Free Stocking Stuffers: Small Freebies to Request Before Christmas

Quick answer: free samples make great stocking stuffers because they are already small. Request perfume vials, lip balm, tea and coffee samples, stickers, candy coupons and kids' activity books in November, and most will arrive before Christmas.

Filling stockings adds up fast. Five dollars here, eight dollars there, and suddenly the stockings cost more than the gifts under the tree. Sample sizes are the fix. They are tiny, they feel fancy, and they cost nothing.

Order early: the one rule that matters

Free samples come by regular mail, and most take two to eight weeks to arrive. That means the time to request them is now. Anything you ask for by late November has a good chance of making it. In mid-December, switch to freebies you pick up in a store.

Stocking stuffer ideas you can get free

• Perfume and cologne vials. Small, pretty, and perfect for teens and adults. See free perfume samples.
• Beauty minis. Sample-size skin care, hand cream, lip balm and makeup from our free beauty samples list.
• Tea, coffee and drink mix packets. Tie three together with ribbon. Recent ones include a free tea sample packet and free coffee sample bags.
• Snack and candy coupons. A coupon for a free candy bar or soda is a fun surprise. Browse free food samples.
• Stickers. Brands mail free sticker packs all year, and kids and teens love them. We list 95 live offers on the free stickers page.
• Kids' activity books and small toys. Check free stuff for kids and free toys.
• Pet treats. Do not forget the dog's stocking. See free pet samples.

How to make samples look like gifts

A loose sample packet looks like junk mail. A little wrapping changes everything:

• Bundle by theme. A "spa night" bundle with a face mask, hand cream and tea bag. A "coffee break" bundle with two coffee samples and a cookie.
• Use small bags or jars. Clear treat bags, baby food jars or paper envelopes tied with twine all work.
• Add one thing you bought. A dollar-store mug with three free tea samples inside looks like a real gift set.
• Take things out of the mailer. Keep the product and toss the shipping envelope and ad inserts.

Insider tip: keep a shoebox near the mailbox all year. Every time a sample arrives that you will not use yourself, drop it in. By December you will have a full box of stocking stuffers.

Running late? Pick up freebies in person

If it is already December, mail is risky. These work right up to Christmas Eve:

• Kids' build events. Home Depot and other stores run free holiday workshops where kids make an ornament or small toy.
• Store app freebies. Grocery and drugstore apps often load coupons for a free candy, drink or snack.
• Beauty counters. Ask for a sample of a fragrance or cream you are thinking about buying. Most counters are happy to hand one over.

Our Christmas freebies guide tracks the holiday offers that are live right now, and it is updated through December.

Common questions

When should I order free samples for Christmas?

By late November. Most samples take two to eight weeks by mail, and brands do not send tracking numbers. The earlier you ask, the better your odds.

What free samples are best for stocking stuffers?

Perfume vials, lip balm, beauty minis, tea and coffee packets, stickers, candy coupons and small toys. They are light, small and feel like a treat.

Do I have to pay shipping?

No. A real free sample ships free. If an offer asks for a shipping fee or a card number, it is not free, and we mark those clearly on TrySpree.