Lately IKEA has been feeling frisky with freebies and the last time they were at it was Oct. 7 – 8, 2023. On those days the first 50 eligible IKEA Family members to enter an IKEA store received a surprise IKEA free gift. If that feels super vague, you’re not wrong. We literally had no idea what the surprise gifts were going to be, or if all 50 at each store would even be the same. But that’s just IKEA being IKEA.
On Aug. 18, 2023, to celebrate their 80th birthday, IKEA gave the first 80 IKEA Family members who walked through the door a free gift card. Only they didn’t elaborate on how much each gift card would be. All they would cop to was that the total amount of the gift cards given away would be between $3,000 – $3,500 for each store.
Then they doubled down on this surprise concept a week later, on Aug. 25, when the first 80 IKEA Family members at each location were given a mystery gift. Again, the total for all gifts at each store was between $3,000 – $3,500. Internet lore suggests one dude got a free rug, so there were some bigger ticket items.
Below we’re sharing everything we know about the latest IKEA giveaway, but text HACKS to 57299 so you never miss out on a deal or freebie.
IKEA gave away ‘surprise gifts’ to the first 50 IKEA Family members to check in at the welcome table at each location on Sat. Oct. 7 and Sun. Oct. 8, 2023.
So, yes, IKEA ponied up surprise gifts to the first 50 IKEA Family members who checked in at their welcome table upon walking through their blue and yellow doors on Sat. Oct. 8 and Sun. Oct. 8, 2023. Read that carefully: the first 50 IKEA Family members. If you weren’t an IKEA Family member and you were first in line — sorry, buddy. The surprise you got was that you weren’t receiving a free gift.
IKEA Family is the retailer’s loyalty program. It’s free to join and will score you 5% off in-store IKEA purchases. So if you aren’t already a member, make sure you join ahead of any promotions like this one.
And, yes, you had to share proof of IKEA Family membership. Only one prize was allotted per membership, so if you share one with a partner or family member, you only get a single prize amongst you. Find can always find out if your local store is participating in these events here.
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Most IKEA stores open at 10 a.m. every day of the week. Get there early on gifting days.
You’ll find that most IKEA stores open at 10 a.m. daily (double check with your nearest location to confirm). However, don’t expect to park at 10 a.m. and be among the first 50 (or however many) eligible folks to walk through the door and pick up a surprise gift. We all love free stuff. Get there early to secure a spot in line before the doors open.
Unfortunately, the gifts really were a surprise, and no clue of value was provided.
With the IKEA 80th birthday giveaways, the store didn’t share the value of each gift card or prize, but there was a little more information available. We at least knew that every store was giving away $3,000 – $3,500 in product or gift cards divided among the 80 recipients.
In October, there was no small print even suggesting the total amount of free product being distributed at each store. So you may literally have walked away with anything if you were among the first 50 IKEA Family members there. Here’s hoping it was more than a lint roller (although those are very practical and a $0.99 value).
Some stores may be offering other free events on any given week.
Check your local IKEA location to see if they are also offering free events. Events tend to different from store to store, though these mystery gift promotions tend to be the same nationally. But, for example, some locations are doing a “Find the Bear” event for kids, ages 4 – 7. How does it work? Well, during that event kids are tasked with finding bears throughout the participating store to get a free prize at the end.
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