Black Friday is widely recognized for significant discounts on consumer goods, but it also presents a unique opportunity for consumers to obtain free items through targeted in-store promotions and giveaways. Retailers often use freebies as a strategy to attract early shoppers and enhance the holiday shopping experience. The following information details specific freebies, eligibility requirements, and event details for Black Friday 2025, based exclusively on the provided source materials.
The primary types of freebies available during this period include mystery gift cards, complimentary products with purchase, and exclusive event-based giveaways. These offers are typically time-sensitive, with limited quantities available, and often require customers to visit physical store locations during specific hours. Retailers such as Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Kohl’s, JCPenney, Lowe’s, Target, and Fleet Farm have historically or are predicted to participate in such promotions.
Major Retailer Freebies and Event Details
Several national retailers have structured their Black Friday freebies around early-morning store openings and limited-quantity distributions. The following details are compiled from multiple sources, with an emphasis on the most consistently reported information.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
A widely reported freebie involves a mystery gift card. According to multiple sources, the first 250 customers at participating Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s store locations on November 28th will receive a mystery promo card. The value of these cards is reported to range from $10 to $500. The cards are valid for use from December 5th through December 27th. Doors for these stores are scheduled to open at 5:00 a.m. on Black Friday. This offer is explicitly limited to the first 250 guests at each store, and sources indicate these items go quickly, necessitating an early arrival.
Kohl’s
Kohl’s offers a freebie structured as a potential winning opportunity for early shoppers. On November 28th, the first 200 customers to enter select Kohl’s locations will receive up to $100 in Kohl’s Cash and a Game Card. This Game Card contains a unique sweepstakes code that provides a chance to enter and win up to $10,000 in cash. To participate, customers must scan a QR code during the entry period to fill out an official entry form. There is a limit of one entry per person. The availability of this offer is contingent on being among the first 200 customers at a select location.
JCPenney
JCPenney’s Black Friday freebies are distributed at specific times throughout the day, requiring shoppers to be present in-store. The promotions include peel-and-reveal cards and physical giveaways. The scheduled events are as follows: - At 5:00 a.m., shoppers have a chance to win a $500 off coupon and a free Snoopy snow globe. - At 9:00 a.m., there is a chance to win a free Cuisinart coffee maker (specifically the Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar 4-in-1 model). - At 1:00 a.m., shoppers have the chance to win a free pair of lab-grown diamond stud earrings (specifically 3/4 ct. t.w. Diamond Studs in 10k Gold). - At 5:00 p.m., there is a chance to win a free Sutra hair styler (specifically the SUTRA AERO Styler).
It is noted that the $500 coupons are popular and may be limited, encouraging early arrival. The specific items and times are based on reported schedules for Black Friday 2025.
Lowe’s
Lowe’s offers a free bucket containing multiple items, available to a specific subset of customers. Starting at 6:00 a.m. on Black Friday, Lowe’s will give the first 50 MyLowe’s Rewards members in line a holiday bucket. The contents of the bucket are specified to include one Great Stuff Gap Canister, one Valspar Paint Brush, one WD-40 product, a coupon for a free paint sample, and one additional product of the sponsor’s choice. Furthermore, one MyLowe’s member per store will have the opportunity to win an in-stock major appliance priced at $2,000 or less. This offer is exclusive to MyLowe’s Rewards members.
Target
Target’s Black Friday freebie is a two-part offering. First, Target Gift Cards are available with select purchases. Second, a swag bag giveaway is scheduled. The first 100 shoppers to arrive at a Target store on Black Friday (with doors opening at 6:00 a.m.) will receive a free swag bag. This bag contains a variety of free goods, and 10 of these bags will include an additional prize valued at $99 or more.
Fleet Farm
Fleet Farm’s freebie is a plush toy. The first 500 customers in stores on Black Friday will receive a free plush moose toy.
Additional Retailers and Predicted Offers
Other retailers are noted in the source materials with predicted or historical freebie patterns: - Bealls: It is predicted that Bealls will give away a limited number of free gift cards valued at $50, $75, and $100, based on past promotions. - BIGGBY: Customers who spend $20 will receive a Black Friday scratch-and-win card. Prizes on the card may include a Buy-One-Get-One offer, $1 off any drink, 50% off any item, 25% off an entire order, or a free beverage. - Game Stop: Five Golden Tickets are scattered across GameStop stores nationwide. Finding one rewards the finder with a year of free Pokémon drops. - Home Depot: Shoppers can expect multiple free items with purchase offers, typically available on select power tools. - Ulta: Ulta is known for multiple free gifts with purchase offers during the Black Friday period. Examples include a free blanket or robe with select fragrance purchases or a free Ulta Beauty Collection item when a certain spending threshold is met.
Key Eligibility and Participation Rules
Participation in these freebies is governed by strict rules that vary by retailer. Understanding these requirements is crucial for consumers aiming to secure an offer.
Time and Quantity Limits
Most freebies are available on a first-come, first-served basis with limited quantities. For example: - Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s: First 250 customers. - Kohl’s: First 200 customers. - Lowe’s: First 50 MyLowe’s Rewards members in line. - Target: First 100 shoppers. - Fleet Farm: First 500 customers.
Store opening times are typically early morning (5:00 a.m. or 6:00 a.m.), requiring a significant time commitment from shoppers.
Membership and Purchase Requirements
Some offers are tied to specific programs or purchases: - Lowe’s: Requires membership in the MyLowe’s Rewards program. - Target: The swag bag is free with no purchase requirement, but the gift cards are awarded with select purchases. - BIGGBY: Requires a $20 purchase to receive the scratch-and-win card. - Home Depot & Ulta: Freebies are typically structured as gifts with purchase.
Geographic and Store-Specific Variations
The availability of these freebies may vary by location. Sources indicate that certain offers are available at "select" locations (e.g., Kohl’s, Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s). Consumers are advised to check with their local stores for specific participation and timing.
Documentation and Entry Processes
Some promotions require additional steps beyond arriving early. For the Kohl’s sweepstakes, customers must scan a QR code and fill out an official entry form. For the Game Stop Golden Ticket, the ticket must be physically discovered in-store.
Strategic Considerations for Shoppers
To maximize the potential of securing Black Friday freebies, consumers should plan ahead. The source materials emphasize the competitive nature of these offers, noting that items "go quick" and require early arrival.
- Verify Local Store Participation: Since promotions may vary by location, contacting the local store ahead of Black Friday is recommended to confirm participation and specific details.
- Arrive Early: The most successful strategy is to arrive well before store opening times, as many freebies are limited to the first few hundred customers.
- Understand the Requirements: Reviewing the specific rules—such as membership needs or purchase minimums—prevents disappointment. For example, ensuring a MyLowe’s membership is active before visiting Lowe’s.
- Monitor Updates: Some sources note that their pages are updated with the latest information as it becomes available. Checking these resources closer to the event date may provide more precise details.
Conclusion
Black Friday 2025 offers a variety of freebies from major retailers, primarily focused on in-store, time-sensitive giveaways. The most prominent offers include mystery gift cards from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, potential sweepstakes entries and Kohl’s Cash from Kohl’s, scheduled high-value item giveaways at JCPenney, and product buckets from Lowe’s. Participation is generally limited by quantity and time, with many offers requiring an early morning arrival. While some freebies require no purchase (e.g., Target swag bags, Fleet Farm plush toys), others are tied to purchases or specific store programs. Consumers should prioritize planning, verifying local store details, and arriving early to take advantage of these limited-quantity promotions.