Black Friday represents one of the most significant retail events in the United States, characterized not only by deep discounts but also by a variety of freebies and promotional giveaways. These offers range from instant coupons and gift cards to high-value products and free food. Based on historical data and recent reports, consumers can access these freebies through specific in-store events, purchase requirements, or by simply being among the first customers to arrive at a retailer.
While many brands have not yet announced their specific freebies for the 2025 holiday season, reviewing past promotions provides a reliable framework for what consumers might expect. The following guide details the types of freebies available, the retailers that typically offer them, and the eligibility requirements based on verified source material.
Types of Black Friday Freebies
Freebies on Black Friday generally fall into several distinct categories. Understanding these categories helps consumers identify the most valuable opportunities.
Door Prizes and Early Bird Specials
Many retailers reward customers who arrive early with instant freebies. These are often limited to the first few hundred customers and do not require a purchase. * Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s: Historically, these retailers have offered a mystery promo card worth between $10 and $50 to the first 250 customers at each store location on Black Friday. * Fleet Farm: This retailer has offered a free plush penguin to the first 500 customers. * Kohl’s: Kohl’s has provided prize pieces to the first 200 customers, including items like LEGO products, Samsonite luggage, Draper James holiday gift boxes, and a family beach vacation to Florida.
Giveaways Requiring Specific Actions or Purchases
Some freebies are tied to specific shopping activities, such as activating a new service or making a qualifying purchase. * Costco: Costco has offered an extra $50 Costco Shop Card (on top of a $150 Shop Card promotion) for members who activate a new phone with a T-Mobile Go5G Plus or Go5G Next Plan. * Meijer: This retailer provided a coupon for $50 off the next in-store purchase for customers who purchased an Xbox Series X console for $499.99. * Target: Target offers free Target Gift Cards when customers make select purchases on eligible items.
Sweepstakes and Timed Events
Certain retailers host timed events throughout Black Friday, offering chances to win high-value items or receive significant coupons. * JCPenney: JCPenney hosts a schedule of giveaways at specific times: * 5:00 a.m.: A coupon for $10 off $10, $100 off $100, or $500 off $500. * 9:00 a.m.: A chance to win a free Cuisinart stand mixer. * 1:00 p.m.: A chance to win free lab-grown diamond stud earrings. * 5:00 p.m.: A "golden tote" containing a coupon for 10% off purchases through December 24. * Belk: Belk has given away $1 million in gift cards ranging from $5 to $500, with one $500 winner per store each day, starting at 4:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving and 6:00 a.m. on Black Friday.
Free Food and Activities
Several retailers and restaurants offer complimentary food and beverages to shoppers. * Barnes & Noble: This retailer has offered Buy One Get One Free Starbucks® coffee until 10:00 a.m. on Black Friday at participating locations. * Sam’s Club: Members have received free breakfast and Starbucks coffee on Black Friday morning starting at 7:00 a.m. * Bass Pro Shops: In addition to retail freebies, Bass Pro Shops offers free photos with Santa on Thanksgiving Day through Sunday, with the first 100 kids receiving a free plush toy. On Saturdays and Sundays, they offer a free photo package ($20 value) for customers who donate a new toy.
Digital and Online Freebies
While the primary focus of Black Friday is often in-store shopping, digital freebies are also available. * Snapfish: New customers can receive a free 8x11 photo book and 100 free 4x6 prints. Current customers may receive 50% off. A promo code may be required for free shipping. * Walgreens: A free 8x10 photo print is available at Walgreens.com, with the option to choose free in-store pickup to avoid shipping charges. * iTunes: Free MP3 downloads of holiday songs have been offered, such as Norah Jones’s "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." * Kindle: Free Kindle downloads of books, such as "Twas the Night before Christmas A Visit from St. Nicholas," have been available.
Purchase-Required Freebies
Some offers provide a free item when a specific product is purchased. * Bath & Body Works: A free product is available with any $10 purchase, usable via a printed coupon or online code. * Starbucks: A free Bodum Bean Coffee Press is offered with the purchase of three 1-lb bags of Starbucks coffee. Free shipping is typically available on orders over $75. * Lowe’s: In past years, Lowe’s has given away free buckets filled with tools and supplies valued at $80. These buckets included coupons for 20% off a purchase and a free can of paint. * Five Below: Shoppers can get 10 Squishmallows for the price of three (effectively getting seven for free) by purchasing a $20 bag that can be stuffed with up to 10 individual Squishmallows.
Strategies for Maximizing Freebies
Securing Black Friday freebies often requires preparation and strategic planning. Based on historical data, the following methods are effective:
Join Email Lists and Social Media Channels
Retailers often announce freebies and exclusive promo codes to their email subscribers and social media followers. Joining lists for retailers like Fry’s Electronics or following brands on social platforms can provide early access to offers. Retailers may also post freebies directly on social media or send them to email subscribers.
Arrive Early
For door prizes and early bird specials, arrival time is critical. For retailers like Cabela’s, where lines can be long, arriving significantly before store opening—potentially two to three hours early—is recommended. The worst lines are typically outside Best Buy and Wal-Mart, though these retailers rarely offer freebies. For offers requiring customers to be among the first 200 or 500, arriving at least one hour before opening is a standard recommendation.
Review Circulars Thoroughly
The best deals are not always on the front page of Black Friday circulars. Consumers should review every page of advertisements in the weeks leading up to Black Friday to identify freebies and deals that may be buried deeper in the publication.
Understand the Nature of "Free"
It is important to distinguish between truly free offers and those that require a purchase. "Free After Rebate" deals, coupons that require a minimum purchase (e.g., "$5 off $5"), and free items bundled with a purchase are common. True no-purchase-necessary freebies usually come in the form of door prizes, sweepstakes, or limited-quantity giveaways for early arrivals. Sweepstakes, by definition, cannot require a fee to enter, distinguishing them from lotteries.
Cyber Monday Considerations
While Cyber Monday offers digital deals, historical data suggests that Black Friday generally provides more and better freebies. Cyber Monday freebies are often limited to "free after rebate" deals for computer software.
Specific Retailer Promotions and Requirements
The following sections detail specific retailer offers and their eligibility requirements based on available data.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s consistently offer a variety of freebies during the Black Friday weekend. * Black Friday Door Prize: The first 250 customers at each store receive a mystery promo card valued between $10 and $50. * Holiday Events: From Thanksgiving Day through Sunday, kids can get a free photo with Santa. The first 100 kids photographed receive a free plush toy. * Charity Incentive: On Saturday and Sunday, customers who donate a new toy receive a free photo package valued at $20.
Costco
Costco’s Black Friday freebies are often tied to service activations. * Shop Card Promotion: Members who activate a new phone with a T-Mobile Go5G Plus or Go5G Next Plan receive an extra $50 Costco Shop Card in addition to a $150 Shop Card promotion.
JCPenney
JCPenney utilizes a timed giveaway schedule to drive traffic throughout Black Friday. * 5:00 a.m.: Coupons for $10 off $10, $100 off $100, or $500 off $500. * 9:00 a.m.: A chance to win a free Cuisinart stand mixer. * 1:00 p.m.: A chance to win lab-grown diamond stud earrings. * 5:00 p.m.: A golden tote containing a coupon for 10% off purchases through December 24.
Kohl’s
Kohl’s offers prize pieces to the first 200 customers, which have included: * Instantly redeemable Kohl’s Cash. * Sephora at Kohl’s gift cards. * LEGO products. * Samsonite luggage. * Draper James holiday gift boxes. * A family beach vacation to Florida.
Belk
Belk runs a large-scale gift card giveaway. * Gift Card Distribution: $1 million in gift cards, ranging from $5 to $500, are given away. One $500 winner is selected per store each day. * Timing: Giveaways start at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday and 6:00 a.m. on Friday.
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble offers a beverage promotion. * Coffee Deal: Buy One Get One Free Starbucks® coffee until 10:00 a.m. on Black Friday.
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club provides a morning refreshment for members. * Breakfast: Free breakfast and Starbucks coffee available starting at 7:00 a.m. on Black Friday.
Target
Target’s freebies are purchase-dependent. * Gift Cards: Free Target Gift Cards are provided when customers make select purchases on qualifying items.
Lowe’s
Lowe’s has historically provided high-value tool bundles. * Bucket Giveaway: Free buckets filled with tools and supplies from brands like Kobalt, Lennox, and Mr. Clean, valued at $80. The buckets also included coupons for 20% off a purchase and a free can of paint.
Five Below
Five Below offers a bulk purchase deal on a popular item. * Squishmallows: Shoppers can stuff a bag with up to 10 Squishmallows for $20. This is effectively a "buy three, get seven free" deal compared to standard pricing.
Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works ties freebies to a minimum spend. * Free Product: A free product is available with any $10 purchase, valid via printed coupon or online code SHOPFREE10.
Starbucks
Starbucks offers a kitchen accessory with a coffee purchase. * Coffee Press: A free Bodum Bean Coffee Press with the purchase of three 1-lb bags of Starbucks coffee.
Digital Freebies and Photo Deals
Digital freebies are accessible from home and often require specific promo codes or account creation.
- Snapfish: New customers can get a free 8x11 photo book and 100 free 4x6 prints. The promo code WOOHOOFS is rumored to provide free shipping.
- Walgreens: A free 8x10 photo print is available online with free in-store pickup.
- iTunes and Kindle: Periodically, digital media like MP3s or eBooks are offered for free download, often as holiday promotions.
Conclusion
Black Friday freebies are diverse, ranging from high-value electronics and jewelry to simple coupons and free coffee. The most lucrative offers typically require consumers to be among the first to arrive at a store or to participate in specific timed events. Retailers such as Bass Pro Shops, JCPenney, Kohl’s, and Belk are consistent providers of these promotions. While specific offers for the 2025 season remain unannounced, the patterns observed in previous years suggest that early arrival and careful review of circulars will remain the most effective strategies for securing no-cost items.