#Christmas talk with Camilla

Brief Overview of 2024 – Cegalway?

The year that is coming to a close has been incredible! Since I started here on February 1st, I can honestly say there hasn't been a single day where I've regretted becoming a Cegalian.

There's so much fun in learning while also having the chance to make an impact. We hold such a unique position in the market, and there's so much we can be proud of together! Of course, there are challenges and a lot on the agenda, but rarely have I felt as energized at work as I do here, collaborating with so many talented, positive, and generally amazing colleagues! I've never experienced the same level of a "ONE Company approach" before. To me, this speaks volumes about the culture we have at Cegal, and that's precisely why I feel privileged to be part of this unique company!

What makes Christmas special?

For me, Christmas is synonymous with traditions, relaxation, and joyful moments with family and friends. In our home, we love both cooking and enjoying meals, as well as hosting larger gatherings. The picture above is from our annual pinnekjøtt dinner, which my husband and I host at the beginning of December. This year, 17 of our closest friends gathered for this tradition that we started in the early 2000s. Additionally, we are invited to several other regular Christmas parties, so the pre-Christmas period is filled with catching up with old friends we don't get to see as often throughout the year. Christmas Eve and the most sacred holidays are dedicated solely to being with family.

Since the children were very young, we've also had a tradition of going to the theater in December. It's been especially exciting these past two years as our youngest has been part of the Folketeateret's production of Annie, which I watched between 10-15 times last year 😅

What are this year's plans for the Christmas holiday?

At our home, we always have a real Christmas tree that fills the air with the fresh scent of pine. We never decorate it until the day before Christmas Eve. Usually, the kids and I do the decorating together while listening to Christmas songs and sipping on mulled wine. We typically finish just in time to catch "Dinner for One."

Since having children (now 16 and 11 years old), we've always celebrated Christmas Eve at our house. We host family from either side, and sometimes the entire extended family gathers all at once. This year, it will be "everyone on my side" 😊

We usually start by going to church together, and it's only when "Deilig er jorden" is sung that I truly feel the Christmas peace settle in.

After church, we head home to enjoy traditional roast pork along with homemade Christmas sausages and meatballs, which my husband and two friends make at their own sausage workshop 2-3 days before Christmas Eve (yes, they even grind the meat themselves 😊). For dessert, we always have rice pudding, not necessarily because it's our favourite, but because it's a tradition. Each year, the excitement builds as the bowls empty and the lucky winner of the almond is about to be revealed. The sauce for the rice pudding has also become a tradition, made from blackberries we pick each autumn at our summer house in the south.

On Christmas Day, we always visit my husband's sister with the entire in-law family for a meal of pinnekjøtt.

The day after Christmas, we switch sides and visit my parents with siblings and family, where we are also served pinnekjøtt. For the past 10 years, a staple of this gathering has been the "gift game," which is always fun and never fails to spark everyone's competitive spirit (for better or worse).

The third day of Christmas is ALWAYS spent at home, just the four of us. It's a very lazy day filled with Christmas movies, and we always have sushi for dinner (!!!)

On the fifth day of Christmas, we head to friends in Trysil, where we both ski and enjoy the fresh air, ensuring plenty of activity before we ring in the New Year with fireworks, sparklers, and, of course, good resolutions for the year ahead 😊

Best Christmas food?

On Christmas Eve, few things compare to the delight of rib, homemade sausages, and meatballs. However, when dining out, I always opt for lutefisk.

Best Christmas drink?

I can enjoy sparkling wine with almost anything, but even though I'm generally not a fan of beer, it's beer and aquavit that accompany the Christmas dinner 🍾🍹

What is the best Christmas movie?

The third day of Christmas isn't complete without watching "The Holiday" 🎬

What is the best Christmas music?

I adore timeless classics like "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," but I also have a fondness for "Himmel på jord" by Kurt Nilsen and "Home for Christmas" by Maria Mena. 🎻🎹🎵

Do you have any childhood memories of Christmas?

I grew up with an uncle who owned a toy store, and one year, there were some teddy bears called "Popples" that had become incredibly popular through FunFactory on SKY TV, making them nearly impossible to find. That year, it was especially exciting to unwrap the gift from him under the Christmas tree. It contained three Popples he had acquired from a trade show, in colors and sizes not yet available in stores.

From a very young age, I also worked in this store as extra help during the pre-Christmas season. The holiday atmosphere there, with Christmas music, the scent of gingerbread and clementines, excited children, and gift wrapping, was unique to me. Even while studying in Trondheim, I sometimes had to work in the store a few days before Christmas Eve to truly get into the holiday spirit.

As a standard Christmas gift, all employees at the store received a place setting from Porsgrunn Porcelain's Nisse dinnerware . I always thought this was the least exciting gift under the tree. Over the years, I accumulated quite a bit, so for the past 20 years, we've actually served ALL our Christmas dinners on what started as Christmas gifts from my very first employer.

I also remember from my childhood how special the Christmas workshop at school was throughout December. We made lovely Christmas gifts that always delighted our parents. Even today, a cross-stitched Christmas card holder I made in elementary school hangs on my dad's wall every December. It's actually very nice, and I'm still proud of it 😊

Looking into 2025 - Cegalway?

We've already achieved so many exciting things in 2024, and there's so much in the works that I'm looking forward to seeing materialize in 2025.

As previously shared, we're working on installing sales bells at all our locations, and as the leader of our new global commercial organization, my greatest wish is that every single one of those bells will be ringing non-stop in 2025 🔔🎉.

I also hope that all Cegalians make the most of the upcoming holiday, taking time to unwind and enjoy plenty of quality moments with the people and things that mean the most to them 🖤💚.

And last but not least, I sincerely hope that everyone is as excited as I am to create new adventures together when we meet again – fully recharged – in the new year 🚀🚀🚀