To Freebie or Not To Freebie

Last Updated on February 22, 2026 by BTS 101

There’s a lot of freaking out on social media right now about BTS concert freebies.

It mainly has to do with going to the Arirang concerts this spring and summer, but if you’re interested in making freebies, you can do it for any ARMY event.

Maybe a cupsleeve is happening in your area, or while you’re visiting a city on vacation.
Maybe you’re going to a screening of one of the concerts in theatre.
Maybe you just want to surprise your friends.
All good reasons to make freebies!

But what should you make? How many? How to give them out? When to give them out?
We’re freaking out!

Here are five tips on making and giving out freebies if you’re thinking about it.

TIP 1: Freebies are optional.

I made photocards to give out at the Permission to Dance concerts in 2021, and when I handed them out, people were AMAZED. A free thing! Someone gave them! As a souvenir! Unheard of.

Now, it feels like everyone is doing it, and you might feel pressured to participate, or like a “bad ARMY” if someone gives you something and you don’t have anything to give back.

That’s totally not true! People who make and give freebies are in it for the joy (mostly – see below). Making freebies takes money and time. Handing them out means extra baggage on the day of the concert. If that isn’t for you, that’s okay! Come out, have fun, say thank you a lot, and feel the joy!

TIP 2: Freebies are free.

I know, you’re excited not only to make and gift freebies, but to get freebies. The photo below is all the freebies I got at Jin’s two New Jersey concerts in summer 2025. It was a lot, and literally every single one was so cute and original and I love them and actually do use them all.

But I urge you, if you are making freebies, to consider them FREE.

Some people put a lot of work into their freebies and that makes them feel like freebies are for trading only. They won’t give a freebie unless they are getting one back. (In this case, perhaps they should not be called “freebies.”)

If that’s your personal rule, that’s okay. But honestly, you will have a lot more fun and a lot less stress if you know going in that your goal is just to hand them freely to any ARMY with no expectations. They are a gift, so give them away with your whole heart, and don’t think too much on the potential haul you’ll get in return.

TIP 3: Any freebie is a good freebie.

You’ll see crafty ARMY making incredible keychains, bracelets, or pins. You’ll see well-off ARMY investing in adorable 3D printed merch or super cute purchased toys. But that’s not within everyone’s reach, so try to make something that is going to give YOU joy, because it was fun for YOU. Don’t feel the need to measure up, or do something that is going to feel like work.

What are some good options?

First, remember that you have to carry this stuff around. If you’re making something bulky or heavy, that’s going to weigh on you over the course of a long day. If you’re planning on bringing some to the actual concert, you’ll need room in your (size restricted) bag. Plus, the ARMY you give a freebie to has to carry it around as well, so try to keep it small.

Second, remember that some places don’t allow food. A lot of ARMY like to make a little gift bag of an item + candy, but there are plenty of stories of them having to dump out all the candy from each freebie before being allowed to enter. Just play it safe, and leave the candy out.

Third, think about if you want to promote your socials with your freebie. Some freebies are from people with BTS shops and they want to include a business card or paper with their info, so this automatically means a bigger package or gift bag. If you’d like to remain anonymous, that’ll be much easier.

Fourth, while excitement is VERY HIGH for the concerts and making freebies is one way to channel that energy, please remember there are months to go. We still don’t know any of the Arirang themes/imagery/designs/colours. So while I know we all want to dive right in, it might be good to wait until closer to your personal concert/event time, as you might change your mind about what to make once the album actually comes out next month.

Some ideas:

• photocards, stickers, or bookmarks are nice and flat; you can carry a lot in a small space or even a pocket; plus, buying these from a BTS craft shop is totally okay, you don’t have to be master crafter or artist!
• bracelets or keychains or phone charms can be gathered on a carabiner and clipped to the outside your concert bag for travel, to take less space
• if you want to do a bulkier item, consider arriving early and handing them out before entering the stadium, or handing them out at other ARMY events during the day
• pack a fold-up bag in your concert bag to carry around any freebies you might get in case they are bulky (but note you likely can’t open this and fill it until you are inside)

TIP 4: They go fast.

It doesn’t really matter how many you make – ARMY love freebies, and they are likely to go quickly. Focus on making as many as you can carry in your bag or on your person, and how many you have the time/capacity/funds to create.

I personally am quite awkward socially so I usually only bring 50 freebies per concert, and it’s something small – in the past I have done photocards, tiny pins, and for Jin’s concerts, I gave out a card with Dad Jokes on it. In all cases, I have never once given out the full 50, because I’m so weird and shy, it’s always a struggle to approach people and offer.

That said, one of my good ARMY friends is an avid beader and usually makes 150 to 200 bracelets per concert. She’s super outgoing and when she arrives she just basically stands in a corner shouting “FREEBIES!!” and people swarm her and grab them and they are all gone in 5 minutes.

I usually keep at least 5 or so for the people I will be sitting next to as you will almost always strike up a conversation with them, and it’s nice to give them something.

But basically: as many as you can make will go, and go quickly. You can’t possibly make 50,000 freebies for everyone. So just try to make as many as will make YOU happy, and do what you can.

TIP 5: Think about WHERE and WHEN and HOW.

So, you worked really hard to make freebies, and now you are dreaming of quality interactions with other ARMY where you trade awesome items and squeal and make new friends. Yay!

That is definitely going to happen. When you’re standing in line (SO MANY LINES), circulating at an ARMY event, or sitting in your seat, ARMY around you will strike up a conversation. If you get a warm feeling and want to give a freebie, this is a great chance to do so on a personal level.

But also, there are times when you’re just randomly handing items to strangers. Not every freebie moment is Deeply Meaningful, and it’s good to set your expectations around that (especially if you are like my friend above, and just put out an all-call for people to come grab one).

Some advice:

• don’t be too precious about where and when you give one out – if you are waiting for The Perfect Moment every time, you’ll just be left with a lot of leftover freebies at the end of the day
• don’t worry if you run out, and no longer have one to give to people who are giving you one – remember, freebies are free!
• if you’re shy and don’t want to get swarmed, try to get comfortable with approaching ARMY in the bathroom line or at the Line Friends store or sitting next to you, and asking “would you like a photocard/pin/bookmark/bracelet?” and then offer one freely; but this will take work on your part to circulate around and actively approach people (personal tip: I like to approach people who look a little dazed, as if it’s their first time, as they are always so cute! Bonus if they are alone!)
• if you’re more outgoing, and okay with the rush, find a crowded place inside or outside the event and just announce you’ve got freebies, and get handing them out
• the earlier you can arrive at the venue, the better, especially if you have a lot of freebies and want to give them out on a more one-to-one basis – it’s much easier to give freebies before the event rather than after
• if you’re attending a concert, have a few freebies on you at all times – you are bound to run into ARMY everywhere you go, from the hotel lobby to the local fast food places, and it’s fun to surprise them at unexpected places

BONUS TIP: No means no.

At the PTD concerts in 2021/2022, I don’t think I saw a single child.

But at Suga, j-hope, and Jin’s solo concerts, I saw a lot of parents with children.

If you want to give a freebie to a child, please note that many parents are not comfortable with this.

I know, they are so cute! Baby ARMY! You want to make their concert special!

But always, always:

• ask the parents first before offering (“Is it okay if I offer your child a freebie?”)
• if they say no, that’s the end of the interaction – don’t be like “It’s only a bracelet!” – just move along
• if they say okay, and you offer to the child, and they say no or turn away, then that’s also the end of the interaction
• consider only giving or offering freebies directly to the parents, and allow them to decide if they are appropriate to give to their kids

Most of all: have fun!

If you decide to participate in freebie culture, do what you can, do what feels comfortable, and have a great time at the event!

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