I Got a Freebie! – Target Beauty Bag

A Package from Target

I received a Target Beauty Bag in mail today! I was lucky enough to be among the first to sign up for this beautiful gift that is full of coupons and samples. The samples include Neutrogena Naturals lip balm, Nivea Express Hydration daily lotion, Pantene Color Preserve Shine shampoo, Fekkai Shea Butter shampoo and conditioner, and a small palette of Revlon Colorburst lip gloss. There is also a small booklet of coupons for a variety of beauty products. Too bad the offer is limited to one beauty bag per household; otherwise, I would have requested one for my mother and sister as well.

Target Beauty Bag

Inside the bag

Samples and coupons

I Got a Freebie! – Office Depot $30 Gift Card

Yeah! I won a $30 gift card from Office Depot! I was one of the first 300 people who registered for the Office Depot Gift of the Day Instant Win Game. The game ran from November 22, 2009 to December 24, 2010 and offered one prize per day. The prizes range from laptop and digital camera to e-reader and printer. Although I didn’t win any prizes, I was fortunate to be one of the first 300 to sign up for the game and receive the gift card.

Unfortunately, it turned out that the closest Office Depot store is more than 100 miles away from where I live. Apparently, Office Depot closed down all the outlets in the Broome County area that leaves Staples dominates the market. If I purchase online, I would have to pay about $10 shipping. Since the gift card doesn’t have an expiration date, I am going to wait until I get a chance to travel and hopefully come across an Office Depot store. Otherwise, I would give it to someone as a gift.

Regardless, I am thankful for having received the gift card.

I Got a Freebie! – Sleep Number Travel Pillow

Just before Christmas, I received an unexpected package through FedEx. It was a travel pillow from Sleep Number. The accompanied letter stated that I had participated in a Sleep Number survey on Facebook in mid-October. I can’t recall anything about the survey but I surely remember the company. Now given the travel pillow, my impression about the company becomes more salient—no doubt, this must have been one of the biggest intentions of their market campaign.

The travel pillow is small and cute. There is a handle on the edge that allows carrying around although I don’t understand how I am going to access the handle once I cover the pillow in one of my baby pillowcases. Here are some images of the travel pillow:

Sleep Number Travel Pillow, Letter, and FedEx Delivery Notice

Sleep Number Travel Pillow

The handle

I Got a Freebie! – Coca Cola Tee

I never keep track of sweepstakes in which I participated. It’s just like filling out online forms to request samples and freebies – you did it and then forgot it. A faint trace of memory may appear when the requested items arrive and that’s all about it since people don’t bother to keep record of the free stuff they asked for online. It’s not worth the time to keep such a laundry list especially when the odds of companies carrying out their “promises” are small. In the same vein, the chance of winning a sweepstake is minimal.

As such, I didn’t realize I had entered the Drive Home Green Sweepstakes until I received a Coca Cola t-shirt in the mail! Just out of curiosity, I looked up the sweepstake on the Internet and found that it was sponsored by Target in April in honor of Earth Day 2010. The grand prize was a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (which I REALLY want to get since I am in need of a car). Other prizes included a trip to a national park, a Sony TV, an electric scooter, etc. The t-shirt I received was the 10th prize and I was one of the 4,000 winners.

What’s special about the t-shirt is that it was made from four recycled Coca Cola plastic bottles. I knew clothing could be made from recycled materials but I didn’t know plastic bottles were one of them. I think this sweepstake is an interesting way to educate and encourage at least 4,000 people to recycle bottles. As one of these 4,000 people, I am willing to spread the word to make another 4,000, 40,000, and even 400,000 people aware of the benefit of recycling plastic bottles.

So, while we enjoy our coke, water, or any beverage in plastic bottles, don’t forget to recycle the bottles and give it back!