebrate Christmas, or have no one to celebrate with. But where some people want to thrive best by disappearing into the crowd during a large event, others will need to get closer to fewer people. As in the family’s home in Haukedalen. – It’s nice that people who have the capacity open their doors, says Siv Lyngtun, who is business contact in the Church’s Bymission. – Christmas reinforces everything How loneliness is experienced is so individual that it is not the easiest thing to capture in statistics. At the start of the pandemic, 1 in 3 stated that they are “a little or a lot plagued by loneliness” to Statistics Norway. The survey was carried out between 9 and 30 March. At the same time, Norwegians are the ones who come out the best in a survey of a number of European countries on loneliness. – It is said that Christmas strengthens everything, says deacon in the church in Førde, Anita Øvreås Rusken. Joy and fellowship, or sorrow and loneliness. Excited about who will be Andreas’ Big Sister, Aina has made up her mind about what the family’s Christmas celebration will be like. – It can be a bit strange, but if we become good friends, they can come several times, Aina muses and concludes that she will welcome them anyway. In the house, the poinsettia has taken its place in the window. – I hope that someone will come, enjoy themselves and have a good Christmas celebration, says mother Ingvil. Photo: Arne Stubhaug / news
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Invites to Christmas celebrations at home – news Vestland
