I have a confession to make… I have never stepped foot inside of an IKEA. I want to! I really do. It’s just that we don’t have one local to us.
I LOVE the IKEA catalog. I get just as excited to receive that catalog in the mail as I did when I was a child and the Sears Wish Book would show up in our mailbox. The IKEA catalog is my grown up “wish book”. LOL!
IKEA is the world’s largest home furnishings company with over 320 stores globally including 38 stores in the USA. Sadly none local to me.
IKEA was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad. The vision of the company is to create a better everyday life for the many people. The business idea is to offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishings at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.
I was shocked to learn that IKEA stores have an average of 626 million visitors during a year. WOW! That is a lot of visitors.
I didn’t know that IKEA was very involved in charities. I think that is wonderful. Knowing that inspires me to find a way to make it to an IKEA some day. I like to support businesses that support charities.
The IKEA Foundation, the philanthropic entity at IKEA, works in partnership with UNICEF and Save the Children to make a difference for millions of children in need around the world by reducing malnutrition and infant disease, and by dramatically improving literacy. The Soft Toys Campaign for Education (a UNICEF and Save the Children program) aims to improve the education of the most disadvantaged children while recognizing that education is one of the best investments for them.
The IKEA Foundation also aims to improve the opportunities for children and youth by funding holistic, long-term programs that can create substantial, lasting change, and enable them to take charge of their own future. IKEA works with strong strategic partners applying innovative approaches to achieve large-scale results in four fundamental areas of a child’s life. Currently funded programs benefit an estimated 100 million children.
If you would like to learn more about the IKEA Foundations please visit www.IKEAFoundation.org.
This year IKEA is running a campaign called IKEA Soft Toys for Education. From November 1, 2011 – December 24, 2011. For every soft plush toy that is purchased, IKEA will donate one Euro (approximately $1.35 in US Dollars) to the IKEA Soft Toys for Education campaign.
IKEA Soft Toys, which includes stuffed animals, finger puppets and books, range in price from $.49 – $19.99 and are available in all IKEA stores and online. You can see the full collection here, http://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=soft+toy.
These incredibly affordable and cuddly creatures will certainly put a smile in the hearts of children, while supporting millions of others in need of a quality education.
IKEA Soft Toys for Education is actually an annual event. Since 2003 this campaign has donated 35.2 million euros ($47.5 Million US) to UNICEF and Save the Children. This contribution has enabled approximately 8 million children in nearly 40 countries the great opportunity of having access to a quality education. That is amazing!
We have a couple of soft plush toys from IKEA. My kids each have a Vegetable plush. My daughter has a plush carrot and my son has a plush broccoli. They are not only super soft and huggable but also incredibly cute.
We also have an adorable clown dog called Klappar Cirkus on the IKEA site (my kids call him Clown Dog).
All of the plush animals and dolls available at IKEA are not only adorable but super affordable too. Currently our veggie plush are on sale for $3.99 (normally $7.99) each and the Clown Dog is on sale for $2.49 (normally $4.99). These are NOT small plush toys either. The vegetables are HUGE (almost 2′ tall!) and the Clown Dog is big too (not as big as the veggies but still a big size). Even at their non-sale prices they are a great deal. Where else will you find a nearly 2′ tall plush for $7.99?
Even though these plush are very affordably priced, their quality did not “suffer” at all. When you purchase inexpensive plush animals, like those at low-end department stores or the dollar stores, they tend to fall apart easily, have lose threads or rip easily. The IKEA plush, although priced incredible low, are NOT low quality. If you told me they came from a high end department store and cost $$$$ I would believe it. They are made exceptionally well.
When it comes to giving the gift of IKEA plush this holiday season it’s a win-win-win situation. You can save money purchasing these adorable, quality plush, someone gets an fun gift and you are helping IKEA send money to great charities.
To find an IKEA location near you visit www.IKEA.com.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.
momznite says
I love it when companies engage in philanthropy, especially programs that benefit children! I hope Ikea is also making other ethical and child friendly business decisions.
anna pry says
We dont have an ikea near us either, such a bummer. I guess some of them have an eatery in them too because I see deals all the time where kids eat free there
Eileen says
Aww…they ARE cute! My daughter would love the monkey for her new little one. At 2 feet that is a great deal on plush!. Maybe I could get the broccoli and help motivate me to eat more veggies. LOL. We have not been able to give much of this in our family due to allergies and asthma, and docs say to limit to the “blankey” plushies that can be washed often.