The month of August 2017 offered a diverse array of freebies and promotional opportunities for U.S. consumers. From digital coupons for free candy at major grocery chains to exclusive content for gaming subscribers, the landscape of no-cost offers was varied. Additionally, bloggers and brands hosted giveaways for home décor, beauty products, and food items, while national restaurant chains celebrated promotional holidays with complimentary treats. This article details the specific freebies, eligibility requirements, and redemption processes available during this period, drawing exclusively from verified reports and announcements from that time.
Grocery Store Digital Coupons and In-Store Offers
One of the most accessible freebies for the average consumer came from the Kroger family of supermarkets. On Friday, August 4, 2017, Kroger offered a digital coupon for a free Airheads product. Specifically, customers could load a coupon to their Kroger digital account for a free Airheads Bites 2 oz or a mini bars 6 pack.
To redeem this offer, a customer needed to have a registered Kroger rewards card and a digital coupon account. The digital coupon was only available to load on the specific date of Friday, August 4. However, once loaded, the coupon remained valid for redemption until August 20, 2017. The redemption process required the customer to present their registered rewards card at the checkout register. When the qualifying Airheads product was scanned, the register automatically deducted the price of the item, making it free. This type of offer requires the consumer to actively manage their digital coupons and visit the store within the specified redemption window.
National Restaurant Promotions
August 6, 2017, marked National Root Beer Float Day, an occasion that A&W Restaurants celebrated with a specific promotional offer. Participating A&W locations nationwide offered a free small root beer float to customers. Unlike some freebie offers that require no purchase, this promotion was structured as a "free with any purchase" deal. The offer was valid all day on August 6, 2017. The root beer float was made using A&W Root Beer and vanilla soft serve.
Gaming and Digital Content Subscriptions
For subscribers of Sony's PlayStation Plus service, August 2017 brought a new selection of free downloadable games. The lineup, available starting August 1, 2017, was divided across three platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita.
PlayStation 4 owners had access to two main titles: Just Cause 3, an open-world action game focused on destruction, and Assassin's Creed: Freedom Cry, a standalone expansion of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Additionally, a free downloadable content pack for the free-to-play game Dreadnought was made available to Plus members starting August 15.
PlayStation 3 users could download Super Motherload and Snakeball. PlayStation Vita owners received Level 22 and Downwell. Downwell also featured Cross-Buy functionality, meaning purchasing it for the Vita also granted access on the PS4, effectively giving PS4 owners a third free game for the month.
Beyond gaming, the subscription offered a rental discount. For a period of six weeks starting in August, Plus members in the U.S. could rent select movies from the PlayStation Store for $0.99 each.
Blogger-Hosted Giveaways and Contests
Several bloggers hosted their own giveaway events in August 2017, requiring specific actions for entry and offering unique prizes.
First Friday Freebies (Tieks and Treats)
A blogger known for a "First Friday Freebies" series hosted a giveaway on August 4, 2017. The prize consisted of three "tieksgirl" cups filled with Tieks blue nail polish, a nail file, and Malvimallow marshmallow treats. Three winners were selected.
Eligibility and Entry: * Entrants were required to be subscribers to the blogger's email list. * The winner was selected at random from the email subscriber list at the end of the day on August 4, 2017. * Winners were announced via an update on August 4, with a requirement to email the blogger with a mailing address to claim the prize. * Claiming Deadline: Winners had 24 hours to claim their prize. If unclaimed, a new winner was to be selected.
Welcome Home Décor Giveaway
A Midwest-based storyteller blogger hosted a "First Friday Freebie" for August 2017, offering a piece of home décor from Old East Main Company. The prize was an 8-inch wide by 6.5-inch tall box-framed piece with the word "Welcome" painted on a rust-colored panel inside a white wood frame.
Eligibility and Entry: * Entrants were required to "Leave a Comment" on the specific blog post, stating the phrase, "There’s no place like home." * Entrants were encouraged to share the post via social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), or Pinterest, or via email.
Birthday Freebies
A blog post published on August 4, 2017, detailed 35 locations offering freebies or discounts for birthdays. The author noted that these offers generally require signing up for a brand's email list or rewards program. The post categorized the offers into free food and free makeup or discounts at stores. While the specific brands were listed in the blog post, the provided source data did not include the actual list of 35 companies, only the author's assertion that such a list existed.
Desktop Wallpaper Digital Freebie
For digital creatives and consumers looking to customize their workspace, a free digital download was available for August 2017 desktop wallpapers. Created using Procreate and Photoshop, the design featured 3D hand-lettered signage with metallic textures and glitter.
Availability and Format: * The download included wallpapers in two resolutions: 1280x1024px and 1920x1080px. * Two versions were provided for each resolution: one with dates and one without dates. The "no-dates" version was designed to be reusable for any August, not just 2017.
Conclusion
The freebie landscape in August 2017 was characterized by a mix of time-sensitive retail coupons, subscription-based digital content, and interactive blogger giveaways. Consumers seeking value had opportunities ranging from a simple digital coupon for candy at Kroger to high-value video games via PlayStation Plus. Participation in blogger-hosted giveaways required active engagement, such as leaving comments or sharing content, while restaurant promotions required a purchase. The availability of digital assets, such as reusable desktop wallpapers, represented another category of no-cost acquisition. Across all categories, the common thread was the requirement for consumers to take specific, often time-bound, actions to claim the available offers.