Chinese New Year is one of the biggest festivals we celebrate in this part of the world. As a child, I used to look forward to the revelry of the occasion to play with my cousins and to feast on my late maternal Grandma’s Foo-chow cooking. Before that happened, we youngsters have to help spring-clean the home as the adults zipped in and out between home and numerous shops trying to stock up the home with supplies for Chinese New Year.
Fast forward many years down the road and here we are, started our own families and preparing our kids for Chinese New Year. As busy working parents with 2 young kids, there are only limited weekends we can spare on the new year preparations. We want to pass on the CNY traditions of sprucing up the home yet we (me more than my wife) dread the ‘stress and tensions’ of shopping (and trying to find that elusive parking lot) at various malls. The solution: IKEA. We were not disappointed.
Decked out on the ground floor of the Alexandra branch, we saw a range of popular Chinese New Year cookies! How thoughtful of IKEA to make our festive shopping all under one roof! Better still, they are all Halal certified so we can share them with our Muslim colleagues, neighbours and friends! We immediately bought a few tins to bless Buddy’s childcare teachers.
Walking past the various displays on the 2nd level, we were inspired by the decorative displays and picked up some cushion covers, a tall vase and decorative potted plants to perk up the atmosphere up and usher Spring into our homes. The kids were very enthusiastic in helping us mix and match items for different areas of the home. The interesting thing is that IKEA products allow us to be ‘tastefully’ flexible and adapt them creatively for our family’s needs.
Venturing further, we were even more surprised at the plant corner in the Marketplace to find a range of plants for CNY. We fell in love with the miniature ‘Twisty Bamboo’ as our daughter calls it. Angie was absolutely thrilled to find Pussy Willows on sale – a must in the home for CNY! How convenient that we can buy them at IKEA instead of making a stop at a nursery separately.
We spent a couple of hours at the Alexandra branch shopping in comfort. Our morning there actually saved us a couple of multiple trips to other locations (and parking fees!). We were so pleased with our shopping that we rewarded ourselves with an ice-cream from the IKEA deli before we left. The CNY festive spirit was saved with a single trip to IKEA.
The next day being a Sunday, the whole family spent a relaxing and meaningful day happily decorating the home with the kids. Stress-free! Here, take a peek!
New floral-motif GRAMYNTA cushion covers from IKEA…instantly enliven the home.
CNY goodies mobile trolley with a RASKOG Kitchen trolley (Angie’s brilliant IKEA hack idea)
Simple and elegant – The white NORDBY vase.
Pussy Willows and Vase (both from IKEA)
Prosperity Bamboos (Chinese believe they will change your luck for the better but we bought them simply because they look pretty!)
Oriental styled teapot and tea cups from the LYCKSALIG range ushers in the CNY mood effortlessly.
Serve your guests Chinese Tea instead of carbonated drinks, it’s healthier! (Feature: INBJUDANDE Tray)
Oranges nicely displayed on the IKEA cupcake tray. It makes a very festive table centerpiece.
Now, the home is ready…only thing missing are the guests. How is the CNY prep in your homes coming along?
Festive season is about family. Involving the kids make the decorating experience just that bit more special.
Here are the items we bought:
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LYCKSALIG coaster $5.90/4pcs | 2. LYCKSALIG mug $3.90/2pcs | 3. RÅSKOG trolley $59 | 4. GARNERA Serving stand, two tiers $12.90 | 5. VILDAPEL Plant pot, bamboo $9.90 | 6. LYCKSALIG teapot $15.90
Not featured in collage:
- GRAMYNTA Cushion Covers $8.90 each
- NORDBY Vase $7.90
- INBJUDANDE tray $11.90
- LONSAM Carafe jug $1.90
- Prosperity Pussy Willows $8.90
- Prosperity Bamboo $9.90
- Assorted Chinese New Year Cookies $9.80 – $11.80
Note the use of the term ‘saving’ and we mean it literally.
Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration with IKEA Singapore. We received a gift card to purchase some of the items mentioned in this post.
Danessa Foo says
Oh my… I’m loving every piece of deco item and hack ideas in this post!
Next time, I’ll just head to IKEA 🙂
May says
Ewan broke my pussy willow vase and I haven’t found time to go shopping for a replacement. This Ikea’s vase looks really clean and elegant. I shall head there tonight! Hopefully they are not sold out!
Jacqualine says
I have a penchant love for their trolley but I never know what I can put it inside with! This CNY hack is a brilliant idea, I think maybe I should go down IKEA to take a look too. I didn’t think they would have pussy willows there, really one-stop CNY shopping for the family!
Michelle says
Good buys! I didn’t know IKEA sells CNY cookies. A real one stop shop.
Katherine Sng says
Nicely done! Love it1
Phoebe says
I love how you space out your furniture and deco. Am eyeing on the Trolley for a very long time.. still thinking if I should buy it .. 🙂 Oh. I love the plants at IKEA too.
Debs G @ Owls Well says
Ooooh I love that hack with the Angpow trolley decorations. VERY cute.
Waiwai says
Oh no, I haven’t prepared for CNY yet!
Ai Sakura says
I love the kitchen trolleys and have 2 of those! Been thinking for a very long time whether to get the cupcake stand as it’s so pretty and cheap and I’ve a few others already… argh!
Ai @ Sakura Haruka