If there is only day a year where you’re allowed to be as your most self-indulgent, it’s on your birthday. This might mean treating yourself to a little special something or hoping that the special someone in your life pampers you in a particularly special way… or it might mean making your way around town to get as much free stuff on your birthday as possible. I like free stuff.
The birthday offers put forth by the various restaurants and retailers change frequently, so what may have worked not that long ago may no longer be applicable. I put together a list of birthday freebies in Vancouver a couple of years ago, but several of those are now off the proverbial table.
The free $10 voucher at Vera’s Burger Shack is gone, for instance, since they replaced it with a different reward program. Similarly, I no longer see any mention of the free poutine at Spud Shack Fry Company in New Westminster. The good news is that some new offers pop up now and then too, so there will never be any shortage of free birthday goodies. Here are some of the most notable highlights.
Booster Juice
Free Birthday Smoothie
You need to sign up for the Booster Nation newsletter at least 24 hours before your birthday. Once you do, you’ll receive a certificate via email for a free regular smoothie on your birthday. The certificate is valid for one week.
Boston Pizza
Free Dessert
It was once the case that Boston Pizza gave you the choice between a free pasta or a free dessert. Now, you only get a free dessert when you sign up for MyBP. You’ll also get get some other bonuses, like a free appetizer for signing up and a free two-topping pizza on your first MyBP anniversary.
Dairy Queen
Free Blizzard
Here is another birthday freebie that used to be a lot better. You could once get a free blizzard on your birthday with no other purchase, but now the coupon you receive via email is a buy one, get one coupon. And yes, you need to sign up for the Blizzard Fan Club to be eligible.
David’s Tea
Free Cup of Tea
When you sign up for the Frequent Steeper Club with David’s Tea, you can provide your birthday to get a free cup of tea on that day. You also get a free cup for completing your profile online, as well as the opportunity to earn points for more free tea.
Denny’s
Free Original Grand Slam Breakfast
Unlike most of the other offers for free stuff on your birthday, the free Grand Slam at Denny’s does not require you to sign up for spam an email newsletter. Just show up at A Denny’s and show your ID. And even though this is a “breakfast” item, the freebie is valid all day long.
Fresh Slice Pizza
Free Birthday Meal
New to this list is the Fresh Slice Fan Club. You get a free “meal” on your birthday, which consists of two pizza slices from the warmer and a medium fountain drink. The fan club also gets you “10% off most items during your membership period.”
IHOP
Free Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity Pancakes
If you’re not a fan of Denny’s, you can hop on your over to IHOP for some pancakes instead. The Pancake Revolution gives you a stack of the Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity (or other pancakes) on your birthday, on your signup anniversary, and upon signing up for the first time.
Pajo’s Fish and Chips
Free Birthday Meal
This deal has changed a few times over the years. You used to get a free small fish and chips on your birthday, but now you only get the free meal with the purchase of a second meal of equal or greater value. And it appears that you need to submit this form every year to get it.
Red Robin
Free Burger
Sign up for the Red Robin eClub to get a free burger on your birthday, no other strings attached. This is valid for any of the regular burgers on the menu and there is no obligation to buy a second meal or any beverages.
Rocky Mountain Soap Company
Free Soap
No, you can’t eat it, but you probably should try to keep clean. I couldn’t find the link online, but if you give your email address to them in-store, you should receive a coupon via email for a free bar of soap (up to 100 grams) about a week before your birthday.
Sephora
Free Birthday Gift
With more free stuff you can’t eat and an offer that will likely only appeal to a subset of readers, Sephora gives a free gift on your birthday too. I think the exact contents change now and then, but as of this writing, the free gift consists of a mini velvet matte lip pencil and a satin lip pencil.
Starbucks
Free Birthday Drink or Treat
You’re not restricted solely to coffee. You actually have a choice of free stuff on your birthday when you join the My Starbucks Rewards program and register your card. You can choose whatever drink you’d like on the menu (including add-ons like syrups and extra espresso shots) or you can go to Teavana and get one ounce of loose leaf tea instead. There’s also a 15% off coupon for online orders.
Did I miss anything in important? Are there other deals for excellent birthday freebies we should know about?
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