Every year, finding free Christmas trees feels like the official start of the holiday season for me, and I’ve had some great experiences when looking for free trees. The first time I looked for one, I didn’t even realize how many options there were until I started researching. Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make it easier and, honestly, a lot more fun.
For many families, a decorated Christmas tree is the heart of holiday celebrations. However, the cost of purchasing a real or artificial tree can be a burden. Fortunately, there are several places where families can get a free Christmas tree.
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Where to Get Free Christmas Trees?
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, and having a Christmas tree is often a beloved tradition. If you’re looking for a free Christmas tree, you have several options available to you:
1. Local Churches and Charities
Many local churches and charities offer free Christmas trees to families in need. These organizations often have programs specifically designed to help those who cannot afford a tree. Check with your local church or community center to see if they have any such programs. Find churches that offer cheap or free Christmas trees.
2. The Christmas Tree Project
The Christmas Tree Project is a heartwarming initiative that gives away fully decorated Christmas trees to families in need. Based in Colorado, this project has a national and international reach and aims to change the lives of thousands of families who cannot afford a Christmas tree. You can visit their website and request a tree by filling out a form.
3. Christmas Tree Santas
Christmas Tree Santas is an all-volunteer nonprofit providing free Christmas trees to needy families. They partner with local nonprofits to distribute trees and spread holiday cheer. You can visit their website to learn more about their mission and how to request a tree.
4. Trees for Troops
Trees for Troops is an organization dedicated to bringing holiday cheer to military families by providing them with free Christmas trees. They work with volunteers and donors to ensure that military families can enjoy the holiday season with a beautiful tree.
5. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist
Local community pages on Facebook, such as Facebook Marketplace, often have people giving away free trees, whether natural or artificial. Craigslist is another great resource, especially in the “Free” section. Early December is the best time to look, as people often donate items to decorate or update their holiday decor.
6. Freecycle and Nextdoor
Freecycle and Nextdoor are platforms where neighbors offer items they no longer need, including Christmas trees. Sign up for these platforms, join local groups, and look for posts advertising free Christmas decorations. Setting up alerts can help you be the first to claim available trees.
7. Local Clearinghouses
Some local clearinghouses and food banks also offer free Christmas trees as part of their holiday assistance programs. These organizations often have connections with local businesses and donors who can provide trees to those in need.
8. Leftover Tree Lots
Many tree lots offer free trees in the last few days before Christmas to avoid the hassle of recycling unsold stock. Some may even organize giveaways to ensure that families in need have access to a Christmas tree. Just ask at local tree lots about their plans for leftover stock.
9. Local Government Programs
Certain city or county recycling programs also arrange for leftover trees to be donated to families or organizations instead of immediately recycling them. Check with your city’s public works department for information on holiday initiatives.
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Charities and Nonprofits Offering Free Christmas Trees to Needy Families
Businesses near your location, nurseries, YMCAs, garden centers, or retailers like Home Depot, Walmart, or Lowes, and many other organizations or businesses often give away Christmas trees. However, these gifts are very local and often change by year or season. Here are some nonprofits and charities that offer free Christmas trees to low-income families:
10. Salvation Army
The Salvation Army’s holiday assistance programs often include giving away free Christmas trees to needy families. They work in communities across the country, distributing not only trees but also holiday meals and toys for children. To qualify, you may need to register in advance, so check with your local branch for requirements.
11. Local Churches
Many churches hold seasonal charity drives and partner with community organizations to offer free Christmas trees. Churches are also often connected with parishioners who are willing to donate trees. Call local churches or check their websites for announcements about holiday assistance programs. Local churches also offer free food boxes, thanksgiving dinners, and turkeys near you.
12. Goodwill
While Goodwill‘s focus is on offering affordable items, some branches have holiday programs that may include free Christmas trees and free holiday food boxes. It’s always worth contacting your local Goodwill office or checking their social media for special holiday events.
Free Christmas Trees for Military Families
The Trees for Troops program received such an overwhelming response of support that they are now able to donate thousands of trees each year to military bases across the country. Each year, the first weekend in December is Trees for Troops weekend. Military families wait in line at the base to receive a free Christmas tree. These free Christmas trees make a huge difference for military families during the holidays.
Trees for Troops is a program of the Christmas Spirit Foundation. They partner with local farmers and tree farms with shipping assistance from Fed Ex. If you would like to find free trees on your base, please contact your base’s Family Readiness Group (FRG) or Family Center for more details. If you would like to get involved or make a donation, please visit the Trees for Troops website for more details. They accept donations year-round to help send trees to troops deployed overseas. So if your family has benefited from their program, please consider giving back to the deployed troops.
Bottom Line
It is possible to find a free Christmas tree with a little research and outreach. By reaching out to local organizations and taking advantage of programs like The Christmas Tree Project and Christmas Tree Santas, you can ensure your home is filled with holiday cheer without spending more. Happy Holidays!
