IKEA

I took a trip by myself into Chicago today to get to the IKEA store --- something I NEVER do. I had to pick up some new office shelving for my digs at the church and Joelene had 'stuff' to do, so I went alone.

If you've never been there, it's really an amazing store. Actually, my son-in-law, Samuel Thulin, was born in Sweden and his family now lives in Almhult, where the IKEA headquarters are stationed and the very first IKEA story is located. Here's some more unknown 'skinny' on the place ...

Did you know the IKEA cataolgue is bigger than the Bible? It is the company’s greatest weapon. It is practically a 300-page missionary text and it goes out to over 180 million people in 27 different languages. Each year, there are more copies of the IKEA catalogue printed than the Bible. True. The catalogue has a bit of a cult following. Their most earnest readers, I hear, look out for hidden messages in the pictures, such as running references to Mickey Mouse and weird, obscure books on the bookshelves in the pictures. Whatever.

Also, despite early stumbles here in America, 20 years later, the store has so ingrained itself into our society that a trend among urban hipsters is to host dinner parties at the stores. A meal of lingonberry jam and meatballs at the cafeteria for the host and guests, and the living room set ups and displays make perfect venues for a round of Taboo or Pictionary.

A blog posting chronicling the first IKEA party in Sacramento, California led to a string of copycats across the country. So far, IKEA management doesn’t seem to be complaining.

So, next time you're there with a group of friends, go ahead and try that. In fact, I give you permission to order some food from the cafeteria (which isn't half bad) and haul it to one of the little living room displays - plop down in the chairs and sofas with a deck of UNO cards - and hang out for 2 or 3 hours. See what happens.

And be blessed.