A short video of how we put together a Ikea Christmas party right at home!
All parents can attest that parenting is not easy. For us, it’s a daily reality that greet us when we step home: strewn books and toys, unmatched PJs, tears and mucus on bibs, piles of un-ironed laundry beckoning us…Mess is a part of parenting, especially since our children are young and very lively.
I wanted badly to host a small Christmas party to bring the extended family together (especially since we have just lost our maternal Grandma in Feb this year). It’s also a time for the kids to interact and the adults to catch up. We decided that a gathering at home is most ideal as all the children can mingle and play freely and safely without intruding into public space – something that cannot be done in restaurants or cafes.
Then reality struck: our home was just not ready to host and receive guests. It looked more like a tornado-swept child-care center with odd sized furniture and cutleries of all sizes in assorted primary colours. I was determined to make this gathering a reality but do we spruce up the home to make it warm, welcoming, stocked with good food for the great fellowship in less than (gasp!) a week?
Very quickly, with time not on our side, we decided that darting around the island, negotiating the manic pre-Christmas crowds and chalking up hefty car parking fees at shopping malls was not the way to go. We knew there’s only one place with all the solutions we need: IKEA. So in just two afternoons to IKEA Alexandra and Tampines, our home was magically transformed.
“You mean you got all these from IKEA?” remarked one of my cousins that evening at our home as he raised his glass, filled to the brim with IKEA’s sparkling pear juice, for a toast. Before we could reply, his wife asked intriguingly, “and these thick yummy slabs of salmon too?” I beamed as I replied, “Yup, bought frozen from IKEA and just popped it into the oven half an hour before you arrived. Bet you didn’t know IKEA sells them ready to cook right?”
It didn’t take long before the conversations started to focus on the amazing IKEA collection we’ve amassed in our home. Ranging from the live Christmas tree sitting regally in our living room to the fairy lights twinkling on our dining table; from the Christmas ornaments that were gracing our IKEA bookshelf to the yellow palm that springs life to a quiet corner of our living room; from the cutlery sets to the serving wares and even food, they were all conveniently purchased at IKEA. Our guests were visibly impressed that a ‘furniture’ store could be a one-stop solution for all our entertaining needs.
In fact, we love these other value-added experience we were able to get at IKEA as well:
- Décor Inspirations: walking around the displays at IKEA gave us very useful ideas and suggestions how to style our home and organise our party.
- Free Car Parking at the two IKEA stores (no minimum amount spent at Tampines store).
- Purchases can be returned within 100 days with receipt and intact packaging. Regardless of which store you got your items from, you can return it to any of the two IKEA stores. No questions asked (terms and conditions apply).
- No need to pay and exit the store for meals midway through shopping. A boon for parents like us who shopped with our kids. The in-house cafeteria provides a good range of food and beverages. Service wise can be improved though.
- Stylish and well-built European-styled furniture, accessories and food items at very reasonable prices. Perfect for families.
At the end of the party, we heaved a very happy sigh of relief. We pulled off a really jolly Christmas gathering for our extended family where everyone just soaked in the company and the conversations – things that truly matter in life. Thank you IKEA.
A collection of items we bought from IKEA for your inspiration:
1. DORTHY Cushion cover, white $19.90 | 2. SOCKERÄRT Vase, white $22.90 | 3. ÅRSTID Floor lamp, nickel-plated, white $59 | 4. SÖNDRUM Wall clock, white $26.90 | 5. Potted Live Palm | 6. GURLI Cushion cover, red $7.90 | 7. GURLI Cushion cover, green $7.90
1. SÄRDAL LED lighting chain with 12 lights, transparent battery-operated, indoor $4.90 | 2. STRÅLA Pendant lamp, star white $9.90 | 3. Live Christmas Tree $79 | 4. SINNLIG Scented candle in metal cup, Vanilla pleasure, natural $7.90 (12 pieces) | 5. GOTTGÖRA Lantern for candle in metal cup, red $15.90 | 6. SINNLIG Scented candle in glass, Vanilla pleasure, natural $4.90 | 7. VINTER 2015 Decoration for candle in glass, gold-colour $6.90
1. ÄTBART 24-piece cutlery set, stainless steel $23.90 | 2. SMORD Oven/serving dish, grey, white $19.90 | 3. DRYCK BUBBEL PÄRON Sparkling pear $5.90 | 4. POKAL Wine glass, clear glass $2.90 | 5. VINTER 2015 Paper napkin, white, red $1.90 (30 pieces) | 6. OFTAST Plate, white $0.90 | 7. OFTAST Bowl, white $0.90 | 8. FANTASTISK Paper napkin, red $1.90 (50 pieces)
Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration with IKEA Singapore. We received a gift card to purchase some of the items mentioned in this post.
SPECIAL ‘THANK YOU’ GIVEAWAY!
To thank all the readers for your companionship and support in 2015, David and I would like to bless two faithful readers with a SGD50 Ikea Gift Card each so that you too, can spruce up your home for 2016. To participate, simply:
- Like Life’s Tiny Miracles‘ Facebook Page
- Like IKEA Singapore‘s Facebook Page
- Comment on our IKEA FB Post how you intend to use the Ikea Gift Card should you win.
For bonus entries, follow the steps in the online widget here:
The giveaway ends 10 January 2016, 11.59pm and is open to readers in Singapore. The winner will be contacted using the contact particulars provided when entering this draw and will have 24 hours to respond, failing which a new winner will be drawn. All incomplete and unverified entries will be disqualified. All entries will be verified before the winners are announced. Please not that all fake Facebook accounts (e.g. accounts set up purely to take part in contests with no or very few real friends) will be disqualified.
I can never walk out of IKEA empty-handed! So if I get my hands on those gift cards, I’ll probably buy some frames for my calligraphy pieces and use them to decorate my craft room!
We just shifted the little one (3 yrs old) out of our room and his room definitely need more to make him stay inside!! Am so aiming this canopy cover for his bed which will make him think he’s camping every night!
Elizabeth de cruz
[email protected]
2015 has been a fruitful year for me. I have one more addition to the family (which makes it 4 boys now) and my #2 has adopted well to his first year of primary school life.
I can totally resonate with the blog post on strewn books and toys, its an all too familiar sight when I return home from work everyday. I would like to win the IKEA gift card to buy toy storage boxes to organize the kids’ toys and other stuff.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thanks for organizing this giveaway 🙂
For me, 2015 is the year of a pregnancy fraught with uncertainties and fears, and a difficult post-delivery period when my newborn was diagnosed with a longterm congenital condition. Nevertheless we endeavor to celebrate every of her milestone just like we have always done so with our other children, and one of the ways has been to frame their growth with Ikea’s Nyttja picture frames to adorn the walls at home.
Eileen @ [email protected]
My 2015 has been eventful, and I am just filled with thankfulness as I pondered and wrote a blog post about my reflections. Really thank God for all his mercies.
If I got this gift card, I’d use it to defray part of the cost for a Raskog utility cart, which is so useful in the study (for kids’ arts supplies, my craft supplies) as well as the kitchen! Brilliant item.
Thanks for hosting this giveaway! 🙂
Your place looks so lovely and cosy!
The year has been challenging yet fun! Can’t wait for the new year and this year I hope to host chinese new year gathering at my home. So, I’m certainly popping by IKEA for some goodies to spruce up the place!
This year was eventful for our family. Hope to make my children’s study room a more conducive place for them to study!
2015 has been full of ups and downs. Starting with a mc but fortunately ending with a baby in my tummy! We also bought our first home! This gift card will be of great help!
I’ll buy lighting, kids stuff, mattress, bathroom storage…endless list!
This year is especially busy for me…CNY, Kids’ birthday parties, P1 reg, Graduation, Orientation, Halloween party, Deepavali celebrations, my bro’s wedding and Xmas parties….I’m not complaining much as I’m glad that at least I’m busy with happy occasions!
I’m hoping to get some shelving units to get my house more organised and also a carpet to give the house a fresh look!
Tammy Tng Sze Pei
[email protected]
2015 has been quite fruitful and hectic for me as I begin my wedding and home decor planning for next year! So having IKEA gift card will be great as I will be able to use it for my new home just in time for housewarming!
My year 2015 has been good to me so far except some relatives left us and mother in law not in a good health too. I hope year 2016 will be a better year for all of us with good health and happiness.
Recently I been to ikea for shopping and had lots of ideas from there too. As we are moving house real soon hence we need to shop furniture and deco stuff for living room! Hope to win it.
Fb: celin Cheang
Email: [email protected]
I would like to get more small furniture eg a side table and knick knacks since i have just moved my younger child to her own room. The room is rather empty with only a bed and study table. Hope to make it more homely which is very achievable via Ikea!
2015 had been a roller coaster ride with my eldest entering primary school. With 2016 approaching, I would love to win the gift card and transform her room into a more cosy space that’s ideal for reading and homeworks!
2015 has been a trying year, new changes and now we are expecting more changes in 2016, not so positive but have to stay positive. I am sure as long as we are healthy, we can go through 2016 as a family. If it does not break u , it will only make you stronger 🙂
If i get the gift card, i will use it to get some storage boxes, first to declutter and some throw cushions, to cheer the room up 🙂
Lorna
[email protected]
2015 has been a crazy whirlwind – the days are long but the years are certainly short! Looking forward to a more centred, grounded and clarifying 2016.
This year, like any year with kids, has had lots of challenges, but with joy and laughter too. Next year will be even better as we go along making more memories!
Your Christmas decor is SO lovely! I feel inspired to do something for CNY, and actually some of the Christmas items can be “recycled” for CNY right? 😉
Would love to get some decoration to spruce up my home for upcoming CNY!
My year 2015 has been a great one, as I managed to spend more time with my close ones!
It’s a hectic year
I would get more shelves for my books and make my room neat.
2015 has been an eventful year with lotsa ups and downs. While coming to terms with a 3rd miscarriage, I’m grateful and all the more treasure the 2 lovely gals I’ve have.
If I were to win the gift cards, I will certainly like to spruce up my children’s room so as to entice them to sleep in their own room! I so wanna reclaim my bedroom back!
Liked n shared n tag!
Name: Karen Low
Email: [email protected]
* 2015 has been a great year of milestones for us! Didi turned one, jiejie graduated from preschool, didi’s blabbers became strings of short words, jiejie can now swim without support! These are but a few family milestones but we cheer, we celebrate, we love!
* if we win the IKEA Gift Card, the first thing we will get is shelving units or bookcases to house our exploding books collection!
Name : June Lee
Email : [email protected]
For 2015, i am thankful it’s has been relatively smooth going for me. I was blessed with a baby nephew in June which was my birthday month too! And i am happy and contented to have my loved ones safe and sound. So many things has been happening around the world this year and to me, peace and harmony is all i want.
As for the IKEA gift card, i already have some ideas on how to re-decorate both my nephews rooms ( thanks to this blog post ). Can’t wait to start shopping for them!
What a year! A new baby, a wedding, a funeral. So many life events in 2015.
I think a gift card would be so great for picking up some party supplies for upcoming children’s birthdays! IKEA does the best party stuff.
We are finally going to renovate our study room/guest room. So winning this voucher will come in handy and timely!
I think 2015 was a wake-up call for me in many ways, so 2016 will be a year for me to take action to make things better. =)
2015 has been a full year, with many things happening, and a baby on the way!
The gift card would be so handy since we are likely to move and are so in need for new bookshelves, our old ones look like they are going to topple!
(You’ve done up your place so beautifully!)
2015 has been a very blessed year for me being able to spend time bringing the kids out for musical and theatre shows, doing our many first together like first pinic, first movie by the Bay etc.
I want to get photo frames from IKEA to decorate my house with our family picture as well as my 2 little ones as seeing the pictures always bring a smile to me n hubby! Watching them grow up is a bliss!
2015 has been quite a roller coaster year for me, with as many downs as we had ups. I hope to use the IKEA gift card to spruce up our new home which we’ve just moved into, especially since I already have quite a few items from IKEA already.
Name: natasha
email: [email protected]