One in ten families in Norway is a so-called low-income family, according to Statistics Norway. These are particularly vulnerable when the economy is under pressure, and they feel the toll on both body and wallet. 2023 has been a demanding year for many with high electricity prices, more expensive food and strong interest rate growth. Will your Christmas celebration be different this year? Do you have any tips for those who are struggling? Comment at the bottom of the case. Many simply fear that Christmas will break. – In the past, it may have been fine on weekdays, and then you dread Christmas and extra costs – but now it is difficult to make ends meet every day, and then Christmas comes on top of this. Many therefore do not have any hopes, quite simply. They are in danger of not being able to celebrate Christmas, says assistant social manager in the Salvation Army Elin Herikstad. Elin Herikstad in the Salvation Army says that many are going through some difficult weeks. Photo: The Salvation Army Disappointing figures A report from Sifo and the Ministry of Children and Families shows that 150,000 households say they are “in bad shape”. Three-quarters of the failed accounts, and nine out of ten in this group say money problems affect their mental health. In a recent survey carried out by Opinion for the Salvation Army, it appears that one in five Norwegians is considering dropping all or part of the Christmas celebration. – There is not much that surprises us with this, because we know there are many who are struggling, and the number is increasing and increasing, but it is very sad that it is so serious for people. It’s hard to see the black and white, when the results come in, says Herikstad. She says that they have already received inquiries from concerned families. – Many people do not have any hopes that there will be anything extra for Christmas, when it is already difficult in everyday life. Collected millions Although many have had it tougher this year, it was demanding for families in large parts of the country last year as well. Program host and former footballer Mads Hansen wanted to combine his Christmas calendar with something constructive, and he got his followers on social media to join in the fun. The aim was to collect NOK 100,000 for the organization Rett Fram Oplevelser i Drammen. He even ended up handing over NOK 5.8 million to them. Ronny Johnsen says that it is painful and difficult to choose who should get help. Photo: Christine Breivik Øen / news – We organized Christmas celebrations for families 22 nights in a row before Christmas last year, and we will do the same this year. It’s a horrible time many people are entering, either people have experienced the outside world before, or have ended up there in the last year, says Ronny Johnsen in Rett Fram. Their challenge will be to get enough volunteers and find time for everything. – And then it becomes difficult to set the criteria. It is not possible to measure people who are in pain against others who are in pain, says Johnsen. He says that there are other types of people who make contact this year. – It is not the case that the people who call us now are people who have lived below the poverty line for many years, they are people who half a year ago discovered that it is no longer possible. There are many families who have never used us before, and who are quite ashamed when they make contact. Daily tenant at Matsentralen Sør, Christian Førland. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news Same trend across the country And that people are struggling, all eight food centers in the country notice. – We don’t have enough food to meet our needs. We have received 20 per cent more food, but the need has increased by 40 per cent, says the daily manager at Matsentralen Sør, Christian Førland. Even for those who work with distributing food, it is difficult to take in what is happening now. Bjørn Edvart Andersen is an officer with the Salvation Army in Kristiansand. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news – I feel a big lump in my stomach when I hear that the Christmas celebration is in danger. The idea that you will not have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in Norway in 2023 is a shame, says Førland. At the Salvation Army in Kristiansand, they also distribute food and note that the economic situation has worsened for many Norwegians. – This is a recurring thing. The problem just keeps growing. Where it will end, one can wonder, says Bjørn Edvart Andersen, officer with the Salvation Army in Kristiansand. Will your Christmas celebration be different this year? Do you have any tips for those who are struggling? Hello! Welcome to dialogue at news. Since you are logged in to other news services, you do not have to log in again here, but we need your consent to our terms of use for online dialogue
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One in five families consider skipping all or part of Christmas – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
