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In this day three of Vlogmas, Always Away visits an IKEA in Shanghai hoping for festive snow and Christmas trees, then realizes they are in the wrong city for those plans. The store is quieter than they expected. They look for meatballs, hot chocolate and dessert; Emma orders more meatballs than planned, and Dom tries the hot chocolate. As they walk the showroom, they notice lower kitchen heights and compact furniture. They compare prices with home, saying they are similar overall while online options can sometimes be cheaper. The couple discuss the European branding, store sections and whether to choose items in person or online. Near closing time they hurry to finish their look around, and tease the car-rental adventure they plan for the next day. Their visit gives a personal look at the Shanghai store's food, prices, showroom layout and shopping experience.
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Meatballs and a Shanghai showroom
Always Away visit an IKEA in Shanghai during day three of Vlogmas. They hope to see festive snow and Christmas trees, then realize they have come to the wrong city for those plans. The restaurant is busy, and the couple talk about the queue before finding a quieter dining area after the lunchtime rush. Emma orders a generous portion of Swedish meatballs, while Dom tries hot chocolate served in a glass cup, which feels unusual to them. They also have chocolate almond cake, damper pies and a Dime Bar as they work through the food options.
They then tour the showroom and shop floors, looking at Christmas items, bedding and plates. The kitchen displays have shorter countertops and compact layouts compared with what the couple know at home. They compare prices and say the store's prices are broadly similar, while some decor can be cheaper online. Their walk includes a brief look at an empty showroom, bedding and an advent calendar whose price prompts discussion. As the store's closing time approaches, they hurry to finish the tour.
Shopping observations and next-day plans
The visit gives Always Away a chance to compare the Shanghai store with their experience of IKEA at home. They joke about the European branding and discuss whether it is better to choose items in person or order online. Their meal, showroom walk and price comparisons all happen within a short visit, with little time left once the store is about to close.
The couple finish by teasing the car-rental adventure they plan for the next day. Their observations cover the crowded restaurant, the food they try, compact kitchen designs and local pricing. The episode is a record of their day at IKEA in Shanghai, including the Christmas displays, bedding section and advent-calendar price that caught their attention.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: Is IKEA in China cheaper than at home?
- A: Not really; the speakers find similar price points to back home, with online options sometimes cheaper, but the store offers European branding and a shopping experience.
- Q: What did the couple try to eat at IKEA?
- A: They looked for meatballs, hot chocolate and dessert. Emma ordered more meatballs than expected, and Dom tried the hot chocolate.
- Q: What did they notice about the showroom?
- A: They commented on the lower kitchen heights and more compact furniture, and compared the showroom layout with what they were used to at home.
