Maximize Savings with Black Friday Freebies – A 2023 Guide

Ever queued up outside a store on a chilly November morning, anticipation tingling in the air? That’s the magic of Black Friday – a day when ordinary items transform into coveted treasures, thanks to the allure of discounts and deals.

But here’s a secret just as exciting: Black Friday freebies. Yes, you heard it right! Stores not only slash prices but also give away free stuff on Black Friday.

In 2022, we saw an array of fabulous freebies, and now it’s time to gear up for 2023. So, dive into this article to uncover the best Black Friday freebies of the past year and get ready to score big in the coming season!

The Best Black Friday Freebies for 2022

Ready to hear about the best free stuff from last year’s Black Friday? Let’s dive in!

Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s

Fancy a festive memory with Santa? Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s offered a free photo op with Santa! All you needed to do was make a reservation, turning shopping into a delightful experience.

Bed Bath & Beyond: Love UGG products? Bed Bath & Beyond rewarded a free $25 bonus gift card to shoppers who spent $125 on UGG products between Nov. 14 and 26. That’s a cool return on your cozy buys!

Fleet Farm

Early bird gets the worm, or in this case, a plush toy! The first 500 customers at a Fleet Farm store on Black Friday received a free plush toy. The magic started at 5 a.m!

JCPenney

Who doesn’t love coupons? JCPenney offered a tempting deal. If you were among the first customers at their store on Black Friday, you could get a coupon worth $10 to $500 off! Note that the coupon is only for people over 18 years old.

Macy’s

Luxury mattresses got even more attractive at Macy’s. Buyers of select luxury mattresses (King Koil, Hotel Collection …) could score a free $100 Macy’s gift card! Plus, a bonus freebie on select large fragrances, ranging from a tote bag to shower gel.

Meijer

Free coupons sounded like music to shoppers’ ears at Meijer. Select purchases triggered these coupons to print at checkout automatically.

Rural King

Carhartt apparel shoppers spending $200 or more at Rural King were rewarded with a $50 gift card. That’s 25% back on your shopping!

Target

Target made it simple. Make select purchases, and you could receive a free gift card at checkout.

Belk

On November 25 and 26, Belk surprised 175 customers per store daily with gift cards ranging from $5 to $250.

Caribou Coffee

At participating locations, reward members enjoyed a free Flavor Shot, Whip, or Espresso Shot on Nov. 25.

Ulta

Ulta offered a free gift (choice of plush robe or luxury throw) for a fragrance purchase of $65 or more starting Nov. 20.

Victoria’s Secret

Spend $85 to get a free tote ($59.95 value) or $150 for a free tote AND a plush blanket. These freebies were available while supplies lasted.

Checkers and Rally’s

Who wouldn’t love free fries for life? Checkers & Rally’s made this possible through a sweepstakes event in honor of the Black “FryDay” holiday.

All you had to do was visit their Instagram post related to the event, drop a comment, and wait for a direct message containing an entry form. Sharing their post and tagging their handle, accompanied by the hashtag #BlackFryDay, fetched you an additional entry.

And the cherry on top? Everyone who entered received a digital coupon for a free large order of their famous seasoned fries, redeemable until Nov. 27!

Kohl’s

Kohl’s treated the first 200 visitors to a unique Black Friday experience. Show up at a Kohl’s store between 5 and 8 a.m., and you could receive a game piece with possible prizes from various name brands or even Kohl’s Cash.

Remember to visit KohlsTGIBF.com to see what you’ve won. Most walked away with $5 Kohl’s Cash. Isn’t that a fun way to kickstart your Black Friday shopping?

Krispy Kreme

Cyber Monday got a lot sweeter with Krispy Kreme. On Nov. 28, any dozen donuts bought online was paired with an Original Glazed dozen for just $2!

Plus, Krispy Kreme’s Santa’s Bake Shop collection was available from Nov. 25. It’s like Christmas came early for donut lovers!

Popeyes

Black Friday shopping can be exhausting, and Popeyes was there to help. With every purchase of a chicken sandwich combo, you got a free chicken sandwich of your choice.

Just remember to place your order online using the Popeyes app or website.

The Cheesecake Factory

Starting Cyber Monday, The Cheesecake Factory launched a promotion: get $10 off $50 orders from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 and from Dec. 5 through 8 using the promo code FESTIVE on their website or DoorDash.

Del Taco

Del Taco hosted 21 Days of Cheesetacular Deals on the Del Yeah! App through the end of November. On Black Friday, a free stuffed quesadilla taco meal was yours when you ordered another one at a regular price.

Dunkin’

On Cyber Monday, Dunkin’ Rewards members got a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase. Additionally, there were free items with the purchase of a medium drink and a breakfast sandwich.

Godiva

Godiva gave out a 40% discount on select chocolate assortments, including peppermint bark, a chocolate Advent calendar, and a gift basket filled with various sweets.

Jamba

Black Friday at Jamba meant a buy-one-get-one-half-off deal on smoothies. Over Thanksgiving weekend, customers got $2 off two smoothies, juices, or Jamba bowls, followed by 20% off any order of $25 or less on Cyber Monday.

Levain Bakery

Cookie lovers were in for a treat at Levain Bakery on Black Friday. If you purchased any eight cookies in-store, they’d be packaged in a special holiday tin, valued at $15, free of charge.

For those not near their physical locations, Levain offered 20% off all eight- and 12-packs of its cookies purchased online from Nov. 18 until Black Friday.

The cherry on top was their Cyber Monday deal: the free holiday tin came with any online purchase of eight cookies!

Smashburger

Smashburger certainly knows how to make a splash. On Nov. 25, for every $25 spent, you were awarded $5 of SmashCash.

This could be used to indulge in anything from their juicy burgers to their lip-smacking milkshakes. Just remember, the SmashCash expired in February 2023!

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf turned the heat up with their Cyber Monday promo codes. Shoppers could get up to 25% off on their orders and free shipping using BFCM15 and BFCM25 codes, making your favorite cup of coffee or tea even more enjoyable.

Duck Donuts

Black Friday at Duck Donuts meant a treat for coffee lovers and early risers. They offered a BOGO deal on all hot and cold coffee drinks in-shop and online with code FRIDAY22.

Plus, the first 200 guests on Nov. 25 got coupons for up to $10 off on orders of up to five dozen donuts, valid until the end of the year.

Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box offered a deal as tasty as their food. Their new $10 Fan Favs Boxes, filled with an assortment of bites, came free when you ordered another one at regular price through the Jack in the Box app on Black Friday.

Plus, signing up for Jack Pack rewards got you 20% off your order. That’s a deal to relish!

How to Plan for Black Friday 2023

As the countdown to Black Friday 2023 begins, it’s time to arm yourself with a solid game plan. Navigating the sea of discounts and freebies can be daunting, but you can maximize your savings with strategic planning.

1. Early Research is Key

Starting early is the secret sauce. Companies typically start promoting their deals weeks in advance, so watch their social media channels, newsletters, and websites. Another option is to bookmark our website to stay updated with the best Black Friday ads and deals.

Make a list of the items you wish to buy, and keep track of their regular prices. This will help you compare the discounts and make an informed decision.

Also, look out for stores offering freebies, as this can significantly enhance the value of your purchase.

2. Prioritize Based on Freebies

We all love getting something extra for free. So, if two stores offer similar discounts on the product you wish to buy, go for the one offering a freebie.

From gift cards to bonus products, these freebies can add significant value to your purchase.

Make sure to read the fine print to understand how to claim the freebie. Remember, these freebies are often limited in number, so make sure the stores offering the best ones are at the top of your list.

3. Prepare Your Shopping Route

Once you have your shopping list ready, plan your shopping route. Start with the stores offering the most attractive freebies or the deepest discounts.

Consider the store timings and the likely crowd at each store. If you plan to shop online, ensure you have a stable internet connection and access to your preferred payment methods.

4. Set a Budget

While the excitement of grabbing a deal can be thrilling, it’s important not to get carried away. Set a budget for your Black Friday shopping and stick to it.

Keep in mind that there will be more sales events in the future, so there’s no need to overspend.

5. Stay Updated

Lastly, keep an eye on any last-minute changes to the deals. Retailers often announce additional discounts or flash sales closer to the event, or even on the day.

Stay flexible and be ready to adjust your plan if needed.

Wrapping Up

With a keen eye for Black Friday freebies and a smart shopping strategy, you can turn the most bustling shopping day of the year into a savings bonanza.

Whether scoring the best deal or snagging that exclusive freebie, the thrill of Black Friday shopping never gets old. And remember, planning ahead is key to a successful Black Friday.

So, mark your calendars, set your budget, do your research, and get ready to make the most out of Black Friday 2023. Happy shopping!