Black Friday 2025 presents a unique opportunity for U.S. consumers to secure free items and promotional offers alongside discounted purchases. Based on the provided source material, retailers are employing a variety of strategies to attract shoppers, ranging from early-bird doorbusters to gift-with-purchase incentives. This guide details the specific freebies, eligibility requirements, and timing for major retailers, focusing on in-store opportunities for 2025. The information is compiled from deal-focused publications and consumer savings websites, which aggregate and report on retailer announcements. Shoppers are advised that these offers are typically limited in quantity and subject to change, so verifying details directly with the retailer is recommended before visiting a store.
Major Retailer Freebie Promotions for 2025
Several prominent retailers have planned specific freebie giveaways for Black Friday 2025, primarily targeting the first customers of the day. These promotions are often tied to store opening times and require physical presence at a specific location.
Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
A consistent Black Friday freebie from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s is a mystery gift card. For 2025, the offer is reported to be available to the first 250 customers at each store location on Black Friday. The gift card value is reported to range from $10 to $500, with the specific amount determined by chance. The promotion is valid only on the Black Friday sales date, which is specified in some sources as November 28, 2025. Additionally, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are noted to host a Santa’s Wonderland Event, where children may receive a free photo with Santa and gifts, though specific details for 2025 are not elaborated upon in the source material.
Fleet Farm
Fleet Farm is reported to offer a free plush moose to the first 500 customers at its store locations on Black Friday 2025. This is a straightforward, no-purchase-required giveaway for early arrivals.
JCPenney
JCPenney’s Black Friday freebie strategy involves scheduled giveaways at specific times throughout the sales day, beginning at 5:00 a.m. Shoppers present in the store at these designated times have a chance to win various free items. The reported giveaway times and potential prizes for 2025 include: * 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 material also indicates JCPenney will distribute peel-and-reveal cards, though the exact nature or value of these cards is not specified.
Target
Target’s 2025 Black Friday freebie offering is twofold. First, shoppers can receive Target gift cards when they make select purchases, though the specific qualifying purchases and gift card values are not detailed in the provided sources. Second, Target plans a swag bag giveaway. The first 100 shoppers to arrive at a Target store on Black Friday (with doors opening at 6:00 a.m.) will receive a free swag bag containing various items. Among these 100 bags, 10 are reported to include an extra prize valued at $99 or more.
Lowe’s
Lowe’s is reported to offer a free bucket and product sampler to its MyLowe’s Rewards members. The first 50 members in line at each store on Black Friday, starting at 6:00 a.m., will receive a holiday bucket. This bucket is said to include 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. Furthermore, one MyLowe’s member per store will have a chance to win an in-stock major appliance priced at $2,000 or less.
Ulta Beauty
Ulta Beauty’s Black Friday 2025 freebies are primarily gift-with-purchase offers. One promotion allows customers who spend $75 on fragrance to choose between a free robe or a plush throw blanket. Another offer provides a free 9-piece gift with select online purchases of $65 or more, with the gift valued at $65. These are standard promotional offers that Ulta typically runs during the holiday season.
Victoria’s Secret
For 2025, Victoria’s Secret is reported to offer a free tote bag and blanket with a purchase of $150 or more. This is a classic gift-with-purchase incentive common during major sales events.
Bealls
Bealls is predicted to continue a past practice of giving away a limited number of free gift cards with values of $50, $75, and $100. The source material indicates this is a prediction based on historical patterns, and the specific terms for 2025 are not confirmed. The prediction suggests the offer may require a purchase, such as spending $100 or more, and may be valid on November 28 and 29.
Restaurant Gift Card Bonus Promotions
Several restaurant chains offer bonus gift cards with the purchase of a gift card during the holiday season. These are not freebies in the traditional sense but provide additional value. The following are reported for the 2025 holiday period: * Applebee’s: Get a $10 bonus card with a $50 gift card purchase, valid through January 4, 2026. * Auntie Anne’s: Buy $25 or more in gift cards and receive a $5 Auntie Anne’s reward card. This offer is valid through December 31, 2025. The reward card must be unlocked in the Auntie Anne’s Rewards program and is redeemable between November 11, 2025, and January 31, 2026. A special promotion from November 24 to December 1 allows for two $5 reward cards with a $30 gift card purchase. * Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar: Get $5 in bonus cards for every $25 spent on gift cards from November 28, 2025, to January 5, 2026. The bonus cards are valid from January 1 to February (specific end date not provided in the source).
Important Considerations and Limitations
The source material for this article is derived from consumer savings and deal aggregation websites. While these sites compile information from retailer announcements, the details are subject to change and may not reflect final, official terms. The following limitations are noted based on the provided sources:
- Geographic and Store Variability: The freebies and promotions listed are reported for major national retailers, but availability may vary by store location. Some promotions may be limited to specific participating stores.
- Quantity Limits: Most early-bird freebies (e.g., for the first 250 or 500 customers) are explicitly limited by quantity and are expected to run out quickly. Shoppers planning to claim these offers should arrive well before store opening times.
- Unverified Predictions: The offer from Bealls is described as a prediction based on past behavior, not a confirmed 2025 promotion. Shoppers should not rely on this as a guaranteed freebie.
- Online vs. In-Store: The provided source material focuses predominantly on in-store freebies. While some retailers may offer online freebies or digital gift cards, the sources do not provide specific details for 2025 online-only freebies beyond the Ulta online purchase gift.
- Official Verification: The most reliable information will come directly from the retailers’ official websites or in-store signage. The sources used for this article are secondary and should be used for planning purposes only.
Conclusion
Black Friday 2025 offers a variety of free promotional items for U.S. consumers willing to shop in-store early. Retailers like Bass Pro Shops, Fleet Farm, JCPenney, Target, and Lowe’s have planned giveaways ranging from mystery gift cards to product samplers and appliances. Additionally, gift-with-purchase offers from beauty retailers like Ulta and Victoria’s Secret provide extra value. Shoppers should note that these freebies are typically limited in quantity and may require specific actions, such as being among the first customers or making a qualifying purchase. Due to the dynamic nature of retail promotions, consumers are advised to check directly with their local stores for the most accurate and up-to-date information before planning their Black Friday shopping trip.