New Giveaways Ending Soon You Should Enter Now

Last reviewed on: January 8, 2026. Please note that giveaway availability, rules, and prizes are subject to change and may vary by region.

The allure of “free stuff” is a powerful motivator, but for many beginners, the world of online giveaways and sweepstakes can feel like a confusing mix of genuine opportunities and digital traps. This article is designed to cut through the noise, providing a realistic look at high-value giveaways ending in the coming weeks, while educating you on how to participate safely and transparently.

Entering giveaways is not a “get rich quick” scheme. It is a form of marketing where companies trade prizes for your attention, data, or engagement. By understanding this exchange, you can approach these opportunities with a clear head and a protected inbox. In this long-form guide, we will explore the best opportunities ending soon, the mechanics of how these promotions work, and the essential safety steps every “sweeper” should know.

Who This Is For / Not For

This article is for:

Beginners who want to learn the ropes of entering legitimate sweepstakes without getting scammed.
Frugal shoppers looking for ways to win gift cards, travel, or cash to supplement their lifestyle.
Savvy digital citizens who want to understand the privacy tradeoffs and data mechanics of “free” offers.
Hobbyists who enjoy the thrill of the “win” and are looking for a curated list of high-quality opportunities.

This article is not for:

Individuals seeking guaranteed income. Giveaways are games of chance, not a reliable source of money.
Those unwilling to share any personal data. Most legitimate giveaways require at least an email address for notification purposes.
People looking for “hacks” or “cheats.” Legitimate sweepstakes have strict rules and automated systems to prevent gaming the system.

High-Value Giveaways Ending Soon (January 2026)

Below is a curated list of legitimate giveaways from established brands that are scheduled to end in the next few weeks. We have selected these based on their transparency, the reputation of the sponsoring companies, and the clarity of their official rules.

Giveaway Name	Prize	End Date	Eligibility
Avelo Air: Fly Into 2026	Round-trip flights for a year	Jan 11, 2026	US Residents (18+)
Wicked Cocktails Instant Win	5,000 Gift Cards	Jan 16, 2026	US Residents (21+)
Ring in 2026 Giveaway	$100 Amazon Gift Cards (10 winners)	Jan 22, 2026	US Residents (18+)
Martha Stewart $25,000 Sweepstakes	$25,000 Cash	Jan 31, 2026	US Residents (18+)
Aosom Canada New Year Giveaway	Home & Garden Furniture	Jan 31, 2026	Canada Residents (18+)
HGTV Dream Home 2026	$2.4M Home + $100k Cash	Feb 13, 2026	US Residents (21+)

1. Avelo Air: Fly Into 2026 Sweepstakes

This is one of the most time-sensitive opportunities on our list. Avelo Air, a growing low-cost carrier in the US, is offering a grand prize of round-trip flights for a year. According to the official rules, the entry period ends on January 11, 2026. This is a classic example of a “single entry” sweepstakes, meaning you only need to enter once to be in the running. For a beginner, this is the perfect type of giveaway because it requires minimal time investment for a potentially life-changing prize.

2. Martha Stewart $25,000 “Dine & Decor” Sweepstakes

Martha Stewart’s brand frequently runs high-value cash giveaways to promote their home and garden content. This particular $25,000 sweepstakes is a “daily entry” promotion, meaning you can return to the site every day until January 31, 2026, to increase your odds. As noted on the Martha Stewart sweepstakes page, winners are selected via a random drawing shortly after the closing date. Daily entry sweepstakes require more discipline, but they often have better odds for dedicated participants because many people forget to return after the first day.

3. HGTV Dream Home 2026

While it ends slightly later in February, the HGTV Dream Home is the “Super Bowl” of sweepstakes. The prize package includes a fully furnished home in Charlotte, NC, valued at over $2.4 million, plus $100,000 in cash. According to HGTV’s promotion details, you can enter twice daily—once on HGTV.com and once on FoodNetwork.com—until February 13, 2026. This giveaway is a massive marketing engine for HGTV and its sponsors, which is why the entry period is so long and the promotion so widespread.

Trust and Transparency: The Reality of “Free”

When you enter a giveaway, you aren’t just “getting something for nothing.” You are participating in a value exchange. Understanding this exchange is the first step toward becoming a professional “sweeper” (someone who enters sweepstakes as a hobby).

The Privacy Tradeoff: Data as Currency

Most legitimate giveaways are run by marketing departments. Their goal is to build an email list of potential customers or to gather market research. When you enter, you are often required to:

Provide an email address: This is the primary way they will contact you if you win. It is also the “key” to your digital identity that they use for tracking.
Agree to marketing communications: Many rules state that by entering, you agree to receive newsletters. You can usually unsubscribe later, but expect an initial influx of emails.
Share demographic data: Some forms ask for your age, zip code, or interests. This helps the company “profile” their audience, allowing them to serve you more targeted ads in the future.

As noted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), legitimate companies must provide a privacy policy that explains how your data will be used. If a giveaway site doesn’t have a clear privacy policy or “Official Rules” link, it is a major red flag. You are essentially trading a small piece of your privacy for a chance at a prize.

Real-World Constraints: Taxes and Costs

Winning a large prize isn’t always “free” in the long run. In the United States, the IRS considers sweepstakes winnings as taxable income.

Prizes over $600: The sponsor is required to issue you an IRS Form 1099-MISC. You will need to report the “Fair Market Value” (FMV) of the prize on your tax return.
Cash vs. Physical Prizes: If you win $25,000, you can use a portion of that to pay the taxes. However, if you win a $50,000 car or a $2.4 million home, you may need to have significant cash on hand to pay the taxes owed on that “income.” Many grand prize winners actually choose a “cash option” (if available) specifically to avoid the tax burden of a physical prize.
State Taxes: Depending on where you live, you may also owe state income tax on your winnings.

Expertise: How to Spot a Scam

As you look for giveaways ending soon, you will inevitably encounter scams. Scammers use the excitement of a “big win” to cloud your judgment. Here is how to protect yourself using expertise from consumer protection agencies and industry veterans.

Red Flags vs. Green Flags

To help you quickly vet any giveaway you find on social media or through a search engine, use the following table as a guide.

Feature	Green Flag (Legit)	Red Flag (Scam)
Official Rules	Clearly linked, detailed, and professional.	Missing, vague, or hosted on a suspicious domain.
Payment	No purchase or payment ever required to win.	Asks for “taxes,” “shipping,” or “fees” upfront.
Social Media	Verified account (blue check) with a long history.	New account, unverified, or “copycat” name.
Personal Info	Asks for name and email to enter.	Asks for SSN, bank info, or credit card to enter.
Grammar	Professional, clear, and error-free.	Frequent typos, weird phrasing, or excessive emojis.
Notification	Via email or certified mail as stated in rules.	Via DM (Direct Message) or a random phone call.

The “DM” Scam on Social Media

A very common scam today involves “copycat” accounts on Instagram or TikTok. If you enter a legitimate giveaway from a brand like Starbucks, a scammer will create an account called @Starbucks_Giveaway_Winner_2026 and send you a DM saying you won. They will then ask you to click a link to “claim” your prize, which leads to a phishing site. Legitimate brands almost never notify winners via DM unless it is explicitly stated in the rules.

Regional Variability and Legal Restrictions

It is crucial to read the “Eligibility” section of the official rules. Many giveaways are restricted to specific countries (e.g., US only, Canada only) or even specific states due to varying local laws. For example:

New York and Florida: These states have strict registration and bonding requirements for sweepstakes with prizes over $5,000. Some smaller companies exclude these states to avoid the paperwork.
Quebec, Canada: This province has unique laws regarding “publicity contests,” leading many international brands to exclude Quebec residents from their promotions.
Age Requirements: While most are 18+, some (especially those involving alcohol or travel) require you to be 21+.

The Psychology of Giveaways: Why We Enter

Understanding the psychology behind giveaways can help you stay grounded. Marketers use “Variable Rewards”—the same psychological principle that makes slot machines addictive. The possibility of a win is often more exciting than the win itself.

For beginners, this can lead to “Sweeper’s Burnout,” where you spend hours entering every giveaway you see, only to feel frustrated when you don’t win. To avoid this, treat sweeping as a low-stakes hobby. The “value” you get should be the 30 seconds of hope and excitement, with the actual prize being a rare but welcome bonus.

Community Experiences: Real Stories from the Trenches

To provide a balanced view, we looked at community discussions on platforms like Reddit, where hobbyist sweepers share their wins and losses. These stories highlight the reality of the hobby—it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

The “Free Lottery” Perspective:
Many users in the r/Frugal community view entering sweepstakes as a “free lottery.” One user shared, “I enter sweepstakes because I genuinely enjoy it. It’s like playing the lottery for free. I get a kick out of the silly prizes. Plus, it’s a fun five-minute break in my day. I’ve won a few $50 gift cards over the years, which pays for my coffee habit.”

The Reality of Winning Big:
Winning a grand prize is rare, but it does happen to regular people. A contributor to r/AskReddit noted, “I have recently jumped on this bandwagon and have won probably $1,500 worth of goodies in the past 2 months. I am not too dedicated to it, I only enter the ones that take less than 30 seconds. My best win was a high-end espresso machine that I still use every morning.”

The “Spam” Warning:
Experienced sweepers often recommend creating a dedicated email address just for giveaways. “My 2006 winnings totaled over $10,000,” one veteran sweeper shared on r/IAmA, “but the amount of marketing mail I received was astronomical. I was getting 200+ emails a day. Use a separate email so your main inbox stays clean, and never use your primary phone number if you can avoid it.”

Disclosure: The community testimonials mentioned above are summarized from public forums. The author of this article did not participate in these specific discussions.

Actionable Guidance for Beginners

If you’re ready to enter your first giveaway ending soon, follow these steps to ensure a safe and productive experience:

Create a “Sweeping” Email: Use a free service like Gmail or Outlook to create an address specifically for entries (e.g., yourname.sweeps@gmail.com). This keeps your personal life separate from the marketing deluge.
Use a Form Filler: Tools like RoboForm or even your browser’s built-in “Autofill” can save you hours of typing your name and address. This allows you to enter a giveaway in 5 seconds rather than 60.
Set a Timer: Don’t let sweeping take over your life. Spend 15 minutes a day entering the “Daily Entry” ones you really want. Consistency is more important than volume.
Read the Rules: Always scroll to the bottom and click “Official Rules.” Check the end date, eligibility, and how the winner will be notified. If the rules are hosted on a “Google Doc” or a random text-sharing site, be very cautious.
Verify the Notification: If you get an email saying you won, don’t click any links immediately. Go to the brand’s official website or social media page to see if they have announced winners. Check the “From” address—it should be from a corporate domain (e.g., @hgtv.com), not a generic one (e.g., hgtv-winner-2026@gmail.com).

Conclusion

Entering giveaways ending soon can be a fun and rewarding hobby if approached with the right mindset. By focusing on legitimate brands like Avelo Air, Martha Stewart, and HGTV, and by staying vigilant against common scams, you can enjoy the thrill of the “win” without the headache of a compromised identity.

The world of “free stuff” is vast, but it is governed by the same rules as the rest of the internet: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. However, for those willing to put in a few minutes of effort and a healthy dose of skepticism, the rewards can be very real.

Remember: the best giveaway is the one you enter safely. Good luck, and may the odds be in your favor!