Free stuff...where/how?

[pjlla]

Without a lot of chit-chat from me, I'm looking for suggestions on where/how to get some "free" stuff for Christmas (probably mostly stocking stuffers). It is probably too late now to sign up for most stores' frequent shopper cards that have coupons sent in the mail. I do have a VS card and get a coupon for free panties nearly every month.... and I just got TWO fliers in the mail from Bath and Body that each contained a coupon for a free item (woohoo!). But I'm wondering about maxing this idea out for the holiday season. Any ideas or suggestions for companies/stores that offer freebies, coupons, gift with purchase that I could take advantage of BEFORE Christmas?? THANKS!!..............P

 

[Deffenm]

Right now our grocery stores are having great weekly "freebies" that I can use in stockings like candy, cookies, drinks, and gum. We have Kroger, Giant Eagle, and Mejier. Also it is never too late to sign up for stores on-line to get coupons. JC Penny and Kohls have been sending out $10 off $10 or free $5 to spend lately. I am also using the free Bath and Body work coupons. If you are a Sam's Club member we have machine by the registers that spits out free samples as well.

 

[pjlla]

Right now our grocery stores are having great weekly "freebies" that I can use in stockings like candy, cookies, drinks, and gum. We have Kroger, Giant Eagle, and Mejier. Also it is never too late to sign up for stores on-line to get coupons. JC Penny and Kohls have been sending out $10 off $10 or free $5 to spend lately. I am also using the free Bath and Body work coupons. If you are a Sam's Club member we have machine by the registers that spits out free samples as well.

I don't have any of those grocery stores here in NH, but I definitely have JCP and Kohl's..... plus we got a Sam's Club membership earlier this year.... THANKS for the heads up about that stuff!..........P

 

[Hiitsme]

Try CVS. They have promos called "Extra Bucks" You buy the promo item and and score Extra Bucks back. Sometimes for the full price of the item and other times for a few dollars back. I live in MA so still have to pay sales tax. You can use Extra Bucks right away. on anything in the store. I don't think you can use them for minute clinic or pharmacy. Rite Aid has a 24 hour waiting period for their rewards. You do have to sign up for the CVS Extra Care card, but you can do that right in the store and then earn your bucks. Last year I scored a really cute set of nail 8 polishes for free using the Extra Bucks. You can check bfads.com. They have all the Black Friday print ads on their site so you can check where to find freebies. Some of the stores run the specials all weekend. Good Luck!

 

[Dakota731]

For stockings for guys, every time you buy something at Harbor Freight you get a free gift. I've put the flashlights in all my kids stockings, tape measures etc

 

[pjlla]

Try CVS. They have promos called "Extra Bucks" You buy the promo item and and score Extra Bucks back. Sometimes for the full price of the item and other times for a few dollars back. I live in MA so still have to pay sales tax. You can use Extra Bucks right away. on anything in the store. I don't think you can use them for minute clinic or pharmacy. Rite Aid has a 24 hour waiting period for their rewards. You do have to sign up for the CVS Extra Care card, but you can do that right in the store and then earn your bucks. Last year I scored a really cute set of nail 8 polishes for free using the Extra Bucks. You can check bfads.com. They have all the Black Friday print ads on their site so you can check where to find freebies. Some of the stores run the specials all weekend. Good Luck!

Thanks for the suggestion. I have both a CVS Extra Care card and a Rite Aid card (whatever that one is called). I hadn't even thought of those stores. I live far out on the boondocks and don't get to either store very often, but I could definitely plan the into my schedule a few times in the next month. THANKS!!

For stockings for guys, every time you buy something at Harbor Freight you get a free gift. I've put the flashlights in all my kids stockings, tape measures etc

Oohhh... that would be perfect for DH, Ddad, and DS! I think there is one within an hour of here because DH has mentioned it before. I'll have to check. THANK YOU!...........P

 

[tvguy]

Do you live near any casinos? My mom used to cleanup with their promotional items. When she passed away 2 years ago we found a drawer full of tiny flashlights. casino used playing cars, little mascot leprechaun figurines, stuffed animals, key rings, 3 packs of wet wipes, 20 packs of kleenex, pens, address books, pads of paper, all great stocking stuffer stuff.

 

[Hiitsme]

Just remembered another couple. Lindt stores and I think maybe the Godiva chocolate shops give you a free sample every time you enter their store. Lindt gives a truffle. What ever flavor they are promoting at the time. You don't need Lindt's reward card to get the truffle. Not sure how deep in NH you are, but there is a shop at Settler's Green. The local visitors guide has a coupon for a free ornament at the Christmas Loft. They have a shop in North Woodstock between the center of town and Clarks Trading Post. My husband and I each get one in the summer. They aren't anything fancy but super cute. There was another coupon for free candy from Sugar Hill. I don't know if they are open this time of year. So definitely check out those local guides they have all kids of goodies. Good luck!

 

[pjlla]

Do you live near any casinos? My mom used to cleanup with their promotional items. When she passed away 2 years ago we found a drawer full of tiny flashlights. casino used playing cars, little mascot leprechaun figurines, stuffed animals, key rings, 3 packs of wet wipes, 20 packs of kleenex, pens, address books, pads of paper, all great stocking stuffer stuff.

Hours away from casinos, but thanks for the idea!

Just remembered another couple. Lindt stores and I think maybe the Godiva chocolate shops give you a free sample every time you enter their store. Lindt gives a truffle. What ever flavor they are promoting at the time. You don't need Lindt's reward card to get the truffle. Not sure how deep in NH you are, but there is a shop at Settler's Green. The local visitors guide has a coupon for a free ornament at the Christmas Loft. They have a shop in North Woodstock between the center of town and Clarks Trading Post. My husband and I each get one in the summer. They aren't anything fancy but super cute. There was another coupon for free candy from Sugar Hill. I don't know if they are open this time of year. So definitely check out those local guides they have all kids of goodies. Good luck!

Funny! I already do save my Lindt samples for the Christmas stockings! Great minds think alike, right?! Thanks for the other ideas, but we are at least 90 minutes south of that area of NH..........P

 

[Hiitsme]

And Dunkin's should be putting out their calendars. They have them on the counters near the registers. I'm not a fan of Dunkies. The calendars have coupons at the bottom of each month to be used in that month. So this one is kind of a twofer.

 

[hpfan100]

I cash in my swag bucks and coke points for small gift cards to help with presents.

 

[westcoastfldisneygirl]

What age are your kids?

Do you have Sephora? We have a "regular" one and one inside JCP. Their Sephora VIB rewards program is free to sign up (you start as a BI, beginner status), and they give out skin care, makeup, lotion samples, etc. You just have to ask! I believe Ulta may do the same. Sephora also always does free samples with purchase, and then they have promo codes for more samples/grab bags with qualifying purchases. I have some samples I can send you as well (just message me your info!). Pretty much any department store will have samples. They know people want to test products before spending $$$$.

I agree with above poster, I have been using my swagbucks to help pay for Christmas gifts.

 

[pjlla]

In case anyone else is looking for some "free" type deals in New England, Ocean State Job Lots currently has a "Buy $100 gift card and get a $40 Crazy Deal card". Neither card can be used the day of purchase, but they can both be used starting the next day. The Crazy Deal cards are good on ALL sale items (including items with a OSJL coupon) but NOT on any other gift cards or on any other "Crazy Deals". But if you shop at OSJL often enough or can find enough Christmas gifts/supplies there, it may be worth your while!

DH bought the Deal on Saturday and we stopped yesterday and he spent the $40 (plus some of the $100 card) on some extension cords he needed (now we can throw away the one that is held together with electrical tape!) plus he bought a gift and I got a few necessities. We can easily spend the remainder of the $100 card on gifts, stocking stuffers, and food items. In fact, we may go back and buy purchase another "Crazy Deal". We buy enough at OSJL throughout the year to make it worthwhile.

Plus I decided to give DNephew a "Metal Detectors Survival Kit" with things like hand sanitizer, wet wipes, snacks, gloves, flashlight, emergency poncho, etc..... all things I can find at OSJL!

Thanks to all who have been helping with this!................P

 

[pjlla]

What age are your kids?

Do you have Sephora? We have a "regular" one and one inside JCP. Their Sephora VIB rewards program is free to sign up (you start as a BI, beginner status), and they give out skin care, makeup, lotion samples, etc. You just have to ask! I believe Ulta may do the same. Sephora also always does free samples with purchase, and then they have promo codes for more samples/grab bags with qualifying purchases. I have some samples I can send you as well (just message me your info!). Pretty much any department store will have samples. They know people want to test products before spending $$$$.

I agree with above poster, I have been using my swagbucks to help pay for Christmas gifts.

Super sweet of you to offer to send me some samples.... but not necessary! I don't think we have a Sephora nearby, but I know there is an Ulta at the mall that DD loves!! "Kids" are 20 and almost 18..... big kids = big gifts, right??

Not a bad idea to ask about samples. I know my Mom has been wanting to try some of the Origins products and when I went to the mall to see what they had and see what was on sale, I was FLOORED at the prices!! YIKES!

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Good news is I got another VS panty coupon in the mail yesterday, so that will be another stocking stuffer for DD or my Mom! Praying that the coupons keep arriving! .................P

 

[Narnia_girl]

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Good news is I got another VS panty coupon in the mail yesterday, so that will be another stocking stuffer for DD or my Mom! Praying that the coupons keep arriving! .................P

Is there a special email list to get the free panty offer? I get VS emails all the time, and I admit I don't often read them because the email headline is an offer I'm not interested in. Is the free panty offer hidden in the email copy? Or do you have to do something to get the offer?
thanks

 

[pjlla]

Is there a special email list to get the free panty offer? I get VS emails all the time, and I admit I don't often read them because the email headline is an offer I'm not interested in. Is the free panty offer hidden in the email copy? Or do you have to do something to get the offer?
thanks

Not email.... real mail. I have the VS credit card (Angel Card) and I use it faithfully for each purchase I make there (not many, maybe a few bras every year and that is it) and I get coupons for free panties at least 8 times a year. I don't always make it to the store to redeem them (the mall is 45 minutes away), but even a few free pairs is fun!.................P

 

[Narnia_girl]

Not email.... real mail. I have the VS credit card (Angel Card) and I use it faithfully for each purchase I make there (not many, maybe a few bras every year and that is it) and I get coupons for free panties at least 8 times a year. I don't always make it to the store to redeem them (the mall is 45 minutes away), but even a few free pairs is fun!.................P

Thanks for clearing that up! I was wondering why everyone else was getting that offer. I'm not interested in their credit card so I'll stick to the email offers.

 

[westcoastfldisneygirl]

Super sweet of you to offer to send me some samples.... but not necessary! I don't think we have a Sephora nearby, but I know there is an Ulta at the mall that DD loves!! "Kids" are 20 and almost 18..... big kids = big gifts, right??

Not a bad idea to ask about samples. I know my Mom has been wanting to try some of the Origins products and when I went to the mall to see what they had and see what was on sale, I was FLOORED at the prices!! YIKES!

****************************

Good news is I got another VS panty coupon in the mail yesterday, so that will be another stocking stuffer for DD or my Mom! Praying that the coupons keep arriving! .................P

No worries at all!

I know Origins is amazing with giving out samples. If you sign up on their website, there is a printable coupon for a free lotion or facewash sample. You can only redeem it at an Origins store (not a Sephora, Ulta, etc).

 

[pjlla]

No worries at all!

I know Origins is amazing with giving out samples. If you sign up on their website, there is a printable coupon for a free lotion or facewash sample. You can only redeem it at an Origins store (not a Sephora, Ulta, etc).

Do you know if the Origins counter at Macy's counts?? That is the only place I've ever seen the product............P

 

[Hiitsme]

Toy's R Us was running an online "game" for Star Wars. Play the game, print out the award, turn it in at Toy's R Us, get a Star Wars battle medal. In MA there is some kind of non gaming rule, so I only had to print the award. No rewards card or money needed.The store had a bunch even three weeks into the promo. These are pretty nice little stocking stuffers.The medal is metal on a ribbon. The ebayers have a ton for sale at stupid prices. I don't have the link, but you could try to google it.