So that no one has to be alone at Christmas

If you don’t want to be alone at Christmas, you shouldn’t be alone: ​​That’s the idea that has been driving Christa Schwandtner (30) from Burgkirchen and Stefan Windsperger (32) from Mattighofen to invite you to a Christmas party for several years now Everyone who would otherwise be alone is welcome. The celebration will take place on December 24th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the mensch&arbeit meeting point at Salzburger Straße 20, above the Carla store in Braunau. In this week’s interview, they reveal how the celebration brought back the joy of Christmas and what the two of them want from Christkindl.

Suppose I don’t want to celebrate Christmas alone and come to you. What awaits me there?

Christa Schwandtner: It’s actually quite relaxed. We welcome you with a homemade children’s punch, we have set up a table, it is decorated for Christmas, we also have a small Christmas tree. Then we have punch and cookies and we wait until we are sure that everyone is there. And then we eat potato soup, sponsored by Helpfauer Hof. The food bank with bread and sweets also helps us, and lots of cake and food donations from relatives, which makes us happy. This year there are also gifts from Baccilli. People often know each other, so they just have casual conversations.
Stefan Windsperger: It’s just a cozy get-together.

The same people keep coming back?

Stefan: There are familiar faces every year, but not only.
Christa: Last year there was a gentleman whose wife died. The get-together was particularly good for them, and we’re happy about that.

Every year you decide to organize this special celebration. Why is she so important to you?

Stefan: It has always been important to me to do something good at Christmas. We did this for the homeless when we were studying in Salzburg. It has now become a fixture in my calendar, a ritual. For me, that’s part of it and I’m happy that we can make this possible for people who don’t want to celebrate alone.
Christa: I helped at the food bank and knew that so many people would come to Christmas who were now alone. Why not just join forces? And in Stefan I immediately found someone who would pursue this idea with me.

So the need is there?

Christa: Oh yeah. It is certainly much higher than the 10 to 15 that come every year. And I would also like to make it clear that there are many people who like to celebrate Christmas alone, and we don’t want to stigmatize that. But for all those who would be alone but don’t want to, we offer our festival. Stefan: Yes, the need is certainly higher, but so are the inhibitions.
Christa: We even know that the need is great. Last year, after the OÖN article, people from all over the country called us and wanted to come. But Braunau isn’t just around the corner for everyone. Someone from Gmunden also wanted to take part, but unfortunately he didn’t make it. This is a pity. But the idea can be easily copied. Maybe there are people elsewhere who offer something like that.

What does Christmas mean to you personally?

Stefan: For me it is actually the most wonderful time of the year, even if it comes with a lot of hustle and bustle. For me it is particularly valuable when I can give something to someone away from this hustle and bustle and consumer society and simply give people time.
Christa: I never liked Christmas. I then thought to myself, if I don’t find meaning in it for myself, then I’ll look for it for others. And these celebrations have given me so much back that I’m looking forward to Christmas again.

There are sure to be touching conversations. Which ones have touched your heart?

Christa: The story of the widower touched me very much; he missed his wife so much. I’m glad he was there. But there are also visitors who don’t want to tell anyone and that’s okay too. We don’t want to force anyone to do something that isn’t good for them. We simply don’t care about the reasons why someone is alone.
Stefan: I was particularly happy when a person looking for an apartment from Hamburg came there a few years ago and found a connection here.

They both help with charitable organizations all year round. Where does this will come from?

Christa: He’s just there.
Stefan: I think it happens to me because I work in a helping profession (trauma educator, note). It’s simply part of my values ​​compass to look after other people well. It’s just a concern for me. And at Christmas the focus should be on not being so self-centered, broadening your horizons and reflecting on what is really important in life. And I feel that in the people who come. They appreciate that and it really gives us a lot back.

Don’t you get tired of helping at some point?

Stefan: Fortunately, the ceiling has not yet been reached. (laughs) The most important thing is to be good to yourself. I can only help others if I am centered myself and feel good about myself. These go hand in hand.

If you had one wish for the Christ Child, what would it be?

Christa: Only one? (laughs) I would like no one to have to live in fear. No matter whether it is because there is a war or because there are violent relatives in the house, fear for existence, fear for one’s own children. A world without fear, that would be nice.
Stefan: No matter where you live in the world, you don’t have to worry about your existence. Not because of the food, because of the climate, because of the war.

The Christmas party is organized privately and supported by donations. Registration and donations at 0650/4902255.

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