#Christmas talk with Lise

You are involved in Humanity at Cegal, can you tell us a little more about what it is?

We are an independent organization that was established by Cegal employees in September 2015. Today, Humanity at Cegal is part of Cegal's sustainability strategy, with three important focus areas - contributing to a better environment, taking social responsibility and being a responsible actor. We partner with local and global organizations to help support, or finance, local humanitarian or international development projects. We focus on projects that are related to the company's values, our core competence and our hearts.

Every third Friday in December, we organize the annual Christmas sweather day - to raise money for a chosen cause. Then we put on the Christmas sweater (the Christmas suit, hat or socks) for a nice day at the office and gather for mulled wine, gingerbread, entertainment and a raffle with prizes sponsored by our partners and customers.

This year we are supporting the Red Cross and Africa south of the Sahara, where they are experiencing one of the most alarming food crises in decades - enormous in both severity and geographical scope. The crisis is driven by a number of local and global factors, including insecurity and armed conflict, extreme weather events, climate variability and negative macroeconomic impacts.

You can read more about some of our projects here >

What is the best thing about Christmas?

The weeks before Christmas when all preparations are made, the first smell of Christmas cookies and a time filled with activities that create anticipation, magic and joy. And when Christmas holiday starts, the best thing for me is to be with those I love the most. To have the opportunity to have long days with the family and have plenty of time for each other.

This year's plan for the Christmas holidays?

We will celebrate Christmas at our home in Tananger, and we will also take a trip to Egersund to visit family. Apart from that, we have few plans. There is little peace and quiet with two children under the age of three, but on the other hand there will be lots of coziness, trips and a high level of activity even without big plans ;)

Is there something you can't live without at Christmas?

"Fenalår" - cured leg of small cattle, usually sheep or lamb.

Best Christmas movie?

When I was young my favorite movie was "Three wishes for Cinderella", maybe not the best, but the most watched, but today it is "Love Actually".

Best Christmas music?

“Himmel på jord”, "Snowman" by Sia and “Når himmelen faller ned” are some of my Christmas favourites.

What makes you happy at Christmas?

Long breakfasts, family time, snow, Christmas music and the smell of the Christmas tree.

Do you have any childhood memories of Christmas?

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Christmas and childhood are the expectations and feelings it gave. 

To look forward day after day for a new episode of "Jul i Skomakergata" and "Vertshuset den gyldne hale". (Norwegian childrens program) The tingling in the stomach in the days leading up to Christmas Eve, the excitement when we got up in the morning and how incredibly long the wait was until we could finally open presents. The almond in the Christmas porridge, how my parents always found new ways to keep the tension up - and how unfair it was when someone else pulled the longest draw.

I also remember that we took down the attic ladder on Christmas Eve to put up porridge for Santa Claus. It was always just as exciting to climb up again on the morning of Christmas Eve to see if Santa had eaten the porridge :)

What do you see for 2023 - Cegalway?

Next year I look forward to working strategically and purposefully with Cegal's marketing and communication work together with the rest of the team.

Cegal is an exciting growing technology company, and it is rewarding to be able to contribute to our reaching our new target customers, verticals and markets with strategic marketing work, continuous branding and targeted product and service campaigns. We work globally, our team serves all of Cegal, regardless of location.

Do you want to know more about who we are and what we do? Feel free to follow us on our social channels LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

Cegal MarCom Team gathered at this year's Christmas party!