Comprehensive Guide To Black Friday Freebies And No-Cost Promotions For 2025

Black Friday is widely recognized as a premier event for securing significant discounts on consumer goods, but it also presents a unique opportunity for U.S. consumers to obtain free items and promotional bonuses. According to recent reports, retailers are increasingly using freebies as a strategic incentive to attract early shoppers and enhance the holiday shopping experience. These offers range from guaranteed free gifts for the first customers in line to high-value coupons and sweepstakes prizes. Understanding the mechanics of these promotions—including eligibility requirements, timing, and specific retailer policies—is essential for consumers looking to maximize value during this busy shopping period.

The landscape of Black Friday freebies in 2025 includes a variety of participating brands across home improvement, apparel, electronics, and beauty sectors. Retailers such as Lowe’s, Bass Pro Shops, JCPenney, Target, Kohl’s, Macy’s, and Ulta are among those offering distinct no-cost incentives. These offers typically require physical presence at brick-and-mortar locations during specific operating hours, with many targeting the earliest shoppers of the day. While some freebies are distributed automatically, others are tied to minimum purchase requirements or sweepstakes entries.

Retailer-Specific Freebie Offerings and Eligibility

The following section details specific freebies available at major retailers, based on current promotional data. These offers are generally time-sensitive and subject to availability while supplies last.

Home Improvement and Outdoor Gear

Lowe’s Lowe’s is offering a promotional bucket filled with home improvement products to early shoppers. * Offer: A holiday bucket containing one Great Stuff Gap Canister, one Valspar Paint Brush, one WD-40 product, a coupon for a free paint sample, and one additional product selected by the sponsor. * Eligibility: The first 50 MyLowe’s Rewards members in line at participating stores. * Timing: Distribution begins at 6:00 a.m. on Black Friday. * Additional Perk: One MyLowe’s member per store will have the opportunity to win an in-stock major appliance valued at $2,000 or less.

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s These outdoor retailers are providing mystery gift cards to early arrivals. * Offer: A mystery gift card valid for use between December 5 and December 27. Values range from $10 to $500. * Eligibility: The first 250 guests at each store location. * Timing: Doors open at 5:00 a.m. on Black Friday. * Additional Perk: A free photo with Santa and gifts are available for children during the Santa’s Wonderland Event.

Department Stores and Apparel

JCPenney JCPenney’s Black Friday event features scheduled giveaways and instant win opportunities. * Offer: A schedule of giveaways including high-value coupons and prize drawings. * Eligibility: Physical presence in the store at specific times is required to participate in giveaways. * Timing and Specifics: * 5:00 a.m.: Free coupon giveaway worth up to $500 off a $500 purchase and a free Snoopy snow globe. * 9:00 a.m.: Chance to win a free Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar 4-in-1 Coffee Maker. * 1:00 p.m.: Chance to win free 3/4 ct lab-grown diamond studs. * 5:00 p.m.: Chance to win a free Sutra Aero Styler.

Kohl’s Kohl’s rewards its early shoppers with instant win Kohl’s Cash and a national sweepstakes. * Offer: Kohl’s Cash valued between $5 and $100. * Eligibility: The first 200 customers in stores on Black Friday. * Timing: Doors open at 5:00 a.m. * Additional Perk: 10 shoppers nationwide will win $10,000 in cash.

Macy’s Macy’s offers a functional freebie with a minimum purchase requirement. * Offer: A free reusable tote bag. * Eligibility: In-store shoppers who spend $100 or more. * Timing: Available on November 28 and November 29. * Restrictions: Limit one per customer while supplies last.

Bealls Bealls is predicted to continue a tradition of gift card giveaways. * Offer: A limited number of free gift cards valued at $50, $75, and $100. * Eligibility: While specific eligibility is not detailed in the source data, these promotions typically target early shoppers or specific in-store events.

Beauty and Electronics

Ulta Beauty Ulta enhances its Black Friday sale with free gifts attached to fragrance and beauty purchases. * Offer: Free gifts such as a robe or plush throw blanket with select purchases. * Eligibility: Typically requires a minimum spend on specific product categories, such as fragrances. * Nature of Offer: These are usually structured as "Gift with Purchase" promotions.

Target Target’s promotion focuses on a swag bag with potential high-value inclusions. * Offer: A holiday-themed swag bag. * Eligibility: The first 100 people in line. * Timing: Doors open at 6:00 a.m. on November 28. * Value: Ten of the bags contain exclusive bonus items valued between $99 and $350, including gift cards, Target Circle 360 memberships, Ninja Slushi Makers, Laifen Hair Dryers, and Beats Solo 4 headphones.

GameStop GameStop offers an interactive freebie opportunity. * Offer: A Black Friday scratch-and-win card (potentially offering discounts or free beverages) or a chance to find one of five Golden Tickets scattered across stores. * Eligibility: Golden Tickets reward the finder with a year of free Pokémon drops. * Requirement: Spending $20 is required to receive a scratch-and-win card.

Strategic Considerations for Obtaining Freebies

The availability of these freebies is heavily dependent on supply and timing. Most guaranteed free items are restricted to the first customers arriving at the store, often well before standard business hours. For example, Bass Pro Shops, Kohl’s, JCPenney, Target, and Lowe’s all have specific thresholds for the "first" shoppers (ranging from 50 to 250 customers) or specific start times (5:00 a.m. or 6:00 a.m.).

Consumers should also be aware of membership requirements. Lowe’s free bucket, for instance, is exclusively for MyLowe’s Rewards members. This highlights the importance of signing up for retailer loyalty programs prior to Black Friday to ensure eligibility.

Sweepstakes-style freebies, such as the prize drawings at JCPenney or the chance to win $10,000 at Kohl’s, do not guarantee a prize but offer a chance to win high-value items. These events require physical presence at the retailer at a specific time.

Finally, purchase-triggered freebies, such as those offered by Macy’s and Ulta, require consumers to meet a minimum spending threshold ($100 at Macy’s, unspecified spend at Ulta). These offers are generally available throughout the sales event while supplies last, provided the purchase requirement is met.

Conclusion

Black Friday 2025 offers a diverse array of freebies and promotional incentives for U.S. consumers willing to plan ahead and arrive early. The most valuable guaranteed free items are typically reserved for the earliest shoppers at major retailers like Lowe’s, Bass Pro Shops, Target, and Kohl’s. Other opportunities, such as JCPenney’s scheduled giveaways or purchase-triggered gifts at Macy’s and Ulta, provide additional ways to secure no-cost products. To maximize success, consumers should verify specific store opening times, ensure they meet membership or purchase requirements, and prioritize locations based on the specific freebies offered.

Sources

1. The Krazy Coupon Lady - Black Friday Freebies
2. BlackFriday.com - Black Friday Freebies
3. MySavings - Black Friday Freebies and Free Stuff