For the vast majority, Christmas is about family and celebration. For others, it can be a holiday associated with shame and loneliness.
Mother of three Monika Lund (42) wants to do something about it.
– Read daily from people who are impacted by high fuel prices, rising interest rates, and rising food prices. Many sit alone and some may dread the holidays, Monika tells Dagbladet.
The case was first discussed in Oppland Arbeiderblad.
Social family
According to the plan, Monika, her husband Ronny (38) and their three children Jayden (13), Kaylee (11) and Justin (5) will celebrate Christmas with Monika’s mum.
Now, however, they are opening their home to more people who would like to celebrate with them.
– We have plenty of space. And we are relatively easy to deal with, if I say so myself. We are a very sociable family and it is nice to celebrate with others.
– I think I probably inherited this concern for other people from my mother, Barbro. She is someone who has stood up for those who ask for help all her life, adds Monika.
The last crown on the card
SANTA’S VISIT: The family hopes that Santa will visit again this year. Photo: private
sea View
Monika then shared the following post in the “Engaged Residents of Søndre Land” Facebook group:
“We are a small family of five living at the top of Lausgarda. Two adults and three children. On Christmas Eve, the five of us and my mother will be together. We have so much space + heart room, and so we thought maybe there Is this someone who would like to stay with us on Christmas Eve Our children are between the ages of 5 and 13 We have two smaller dogs and three cats So with a possible allergy in mind that medicine should be taken before you come here. We can collect if you don’t have access to a car. PM if you want to join us. Ps: you don’t have to think about gifts. You don’t have to bring anything, just yourself”.
How to face Christmas alone
I did not know
When the local newspaper contacted the family, however, not everyone had heard Monika’s post.
The mother of three had not told the rest of the family about the invention.
– I knew it was going to be all right for Ronny and the kids. They are used to making decisions before I have time to talk to them, Monika says and laughs.
Ronny, for his part, says he wasn’t surprised when he found out what his wife had done.
– It wasn’t a surprise, no. I think it’s just cute, says the 38-year-old.
ANIMAL FRIENDLY: The family is happy to take their guests on horseback rides. Photo: private
sea View
I received a letter of complaint about the “Christmas cross”: – I felt ostracized
welcome
Monika says she has considered making a post like this on previous occasions, but admits it can be difficult to know how to phrase it.
– I’m in various Facebook groups where people write that Christmas is a difficult time. Then I quickly came to the conclusion that we can invite a few more people to our house.
The 42-year-old says that if anyone needs a family to celebrate Christmas with, they are welcome. His post received only positive feedback, but so far no one has asked to visit her on Christmas.
– We’ve got loads of extra space, and you’re welcome to sleep in.
The family also has two small dogs, five horses and three cats.
– Then of course we hope that Santa Claus will come, concludes Monika.
