How to Get Free Goodie Bags

Attend parties. Birthday parties, showers, wedding receptions and even pet parties can be a great place to both celebrate the occasion and walk away with a free goodie bag. The items included in the free goodie bag depend on the event. For example, you'll likely find crayons, tops and other small toys inside a goodie bag you'll receive at a child's birthday party.

Participate in stage shows or awards ceremonies. Presenters at the Academy Awards enjoy ritzy prizes like cell phones, PDAs, hotel stays and celebrity-catered dinners. For the rest of us, consider volunteering in your county pageant or at your local school to help put on a production. Volunteers and presenters can walk away with a great goodie bag as a way for the organizers to say thank you.

Look for company samples. Companies promote new products by offering free goodie bags full of samples. By calling the company or sending in your information, you might receive a gift bag of the company's latest products so you can try them for free.

Support local businesses. To entice new customers, new businesses will frequently offer goodie bags or free services. You might also find goodie bags at going-out-of-business sales or even at large seasonal sales.

Join clubs and organizations. As a perk for joining, many clubs will offer you a f goodie bag featuring items from the club. For example, joining a movie club might earn you a goodie bag with discount theater and concession stand tickets inside.

Get used to standing in line. Goodie bags are a special treat reserved only for the most dedicated customers in many cases. If you hear of a goodie bag opportunity, show up early. Frequently, businesses offer these promotions to the first 10, 50 or 100 customers.