Where to get a free Christmas tree.
Find where and how to get a free Christmas tree. Very few charities have the ability to give out trees and they usually serve very specific groups such as military families, single parents, senior citizens, or households facing a sudden crisis. Still, there are legitimate ways to get a free tree for Christmas 2025, and a handful of national nonprofits, local churches, retailers and volunteer groups continue to help each year. Below you find organizations that give out a free Christmas tree as well as links to their contact information.
Places to get a free Christmas Tree for the 2025 holiday season
Most Christmas assistance programs focus on gifts or food, but the Salvation Army, local churches, community agencies and even some retailers (Walmart, Home Depot, Target, etc.) occasionally provide free artificial or small real trees. Other organizations run giveaways aimed at military households or children from single parent homes. Also on occasion a local charity or non-profit may offer a voucher or financial support to help pay for one.
- When no formal program is available, people often turn to secondhand platforms or freebie apps, where donated artificial trees are posted in late November - early December and it is also to find other volunteer groups giving away trees. While the process takes persistence, the possibilities for a free Christmas tree or discounted tree are better than they used to be.
The Salvation Army often provides free or low cost items, maybe even a Christmas Tree. These will generally be for people in an extreme, one-off crisis - and as noted the resources vary widely by location. Families who receive case-managed Christmas help through the Angel Tree or Adopt-a-Family programs sometimes receive a tree when one is available, although this also varies by location.
- Even if they can’t provide a free Christmas Tree to a family, the Salvation Army does operate Family Stores in most states. The thrift type stores sell donated artificial trees at very low prices, and many also offer deeply discounted ornaments, strings of lights, glitter and other holiday items.
- While a free tree will be limited and only for applicants that meet certain conditions, the Salvation Army Thrift Store locations are open to the general public. The trees will need to be donated from the public, and if one is for sale, it is best to shop early. Find more details on Salvation Army assistance programs.
Christmas Tree Santas is a regional charity organization. They partner with social service agencies, charities and volunteer groups in several states. Each year there will be hundreds, if not thousands, of free Christmas Trees given to low-income families in the state of GA, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NC, PA, or TX. Read more on the programs offered here. https://www.christmastreesantas.org/.
Military families can get free Christmas trees, who live on a base, may be able to get a free Christmas tree. It can be placed into their home or apartment for them. There are volunteers and donations that go to the Trees for Troops non-profit organization. It operates nationally and based on demand and donation levels the military family may be assisted. It can help their spouse, kids, and others celebrate the holiday. Distribution locations are announced each fall, and eligibility is based on the base’s guidelines. Read more on http://www.christmasspiritfoundation.org/.
A small non-profit that will give a fully decorated Christmas tree to families with kids is known as the Christmas Tree Project. There are income as well as other requirements in place that need to be met. Demand far outweighs the number of available trees, but families, including single moms or dads, can apply directly on the organization’s website. The nonprofit depends heavily on donations and operates nationwide when inventory allows. Apply at http://thechristmastreeproject.org/ Or you can donate trees, cash, decorations, and give back to the less fortunate.
Still another option may be a local church near you. Churches and faith-based organizations may also give away trees when donations allow. Catholic Charities agencies, independent churches, community ministries and faith-based neighborhood groups sometimes receive donated artificial trees or small real ones.
- Even if they cannot provide one, they usually know of local Christmas assistance programs, small business giveaways or community events that include trees. Churches also remain one of the best places to get ornaments, stockings, free Xmas toys for a kid or a free Christmas meal. Find more details on getting help from churches.
The Lions Club, which is a hyper local organization, may also offer free Christmas trees in 2025 from lots and fairgrounds across the country. Or they will hold sales to raise money, and some low income families and those who live in poverty (as long as they have proof) may receive discounts. Other Lion Club Chapters sell trees as a fundraiser but offer discounts or no-cost items to families with limited incomes.
- Since Lions Clubs operate independently, the availability of free Christmas trees varies by location Some local clubs run tree lots or holiday fairs and may quietly give free trees to households facing a hardship and find more details on Lions Club holiday programs.
Companies near you, nursery's, YMCAs, garden or retail stores such as Home Depot, Walmart or Lowes and many other organizations or companies often give away Christmas Trees. However these are very local in nature and often change by the year or season. The companies/organizations may distribute trees when they have surplus stock or sponsor community events. These opportunities are usually advertised on local community calendars, city websites, social media pages or small nonprofit newsletters.
- To learn about them, try a local clearinghouse to get referrals to free low income 2025 Christmas tree programs. The United Way is but one service that will be near you. There is free information on all sorts of financial aid programs, Christmas assistance (maybe including trees), thrift stores for ornaments, and more. Dial 211 to learn more or get information, or find other United Way free Christmas assistance programs.
Apps and websites that can help you get a free Christmas tree
Apps help people find free new or used artificial Christmas Trees near them as well. There are various apps available in Apple iOS and Google Play stores. Any items listed, including holiday stuff, often goes fast. Freebies Alert is available on Samsung and Apple phones can be be used to find a free Christmas Tree in your town or community. Find a step by step guide to use alerts for free Christmas toy, tree and meal programs near you.
- The Freebie Alerts app aggregates “free” listings from platforms like Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and TrashNothing. All you do is enter your ZIP code and receive alerts when a free item appears near you. Since Christmas trees get claimed quickly, the app’s alerts help families locate a free tree before it disappears. Learn more on how to get Freebies Alert.
The Buy Nothing Project hosts hyper-local gift-economy groups where neighbors give and request items at no cost. Around the holidays, artificial Christmas trees and lights are common giveaways. Join your local group via https://buynothingproject.org/find-a-group.
Free Christmas trees may be found on some internet sites as well, sometimes referred to as online freebie platforms. There is a directory of websites that give free year round stuff, and it may be worthwhile to review those. Or the main one to try will generally be Craigslist. Most listings appear under “free stuff” in early December, and many include holiday lights, garlands or boxed ornaments. Craigslist is available at https://www.craigslist.org.
- There are other internet websites in which all sorts of goods are given for free or sold at reduced rates, and both real and fake/artificial Christmas trees may be on them. Or there may also be ornaments, such as bulbs, Christmas tree lights, and more. Other websites that list donated items at no cost can also help families locate gently used or artificial trees that are no longer needed and find the details on websites that give free stuff.
Conclusion - Free Xmas Trees do exist for low-income families
Although resources change from year to year, families can usually find at least one possible option for the for the 2025 season. Artificial trees donated to thrift stores, community events, small nonprofit programs and online platforms help fill the gap when bigger charities do not have enough supplies. Households using these programs should begin their search early, as most organizations distribute trees during the first two weeks of December.
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