IKEA is like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. If you're in the latter camp, chances are you've still made the odd trip, even if you had to be dragged there kicking and screaming. So you will probably all recognise the common things we all end up doing there that we simply can't help. It's a given that you'll never be able to pronounce the names of its products - the product numbers are there for a reason - and you'll either row trying to fit your shopping in your car, or when it comes to piecing it together at home. Meatballs are a must (Image: Manchester Family/MEN) Read more: IKEA explains why Daim bars have been axed from its stores But what else is pretty much guaranteed from a trip there? We've put together a list 1. Get stuck in the rotating door as you go in If you can prise your kids away from the outdoor play area, you can head straight inside. But along with a dozen other shoppers probably heading inside at the same time as you, it might take a little bit longer than planned. Just breathe. It can be a struggle just getting in the place (Image: Manchester Family/MEN) 2. Take advantage of the childcare Shopping isn't easy with kids in tow, so you may as well take advantage of the on-site creche. Sadly the Ashton store doesn't have one right now, but at Warrington's branch, you can leave your kids in there (aged 3 to 10) for 45 glorious minutes of free play. That's providing your little one wants to leave your side of course. 3. Immediately want to Instagram-ify your house I have no idea if that's a word, but you get the picture. Head up those escalators and follow those arrows to the living room/bedroom/kitchen of your dreams. Everything is simply perfect here isn't it. Immediately feel stressed about your cluttered life back home. 4. Find a cuddly toy to take home It doesn't matter how old you are, you're never too old to appreciate a big soft octopus - or bear, or dinosaur, or [insert favourite animal]. Should you spend £15 a whale for your child? Probably not. Will you end up buying one because they're round your ankles mithering after refusing to go in the creche? Probably yes. Who doesn't need a £15 octopus? (Image: Manchester Family/MEN) 5. Buy stuff you don't need It goes without saying you'll buy at least one thing you don't need. On top of the cuddly toy that is. A candle holder you'll never use, a duvet set that doesn't fit (because what sort of sizes do they come in anyway), or a chopping board to add to your ridiculous chopping board selection. Just stop already. 6. Stop half way for meatballs/ Daim cake When you do stop it's always worthwhile. Once you've faced the queue that is. You simply can't visit IKEA without devouring a plate of meatballs. With chips and sauce is my preference, but each to their own. And while you can't buy bags of the mini Daim bars any more, we explained that earlier , thankfully you can still get a slice of the Daim cake. Boxes of them are also sold in the cafe shop at the end. Daim cake is obligatory (Image: Manchester Family/MEN) 7. Remember what you actually came for After refuelling you might just remember why you came in the first place. Have you already missed that section? Probably. Will you have to go backwards through lots of angry people obediently following the arrows on the floor? Sadly yes. Keep breathing. 8. Get lost trying to find your flatpack You've finally got your location number, you know which aisle you're heading for. Can you find it? Can you hell as like. Once you do find it, it's likely to be an empty shelf. Or worse, you find out you need to drive to a hidden warehouse where the IKEA elves are busy packing boxes, because it would be too easy to have it all in one place. You'll obviously get lost looking for your flatpack (Image: Manchester Family/MEN) 9. Check out the bargain section It's got a lot bigger over recent years and you can occasionally find the odd bargain tucked away in the 'Re-shop and Re-use' section. But mostly it's in there because it's unwanted - and you don't want it either - but you'll still waste another 15 minutes having a browse and wondering if you could do something with the chest of drawers with a missing drawer. There's a fiver off after all. 10. Tackle the checkout You're doing the scanning so you best get a move on. Feel the daggers from the queue behind you as you search for those barcodes. Decide you may as well spend 75p on a giant blue IKEA bag because, well, it's much better quality than the supermarket ones and they always come in handy for wellies. You can't leave without a hot dog (Image: Manchester Family/MEN) 11. Grab a hot dog / ice cream before you leave You may as well have eaten those meatballs yesterday, you're that ravenous. And at 85p for a hot dog, why would you not. Likewise with the ice cream you get from the little
Robot whippy machine. It's worth the price just to witness the magic. 12. Somehow pack everything into your car You knew it would be a struggle. Did you really measure the boot properly? You're regretting it now aren't you. Usually you manage to cram it all in - anything to avoid those delivery fees - and just hope for the best that nothing gets broken in transit. Now it's time to head home where the fun will really begin.