Black Friday is widely recognized as a day for major discounts, but for savvy shoppers, it also presents a unique opportunity to secure free items. Retailers often deploy freebies as a strategic tool to attract early-morning crowds, reward purchases with specific thresholds, or simply enhance the holiday shopping atmosphere. The freebies available on Black Friday vary significantly, ranging from high-value gift cards and electronics to smaller promotional items like plush toys and beauty samples. Understanding the mechanics of these offers—which are almost exclusively in-store and time-sensitive—is crucial for consumers aiming to capitalize on them. The following information details the specific freebies and giveaways reported for Black Friday 2025, based on the provided source materials. All details are contingent on the official policies and inventory of the respective retailers, which may change without notice.
Major Retailer Freebies and Giveaways
Several prominent national retailers have historically offered structured freebie programs on Black Friday. These offers often target the earliest shoppers, with specific arrival times and purchase requirements. The sources indicate that the most substantial freebies are tied to store opening hours, and quantities are frequently limited, creating a competitive environment for participants.
Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
A consistent highlight for outdoor enthusiasts is the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Black Friday freebie. According to the source data, the offer involves a mystery promo card. The first 250 customers at each store location on Black Friday are eligible to receive this card, which is valued between $10 and $500. This promotion is valid only on the specified Black Friday date, and the source emphasizes that the cards are available in limited quantities, while supplies last. The high value range suggests the promotion is designed to create significant excitement, though the actual value of each card is determined upon receipt. There is no mention of any purchase requirement to receive the mystery card; the sole condition is being among the first 250 customers to enter the store on Black Friday.
Target
Target’s Black Friday freebie strategy involves two distinct components: a gift card incentive and a limited-quantity swag bag. For the gift card offer, the source states that free Target gift cards are available, but they are received "when you make select purchases." The specific purchases that trigger the free gift card are not detailed in the provided materials, indicating that shoppers must consult in-store signage or Target’s official Black Friday ad for the exact qualifying items. The second component is the swag bag giveaway. On Black Friday, with doors opening at 6 a.m., the first 100 shoppers at a Target store will receive a free swag bag. The source notes that these bags contain "tons of goodies," and importantly, 10 of these bags will include an extra prize valued at $99 or more. This promotion is explicitly limited to the first 100 shoppers per store, emphasizing the need for very early arrival.
JCPenney
JCPenney’s freebie model is based on timed giveaways throughout Black Friday, offering a variety of items at specific hours. Shoppers must be present at a local JCPenney store at the designated times to have a chance to win these items. The schedule and prizes are as follows: - 5:00 a.m.: A chance to win a $500 off coupon and a free snow globe. - 9:00 a.m.: A chance to win a free Cuisinart coffee maker. - 1:00 p.m.: A chance to win a free pair of lab-grown diamond stud earrings. - 5:00 p.m.: A chance to win a free Sutra hair styler. The source materials refer to these as "chances to win," which implies a potential sweepstakes or lottery-style distribution rather than a guaranteed giveaway for all attendees at those times. The exact mechanism (e.g., drawing, first-come-first-served) is not specified.
Kohl’s
Kohl’s Black Friday freebie is structured as an instant win promotion for early arrivals. On Black Friday, the first 200 customers to enter select Kohl’s locations will receive up to $100 Kohl’s Cash. This Kohl’s Cash is provided instantly and can be used for future purchases. Furthermore, these customers also receive a Game Card containing a unique sweepstakes code. By scanning a QR code and filling out an official entry form (with a limit of one entry per person), participants gain a chance to win up to $10,000 in cash. This offer combines an immediate reward (Kohl’s Cash) with a longer-term sweepstakes entry.
Fleet Farm
Similar to Bass Pro Shops, Fleet Farm targets the earliest shoppers with a tangible free item. The first 500 customers at a Fleet Farm store on Black Friday will receive a free plush moose. This offer is straightforward, with no purchase requirement mentioned, and is subject to the store’s inventory while supplies last.
Lowe’s
Lowe’s offers a tiered freebie program for early Black Friday shoppers. The first 50 members who are in-store on November 28th will receive a free Lowe’s Bucket of products. Additionally, these participants are entered into a chance to win a free in-stock appliance valued up to $2,000. This promotion requires membership (presumably in the MyLowe’s program) and is limited to the first 50 members at each store.
Macy’s
Macy’s Black Friday freebie is a purchase-based promotion. On November 28 and November 29, customers who make an in-store purchase of $100 or more will receive a free reusable tote bag. This offer is limited to one tote bag per customer and is available only while supplies last. The promotion is explicitly tied to a minimum spending threshold.
Meijer
Meijer’s Black Friday promotion involves digital coupons and rewards points. The store’s Register Coupons will print out at the register when customers purchase select items. These coupons offer a free reward, which is a chance of up to $80 off a future purchase. Additionally, Meijer may offer a free mPerks Rewards points offer when customers purchase gift cards. This freebie is integrated into the checkout process for qualifying purchases.
Ulta Beauty
While not a Black Friday-specific giveaway in the same vein as the timed store openings, Ulta Beauty is noted for its ongoing free gift with purchase offers during the holiday season. According to the source, Ulta typically has multiple such offers, which can include items like a free blanket or robe with the purchase of select fragrances, or a free Ulta Beauty Collection item when spending a certain amount. These offers are generally available during the Black Friday sales period, though the specific items and thresholds for 2025 are not detailed in the provided chunks.
Key Considerations and Strategies for Securing Freebies
The information from the sources highlights several critical patterns and requirements for consumers seeking Black Friday freebies.
Timing is Paramount: The vast majority of the most valuable freebies—such as the mystery gift cards from Bass Pro Shops, the swag bags from Target, and the instant Kohl’s Cash—are exclusively available to the first customers in the door. Retailers like Target and Kohl’s specify exact opening times (e.g., 6 a.m. for Target) and numerical limits (first 100, first 200, first 250). This necessitates planning, including arriving well before the store opens and understanding that inventory is finite.
Purchase Requirements Vary: Some freebies are guaranteed with arrival (Bass Pro Shops, Fleet Farm, Kohl’s Cash for the first 200), while others are contingent on making a purchase. Target’s free gift cards require purchases of select items, and Macy’s free tote bag requires a $100+ in-store purchase. JCPenney’s giveaways are tied to specific times but may involve a chance-based system. Shoppers must differentiate between "free with purchase" and "free with early arrival" offers.
Geographic and Store-Specific Limitations: The sources indicate that many of these offers are available at "select" locations. For example, Kohl’s mentions "select Kohl’s locations," and JCPenney refers to "your local JCPenney store." This means not every store may participate, and the specific freebies available can vary by region. Consumers should verify participation at their local store before making travel plans.
Combining Freebies with Deals: The sources often list freebies alongside major sale events. For instance, Ulta’s free gifts with purchase are available during their Black Friday sale, and Meijer’s register coupons are triggered by purchasing sale items. Strategically planning purchases to meet thresholds for freebies while also taking advantage of discounts can maximize the value of a Black Friday shopping trip.
Limited Quantities and "While Supplies Last": Nearly every freebie offer comes with a disclaimer that quantities are limited and available while supplies last. This applies to physical items like plush moose toys, swag bags, and even the Kohl’s Cash for the first 200 customers. There is no guarantee that all stores will have their full allotment of freebies, especially if a store is particularly busy or if distribution is uneven.
Conclusion
Black Friday 2025 presents a variety of freebie opportunities for U.S. consumers, though they are heavily weighted toward in-store, early-morning shoppers. The most substantial freebies, such as high-value mystery gift cards from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, instant Kohl’s Cash, and limited-edition swag bags from Target, require arriving at the store at or before opening time and are subject to strict numerical limits. Other retailers like JCPenney, Lowe’s, and Macy’s offer freebies tied to specific times or minimum purchase thresholds. For shoppers interested in beauty products, Ulta Beauty provides ongoing free gift-with-purchase opportunities. Success in securing these freebies depends on careful planning, including verifying local store participation, understanding the specific rules and timing for each offer, and arriving early for the most competitive promotions. As with all Black Friday promotions, these freebies are subject to change and availability, making it essential to consult official retailer advertisements and in-store signage for the most accurate and current information.