If Free Christmas Gifts sound tempting, I’ll show you all the tricks that budget-mad shoppers use to save cash and spend less during the holiday season.
Unlock the secrets to finding Free Christmas Gifts this year. Budget-friendly tips await the savvy holiday shopper!
If you’re short on cash, there are ways to save money or get free Christmas gifts this holiday season.
There are no gimmicks, just a bit of hustle and time to get free Christmas gifts.
The moment Halloween is over, the Christmas panic sets in, the weekly flyers are just as heavy as a sack of potatoes, and money signs start running through our heads.
Christmas Hits The Budget Hard
Buying Christmas gifts can be expensive, especially if you don’t have the money to spend in the first place.
I’m a massive fan of second-hand shops, freebie sites, rewards programs, cashback offers, and browsing online buy-and-sell sites.
For example, if you are shopping online, use Rakuten to get cashback to put that money towards another gift.
Every year, without fail, someone posts an ad looking for Christmas help.
They may be a single mum or dad with no spare cash looking for gift cards, free Christmas gifts, food, or decorations.
Whatever the case, it’s tough to read and even tougher to respond.
I want you all to know that waiting until the last month to think about Christmas will cost you more money, even if you participate in Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
My tip: Shop all year long with a budget OR invest a bit of time in the following 10 Resources that will save you money and allow you to get free Christmas gifts for your family.
10 Resources for Free Christmas Gifts For Your Family
By the way, respond if you read an ad from a family in need this Christmas.
Tell them what you know, because they may not be aware of the community resources available in their area that can help them.
If you are a budget nerd like Mrs. and me, save your Cash come December and do your shopping throughout the year, little by little, and you’ll save up in no time to cash in on the free rewards offered to you.
Donation Centers
If you are a low-income family, agencies in almost every Ontario city and town offer assistance to families in need over the holidays.
You can sign up for a free Christmas hamper, delivered to your residence, containing goodies for your Christmas dinner.
Alternatively, you can participate in a Christmas Adopt a Family program if your family qualifies for assistance.
Various organizations offer this program, so ask around.
If you’re unsure where to start in your community, you can always contact your local City Hall for guidance and speak with someone at your local church, Food Bank, or community center.
Related: How to Get Christmas Help This Holiday Season
Rewards Cards Fund Free Christmas Gifts
We love rewards cards in our family because they are free to sign up for, and you can earn points on your purchases when you shop.
Our PC Optimum Program points are nearly $400 in free groceries and other in-store items.
2019 update: We are now just shy of 5 million PC Optimum Points.
2025 update: We are near 9 million PC Optimum Points.
Our Shoppers Drug Mart Optimum Points are worth over $1200 because we’ve saved them for the past three years.
About three years ago, before our son was born, we redeemed four times during a Shoppers Optimum Redemption Plus day.
That meant they offered us extra money for the same number of points.
During our most considerable redemption period, we got two free flat-screen televisions, a free netbook, free DVDs, a cordless keyboard, an external hard drive, Turtles chocolates, and other stocking stuffers.
We could have received free Christmas gifts for the entire family that year by simply redeeming our points.
You can choose when to redeem, so we continue collecting until we have enough to buy free Christmas gifts every year.
We don’t always purchase using points, but it’s all free stuff when we do.
Credit Card Points
Using our PC World Elite MasterCard allows us to get double PC Optimum Points on our credit card when we shop almost everywhere.
We also have a Scotia Bank Credit Card that offers cash back on our purchases once a year, so the more we shop, the more we earn.
Ideally, you will want to compare Canadian Credit Cards to find the best one that fits your lifestyle.
If you diligently pay your monthly credit card bill, it’s worth racking up points for free cash back or rewards to purchase free Christmas gifts and other items.
KOHO is another reloadable card that helps Canadians Budget, Save, and access Cash fast.
Get access to $100 of your government payments early.
The KOHO app helps you manage your money by giving you real-time insights into your spend.
There are also savings features that help you to stash away savings without realizing it.
Grocery Shopping
Keep an eye out for prices at the grocery store, because you never know when an item will be priced higher than the shelf, netting you free items.
Last week, we were at the grocery store and found a Christmas gift for our friend.
Their son loves books, and the price was right, so we put it in the grocery cart.
When we cashed out, the price rang up higher, and we had the cashier apply the Scanning Code of Practice.
Related: How to ask your cashier to apply the Scanning Code of Practice
Free Christmas Gifts are great, especially if you work with a tight budget.
Another fabulous way to get free Christmas gifts is to sign up with Nielsen Home Scan.
I used this program in the UK to get Free Christmas Gifts, and I know CBB fan Nicola participates in the Canadian program.
Nicola has redeemed gift cards that she can re-gift or use to purchase free Christmas gifts, saving the Cash for the fantastic recipes she creates for this blog and her family.
Nothing beats getting free Christmas gifts by scanning your grocery shop when you get home.
It’s so easy!!
Free Stuff Facebook Groups
Free Christmas gifts are available everywhere online, but you’ll need to be lucky to get the deal first.
If you are handy, you can also return an item to its original state, especially if it’s solid wood.
There are many free items available on Facebook, including some that are brand new in packaging or condition.
Facebook is the only social media outlet where you can score Free Christmas Gifts, so keep your eyes open.
If you are a new mum or dad, you can LIKE frugal mom groups around Canada on Facebook, depending on your city.
These frugal mom groups offer tons of free baby items and other valuable resources. We’ve also seen brand-new items given away for free on many occasions.
Not all Christmas gifts have to come in a box, so if you open a gift with no TV, don’t act surprised, because you may not know if that is all the person could afford, even if it were free.
Kijiji Buy and Sell
There is a category on Kijiji, Canada, where sellers can offer free items.
Again, if you set an alert on your Kijiji app for your smartphone, it will notify you daily or weekly when free items are posted.
You can easily find free Christmas gifts if you search throughout the year.
The only issue with Kijiji is that you must be alert and watchful, as free items tend to sell quickly.
Another superb option is to watch for stuff your neighbors put out on the curb.
The other day, we picked up a wooden toy box for our son for free.
All I need to do is fix the hinge, and we’re back in business. It looks brand new.
Enter Contests All Year
This is a great way to see if you’re on a lucky streak by winning free Christmas gifts for the family.
Every company in Canada offers some holiday contests; enter them all.
You don’t have to wait for the holidays to enter contests because they are ongoing.
Many people are successful contest winners every year simply because they enter.
ContestCanada.net is an excellent resource for all contests in Canada, updated daily.
Product Rebates
I’m sure you have seen product rebates on product packaging or coupons in your coupon flyer inserts, such as Red Plum and Smart Source.
You must purchase the specified product, try it, and send your receipt in the UPC to the address listed.
Every product rebate, also known as a mail-in rebate, has its own set of rules and regulations, so be sure to follow them to avoid the risk of not receiving your refund.
Over the years, we’ve gotten many beautiful candles, cleaning supplies, hair accessories, and razors.
All items you can use as stocking stuffers, all for free
Cash Back Rewards
Rakuten (formerly Ebates Canada) is one of the most lucrative cashback rewards websites we’ve been involved with.
Sign up with Rakuten Canada and receive your money back when you shop!
You can find loads more Cash Back rewards programs in Canada that offer cash or gift cards for free when you shop online.
Sign up for the Paymi App FREE, use the code CanadianBudgetBinder, and start earning Cash back when shopping at participating Canadian Retailers.
By joining Great Canadian Rebates as we did, you can enjoy all of the best savings rebates in Canada.
Product Reviews/Focus Groups
There are always companies looking for consumers to review their products.
Mrs. CBB was paid $225 for one hour to do a grocery store review for a local marketing company.
Whether you spot the opportunity in your email inbox or on a website, it is often accompanied by a request to review a gift.
Even after you review the gift, you can still give it away as a Christmas present or consider it a gift for yourself.
We participate in Focus groups whenever possible, because there are significant opportunities to be gained.
Most focus groups we’ve participated in net us a minimum of $75-$150 cash for one hour of group chat.
Recently, my wife earned $150 for reviewing a new department store that has been built in our area.
All she had to do was show up, answer questions, and shop.
How easy is that?
Look on Facebook for focus groups and local newspapers, and you may also find ads on Kijiji in the employment or community sections for these focus group opportunities.
Check out Clutch, which features over 206 market research companies in Canada seeking individuals like you.
DIY Homemade Gifts
Using items you can obtain for free from any of the above suggestions, or from around the house or yard, you can create lovely homemade Christmas gifts for your loved ones.
For example, you might know someone who has fruit trees on their farm or property and is offering them for free.
Take them up on the offer and see if you can find used mason jars. With a small investment in lids and seals, along with other simple ingredients, you can make jam.
One that we will be making for our nephew is the Mason Jar Superhero Piggy Bank.
We hope to do a Spiderman Mason Jar Piggy Bank since he is his favorite superhero, so he can start saving money for things he will need.
We’ll also include some Christmas cash in the piggy bank to start him off.
Related: How to make 8 DIY Christmas Baking Jars with a recipe
Christmas Is a Time For Family
Whether or not you have the Cash to splash this holiday season, remember that it’s not about how much you spend or how little you can afford; it’s about peace, love, harmony, and family.
Related: How To Get Help For Your Family This Christmas
Discussion Question: Have you received any Free Christmas gifts this year?
What other resources am I missing for those looking for Christmas help?
Leave me your comments below, and I’ll be sure to respond.
Mr.CBB
CBB Inside Scoop
We picked up a few more Christmas decorations outside the house from the Dollar Store this week.
We decorated the wreaths with big red bows and the tree with lights and Christmas balls.
Our son loves the balls.
The Christmas tree is decorated and ready for our son to try to tackle.
Every time we turn around, he’s trying to take something from it.
My wife bought a bag of chocolate coins from the dollar store, along with fruity candy canes, and put a few in a wicker Santa sleigh that we have.
She kept it on the shelf under the coffee table, but forgot about Mr. Chocoholic.
Twice, I caught him with his hands in the sleigh, hiding and opening the chocolates.
Now, we put them away. I learned that lesson fast.
On our way home the other day, we grabbed a wooden toy box from the curb.
Mrs. CBB wanted it because it matches the table set that we have for our son.
I only need to install a new latch, and it’s good to go.
I’ll be on holiday come the second week of December, thankfully, as I’ve had a long year.
I look forward to relaxing with my family, completing our legal Will, and possibly doing some household chores.
Can you believe this is the 200th Saturday weekend review? Wow!!
That’s many blog posts for one day of the week over the past four years.
The blog will be five years old by the end of January 2017.
Time to celebrate!! I think a contest is in order, don’t you?
How was your week?
Mr.CBB
CBB Published Posts
If you have a question you would like to ask me, please fill out the “Contact Mr. CBB” form on the blog’s homepage, and I’ll do my best to respond to each question.
If you would like to share a story via a Fan Question, please ensure that there is a minimum of 500 words and lots of details.
Contact me for more info at canadianbudgetbinder@yahoo.ca
Top Post This Week: How much should my grocery budget be?
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Making a Difference (MAD)
Welcome to the Making A Difference series!
Join the networking movement of Personal Finance Bloggers around the world.
If you are a personal finance blogger and would like your blog to be featured, drop me an email. Today, let’s welcome the personal finance blog My Naira Journey.
Hi, Mr. CBB and Fans
My name is Eme Stephen, a personal finance blogger and the founder of Mynairajourney.com, a personal finance blog.
I got interested in personal finance because of the belief in my country, Nigeria, that to be financially free, one must be lucky.
To us, luck makes everything make sense.
How is it that my lazy neighbors are wealthy and I am not?
They are lucky. How is it that they are happy, and I am miserable? They are lucky.
And so we go about overwhelming ourselves with the constant pursuit of luck, since that is the only way to get the wealth that will enable us to acquire the good things in life.
I want to use this blog to encourage people to pay more attention to what they earn, how they spend it, and how they invest in their future.
We love to live in the present, spending everything we earn and even more, so that we can live our lives to the fullest, forgetting that there is tomorrow.
Luck is good, but when you ignore your money when you fail to save more, spend less, and invest better, you will never be financially free, no matter the luck.
MyNairajourney is all about this, and I welcome you to stop by anytime.
Thanks.
Weekly Fan Brag
Hey, CBB fans…
If you have a brag that you’d like to share, please email me at canadianbudgetbinder@yahoo.ca with a photo and a brief description of your deal.
It can be anything you saved money on that you are excited about.
If your story is featured, you will receive two ballots in the yearly draw for a PC Financial Gift Card and at least one entry for emailing me your access.
Either way, you get a ballot in the draw.
Check out this awesome Brag from CBB fan Jen Peacock, who knows how to spot a deal.
Hi everyone!!
I needed some new work shoes. I stopped by Payless on the weekend after receiving a rewards member email with a 30% off coupon.
In addition to the 30%, I received an extra $10 since I am a CAA member.
I saved $50!!
Spotlight on Finance
Sometimes, it’s hard to see just how vital your actions today will be to your future.
You must realize that although you can’t see into the future, you don’t want to arrive unprepared.
Finance Post Of The Week
I read lots of finance posts from all over the world every week, and I learned something new from each one of them.
I stopped by the personal finance and travel blog Nomadic Matt this week.
If you’ve ever wondered if you’re living the dream but felt something was missing, perhaps it’s time to stop what you’re doing and live it.
After a trip, Matt returned home to his administrative job in a hospital, only to find that he was still bored with the job.
He started his website, and the rest is history. Matt travels and loves every minute of it.
This is an excellent post you must read for inspiration to find your dream. Thanks, Matt!
You can’t win the game of life if you don’t play it.- Mat
Frugal Recipe Box
Food is a big part of a budget, so it has been essential for me to create frugal recipes for my fans.
I have a second Facebook page called The Free Recipe Depot, where I exclusively share recipes from Food Bloggers worldwide.
As we officially enter the Christmas holiday season, I’ll share recipes you can make at home for special gatherings, celebrations, and gift-giving.
Check out the Free Recipe Index on CBB, compiled of frugal recipes 100% tested and accepted by family and friends!
This week, I stopped by the website, The Instructables, to find this delicious-looking recipe for Nutella Macaroons made by the Treat Factory.
What I love about macaroons is that they are so soft, and with the Nutella oozing out, it would be the perfect dipping cookie!
Search Term Giggles
Always begin and end your day with a SMILE!- Mr.CBB
Every week, thousands of people visit the Canadian Budget Binder because they conducted an online search and found my blog.
Most times funny, sometimes serious.
- How I Made It in Canada – I like this one. I hope my story inspires others.
- Canadian Pantry Bugs– I didn’t know they came with a Passport.
- Christmas decorations for Christmas– Ha, Ha.
- How to decrease OSAP loan– Pay for it.
That’s all the fun for this week; thanks for dropping by, and we’ll see you again next Saturday!
Mr.CBB
Don’t forget to follow me on Social Media and subscribe to the blog
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Yay! These are wonderful free gifts. I am actually joining in contests for free stuffs, which are more often this season, and I think DIY homemade projects are awesome and budget friendly. I just need to research more on these and see what kind of projects are perfect for my friends. Thanks for the ideas!
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for the kind words. Nielsen is a great way to grocery shop and when you get home scan your products for points you can later redeem for gift cards and other gifts. I think once you do more research you will find what might work for you. Good luck and let me know how it goes for you.