Nora Helmer enters the house with a Christmas tree and other packages. She asks the maid, Helen, to hide the tree and pays the porter more than the regular fee. She takes some macaroons out of her pocket and eats them. Torvald Helmer, her husband comes out of his studio to greet his wife. Nora is excited to show Torvald the things she just bought. Torvald makes comments about Nora's tendency to spend money unnecessarily, to which she argues to have the means to do, since Torvald had just been assigned a higher position at the bank. Mr. Helmer expresses his strong feelings against borrowing money to make up for the expenses of that month until he gets paid. .
Nora's disappointment drives Torvald to give her money to make her feel better. Her attitude changes to a positive mindset again, and she insists on showing the gifts that she purchased for the kids to her husband. Torvald asks her what she would like for Christmas, and after a few hesitant words she confessed she would prefer to get money and save it for when she finds something that she would really like to have. He agrees to her petition. .
Torvald suspects Nora has been eating sweets and asks her about it but she denies it. They discuss the upcoming festivities and the possibility of inviting Dr. Rank to the Christmas celebration. Torvald argues that Dr. Rank knows he is always welcome. The discussion goes back to the excitement of Mr. Helmer's new job, and they mention memories of the last Christmas celebrations, when Nora spent her nights making Christmas ornaments, which the cat had destroyed. .
Dr. Rank arrived to see Torvald, and the maid announces the presence of another female visitor. .
Nora doesn't recognize her when she greets her. After a few minutes, Nora realizes the lady is her childhood friend Kristine Linde, who she hasn't seeing for at least nine years. Nora mentions Kristine's appearance changes, and remembers the news of Kristine's husbands death.
