Looking for a one-stop shop where you can get a Christmas tree in various shapes and sizes, as well as ornaments and decorations, wreaths, gnomes, and, perhaps most importantly, a gingerbread house? Then IKEA may be the place you’re looking for.

They’ve got everything from trees and ornaments to DIY gingerbread house kits, mulled wine, classic holiday treats, and more.

Check out what they’ve got this year for the festive season in the photos and videos below!

IKEA is also doing a giveaway of their Vinterfint wall-hanging Christmas shelf (worth RMB 79.99) when you share your answer to a simple question: How are you preparing to celebrate Christmas this year? Comment at the bottom of this WeChat post by Nov 30 and three lucky winners will receive a Vinterfint each!

Find it: 
IKEA (Siyuanqiao)
59 Futong Dongdajie, Chaoyang District

Images: Courtesy of IKEA, September

From detailed, eye-catching exhibits to innovative designs and products, IKEA is today a top choice for Beijingers when it comes to, not just furniture, but all kinds of useful daily tools as well. Visiting IKEA has become something more than practical; taking the escalator to the top floor, making your way slowly down the levels—it’s a relaxing and ritualistic process.

With this said, Although we know of IKEA as an interior design savior, it’s now much more than that. Here are two underrated parts of IKEA that take it to the next level, making it an ideal place for families to spend quality time in.

The Cafeteria

The IKEA cafeteria is located so that it is available to you before you start your journey browsing through furniture, and after you do, when you are probably fatigued and desperate for a snack.

This cafeteria is very specific that its food leans toward a Swedish style, which is uncommon and unique in Beijing. On top of that, the dishes are surprisingly more delicious than you would expect from one of the biggest furniture retailers in the city. Though, similar to fast food restaurants, retrieving and paying for the food is a stream-lined and highly efficient process here, all of the meals prove to have authentic tastes and characteristics. Unlike the regular half-frozen sausages and sticky macaroni prevalent amongst other restaurants, the options here feel homemade and original.

Additionally, the food is very affordable, and won’t feel like a burden after you’ve just purchased a new sofa or desk. From the RMB 60 sausage dish enough for one entire meal, to the surprisingly satisfying slices of salmon costing RMB 20, all of the options ensure that you could enjoy a fulfilling meal at a price well under RMB 100.

Despite the desirable choices for your actual meal, other things are worth noting. The cheesecakes, for example, are comparable—or even superior—in quality and taste to Starbucks’ pastries; the “Drink Island” that provides unlimited beverages; the freshly-baked bread as appetizers. In this cafeteria, you could have anything from a quick and easy lunch to a complete, fully-equipped dinner. IKEA is also mindful of the details. On top of the menu, you’ll see a “Kid’s Meal” option. There is a section of seats in the cafeteria specifically provided for families—especially families with little kids.

Overall, this is simply a great place to rest and dine for anyone visiting IKEA.

The Playground

Although this room is one of the first things you’ll see when you walk into IKEA, its existence and significance are not known to everyone.

For free, families going to IKEA can let their kids have fun in this playground-esqe area of the mall, where they’ll be in the constant custody of workers and surrounded by other children as well. Visible to people on the outside but also looked over by employees. this room provides a safe environment and lifts heavy weights off of parents’ shoulders. Clearly, IKEA is aware that many of its customers are entire families, especially those with parents who needed to bring their child along, but now have to put energy into caring for the child. This area of custody is then perfect for a lot of visitors.

The next time you go to IKEA, you could drop your child off in the playground, and after you make your way back to the first floor, it would be easy to find your child again and go together for lunch in the cafeteria!

Images: Hanna W

One of the many benefits of living abroad is how easy it is to make friends and the plethora of social events. In my daily life, I get to speak with many mothers. Many have been here longer than me while others have been here just a few weeks. I remember during my first few weeks in Beijing I thought that the supermarket under Kempinski hotel was the only one available to me. Boy was I wrong. There are supermarkets galore! But where to go and how to find them?  Here is a roundup of the supermarkets and food markets that I have found. Peace is found when you know where to go for your weekly shopping. Don’t be fooled though, in Beijing you usually need to go to a few different supermarkets to get everything you need.

Jinkelong Supermarket ~ This supermarket chain is Chinese, and has almost anything you might desire. It helps, also, that it is very cheap. The market activity can be quite a spectacle sometimes with ladies shouting for people to buy their milk and yogurt. The market also has a website and you can order your groceries online, but the site is all in Chinese.

Carrefour Supermarket ~ A great all around supermarket with Chinese and western supplies. Carrefour sells clothes, furniture, and appliances. A great place to get your items when you first arrive and are looking for the essentials, to tide you over. Carrefour has a APP and online store, but delivery is spotty at times.

WalMart Supermarket ~ Has plenty of stores all over town and is stocked with western selections. Though it is a good place to get the basics when starting your life in Beijing, don’t expect the all-American Walmart experience. The have an APP and will deliver.

Wu Mart Supermarket ~ The dingy version of Walmart. The local supermarket were you can get all your daily needs. They have an APP and a website. I have not tried their delivery service.

IKEA ~ My safe haven during the first few crazy weeks in Beijing. They have everything you need and more. I let my child play around in the kids section and then went to the restaurant for a cheap lunch. The little grocery store past the check out counter has good deals on smoked salmon and other western foods. Sign up for a family membership card for more great deals. The children can play in the kids area while you shop as long as they are over four-years old. IKEA delivers and has guys put together the furniture for a small price. These furniture assembly persons work clean and efficiently.

METRO Supermarket ~ A new gem in my supermarket days, this is a wholesale grocery store that sells everything you need. The store is also very clean and calm. You need to create a membership card but this is very easy! Shop over RMB 2000 and get same-day home delivery!

April Gourmet ~ A international supermarket with high prices. While I usually visit this store for certain items like sugar free yogurt, almost all your western grocery supplies can be found here.

Jenny Lou’s ~ While this international supermarket has high prices, Jenny Lou’s also has fresh baked pretzels to make up for it. You can shop till you drop and they will deliver. Be sure to check the expiration dates on goods since sometimes they are expired.

MINISO Store ~ The closest thing I could find to a Pound or Dollar store. Some great prices for daily essentials, office supplies and some small fun kids toys. MINISO stores are opening all over Beijing.

Sanyuanli Market ~ A food market with fruit, vegetables, and international food stalls. Sanyuanli Market is a great place to get some hard to find foods and fresh herbs like rosemary and basil. Find a stall and keep going every week, they will get to know you and be more fair with their prices. I usually get all my nuts and dried fruits here. All the way in the back they sell kitchen wares. There are more food markets over town, find a list here.

BHG Market Place ~ An upscale supermarket where you can find almost everything you need – but for a high price. Stores are clean and neat. This chain store has a good selection of imported foods and great customer service.

• A list of food markets and resources can be found here.
• More supermarkets and addresses can be found here.
• Addresses for Carrefour and Walmart Supermarkets locations can be found here.
• Another helpful list for shopping can be found here.

Pauline van Hasselt has been working for beijingkids since October 2016. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of last year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.

IKEA, or Yijia (宜家), recalled 29 million pieces of furniture in the United States two weeks ago after its products were blamed for accidents leading to the deaths of at least six toddlers.

Initially, IKEA did not extend the recall to Europe or China, claiming that their products fulfill current safety regulations in those regions already. However, after severe backlash on social media from Chinese consumers and harsh criticism published on multiple Chinese news and media outlets the Swedish furniture company agreed to negotiations for a potential recall in China as well.

In the past couple of years, scandals such as with the tainted baby formula and the concern over the sources of materials used by fast food chains like McDonald’s and KFC have made consumers increasingly wary and vigilant about product safety. As a response, the government has increased stringent product safety regulations, extending their implementation to the products of foreign companies as well. Government organizations in major Chinese cities including Shenzhen, Tianjin, and Nanjing all issued statements denouncing IKEA’s decision not to extend their recall to China.

On Tuesday, IKEA announced that it will extend its recall to China, but still not to Europe. IKEA will recall 1.7 million chests and dressers in China. Up to now, IKEA has enjoyed a strong and positive reputation in China, with many consumers visiting its stores to purchase products as well as to just sit in the restaurants to relax or eat. IKEA’s sales in China during the fiscal year ended in September totaled to a sum of $1.55 billion. This recent decision to extend its recall under pressure from consumers in China shows the growing strength and influence of the Chinese consumer market.

With the growth China has experienced in the past few decades, China’s consumers are becoming more selective with their purchases. Furthermore, through the widespread use of social media today, consumers have the power to exert significant amounts of pressure on companies with large incomes from retail like IKEA, as this case illustrates.

Source: “Ikea Extends Recall to China After Criticism”

According to the China IKEA English recall page, the furniture retailer received reports that PATRULL safety gates have come undone, and therefore they are urging customers to stop use immediately:

“IKEA has received customer reports where PATRULL safety gates have opened unexpectedly and children have fallen down stairs. Some of the incidents have required medical attention. A third party investigation has shown that the locking mechanism is not reliable, posing a risk for small children, despite approved tests to applicable standards.”

Their child safety policy is at first glance a refreshing and welcome stance in a country full of scandal, from vaccines to formula to school running tracks.

“At IKEA, we have a zero tolerance regarding child safety. We want to offer safe and healthy products and we think that children are the most important people in the world. Whenever we get indications of a possible safety issue with any of our products, we act. We cannot accept that there is a risk of injury while playing and as an immediate and precautionary action we recall all PATRULL safety gates,” says Maria Thörn, Acting Business Area Manager at Children´s IKEA.

In addition, CHOKLAD MÖRK 60% and CHOKLAD MÖRK 70% are being recalled “due to presence of milk and hazelnuts being insufficiently declared.” This presents an obvious problem for those with allergies.

Beijing customers can take both chocolate bars and safety gates to any IKEA store for a full refund.

Although these recalls are specific to China, expats and Chinese parents should be aware of the recent recall in the United States of America. Based on a voluntary industry standard, they’re recalling approximately 29 million units of the MALM dressers and chest drawers along with miscellaneous adult and children units in the US and Canada.

Three death incidents involving the MALM chests have been recorded, two in 2014 and one in February 2016.  “None of the chests or dressers in the [three]incidents had been anchored to the wall” reported the USCPSC.

“In addition to the three deaths, IKEA received reports of 41 tip-over incidents involving the MALM chests and dressers, resulting in 17 injuries to children between the ages of 19 months and 10 years old,” the recall stated.

Customers in the US can take the dressers back to any store in the US for a full refund. Alternatively, customers can apply for a free wall anchor kit, as the tip-over threat is removed when properly anchored to the wall, as explained in the original directions.

These incidents have no doubt spurred on IKEA’s recent campaign released on their weibo account to educate about the importance of using wall anchors – which were neglected in the cases of the child deaths.

In a statement issued to bloggers Sixth Tone, Ikea China spokeswoman Xu Lide said there have been no complaints and no accidents reported in China and the store does not intend to issue a recall.

Sources: USCPSC, IKEA PATRULL Recall, IKEA MALM Recall, IKEA CHOKLAD MÖRK Recall, Sixth Tone, and IKEA Weibo.

There are a lot of things that kids need and even more things that they eventually want. With a seven year-old daughter and twin toddlers, we’ve spent plenty on clothes, toys, games, and educational diversions. We also received a tremendous amount of love and support from friends and family in the way of baby gear and hand-me-downs. There are plenty of things that I highly recommend for a family with small children (a Baby Ergo and a good nanny come to mind), but the best money I’ve spent lately was on an IKEA purchase I bought on a whim, a well-used slide.

When IKEA remodeled their Wangjing store last year, much of the children’s items ended up in their discounted section, including the showroom slide. This thing must be built like a tank because it looked like it had been through war. The red slide was streaked with scuff marks from thousands of tiny shoes and the sides were discolored where countless tiny hands had sought purchase as they scaled the slide while their parents looked on or slept on a display sofa. Even though it looked worn, the unit itself was in solid shape. I figured if it could take the pounding that a daily herd of shoppers heaped upon it, the thing would hold up well against our brood. Best of all, it was discounted 60%. To be honest, I felt a further discount was in order, but I shelled out my RMB 400 anyway.

For the first few months, the slide hardly got any use, but once the boys hit about 15 months, they and their friends began to use it in earnest. Today, the slide probably gets used at least an hour a day as a fort, slide, or place to play peak-a-boo. Even their sister and her friends join the little ones on the slide and the occasional adult has been known to relive childhood on it too (guilty).

In retrospect, I should have purchased one of these years ago for our daughter, even at the full RMB 1,000 sticker price. The slide is sturdy, looks good, and will last well beyond our needs when we pass it along to another family. Recently, I saw a pristine looking one at Roundabout for RMB 400. The thing looked unused, but I wouldn’t trade our battered slide for that one. Sure, it looked good, but ours came with history. I cannot fathom how many children sought refuge from a boring shopping trip on our slide as a smile crossed their faces, their butts scooted towards the earth, and they shouted out Wheeee. That’s my kind of slide.

Photo by Christopher Lay.