She lets the home get its Christmas costume on when news is visiting. But despite both wood and decorations in the living room – it is cramped and difficult to celebrate the holidays this year for Hilde Cecilie Olsen in Eidskog in Innlandet. – I haven’t been able to buy presents for the children yet. I haven’t been able to shop for Christmas food either. And I struggle to understand how I can get everything done, she says to news. PAIN: Hilde Cecilie Olsen says it hurts the mother’s heart not to be able to give the children what they want for Christmas. Photo: Frode Meskau / news Knows feelings of shame Hilde Cecilie is the mother of three children aged five to ten, who all dream of gifts and joy. And it hurts the mother’s heart that she cannot give the children what they want. – It hurts. Especially when the children come home and say that so-and-so in the class wants such and such things. “Why can’t we have it? Why can’t we get what we want? She adds that she also feels shame in such situations. – I feel like a failure as a mother. WISH NOTES: The Red Cross in Hamar has received many gift wishes from children, from families struggling with poor finances. Photo: Jenny Marie Sveen One in five is worried These days there is charity work and donations at the Red Cross in many places in the country, where volunteers write down children’s gift wishes, which end up on wish trees. And there are more people than ever who need a helping hand for Christmas, according to the Red Cross. Like Hilde Cecilie, one in five Norwegians are worried about whether they can afford Christmas presents this year, while one in six are unsure whether they can afford Christmas food. It shows recent figures from Oponion, on order from the Red Cross. Questions have been asked of a representative sample of the population of 1,005 people in December 2023. Are you worried about the economy now before Christmas? No, I have decent finances and I see that things will work out. Well, it’s tighter than usual, but it has to work somehow. Yes a little. I can only buy the bare essentials. Yes, I can’t afford anything special for Christmas this year. Show result HELPS: Liv Berit Karlsen says the Red Cross does the best they can with a view to helping those who are struggling. Photo: Frode Meskau / news – There have never been so many people who need help for Christmas. We notice this, for example, at the Children’s Red Cross, where more people come to get supper, says communications advisor at the Red Cross in Inland Liv Berit Karlsen. She adds: – We notice it in the number of inquiries for food delivery, and we notice it in the wishing trees that we have around the whole country. There is a record number of children who wish for gifts on the wishing tree. Poverty before Christmas 2023 One in five Norwegians may drop all or part of this year’s Christmas celebrations due to poorer finances. More than one in three parents answer that Christmas will be more difficult this year due to poorer finances and many are unable to protect their children 43 percent of those who answer that Christmas will be difficult think the children will notice this 10 percent will skip meals on Christmas 13 percent have to ask family and friends for financial help 27 percent want to be less social at Christmas 29 percent skip traveling to family and friends at Christmas Source: The Salvation Army / Red Cross Greater need than last year THE SALVATION ARMY: Assistant social manager Elin Herikstad says there is a lot of poverty now before Christmas, and fears that it may last a long time. Photo: The Salvation Army Also for the Salvation Army there are more people than ever who need assistance, says assistant social manager Elin Herikstad. – The need is very great and we are close to a new record in Christmas aid, Christmas food and gifts. Last year, the increase was already 48 per cent up on the previous year. We thought it was extraordinary and a peak, but we now notice an even greater need. Herikstad says it is tough to hear about all those who are struggling. – In most places, people have to apply for help for Christmas, and in the applications there are many hard-hitting personal stories that are painful to read. We experience a need that we fear will bite and last for a long time. – Impossible to help everyone Liv Berit Karlsen in the Red Cross also thinks it hurts that so many are left out. – It is difficult to see that someone has such a challenging time. And unfortunately, it is impossible to help everyone. But we do the best we can. Karlsen hopes that those who have the opportunity will join a relief effort before Christmas. – Most of us have less to deal with now, but those who have a little extra are welcome to contribute. This is how we at the Red Cross can help even more people. CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: Hilde Cecilie Olsen has had the tree decorated, but things are worse when it comes to buying Christmas food and Christmas presents this year Photo: Frode Meskau / news Hoping to get help It’s less than two weeks until Christmas, and with only work clarification money from NAV as income, there is a lack of funds for mother of three Hilde Cecilie. She receives NOK 17,000 a month from NAV, in addition to NOK 5,000 in child support, and after the fixed expenses are paid, she has between NOK 2,000 and 3,000 a month to live on. But she has hope of getting help, and that it can be both Christmas, light and joy. – I would gain inner peace, and not feel that I am a failure as a mother.
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One in five is worried about the economy before Christmas. Hilde Cecilie Olsen in Eidskog is one of them – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
