Ikea's 2008 $20 Cheap Christmas Tree Promotion

In light of today's economy, you don't necessarily have to play the Grinch this Christmas when you can get a cheap Christmas Tree from Ikea for only $20. With most Christmas trees selling for at least $10/foot, it's one of the cheapest Christmas tree bargains to be found. The catch...you gotta live in Canada. Japan's Ikea has a similar promotion for 1990 yen. But I couldn't find anything on the U.S. site that verifies any locations selling cheap Balsam Firs.

What's the Deal for an Inexpensive Christmas Tree?

If you're a lucky Canuck, you can buy a cheap Christmas tree from Ikea for only twenty bucks. Or if you live near the Canadian border, near an Ikea, you might be able to just head stateside to import your Christmas tree on the cheap. Plus when you purchase one of these cheap Christmas trees, Ikea encourages you to come visit them after the holidays when you're flush with Christmas cash and typically their slow period, by giving you a coupon worth $20 off any purchase of $75 or more. In the past some of Ikea's Christmas tree promotions included having to return or recycle the Christmas tree back to the store. My dried out cheap Christmas tree never made it back to the store and Ikea none the wiser probably realized this probably hindered their New Year's promotion.

What Kind of Cheap Christmas Tree am I Getting?

Hey for $20 bucks what kind of cheap Christmas tree do you expect? It's a Balsam Fir. It's generally considered a lower grade, less premium, bargain variety Christmas tree and is typically sold to get people to come onto the Christmas tree lot. It's often the tree of choice sold in great abundance at home improvement big box stores, charity Christmas tree lots, etc. Compared to a Fraser Fir which often is dense and full and holds its needles really well, a Balsam Fir's needles are a bit flatter and it is less full of a tree. However, for $20, it's a pretty good cheap Christmas Tree, the disadvantage of less full branches is actually an advantage with more room to place ornaments.

Should I Wait to Buy a Cheap Christmas Tree?

If you're thinking it's better to wait until closer to Christmas so the tree will be fresher, forget about it. Most Christmas trees are cut in early to mid November at one time then either delivered at one time or in multiple shipments. So the secondary shipments if there are any won't necessarily be any fresher. Plus without getting the trees in the water, the longer they sit, the more prone they are to drying out. Plus with the $20 Ikea Christmas Tree Promotion, the trees are likely to run out quickly and the promotion is only valid while supplies last.

Tips to Keep a Cheap Christmas Tree Fresh

If you don't have a chain saw or bow saw, buy an inexpensive bow saw. It should cost only $5-$10. Don't get one too big as it'll be tricky to handle. Put a fresh cut on the bottom of the tree about an inch or so up and make a fresh cut so that the tree can get water into it right away. Leave it outside in the cool weather in a bucket of water for at least a couple of hours before bringing it inside to give it a chance to recover from the stress. You don't necessarily need to invest in any tree preservative solution. Just keep the water replenished. Lights will dry out a Christmas tree so don't leave your lights on all day or when you go out. You may want to invest in LED lights which tend not to heat up.

Go to the Dollar Store & Buy a Christmas Tree Bag

You will thank me forever and a day with this little tip. Buy one of these specialized gynormous Christmas Tree disposal bags. You might pay up to $3 or more for one bag. You're thinking, nah, why bother. But believe me, it is so not worth the hassle to cheap out on this essential post holiday item. Don't wait until after Christmas to buy one because they are usually sold out by then. Buy one of these Christmas Tree disposal bags and place it under your Christmas Tree Stand, then when the holidays are all over and done with, you just pull this garbage bag over your entire tree, tree stand and all. It then makes it easy to transport your cheap and most likely dried out Christmas tree, from your living room to your trash outside without messing up your house. You then just bust open the bottom of the bag and undo your Christmas tree stand. Voila. Muss free, needle-free Christmas tree disposal.

The Christmas Spirit Lives On

Some of the Ikea locations have also partnered with local charities. One of the stores in Coquitlam, British Columbia is donating $1 for every tree sold to Adoptive Families Association. Plus IKEA is also donating a portion of tree sales to Tree Canada. In the past, Ikea has pledged to plant one tree for every Christmas tree sold. Most recently this year, IKEA employees participated in Pick a Tree, Plant a Tree, in support of Tree Canada to plant saplings, trees and shrubs to help restore green spaces in local communities.

P.S. Feed the Christmas Spirit

Try to stop by IKEA in the morning as they still have their $.99 breakfast special. It includes potatoes, eggs, sausage and a croissant or bun. Coffee was only a buck extra as well. In all a cheap way to celebrate the holiday season.