With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, many people are beginning to prepare for the meal that comes with the holiday. Shoppers have been hitting the grocery stores buying items for mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and, of course, turkey. Many shoppers look forward to reaping the benefits of discounted or free turkey programs at their favorite grocer. Here are some of the best ways to get a free turkey this holiday season:
Free Turkey Promotions
One of the easiest ways to get a free turkey for Thanksgiving is through a grocery store promotion. Large chain grocers oftentimes offer customers a free turkey as a sort of customer appreciation for being a loyal shopper throughout the year. Most of the time you have to buy a certain amount of food (usually around $100) or accrue a certain amount of loyalty points. This only works if you already planned on spending the money that you will need to spend in order to get the free turkey. Going out and spending money you don’t have simply to get a free product doesn’t really save you any money.
Most of these programs exclude alcohol and gift cards to count towards the amount needed. In most cases, you will have to purchase everyday food items. You will want to do some looking around as to what supermarkets are offering these promotions and which aren’t though.
Buy 1 Turkey, Get 1 Free Turkey
Grocery stores also often offer customers “buy one, get one free” turkey promotions. Sometimes you don’t even have to buy a turkey to get one free. For instance, some stores offer a “buy a ham, get a free turkey.” You can get both Christmas Day’s meal and Thanksgiving’s meal shopped for in one shopping trip. If you have to buy a turkey to get one free, however, you aren’t truly getting a free turkey. Like the promotion mentioned above, you will have to do some looking around for these deals as many stores have begun cutting these free turkey programs.
Local Contests
You may have to do some searching but there are local contests where the winner gets a free turkey. Check your local newspaper, listen for chances to win on the radio or watch out for information on your local news station for details. Also, keep your eyes peeled for local businesses giving away free turkey as a part of a contest during the Thanksgiving season. If you are motivated there is a good chance you will be able to score a free turkey this way.
Craigslist Trade for Free Turkey
Craigslist is a place many people go to sell cars or trade items for something they need. You can do this to get a free turkey (well, not technically free). There have been individuals who traded things they had lying around the house for free turkey around Thanksgiving. If you have something around the house that you no longer need or a service you can provide to someone in exchange for a free turkey, Craigslist is the place to go to trade.
Free Turkey Coupons
If you coupon you know that there are a ton of ways to save money on your Thanksgiving feast. Catalina coupons are a great way to get a free turkey. Catalina coupons are the coupons that are given to you with your receipt. People usually throw them away or leave them in their shopping cart, however, the coupons oftentimes give you a specific dollar amount off your next trip to the store. Be sure to check your Catalina coupons and keep a look out for them in your cart (someone may have left theirs). You may be able to get a free gift card or enough money off to get a free turkey this holiday season.
Food Bank
Local food banks often receive turkey donations during the holiday season. A number of grocery stores offer the “buy one, get one free” turkey promotions and many people donate the second turkey to their local food bank. After Thanksgiving stores that over-ordered turkeys and don’t have space for them will donate them to food banks. Once the holiday is over, food banks may have an overflow of turkeys as well and you may be able to score a free turkey that way.
Photo: Kristie Moser