You don't have to spend a dime to add some cheer to your holiday season.
Giving and receiving meaningful experiences and products doesn't have to leave you cash-strapped this year, because popular companies are lining up to add cheer and warmth this holiday season totally FREE. "During the pandemic, we've seen even more companies jump on the freebie bandwagon," shares Trae Bodge, Smart Shopping Expert at Truetrae.com. She says that while we've grown accustomed to free samples with qualifying purchases, this year companies are stretching their hands out with no purchase-necessary freebies just to encourage good will and loyalty.
Photo by Christian Dubovan on Unsplash
Free Hallmark greeting cards
To provide care and connection during these challenging times, Hallmark is donating one million cards to encourage people to offer a thank you to the educators in their lives who have gone above and beyond during this unique year. A handwritten note inside a card is a simple but impactful way to offer acknowledgement and care. This special effort marks Hallmark’s third giveaway this year, totaling five million cards donated to help people share kindness and connectivity during these unprecedented times. Anyone in the continental U.S. who signs up at Hallmark.com/GiveThanks will receive a three pack of greeting cards, absolutely FREE while supplies last. Writing cheer-filled cards is also a great rainy-day activity for kids in an era where meaningful human connections are hard to come by.
Free Starbucks coffee
Yes, you read that correctly. Starbucks is offering free coffee to health care workers and first responders through the entire month of December, and that's something we can all be grateful for. First responders and health care workers can pickup a free cup of Starbucks coffee for the entire month of December, the coffee chain announced on Tuesday. The company says the perk is "in response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases and to recognize the significant efforts of the front-line responder and health care community."
Photo by Asael Peña on Unsplash
Now through New Year's Eve, any person who identifies as a frontline or first responder will be served a tall brewed iced or hot coffee at no cost. There's an added free bonus: a smiling, grateful barista. Those who are eligible to claim a free cup of coffee include doctors, pharmacists, firefighters, mental health workers and more. Hospital staff, such as security or housekeeping staff, and active-duty military are also included. That's a lot of Americans to be proud of, and Starbucks is honoring them with the energy they need.
Free dance classes from Lovely Leaps
At Lovely Leaps Dance Studio, they’re keeping the rhythm alive through FREE virtual classes and the dream that one day these classes might connect kids across the country and all over the world of creativity-spurning dance.
Image via Lovely Leaps
Free online dance classes are offered for children ages six through ten every Thursday, and help kids express themselves, have much-needed creative downtime, and develop key motor skills as they grow more confident in their own bodies. There's no plan to cancel the free classes any time soon, so whether you join this week or as part of a family New Year resolution, you'll be sure to make the most of this freebie. You can sign up here, and absolutely no purchase is necessary.
Free daily adult fitness classes with @IsaacBoots
Training with Isaac Calpito, the celebrity trainer and Broadway dancer behind Kelly Ripa and Lisa Rinna's killer bodies, typically costs a small fortune, but he's offering completely free daily Instagram Live workouts each day at 11 AM ET for his Instagram followers. What does it cost? Absolutely zero dollars, a fair amount of energy, and a lot of sweat.
Image via Isaac Calpito
He's been known to shout his followers out, encouraging them live as they tune in to his free Torch'd sessions, and often has the likes of Vanessa Hudgens, Jessica Chastain, and other household names joining in. Where else can you get a free, guided celebrity trainer working out with you each and every day? You can follow him on Instagram here, and he's so dedicated to his work that he'll interact with just about anyone and everyone.
Free pictures with Santa without leaving home
With Christmas rapidly approaching and the need to stay home as much as possible growing, many parents are wondering just how they'll swing treasured photos with Santa this year. Don't worry, there's a digital solution most of us never saw coming. Tech care company Asurion will be offering totally free digital photos with Santa, and they're a breeze to claim. No credit card or payment is required, and photos are edited to include Santa within 24-hours. You can take advantage of this one now through December 20.
Image via Asurion
This service is easy, secure, open to anyone and completely free; no credit card or payment is required. To get a photo with Santa simply:
- Step 1: go to the website https://photos.asurion.com/pictureyourselfwithsanta
- Step 2: pick a template
- Step 3: upload any preferred photo (of your kids, yourself or even your pets)
- Step 4: you will get a customized image with Santa back within 24 hours
Free resume reviews
While a resume review may not what you had in mind for the holidays, if you're out of work or looking for a career advancement, having a professional helping hand may be just what you need to land your next big job. Zipjob is offering a free resume review service for anyone who wants it, and all you have to do is upload your current resume, email address, a small dose of patience and one of the company's experts will send you a personalized and fair critique within 48-hours. The site's resume reviewers focus on what American employers are looking for, although the service is also available outside the United States. Reviews include tips on proper formatting, keywords, ATS compatibility, and more. The site's review upload page can be found here, and we'll wish you happy job hunting in the meantime.
Free crafting classes
Looking for a new hobby or a clever, personalized way to make gifts for loved ones? Michaels is offering free Zoom classes online now through December 11. Classes are aimed at people ages 13 and up, but they also offer a selection of children's classes for those over the age of three.
Photo by Elena Kloppenburg on Unsplash
Classes are tailored for individuals who are 13 or older, and they even have kids’ classes for those who are at least 3 years old, and feature a range of crafting topics from knitting to making swoon-worthy cold weather accessories. Popular favorites are the store's jewelry making classes including DIY Statement Earrings and Necklaces with FIMO Soft Oven-Bake Clay. You don't need to purchase anything to join the class, although you'll have to supply your own crafting materials. You can check the Michael's stores free classes page here.
Have more to add to this list? Feel free to drop them in the comments to send me a message.