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Holidays

December specials: Last freebies and meal deals of 2018 including New Year's Eve promotions

Kelly Tyko
USA TODAY

The month of December can be expensive.

There are gifts to buy and holiday parties to prepare for and more gifts to buy.

But thankfully, there are also some ways to save this month and a few sweet days too.

Dec. 4 is National Cookie Day, Dec. 8 is National Brownie Day and National Cupcake Day is Dec. 15. 

Bookmark this page because it'll be updated frequently with more freebies, meal deals and additional ways to save.

Here are the best deals, big days and ongoing specials, available at participating locations. To be on the safe side, check with your closest location before heading out.

Here's an early holiday gift: A roundup of meal deals and freebies for December.

Limited-time deals

Burger King: Get a free order of Chicken Fries when you spend $5 on DoorDash Tuesday through Jan. 6 with promo code NEWYEAR. To get this deal, add the Chicken Fries to your DoorDash cart and enter the code. According to the offer details, it is limited to the first 30,000 orders and valid for participating Burger King locations within DoorDash's delivery zones. Not valid for pickup or dine-in.

Chipotle Mexican GrillThrough Jan. 7, college football fans can get free delivery on any Chipotle order $10 or more for the first-ever "Chipotle Free Delivery Bowl." To redeem the offer, place a delivery order on the chain's mobile app or online at order.chipotle.com. No coupon code is needed and orders $10 or more will be eligible for free delivery.

Insomnia Cookies: Get one free traditional cookie with any in-store purchase through 3 a.m. Dec. 31. Or buy four cookies and get two traditional cookies free. The two offers can't be combined. Find offer details on FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

Papa John's: To celebrate the launch of the new and more rewarding Papa Rewards program, Papa John's has a contest going on through Jan. 6. Learn more at www.papajohns.com/PapaDough.

Popeyes Louisiana KitchenFor a limited time and while supplies last, travelers passing through Terminal C of Philadelphia International Airport can purchase a special meal at the terminal's Popeyes – an "Emotional Support Chicken," a fried chicken meal in a specially designed, chicken-themed carrier box. Also, a new offer starting Jan. 1 and for a limited time, three pieces of chicken tenders or bone-in chicken with a biscuit for $3.99.

Postmates: Through 11:59 p.m. Dec. 30, Postmates is offering 50 percent off a delivery fee from any merchant with code GIVEBACK and will donate the remaining proceeds to Meals on Wheels America. On a Postmates blog post, there also are codes for other charities in specific areas.

Shake Shack: Through Wednesday, Jan. 2, use promo code THANKYOU18 to get a free burger with purchase of a burger on online orders and with the Shake Shack app.

Taco BellGet a free drink with any purchase through the app or website once-a-day through Feb. 1. According to the fine print, this deal is available at participating locations for web and app pay ahead orders only.

Tijuana Flats: For a limited time, get two tacos, chips and a drink for $5.49 or $5.99 depending on the location. The promotion runs through Saturday, Dec. 29 in Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia locations and through Monday, Dec. 31 in Florida and Indiana locations.

More:Starbucks concocts new winter drink and contest with 30 years of free drinks up for grabs

Dec. 30: National Bacon Day

Sunday, Dec. 30 is National Bacon Day, not to be confused with National Bacon Lovers' Day and International Bacon Day both usually held in August.

According to NationalDayCalendar.com the founders of Bacon Day encourage bacon fans to celebrate the made-up food holiday by eating "a variety of bacon while watching Kevin Bacon movies, or movies with bacon in the title." 

Corner Bakery Cafe‏: If you're signed up for texts or emails, you should have received a coupon for $2 off any breakfast, lunch or dinner entrée with bacon. Sign up for future offers at www.cornerbakerycafe.com/eclub or text CORNER to 222233.

Dunkin': The chain announced Sunday in a blog post that it is bringing back the Brown Sugar Chipotle Bacon Breakfast Sandwich. The sandwich, also available as a Wake-Up Wrap, will be available at Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide by Dec. 31 for a limited time.

Hunt Brothers Pizza: The company, which calls itself the nation’s largest brand of made-to-order pizza in the convenience store industry has a breakfast pizza.

Super Snack Time: For National Bacon Day and through Jan. 2, with any purchase at www.supersnacktime.com, the company is giving away free Bacon In A Bag, which is uncured, bacon jerky mixed with sweet Sriracha.  

Wendy’s: Also in a blog post, Wendy's suggests celebrating the made-up holiday with the Baconator. The fast-food chain recently brought back its Giant Junior Bacon Cheeseburger – also known as the Giant JBC – and its signature $5 meal deal. Pricing and participation can vary.

Sonic Drive-In: For a limited time, get the chain's new Steakhouse Bacon Cheeseburger and medium tots for $4.99 at participating locations.

More:University gets bacon vending machine just in time for finals

More:Bacon tea? Bacon cotton candy? 20 bacon-flavored foods the world doesn’t need

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve freebies, deals

Ring in 2019 with champagne, a cup of free coffee and more. Check out the deals here.

More:Say goodbye to 2018 with New Year's Eve freebies and deals, including free rides

More:Applebee's gets in the holiday spirit with Dollar Jolly, Chili's with 'Red Nose Rita'

More:Buy a gift card, get a freebie at these restaurants, businesses

More:Didn't get what you want for Christmas? How to return, exchange or sell unwanted holiday gifts.

New Wendy's and McDonald's deal

Starting Wednesday, Dec. 19, Wendy’s is bringing back its Giant Junior Bacon Cheeseburger – also known as the Giant JBC – and its signature $5 meal deal.

The combo deal, available for a limited time at participating locations, includes the Giant JBC, four-piece chicken nuggets, small fries and a small drink for $5. The burger also is available a la carte for $3.49. Pricing and participation can vary.

On Dec. 17, which was Maple Syrup Day, Wendy's announced its new Bacon Maple Chicken Sandwich was available for a limited time for $5.60.

Earlier this month, Burger King announced the $6 King Box, which includes choice of a select entrée, a small order of fries, a small drink and two chocolate chip cookies.

And McDonald's announced on Dec. 20 it was bringing back "2 for $5 Mix & Match Deal," including a new Quarter Pounder with Cheese.

Dec. 13-31: Chipotle deal for Hinge members

If you use the dating app Hinge, you can save on your next date at Chipotle.

Through Dec. 31, Hinge members will receive a unique buy-one-get-one free code via email. The code can be redeemed at participating Chipotle locations online or in-store, according to the offer's fine print.

There's a limit of one free item per Hinge user with the purchase of an entrée item of equal or greater value.This offer cannot be combined with other coupons or promotions and additional restrictions may apply.

Learn more at www.chipotle.com/hingebogo.

More December deals

Applebee's: The December drink of the month is the Dollar Jolly, a $1 Jolly Rancher Vodka Drink available in cherry or green apple at participating locations.

Burger King: Cini Minis, considered a fan favorite from the '90s, are back for a limited-time with a four-piece costing $1.49 at most locations. The treat also is available for delivery exclusively on Grubhub. With $10 or more Grubhub orders, get a free order. A coupon code isn't needed and the freebie should unlock once you have $10 in your cart.

Chili's: The December Margarita of the Month is the Red Nose Rita, a mix of Sauza Blue, Cointreau, Monin blackberry syrup and strawberry puree. The margaritas are $5.

Dunkin’: Through Dec. 30, get a medium-sized Dunkin’ latte or cappuccino for $2 from 2 to 6 p.m. at participating locations.

Hungry Howies: Through Dec. 31, buy two medium one-topping pizzas for $5 each with promo code DEAL40 at participating locations.

IHOP: Through Dec. 31, IHOP has a kids eat free deal and a special holiday menu inspired by "Dr. Seuss' The Grinch." Kids 12 and under receive a free entrée from the kids menu with each purchase of an adult entrée from 4 to 10 p.m. daily. 

Kolache Factory: Through Dec. 31, buy a dozen dinner rolls and get the second dozen half off in store. This deal is not valid online.

Red Lobster: Through Dec. 31, take 10 percent off To Go orders with promo code LOBSTER65. This deal excludes delivery.

Scooter’s Coffee: Get a $1 off any holiday trio drink with the mobile app through Dec. 31. This is a one-time only deal.

Subway: For a limited time, buy a kids meal at participating restaurants and get a code for a free ticket to "Mary Poppins Returns."

Wendy’s: For a limited time, buy a $2 Frosty Key Tag for a year of free Frosty treats. Learn more here.

More:Panera Bread giving away free bagels through the rest of the year

More:Wendy's Frosty Key Tag is back and a way to get free frozen treats everyday in 2019

More:Subway giving away free kids' tickets to new 'Mary Poppins Returns' movie

Kelly Tyko is a consumer columnist and retail reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Read her Bargainista tips at TCPalm.com/Bargainista, follow her on Twitter @KellyTyko and email her at kelly.tyko@tcpalm.com.

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