From the customary spring cleaning to decorating, baking to dining, there is a lot to be done as we prepare to renew old bonds and make way for new beginnings.

IKEA Malaysia has generously offered us five refreshing ways you can spice up your Chinese New Year celebration at home.

1) Spring clean the negative energy away

Many people want the best entrance to a new year. One of the most important things when welcoming good fortune into your life is to remove negative energy. Get rid of unwanted items and give everything in your home a dedicate place with storage and organising solutions.

For starters, you can use a wall cabinet that is functional and beautiful. Use it to tuck away items you do not use on a day-to-day basis while ensuring it serves as an attractive display.

To add a personal touch to your shelving units, add on a selection of doors, baskets and dividers to make more room for your items.

2) Out with the old and in with the new

The living room is the heart of every home - it’s the place where loved ones gather to relax while bonding over conversations and laughter. This year, it is time to step out from your comfort zone.

Inject some style while adding extra playfulness around your living room by swapping traditional decorations with a range of modern looking items. Try using a simple tray table, cushion, and bright curtains to light up the room. Also, try adding decorative vases to add a pop of color in the room.

While many continue to improvise their living spaces with smaller budgets, it is great to know that these items can even be paired with things you already have around the house.

And here’s the best part - you don’t have to worry about taking all of them down once the celebration over as these items are versatile enough to be used all year long!

3) Feasting in unity and joyousness

The highlight of the festive season is the reunion dinner on the eve! As close family members gather to dine at home, be sure to give lots of attention to the setting of your dinner table.

Every item placed on the table should be well throughout out and carefully selected – ensuring it attracts good fortune and ushers in blessings for the Year of the Ox.

From chopsticks to mugs, serving bowls to cutlery sets, every item chosen is essential when laying out the table. Above all of this, let’s not forget the kitchen - where all the scrumptious meals are prepped. Ensure you have all the utensils and wok you need!

4) Keeping everyone as busy as a bee

There are many ways to create an auspicious atmosphere around your home while spreading the festive cheers. Make this Chinese New Year a memorable one for everyone, including the little ones!

Create fun activities that will give your loved ones the perfect opportunity to bond and reconnect. Be it decorating the home, making simple origami out of money pockets, hanging up lanterns to add a jazz of color or drawing your very own couplets, it is the little things that spark happiness and welcome good fortune.

Take this time to enjoy fun games that revolve around the festival with your kids, which will also encourage them to learn more about Chinese culture.

5) Timeless gifts for families and friends

The festive season is all about giving. Over the years, gift hampers have become an essential part of the festival.

Filled with a variety of food and fruits, these gifts are perceived as the ideal way to convey warm wishes of success, health, and happiness. This time around, why not breakaway from the conventional gifting of hampers by adding a modern touch to those timeless gifts?

If you’re looking for a good bargain, there are special deals at IKEA Malaysia’s Swedish Food Market! You can enjoy 50 per cent off lokam mandarin oranges and 20% off BBQ chicken dried meat when you purchased the second box. As for cookie lovers, you are in for a treat!

Get your fourth box of cookie for free when you purchase three boxes of any Chinese New Year cookies.

Usher in the new year by making IKEA Malaysia your one-stop destination for all your festive needs. Be sure to check out the new limited SOLGLIMTAR collection based on traditional Chinese imagery. Designed to be used all year round, the collection is available online and in-stores from 21 January 2021 onwards. From table cloths to rugs to dining wares, it’s time to celebrate the auspicious season with an IKEA twist!

If we haven’t said it enough, nothing is complete without food! So, while you prepare your home, do also take time to savor the season food offers at IKEA restaurants from now until 26 February 2021.

With the new Prosperity Salmon priced RM22.90 to Red Velvet Mandarin Orange Cheesecake at RM8.80, these food offers will put you in the mood for celebration! Enjoy 10 per cent off food items from the IKEA Restaurant for takeaway and delivery via Bungkusit and GoGet.