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We all like free stuff. But who has time to physically go to every place offering free stuff? You can’t possibly hit them all. That’s why this post focuses on places offering free birthday stuff online.
I’m used to seeing all the restaurants and cafés that give free sides and free drinks on your birthday. Of course, that won’t work so well for things you get online.
So, this list will b e a little different! Some of these offers may still require you to spend money, but the point is that you can do so entirely online.
Why Do Companies Give Away Free Stuff?
Most companies will try to brand their freebies as if they are just doing you a favor. Like a friend giving you a birthday gift and expecting nothing in return.
But, of course, they do expect something in return.
These companies – especially the bigger ones – may be friendly, but they are not your friend. That may sound negative, but it’s just stating a fact.
After all, the primary purpose of (for-profit) companies is to make money. So, everything they do, including giving away free stuff, is motivated by profits.
Yes, they are losing money when they give stuff away, but in doing so, they hope you become a loyal customer. If that happens, the company is likely to make more money in the long run than it is to spend in the short run on a few freebies.
So, How Can it Benefit Us?
The way these freebies can benefit us is to simply use them to our advantage. I’m not saying you should be a freeloader necessarily, but rather that you shouldn’t change your behavior too much because of them.
In other words, if there are local businesses that give stuff away, but you also really enjoy their products, then you should still buy them, too. After all, they need business to, well, stay in business.
At the same time, though, we don’t want to fall victim to temptation. Eating out all the time is certainly not a way to save money on food.
The point here is that as long as you continue to consume things in moderation while also getting the occasional freebie, then they can absolutely benefit you.
List of Free Birthday Stuff Online
Without further ado, let’s get into the list of birthday freebies. If there is something obvious I missed, or you have something to add, please let me know in the comments section.
1. Starbucks
If you’re like me, you may have known about this birthday freebie for a while. When you stop by your local Starbucks store, you’ll be able get one of the following for free
- Starbucks handcrafted beverages
- Food items
- Ready-to-drink beverages
Notice how I said one of the above. You will not, unfortunately, be able to get all three (or two) of them.
In order to be sure you are eligible for this offer, be sure you are part of the Starbucks Rewards program and specify your birthday in your account. You will see your birthday freebie offer in the Starbucks mobile app.
2. Dunkin’ Donuts
Similar to Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts offers members of its rewards program, called DD Perks, a free drink on their birthday.
The rewards program also has decent benefits for the rest of the year. The main benefit is that you earn 5 points per dollar spent and a free drink when you have 200 points accumulated. That amounts to a free drink for every $40 you spend.
Head over to the DD website to sign up.
3. Aveda
If you head over to Aveda’s birthday signup page, you’ll be eligible for a free 30 ml. aromatic nourishing compostion oil. You can either claim your free gift at a local store or with an online order.
In addition, Aveda will email you about various offers and events throughout the year.
4. bareMinerals
If you join the bareMinerals Fab Loyalty Rewards program, you’ll get a free gift every year on your birthday. There isn’t one specific gift that is the same every year from this store; it changes from time to time.
In general though, they will be offereing some type of makeup item such as lip balm. You can claim your free gift while ordering online.
Other perks of this program include $10 off for every $150 you spend, 15% off for completing your beauty profile, and VIP access to sales & new arrivals.
5. DSW
Designer Shoe Warehouse or DSW has a free birthday gift every year through its VIP Rewards program. The program has a number of benefits, including a $5 coupon you can spend anytime during your birthday month.
By the way, DSW will also let you gift two friends on their birthdays, too. They’ll receive the same $5 off.
Other perks of DSW’s VIP Rewards program include:
- 1 point for every $1 you spend plus 5 points for $100 spent
- Free shipping on every order
- Get points when you donate new or gently-used shoes
6. JCPenney
JCPenney is another store that offers free birthday gifts to members of its rewards program, although it does not specify exactly what that reward might be. You can expect to receive a coupon in the mail around your birthday or possibly some other freebie.
JCPenney’s rewards has decent benefits year-round, too. They include $10 off for every $200 you spend plus bonus events which have extra earning opportunities.
7. Redbox
Redbox has a rewards program it calls RedBox Perks, which rewards you for reaching certain milestones with your account. One of its perks, though, is a free birthday gift!
It has four tiers of perk levels you can reach for certain numbers of rentals. For all tiers except the highest one, Legend (50+ rentals/purchases), you’ll get one free one-night rental on your birthday.
If you reach Legend, that becomes two one-night rentals instead.
8. GameStop
GameStop will give you a coupon for 20% off on a pre-owned game each yeah. This discount is part of its PowerUp Rewards program.
Note that it also has a Pro membership for its PowerUp Rewards program which will give you 20% off on all pre-owned games. That said, the Pro membership costs $19.99/year.
9. American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle has a rewards program called AEO Connected, which offers several benefits. One of them is that you’ll receive a 15% off coupon every year on your birthday.
There are other decent benefits of the program as well, such as $10 off for every $250 spent, plus buy five, get one free for jeans purchases.
10. Famous Footwear
Famous Footwear has a rewards program called Famously You Rewards that offers a free birthday gift similar to others on this list – with a slight twist. In addition to getting a $5 off coupon on your birthday, you also earn 2x points per dollar spent on purchases during your birthday month.
Normally, you earn 1 point per dollar spent on purchases plus $5 for every 100 points. You can get up to $250 per calendar year through these discounts.
11. J.Crew
J.Crew does have a birthday freebie, but unlike other stores on this list, you have to have the store credit card to get a freebie. They don’t say what it is, exactly, but you can expect the value of the freebie to be around $25.
Members also get free shipping and a $5 reward for every $200 spent.
12. Kiehl’s
Kiehl’s offers a free birthday gift to all members of its rewards program. These are typically something like a free lip balm or travel size gift.
The rewards program also has the following benefits:
- Automatic annual $10 Rewards Certificate when you accumulate 100 points (up to 3)
- Access to our annual 20% Friends & Family Event
- Access to our annual $20 Kiehl’s Cash Holiday Gift
Free Birthday Stuff Online – Conclusion
There are quite a few stores that offer you freebies on your birthday. Many of them are similar, and most of these programs have numerous benefits you can claim throughout the year.
And, in most cases, you won’t have to do anything other than join the rewards program and tell the store when your birthday is. Pretty easy.
Do you have a favorite free online birthday reward? If so, let us know in the comments.
Hey there. My name is Bob Haegele and I'm an expert at frugal living and saving money. I’m also an EV enthusiast and have recently become mostly-vegetarian. Another thing I started doing recently? Dog walking. I’m working toward financial independence making money via my own ventures. Interested in starting a blog of your own? Check out my post on starting a blog.
