Hi Oleg!
In Norway most people celebrate Christmas.
Most do it as a cultural celebration rather than a religious one.
However Christmas eve is also one of few days during the year that most churches around the country are full. But again, I think many go to Chruch this day for the sake of tradition rather than religion and faith.
I think the message of peace is just as an important to people to gather around as the message of the birth of Christ.
When it comes to presents it has in my opinion become totally crazy.
Norwegians buy so much stuff to each other and since we have more or less everything we need in life already, the things we get for Christmas often just replaces stuff we have. This is leading to a lot of waste and it´s totally loco!
In average Norwegians use over $1400 on presents pr adult person... I know many that will spend A LOT more..
To me Christmas is about relaxing with family and friends and about fellowship around some really good meals! :)
Hi Peter!
Thank you for your reply, it was interesting to read. Christmas in Norway sounds almost exactly like what it is here, in Sweden. In my circle of friends it’s becoming more accepted to abstain from giving material gifts for Christmas and opt for donations to charities instead. Christmas can also be a good time for different fundraising initiative and for volunteer engagement for the benefit of those less fortunate ones.
This year I celebrated Christmas with my family in France. It was different both from Russia and from Sweden. More lights, more decorations, much bigger Christmas markets… Oh, and they eat duck instead of pork on Christmas Eve, haha! :)
I would eat duck instead of pork most days of the year! :)