The holiday season in the United States is a peak time for consumer spending, with many individuals and families seeking ways to reduce costs. Various brands, retailers, and charitable organizations offer free samples, promotional events, and no-cost trials to help consumers manage expenses. The provided source materials detail a range of offers available during December 2024, including in-store events, digital freebies, and programs for families in need. This article consolidates this information, focusing on verified offers, eligibility requirements, and access methods for U.S. consumers.
Seasonal Retail and Food Promotions
Several major brands and retailers have structured promotions for December 2024, combining free items with purchases or hosting complimentary events.
Krispy Kreme offered a promotional deal on December 13 and 14, 2024. Customers could receive 12 dozen original glazed donuts for free with any purchase. This offer included festive Grinch-themed donuts. The promotion required a purchase to redeem the free donuts.
J.C. Penney hosted a free event for children on December 14, 2024. The J.C. Penney Kids Zone event was open to attendees. While children participated in activities, parents could obtain a coupon for an extra 10% off their purchase at J.C. Penney.
Lowe’s also scheduled a free event for children on December 14, 2024. Attendance required prior registration. The event was offered at no cost to participants.
AppleTV+ provided a free viewing of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" during the holiday season. This offer was available to users of the AppleTV+ platform.
Digital and App-Based Freebies
Online platforms and mobile applications offered various freebies and discounts during the 2024 holiday season.
PlayStation Plus subscribers with an active membership could access several free games until January 6, 2024. The available games included "It Takes Two," "Aliens: Dark Descent," and "Temtem."
Several mobile apps provided holiday-specific freebies and discounts, as reported by a user on a subreddit focused on money-making opportunities. These included: * Lidl Plus App: Offered free bakery items and daily discounts. * McDonalds App: Featured festive wins and prizes. * Ikea Family Card: Provided a digital advent calendar. * TopCashback: Included a "find the magpie" promotion. * American Express: Offered a Shop Small discount.
Free Samples and Brand Freebies
A variety of free samples and product trials were available across multiple categories, often distributed through online sample programs, brand websites, or subscription boxes.
Beauty and Personal Care: * Giorgio Armani: Offered a free sample of Acqua di Gio. * Dove: Provided a free Amino Curl Mask sample. * Radiance: Offered a free Wrinkle Serum sample. * Furtuna Skincare: Provided a free sample. * Nutree Professional: Offered a free hair care product sample. * Daily Goodie Box: Distributed free boxes of samples. * ProductSamples.com: Offered various freebies. * Exederm: Provided a free skincare sample. * Riversol: Offered a free 15-day sample. * Social Nature: Provided free full-size product samples. * TryProduct: Offered free products. * A singles survival kit was also listed as a free sample opportunity.
Baby and Child Care: * Enfamil: Offered free belly badges, samples, and toddler formula. * Goodnites: Provided free underwear for boys and girls. * Walmart: Offered a free Baby Welcome Box. * buybuy BABY: Provided a free goody bag. * Scholastic: Offered a free streaming app for kids. * PETA Kids: Provided free stickers, comics, and a "We Are Not Nuggets" poster and stickers. * Sesame Street: Offered a free "Learn Along with Sesame Street – Season 1" and a free fire safety coloring booklet. * IKEA: Provided a free Secure Hardware Kit. * Brickit App: Scans LEGO piles to show build ideas (free app). * Child Safety Kits were available for free.
Food and Beverage: * Ben & Jerry's: Offered free Cone Day on April 14, 2026. * Dairy Queen: Provided a free ice cream cone on March 20, 2026. * Ritas Italian Ice: Offered free Italian Ice on March 20, 2026. * Haagen-Dazs: Offered free Cone Day in May 2026. * BUBBL'R: A rebate for a free 6-pack of sparkling water was available. * Sun-Maid: Provided a free recipe booklet. * NOH Foods of Hawaii: Offered a free recipe cookbook. * McDonald's: Provided free coupons and food. * Wendy's: Offered lots of free food with any mobile order. * Chick-fil-A: Provided a free Rewards Club. * Taco John's: Offered a free Beef Taco. * Schlotzsky's: Provided a free sandwich. * White Castle: Offered free food. * Waffle House: A coupon for a free waffle was available. * Crumbl Cookies: 70 free Crumbs points were offered. * Grubhub: A free 30-day Grubhub+ trial and $7 off first food delivery was available.
Health and Household: * TENA: Offered free adult pads and guards. * Vaginal Contraceptive Film: A free sample was available. * HIV: A free sample was listed (specific product not detailed). * Colgate: Provided free samples for teachers. * Meat Safety Fridge Magnet: Available for free. * PETA Vegan Starter Kits: Offered for free. * Various Recipe Cookbooks: Including a catfish cookbook and a Crohn's cookbook. * Professional Sports Kids Clubs: Listed as a freebie. * National Park Pass: A free pass for 4th graders worth $80 was available.
Other Freebies: * Magazine Subscription: A free subscription was listed. * Free Apple Camp Summer Events. * 2025 Kids Roller Skate Free Program. * 2026 Freebies for Good Report Card Grades. * 2025 Summer Movie Deals & Freebies for Families with Kids. * Kids Bowl Free All Summer in 2025. * Free “Get Excited About the Brain” Coloring Book. * Free Letters From Santa. * Free Personalized Call From Santa. * Free Personalized Video from Santa. * Free Ways to Track Santa on Christmas Eve. * Free Disney Key to the Magic. * Free Halloween Pumpkin Carving Patterns, Templates, and Stencils (over 1,000). * Free LEGO Building Instructions (thousands). * Free Customized, Personal Bottle Labels. * Free Pizza Restaurant Coupons. * Free Historic Mexican Recipe Cookbooks. * Free Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cone on March 20, 2026. * Free Ben & Jerry's Cone Day is April 14, 2026. * Free Haagen-Dazs Cone Day in May 2026. * Free Chocolate Dipped Fruit Cone. * Free Ritas Italian Ice on March 20, 2026. * 70 Free Crumbl Cookies Crumbs Points. * The Best 2025 National Coffee Day Freebies. * 2025 Veterans Day Freebies, Deals, & Discounts. * Lowe's Kid's Workshop – Washing Machine Coin Bank on January 17. * Home Depot Kids Workshop on Feb 7. * JCPenney Kids Zone Event on February 14. * Michaels Kids Club Events in Winter 2026. * 50% off Kid-Safe Gabb Wireless Phones. * Free ‘Keep Laundry Packets Up' Cling. * Over 1,000 Free Halloween Pumpkin Carving Patterns, Templates, and Stencils. * peta2 “We Are Not Nuggets” Poster & Stickers. * Thousands of Free LEGO Building Instructions! * Free Child Safety Kits. * Free Carnival Thrills and Dollar.
Programs for Families and Low-Income Households
Several nationwide organizations provide Christmas assistance, including free gifts for children and sometimes for parents, grandparents, or single seniors. These programs often operate at the local level, and details can vary by location.
The Salvation Army runs two notable holiday programs: * Red Kettle Campaign: A donation drive visible at store entrances. * Angel Tree Program: A program designed to provide Christmas help for low-income families. Children list a few gift wishes, which are placed on tags in local stores. The tags typically list only the child’s age and requested gifts. The source material advises contacting local organizations early due to high demand.
The source material emphasizes that these large nationwide organizations often operate differently at the local level, and it is important to contact the local organization to verify specific details, deadlines, and availability.
Digital Rewards and Survey Platforms
Several platforms were mentioned that allow users to earn money or rewards, which can be used to purchase items or cover holiday costs. These are not free product samples but rather ways to earn cash.
- FreeCash: Pays users for testing games, using apps, and taking surveys, with instant cashouts and daily bonuses.
- Earn Haus: Pays up to $25 per survey, with same-day payment via PayPal, Venmo, or check.
- HealthyWage: Pays up to $10,000 when users hit a weight loss goal.
- KingOpinion: Pays up to $210 per survey.
- Swagbucks: Has paid out over $900M. New users can get $10 free and then earn more by watching videos, taking surveys, and more.
Important Considerations for Consumers
When seeking free samples and offers, consumers should be aware of several factors:
- Eligibility and Registration: Many free events, such as those at Lowe's or J.C. Penney, require prior registration. Some free samples may require signing up for a brand's newsletter or creating an account on a sample website.
- Purchase Requirements: Some offers, like the Krispy Kreme promotion, are free only with a purchase. It is essential to read the terms and conditions for any offer.
- Geographic and Time Limitations: Offers may be available only in the United States and for a limited time. The source material specifies dates for some promotions (e.g., December 13-14, 2024, for Krispy Kreme) and notes that others are for future years (2025, 2026).
- Source Verification: The information in this article is compiled from the provided source materials. Consumers are advised to verify details directly with the official brand or organization before making plans, as offers can change or be discontinued.
- Charity Programs: For programs like the Salvation Army's Angel Tree, early contact is crucial due to limited resources and high demand.
Conclusion
The 2024 holiday season offers a variety of freebies, samples, and promotional events for U.S. consumers. Opportunities range from in-store activities at retailers like J.C. Penney and Lowe's to free digital content from AppleTV+ and PlayStation Plus. Numerous brands provide free samples in categories such as beauty, baby care, food, and health. For families facing financial hardship, charitable organizations like the Salvation Army offer programs to provide gifts for children. To maximize opportunities, consumers should register for events in advance, review eligibility requirements, and verify all details with official sources. Planning and early action are key to accessing these cost-saving offers during the busy holiday period.