– Novent is about enjoying the Christmas treat a little earlier. To have a holiday before Advent, says Ida Mari Skogstad from Tromsø.
It’s about embracing the dark, quiet time before the Christmas stress kicks in.
A wait before the wait, quite simply.
Skogstad believes that she has been celebrating Novent for almost 20 years.
It is only the very word for what she has been doing that is new.
The 38-year-old runs a blog, and has previously written about his fondness for this time of year.
She hugs Christmas to her chest. Actually, not just from November, but already in August. Then she starts making the list of all the Christmas presents she will buy this year.
– I don’t take it off completely, it’s not like it’s fully decorated for Christmas in November.
Decorate little by little
But during the autumn months, clementines, the nut bowl and finally the advent star are gradually picked.
– It’s small things, but it creates a very nice and cozy atmosphere, says Skogstad.
This year she is out later than usual. She, her roommate, daughter Anna (1) and cat Mira have just begun to move into their new home in Tromsø.
Between moving boxes and renovation chaos, a few things have come into place in the new home of Skogstad and his family.
One of them is the advent stake, bought at a flea market in autumn.
There is not much in place in the new home for Skogstad and his family, but the Advent candle is lit on the windowsill.
Photo: Ingvild Vik / NRK
Novent is currently not very widespread as a term in Norway. When NRK asked people on UiT’s campus in Tromsø if they had heard of novent, few answered yes.
But the phenomenon has already existed in Sweden for several years, and has, among other things, been made known through influencers such as Elsa Billgren.
– Although the term novent is not particularly well known in Norway, I think we can safely state that it is also valid here in the country, says John Lauring Pedersen to NRK.
He is the CEO of the insight and analysis agency Opinion.
Figures from Opinion show that 1 in 10 are already starting their Christmas preparations for November. Before November is over, nearly 8 out of 10 have started.
– We know from the past that there is a connection between starting the Christmas preparations and getting into the Christmas spirit, says John Lauring Pedersen, managing director of Opinion.
Just a little Christmas
One of those who have embraced novent in Norway is psychologist and couples therapist Catrin Sagen.
At home with the Sagen family, these days they have seriously discovered candles, and they like to gather around the kitchen table as often as they can. For them, this is normal.
Lusseboller is one of the novent measures the Sagen family is taking.
Photo: Private
– It’s about picking out some of the least Christmassy Christmas traditions, and then we make them even a little less Christmasy, says Sagen.
An example: Catrin and the family bake fluffy cats in November, only that they are shaped like regular buns and dipped in sugar.
Because Novent is not Christmas. It is something very special. And maybe we need this, the psychologist believes.
– The dark times are quite hard for us who live here, this far north, says Sagen.
This is especially true in November, which for many can feel infinitely long and empty.
Sagen believes novent is about creating traditions for the small group you have around you, about calming down and lighting up a dark time.
– That way we can withstand the winter months a little better.
Psychologist and couple therapist Catrin Sagen gently presses her chest. She believes it’s about having a good time with those you love.
Photo: Julianne Leikanger
No borders
Interior stylist Tone Kroken believes that everything is legal in novent.
– You do what you want, and create your own traditions. I don’t want there to be any boundaries, she says.
– Decorate with a little Christmas tree, light lots of candles, and enjoy yourself together. It’s normal for me.
– Doesn’t Granbar get a little too much Christmas?
– No, granbar is always nice. It smells delicious, it’s organic, and going out into the woods together to find it is so nice.
Skogstad starts early with the Christmas presents, so that she does not have to stress about wrapping them.
Photo: Ingvild Vik / NRK
Although there is not much else other than a solitary Advent stake that reminds of novent in Skogstad’s new home, she has already started wrapping Christmas presents.
– Gift wrapping is a bit sacred for me. I spend a lot of time on each package and assessing what fits together.
– If I’m going to have time for this, and really find peace and joy in it, it has to happen in November.
– Life is short and fragile
Skogstad loves the Christmas season, but acknowledges that she and her family will also be overtaken by time constraints in December.
– It is important for me to show my daughter how nice we can be, and I think November is perfect to sneak in some Christmas treats. If we start early, we can have quiet moments together.
Skogstad hopes her daughter Anna will be as happy at Christmas as she is.
Photo: Private
For the 38-year-old, it is particularly important to remind herself to use the opportunities she gets to enjoy herself. She is on disability benefits due to a neurological disease, and on some days the disease affects her a lot.
– Life is so short and fragile. We have to enjoy all the good times we have, she says.
Traditions bind us together
Bad news from the world can make the need for some light in November greater than usual, psychologist Sagen believes.
The light in winter is also part of the novent feeling, many believe. Although it is a dark month, it offers beautiful light.
Photo: Ingvild Vik / NRK
She asks us to concentrate a little on the immediate. About those we love, and those around us.
From research, we know that traditions help to create a sense of togetherness and community in couples. The same can be thought of as a family, the psychologist believes.
Sagen sees novent as an opportunity to sit down around the campfire together, regardless of what it means to you.
– And then we can send a thought to those around us. Is anyone sitting alone? Can we invite someone in, and help light a little campfire at each other’s houses too?
Are you celebrating november?
Yes, I love being able to extend the Advent season a little. Well, I’m not exactly celebrating, but it could be that the Christmas mug arrives a little early. No, I think Advent in December is fine. Novent? I’ve never even heard of that!
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2023-11-11 21:05:34
#Embraces #holiday #season #endure #winter #months
