Black Friday Deals: Top 12 Free Items

Nov. 25, 2011 — -- intro:

Everyone loves freebies, though some shoppers will go out of their way, even acting irrationally, to get their hands on one. Website dealnews compiled a preview list of free items from stores on Black Friday.

While the following freebies don't have murky strings attached, beware of return policies for items you purchase.

"Some stores change their rules on Black Friday, including the flexibility of return policies and availability of layaway programs," said personal finance expert Farnoosh Torabi, at Chase Ultimate Rewards. "At Amazon, for example, jewelry purchased on Black Friday may not be returned, and Toys 'R Us puts its layaway program on hiatus for the day."

Check with your local store to make sure it is participating in these freebies below, and note that many of these are in limited quantities or are available only to the earliest of shoppers.

quicklist: title: Best Buytext:

At 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving day, 120 Best Buy Stores will have an outdoor, big-screen viewing of the film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2." At 8 p.m. stores will offer "giveaways and refreshments," entertaining guests before opening at midnight. You can check if a store in your neighborhood will participate on the Best Buy website.

quicklist:title: Sam's Clubtext:The warehouse will have a complimentary breakfast from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. with hot egg sandwiches, fresh fruit, yogurt and coffee. Shoppers who join Sam's Club or upgrade to Plus Membership while in-club through the weekend will receive a $20 gift card to spend immediately.

quicklist:title: Old Navy text:On Thanksgiving some Old Navy stores will open at 9 a.m., and customers can participate in 3-D electronics giveaways, movie tickets and other discounts. Be one of the first customers in line, and spend $40 on Old Navy products on Black Friday, to get a free Kodak Easyshare sport waterproof digital camera bundle while supplies last, worth more than $100, which includes a coupon for a free Kodak Gallery medium wall photo calendar, a $10-off coupon for a Kodak Easyshare Inkjet Printer Featuring 3-D printing.

quicklist:title: Toys "R" Ustext:

Toys "R" Us stores are opening at 9 p.m. for the first time ever on Thanksgiving day. The first 100 customers in the stores will receive a free Holiday Savings Coupon Book with $500 in discounts to such name-brand retailers as Eddie Bauer, Aéropostale and more, reports dealnews.

quicklist:title: JCPenneytext:

JCPenney is giving away up to 5,000 free 2011 Disney Mini-Snow Globes to each store's first Black Friday shoppers through Saturday, as long as supplies last. Quantities may vary by store. Stores open at 4 a.m.

quicklist:title: Staples text: Dealnews reports that several items are free at Staples after rebates, including QuickBooks Online Simple Start 2012 (currently $49.99) and McAfee Total Protection 2012 for 3 PCs (currently $79.99).

quicklist:title: CVStext:

More than two dozen CVS items are free this Black Friday after CVS ExtraBucks discounts. Dealnews suggests you look for the offers that include ExtraBucks, though prices and items vary by store. Lou Carlozo, dealnews contributor, advises you sign up for a CVS Extra Care Card in order to qualify for ExtraBucks, which will be printed on your receipt.

quicklist: title: Ace Hardware text:On Black Friday Ace Hardware customres can get both an LED Flashlight and an 8-inch Marlin Lockback Pocket Knife for free after $4 rebates. Limit two rebates per item, per customer. Additional rebates are listed on the website. Hours vary by store because each are independently owned, says a spokeswoman. For Saturday only, Ace will offer a coupon for "50% Off One Item Under $30" on the cover of the Ace circular and online.

quicklist:title: Michaelstext:

Open 4 to 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving and 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. Friday, Michael's will offer a free Godiva Chocolate Bar for the first 100 Customers.

quicklist: title: Beallstext:

The first 100 shoppers lined up at midnight on Black Friday will receive a scratch-off card and the chance to win an iPad2, a $250 gift card, or $5 in Bealls Bucks.

quicklist:title: Pep Boys text:

Auto parts seller Pep Boys will be open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday and will offer at least one freebie: a Peak 1-Million Candlepower Spotlight (after $10 rebate).

quicklist: title: Walgreenstext:

Walgreens will offer at least 15 items for free as part of its Register Rewards program, so make sure you read about the program, dealnews advises.