The case in summary Christer Skjevik, a 22-year-old psychology student, does not want material gifts for Christmas. He believes that in a materialistic society, the money should rather go to those who need it more, and he encourages giving to charity. The call is in light of the world’s situation in recent years. In general, support for charities increases, especially from younger age groups, especially during crises such as the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Christmas shopping in Norway is expected to increase by 3 per cent from last year, with an estimated total of NOK 133 billion. On average, each person is expected to spend NOK 12,570 on Christmas presents, food and drink. Charities report increased support, especially related to crises such as the conflict in Israel and Gaza, with a focus on needs such as health care, protection, water, food and trauma care for children. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – I don’t need new clothes for Christmas. There are people in the world who need the more basic needs. That’s what 22-year-old Christer Skjevik says, a psychology student at Høgskolen i Innlandet. He says he doesn’t want anything for Christmas, other than a quieter world. – Apart from that, I don’t really have any strong wishes. Monetary support for charity > Christmas gift Skjevik says he gives to charity every year – to the causes he is passionate about. He has a regular contribution to the dementia association, and has given some support to Ukraine. Recently he gave money to support those affected by the conflict in the Middle East. – Securing the rights of civilians is something I am passionate about. Have you given money to charity this year? 💰 Yes, I gave a little extra this year Yes, but I do that every year No, but have plans for it No, I don’t have the finances for that Show result – We have it too good in the materialistic society we live in. Then it is natural to think that you would rather contribute to someone who needs it more. Skjevik thinks it’s nice if those who have what they need give financial support to charity this year. – Why can’t you just give your Christmas present to someone else? Younger people give during crisis situations – We greatly appreciate everyone who chooses to help those who need it most, and who chooses to rather support the work to help all those who have been affected by war than to receive a Christmas present themselves. So says Line Fauske-Ilstad, marketing manager at the Norwegian Red Cross. She says that this year they have noticed an increase in the amount of money they receive from the regular monthly donor. – There are also many who respond to emergency aid collections, both existing donors, members and the general population. Fauske-Ilstad says there are many people who want to give financial support to those affected by the conflict in the Middle East now. So far, more than 8 million have been received since the conflict escalated. Photo: Norwegian Red Cross Fauske-Ilstad says the Red Cross has donors of all ages, but that they notice that younger age groups particularly want to give when crises arise. – What is happening in Israel and Gaza makes an impression and we feel that people are affected by what is happening and want to give. Fauske-Ilstad says that children affected by war need health care, protection, water and food and help to cope with the trauma they have after what they have been exposed to. We will shop more Norwegians will, according to Virke’s forecasts, do Christmas shopping for NOK 133 billion this year. This is an increase of 3 per cent, compared to last year. On average, each of us will spend NOK 12,570 on Christmas presents, food and drink. Overall, Virke estimates that 64.2 billion will be traded in November and 69 billion in December. – Despite the fact that many Norwegians have had tighter personal finances, we know that Christmas shopping has a very special position with the Norwegian people. We will have gifts and we will have good food and drink. This is what the CEO of Virke, Bernt Apeland, says to news. Virke predicts a value increase of 3 per cent from last year’s Christmas trade. – In our consumer survey, it appears that 47 per cent of those questioned will spend the same amount of money on Christmas presents as last year. 29 percent say they want to spend a little less, while 12 percent say they want to spend much less, says Apeland. Photo: Røde Kors Compared to last year, price growth has stabilized somewhat, while electricity prices have fallen. Virke believes this may contribute to this year’s Christmas sales, measured in kroner, going up somewhat from last year. – Food and drink are important to people at Christmas, and 55 per cent state that they will spend the same amount of money on this as last year, says Apeland. – A big difference for the most vulnerable children Ingrid Svendsen is marketing director at Redd Barna. She says that they have noticed an increase in people giving money to the organization in the past year. – It is Gaza that people are most concerned about now. Svendsen says that most women in their 40s give. This year’s TV campaign has also been of great help. Here, Save the Children received NOK 273.7 million, which will, among other things, go to help children affected by war. Photo: Redd Barna – Where many people have everything they need, there are millions of children who lack schooling, warm clothes, medicine, a roof over their heads and food. Asking for financial support for these children or a symbolic gift card for Christmas makes a big difference for the most vulnerable children, says Svendsen. Plan has also seen great donor satisfaction this year. – The crisis in Gaza has engaged our supporters very much, because they see how enormous the needs are. This is what Kari Helene Partapuoli, general secretary of Plan International Norway, tells us. - Plan has many sponsors, who give money to a good cause every month. These are loyal supporters who have been with us for many years. In addition, many give to topics that engage them and to emergency aid, such as now in Gaza, says Partapuoli. Photo: Astrid Hexeberg / Plan International Norway She says they are grateful that Norwegians provide support, even though the finances of many are tighter now than before. – It must be entirely up to the individual, but Norwegians spend enormous sums on Christmas presents and other goods in connection with Christmas every year. If more of that money can go to, for example, children who are affected by war, that would be very helpful. 22-year-old Christer Skjevik believes that it is appropriate that we give to charity – the way the world has looked in the last two or three years.
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Norwegians will, according to Virke’s forecasts, do Christmas shopping for 133 billion this year – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
