HOUSTON – There are some Friday Freebie deals out there to help your holiday budget and get you into the holiday spirit.
Starbucks is inviting customers to bring a friend and rekindle the spirit of the season with a buy one, get one free offer on holiday beverages. Both Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m., customers can choose a hot, iced or blended version of the peppermint mocha, gingerbread latte, eggnog latte, caramel brulee latte or skinny peppermint mocha and get one to share with a friend for free. The offer is good at participating Starbucks company-operated stores while supplies last.
Amazon is offering a month free trial of Amazon Prime. Amazon Prime has free two-day shipping on more than a million different products. It is regularly $79, but free for 30 days with this trial offer.
The ice rink at Discovery Green opens Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. with a holiday lighting ceremony, art cars, ice carving, Radio Disney performers, the Houston Children's Choir, professional ice skating demonstrations and music by Houston's own Diunna Greenleaf and Blue Mercy. It is free to watch the show, but there is a fee to skate. There are discounted "cheap skate" dates on scheduled Mondays and $5 after-school skate specials.
Also downtown this weekend, there will be a free art and music explosion at Houston Via Colori. The event runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 200 artists will work on a massive skyline mural at Hermann Square and Houston City Hall. There will be free live music. The event benefits the Center for Hearing and Speech.
If you would rather stay in and read, Barnes and Noble is offering hundreds of free books for the Nook. Amazon has thousands of free reads for the Kindle.
Watch your holiday mail and email for more free offers. Stores like Bath and Body Works are sending out coupons for free gifts with purchases.