There’s something undeniably exciting about getting something for free. Whether it’s an unexpected gift, a lucky win, or simply being in the right place at the right time, free stuff always seems to brighten the day.
Sometimes these surprises are practical and useful, adding genuine value to someone’s life. Other times, they lean toward the weird side of things, they leave you scratching your head, wondering what you’ll ever do with them. That’s the charm of it: the unpredictability.
Free things can feel like small acts of kindness, wild coincidences, or even strange little stories that make you confused but that you’ll tell for years. No matter how amazing or unusual, at least they were free.
1
One commuter in Germany received a tiny paper envelope filled with white powder from a stranger on a tram. They quickly threw it out, likely not drugs, but something more suspicious like rat poison.
2
Free iPad
One student filled out a survey for a textbook company, expecting nothing or a scam. Instead, they actually won the iPad prize.
3
A literal ton of onions
In China, a woman shipped her ex-boyfriend one ton of onions to “make him cry like she did” after a breakup.
4
An extra microwave
Amazon once mistakenly sent a customer the same LG microwave they had purchased a year earlier. When the customer called, Amazon told them to just keep it, so now they own two.
5
Temple stone lantern
Someone was given a massive Japanese stone lantern like the kind found outside temples.
6
A new soul
Someone claimed they were once “offered a new soul” by an African princess, who said their darkness didn’t match their existence.
7
An Xbox 360 before launch
During the “Every 10 Minutes” Microsoft + Mountain Dew promo, a teenager won an Xbox 360, plus shirts, hats, games, and coupons, two days before the console officially released.
8
An umbrella
After getting locked out of their car during a rainstorm, a soaked driver was surprised when a kind stranger stopped and handed them an umbrella.
9
A supermarket announcement system
One person received a professional announcement system, the kind used in grocery stores. It even fades music automatically when they use the mic to call their wife.
10
A house from iPhones
A Chinese woman nicknamed “Xiaoli” convinced 20 boyfriends to buy her iPhone 7s, sold them, and used the money for a down payment on a house.
11
A nigerian bank account
Among the strangest “offers” ever received: a free bank account in Nigeria.
12
A dead rat
Not exactly a treasure, but one person was baffled to find someone left them a dead rat for free.
13
A $600 mountain bike
Someone scored a nearly new mountain bike for free because the original owner tossed it over a broken chain. It only took an hour to fix.
14
Prank call payoff
Back in 2014, a friend prank-called Frito-Lay so often that the company eventually sent him a box of free merchandise just to make him stop.
15
A mustache shaver
A hairdresser baked cookies for a loyal client. In return, the client pulled out a mustache shaver, demonstrated how to use it, and gifted it on the spot.
