Black Friday is a significant event in the U.S. retail calendar, known for substantial discounts on a wide array of products. Beyond price reductions, many retailers use this day to offer promotional freebies and bonus incentives to attract early shoppers and enhance the holiday shopping experience. These free offers can range from mystery gift cards and free products with purchase to exclusive giveaways for the first customers in line. Understanding the specific promotions, eligibility requirements, and timing is crucial for consumers aiming to take advantage of these opportunities. The following information is compiled from various online deal publications and is based on reported offers for the 2025 Black Friday event. Consumers are advised to verify all details directly with the respective retailers before making plans, as promotions, quantities, and timing are subject to change.
Overview of Black Friday Freebie Trends
Retailers often deploy freebies as a strategic tool to drive foot traffic and create a sense of urgency. The types of freebies commonly seen on Black Friday include instant-win gift cards, free products with purchase, and limited-quantity giveaways for early arrivals. These promotions are frequently tied to specific times of the day, with the most valuable offers often reserved for the earliest shoppers. The freebies span various categories, including apparel, home improvement, electronics, beauty, and food, catering to a broad consumer base.
Major Retailer Freebie Promotions
Kohl’s
Kohl’s is reported to offer a promotional incentive for early shoppers. According to the source material, on November 28th, the first 200 customers to enter select Kohl’s locations are eligible to receive up to $100 in Kohl’s Cash and a Game Card. The Game Card contains a unique sweepstakes code, providing a chance to enter to win up to $10,000. To participate, shoppers need to scan a QR code during the entry period to complete an official entry form. A limit of one entry per person is specified.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
Both Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are mentioned as offering a mystery promo card to early shoppers. The promotion is for the first 250 customers at each store location on Black Friday. The value of the promo card is reported to range from $10 to $500. The card is valid for use from December 5th through December 27th. The source material notes that these cards are in limited quantities and are expected to be claimed quickly, encouraging shoppers to arrive early.
Fleet Farm
Fleet Farm’s Black Friday freebie is a physical item for the first shoppers. The first 500 customers at Fleet Farm stores on Black Friday are eligible to receive a free plush moose toy. This promotion is straightforward, requiring early arrival but no specific purchase.
JCPenney
JCPenney’s Black Friday event includes multiple timed giveaways throughout the day. The promotions are held at specific times, and shoppers must be in the store to participate. The reported giveaways include: - At 5:00 a.m.: A chance to win a $500 off coupon and a free snow globe. - At 9:00 a.m.: A chance to win a free Cuisinart coffee maker. - At 1:00 p.m.: A chance to win a free pair of lab-grown diamond stud earrings. - At 5:00 p.m.: A chance to win a free Sutra hair styler. The source material indicates that the high-value coupons are popular and can be claimed quickly, so early arrival is recommended.
Target
Target’s Black Friday freebie involves a gift card tied to select purchases. Shoppers who make qualifying purchases will receive a gift card. Additionally, Target is reported to offer a free swag bag to the first 100 shoppers who arrive at a Target store on Black Friday (when doors open at 6 a.m.). The swag bag contains various free products. A select number of these bags, specifically 10, are noted to include an additional prize valued at $99 or more.
Lowe’s
Lowe’s offers a free bucket of products to its rewards members. Starting at 6 a.m. on Black Friday, the first 50 MyLowe’s Rewards members in line at each store will receive a holiday bucket. The bucket includes items such as a Great Stuff Gap Canister, a Valspar Paint Brush, a WD-40 product, a coupon for a free paint sample, and one additional product from a sponsor. In addition to the bucket, one MyLowe’s member per store has a chance to win an in-stock major appliance priced at $2,000 or less.
Bealls
Bealls is predicted to give away a limited number of free gift cards, similar to past promotions. The predicted gift card values are $50, $75, and $100.
BIGGBY
BIGGBY offers a scratch-and-win card promotion for Black Friday. When a customer spends $20, they receive a scratch card that could yield various rewards, including a Buy One Get One (BOGO) offer on drinks, $1 off any drink, 50% off any item, 25% off the entire order, or a free beverage.
Game Stop
Game Stop has a unique "Golden Ticket" promotion. Five Golden Tickets are scattered across GameStop stores nationwide. Finding one of these tickets entitles the finder to a year of free Pokémon drops.
Home Depot
Home Depot’s Black Friday promotions are reported to include multiple free items with purchase offers. These deals are typically available on select power tools.
Ulta
Ulta Beauty is known for offering free gifts with purchase during major shopping events like Black Friday. Past promotions have included a free blanket or robe with select fragrance purchases, or a free Ulta Beauty Collection item when a certain spending threshold is met.
Important Considerations for Shoppers
While the freebies listed are enticing, several factors are important to consider. First, most of these promotions are available only while supplies last, and quantities are extremely limited. Arriving early is often a requirement for the first-come, first-served giveaways. Second, some promotions, like those at JCPenney, are tied to specific times of day, requiring careful planning. Third, eligibility may be restricted; for example, Lowe’s bucket offer is for MyLowe’s Rewards members only. Finally, all details, including exact dates, times, and terms, are based on pre-Black Friday reports and should be confirmed directly with the retailer before visiting a store. The sources for this information are deal-focused websites and blogs, which compile information from retailer announcements and past patterns, but they are not official brand channels.
Conclusion
Black Friday 2025 presents a variety of freebie opportunities for consumers willing to plan and arrive early. From mystery gift cards at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s to free products and high-value coupons at JCPenney and Lowe’s, the promotions are diverse. The key to success lies in understanding the specific terms for each retailer, including timing, quantity limits, and any eligibility requirements such as rewards program membership or minimum purchase. As with all promotional events, consumers should verify the latest information directly with the stores, as details can change. By staying informed and prepared, shoppers can effectively combine these free offers with traditional Black Friday discounts to maximize their value during the holiday shopping season.