53 birthday freebies and discounts
Got a birthday coming up? You could be in line to get bombarded with free stuff on your special day – provided you're signed up with the right places.
Even if your friends don't shower you with gifts, you can count on the offers below to spoil you rotten with free birthday treats when the big day comes around.
All you have to do is sign up for a few newsletters or loyalty schemes here and there (or sometimes just turn up with ID to prove it's your birthday). You'll then be able to go on a seriously cheap shopping spree on your birthday, whilst being well-fed and a bit tipsy from all the free birthday prosecco!
Just make sure you set up a separate email account to sign up for all these birthday freebie deals, so you can avoid being bombarded with all the spam (a small price to pay for all the birthday freebies!).
TRIVIA: How many people do you need in one room before it's probable that at least two people have the same birthday? Find the answer at the end of the guide once you've signed up for your freebies.
What can you get for free on your birthday?
Free birthday food
The kind of free food you can get on your birthday ranges widely, from a small celebratory snack to a full-blown meal free of charge.
Play your cards right and you could literally be eating your breakfast, lunch and dinner on the house for about a week before and after your birthday. It's all about doing your research and hatching a plan well in advance!
With that in mind, these are the best places to get free food on your birthday:
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Frankie & Benny's
Freebie: Voucher for a free main meal.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up to be a friend of Frankie & Benny's and you'll be sent a voucher around 10 days before your birthday.
T&Cs: Free main meal available with the purchase of another main meal. Can't be used in conjunction with other offers and discounts. Valid for 30 days after receiving the voucher.
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Shepherd Neame
Freebie: Voucher for a free main meal.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for the Shepherd Neame Birthday Club.
T&Cs: Voucher will be emailed to you two weeks before your birthday and is valid for six months from the date of issue. Free meal is only available with the purchase of at least one other main meal.
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Burger King
Freebie: Free Whopper or Plant-Based Whopper.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for YourBurgerKing and add your information under 'Account Info' at least seven days before your birthday. Make sure you opt-in to email communications or app push notifications.
T&Cs: Valid for 14 days.
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Greggs
Freebie: Free sweet treat from the confectionary range.
How to claim your freebie: Download the Greggs app and check the 'rewards' tab on your birthday.
T&Cs: Single serving items only (not valid on punnets or multi-packs). Valid for one month after issue.
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Barburrito
Freebie: Free burrito.
How to claim your freebie: Download the Barburrito Rewards App and register.
T&Cs: Birthday rewards will appear on your app on the 1st of the month, or if it's already your birthday month when you download the app, the reward should appear the following day. You must have spent a minimum of £6 before your birthday month to receive the free burrito. Valid for 31 days.
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Krispy Kreme
Freebie: Free doughnut of your choice.
How to claim your freebie: Join Krispy Kreme rewards (you also get a free doughnut just for signing up!) and add the birthday reward to your Krispy Kreme app to show in-store.
T&Cs: Valid in Krispy Kreme stores only, not concession stands that you may find in Tesco and other shops.
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Las Iguanas
Freebie: Free personalised gift.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for the Las Iguanas newsletter and you'll be emailed a voucher a week before your birthday.
T&Cs: The voucher will change from guest to guest but could include a free main meal, a free bottle of bubbly or a free DIY caipirinha board. Can't be used in conjunction with any other offers.
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Pizza Express
Freebie: Free dessert, pizza or bottle of prosecco.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for the Pizza Express Club and, when you've reached the bronze tier, you'll qualify for your birthday freebie.
T&Cs: The level of your Pizza Express Club account will determine your freebie. Bronze members will get a free dessert, Silver members can get one free Classic or Leggera pizza and Gold members can choose a bottle of prosecco or wine or a Classic or Romana pizza. Available in your birthday month only.
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Hotel Chocolat
Freebie: £5 gift voucher
How to claim your freebie: Sign up to become a VIP.ME member or activate your VIP.ME card online (you'll also get 15% off your next purchase when you sign up).
T&Cs: Reward will be sent two weeks before your birthday and is valid for 30 days. The minimum spend is £5.50.
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Costa Coffee
Freebie: Free cake.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for the Costa Club and enter your date of birth on the website or app. You will receive an electronic cake voucher on your birthday.
T&Cs: Cake vouchers expire seven days after they are issued.
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Lidl
Freebie: Free doughnut.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for Lidl Plus app and the coupon will show up in your vouchers.
T&Cs: The voucher is valid for seven days.
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Bella Italia
Freebie: £15 off.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for the Bella Italia newsletter (you get a free meal for signing up too!) and you'll be emailed a code leading up to your birthday.
T&Cs: There's a minimum spend of £30 to receive your £15 off. The code is valid for 21 days from the date of the e-mail and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Make sure to sign up at least two weeks before your birthday.
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Lindt
Freebie: Free box of milk chocolate Lindor.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up to MyLindt Rewards and you'll be emailed a voucher on your birthday.
T&Cs: If you're redeeming the voucher online, you'll need to spend a minimum of £20 to claim your freebie. In-store there's a minimum spend of £10.
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Subway
Freebie: Free cookie, packet of crisps or six-inch sub.
How to claim your freebie: Join Subway Rewards, add your date of birth and you'll receive an email on your birthday, prompting you to scan your app in-store to claim your birthday reward.
T&Cs: Your birthday reward is dependent on your membership level. All birthday rewards are valid for 30 days.
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Chopstix
Freebie: Free noodle box.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for their app and bring your ID to one of the participating stores.
T&Cs: You can claim your free box for up to seven days after your birthday.
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Cafe Rouge
Freebie: Free main meal.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for their newsletter (you will also receive a £10 voucher for signing up!) and you'll receive the birthday voucher in your inbox a week before your birthday.
T&Cs: You have to buy at least one other main meal. The voucher is valid for 14 days.
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Zizzi
Freebie: Free main meal.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for the Zillionaire's club and you'll be sent a voucher for your free meal the day before your birthday.
T&Cs: You must buy at least one other main and the voucher is valid for 28 days.
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Taco Bell
Freebie: Free meal.
How to claim your freebie: Download the Taco Bell app and create an account (you'll also get a free taco just for signing up). If you've made at least one purchase in the year leading up to your birthday, you'll receive the reward on your app.
T&Cs: Valid for 14 days after your birthday.
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Marks & Spencer
Freebie: Goods from the clothing, homeware, beauty or M&S food and drink departments, including bakery, biscuits, ambient celebration, confectionary, fruit and prosecco.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up to Marks & Spencer's Sparks rewards scheme, add your date of birth to your profile at least 35 days before your birthday, opt in to receive marketing messages and you'll receive your birthday treat at the start of your birthday month.
T&Cs: Voucher is valid for one month.
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Yo! Sushi
Freebie: One third off.
How to claim your freebie: Subscribe to the Yo! Love Club (you'll get a £5 voucher just for signing up), enter your birthday and you'll be sent a birthday voucher on your big day.
T&Cs: Voucher is valid for one month.
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Coco di Mama
Freebie: Free pasta pot.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up to Club Coco (you'll also get a free treat just for signing up), enter your birthday in the communication preferences section of My Account, and you'll receive an email on your birthday with your freebie.
T&Cs: The offer only applies to signups in London stores. Voucher is valid for one month.
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GAIL's
Freebie: Free sweet treat from the 'Baker's Table'.
How to claim your freebie: Join GAIL's Loyalty Programme (you'll get a complimentary barista-made drink just for joining!), enter your birthday in the communication preferences section of My Account and a voucher will be emailed to you on your birthday.
T&Cs: Offer can be redeemed against any item from the "Morning Goods" and "Sweets & Cakes" ranges. Offer must be redeemed within 30 days of receipt.
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Ole and Steen
Freebie: Free cake (Chocolate Muffin, Blueberry Muffin, Brownie, Cookie, Apple and Cinnamon Tart, Banana Bread or Vegan Social Slice).
How to claim your freebie: Download Ole and Steen's loyalty app, making sure to add your birthday details, and you'll receive your reward voucher via the app.
T&Cs: No other purchase is necessary. Voucher is valid for seven days.
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Auntie Anne's
Freebie: Free pretzel.
How to claim your freebie: Join Auntie Anne's Pretzel Perks Rewards Programme by downloading the app or signing up through the website.
T&Cs: You'll need to have made a purchase at least 24 hours beforehand to claim your free pretzel.
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Muffin Break
Freebie: Free muffin.
How to claim your freebie: Download the Muffin Break app, open an account and add your birthday details, and you'll receive your reward via the app.
T&Cs: Your free birthday muffin can only be redeemed with the purchase of another full-price product.
Free birthday drinks
What better way to celebrate your birthday than with a bottle of chilled fizz? Oh wait, how about some FREE birthday fizz?!
These are the best deals for getting free drinks on your birthday (just remember to drink responsibly!):
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TGI Fridays
Freebie: Free cocktail or mocktail for you and up to five friends.
How to claim your freebie: Download and register with the TGI Rewards app and you'll receive the code seven days before your birthday.
T&Cs: Offer does not include 'ultimate cocktails' and is only valid with the purchase of a main meal. Can't be used in conjunction with other offers.
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All Bar One
Freebie: Bottle of Freixenet Prosecco D.O.C.
How to claim your freebie: Download the All Bar One Rewards app and register and you'll receive a voucher around the time of your birthday (you also get a £20 welcome gift when you sign up!).
T&Cs: There's a £20 minimum spend with the voucher. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions, offers, vouchers or set menu offers.
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Kaspa's
Freebie: One milkshake or a slice of cake.
How to claim your freebie: Bring in a valid photo ID (displaying your date of birth) on your birthday.
T&Cs: Can be any medium-sized milkshake, excluding those under the VIP section of the menu or any limited-edition shake. You must also spend a minimum of £6.95.
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Miller & Carter
Freebie: Free glass of prosecco for you and up to five guests.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for their newsletter (you'll also get a free glass of wine for doing so!).
T&Cs: Can't be used in conjunction with any other vouchers or offers and you need to sign up at least two weeks before your birthday.
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Boost
Freebie: Juice of your choice.
How to claim your freebie: Pick up your Vibe Card in-store and register it online. Or, download and register via the Boost Juice app. Bring it to a store along with a photo ID and you'll get a free juice.
T&Cs: Can only be redeemed three days before, three days after and on your birthday. You must have earned at least one point before your birthday to be entitled to a free juice.
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Starbucks
Freebie: Free drink for Gold Members.
How to claim your freebie: Join the Starbucks Reward program and add your birthday to your account information. You will have to reach the Gold level (2500 stars) to be eligible for your birthday freebie.
T&Cs: You must have reached the Gold level on the Starbucks Reward program. The voucher is available for 30 days.
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Chatime
Freebie: Free regular-size drink.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up to Chatime app at least seven days before your birthday to receive the freebie.
T&Cs: You need to have made at least one purchase through the app before your birthday to get the free drink. The voucher is valid for seven days before and after your birthday.
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Bubble CiTea
Freebie: 50% off voucher.
How to claim your freebie: Download the app and sign up to become a member, add your birthday details, opt in to receive marketing notifications, and you'll receive a voucher on your birthday.
T&Cs: 50% off applies to drink menus only (no snacks or ice cream). Voucher will expire 30 days after the date it was issued and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.
Free birthday beauty treats
There's nothing more fun than pampering yourself on your birthday – and the companies mentioned below know this all too well. Grab yourself a new nail polish and a free brow wax and you're ready to begin the celebrations.
Here are the best beauty birthday treats from all the top brands:
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Space NK
Freebie: A gift on top of your online order (gift changes monthly).
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for the NDulge loyalty scheme and you'll be emailed the promo code.
T&Cs: You'll receive the email anytime between the first and eighth of your birthday month. To qualify for the birthday gift you must have made a purchase within the last 12 months. Gifts can be collected in-store for free or online with a purchase.
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The Body Shop
Freebie: £5 voucher to spend online or in-store.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for the Love Your Body loyalty scheme and they'll send you a £5 reward voucher via email on your birthday.
T&Cs: You must have placed an order using your LYBC account in the 12 months prior to your birthday. Valid for one month after the date of issue.
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Cult Beauty
Freebie: 15% off or £10 – £25 discount.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for a Cult Beauty account and you'll be emailed a voucher one week before your birthday. You must have opted in and provided your birthday at least one month before your birthday.
T&Cs: The level of your account will determine your freebie. Cult Status will give you 15% off on a £25 spend. Level One gets you a £10 discount when you spend £40. On Level Two, you get a £15 discount when you spend £60. And Level Three will give you £25 off when you spend £100. The voucher is valid for 14 days. Full list of exclusions.
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Superdrug
Freebie: No freebies, but triple points up for grabs!
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for a Superdrug Health & Beautycard and you'll get triple points on your birthday.
T&Cs: Valid for 14 days after your birthday.
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Rituals
Freebie: Free shower oil of your choice.
How to claim your freebie: Join My Rituals and you'll be emailed a voucher on your birthday.
T&Cs: You must buy another item to claim the birthday freebie.
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Sephora
Freebie: Bonus points, cleansing gel or rehydration serum.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up to MySephora, opt in for marketing e-mails and you'll receive either 25 bonus points or a free gift for your birthday.
T&Cs: The freebie you receive will depend on the tier of your MySephora membership and stock availability. Currently, Bronze tier will get 25 bonus points added to their account, Silver tier can get a 6ml Too Faced Damn Girl! 24 Hour Mascara, and Gold tier, a Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Oil Cleanser. Gifts and points can be collected in-store with no other purchase, or online with another purchase. Birthday gifts are available to redeem one day before your birthday and are valid for one month.
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Boots
Freebie: No freebies, but double points are up for grabs!
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for the Boots Advantage Card and you'll receive double points during your birthday month.
T&Cs: Valid for your whole birthday month.
Birthday clothing discounts
The following birthday freebies aren't technically freebies – more like partial freebies.
If you're on the hunt for some new clothes for when you go out for your free birthday meal, start collecting your birthday discount voucher codes and treating yourself!
Just make sure you sign up for these well before your birthday. That way you'll give them enough time to send you your code/voucher, and still leave yourself enough time to go shopping.
These are the best birthday discount offers:
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ASOS
Discount: 10% off.
How to claim your birthday discount: Sign up and shop at ASOS, and you'll be emailed a code around the time of your birthday.
T&Cs: Can't be used in conjunction with other offers, including student discount.
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Nike Store
Discount: 25% off.
How to claim your birthday discount: Become a Nike Member and in the month of your birthday you'll automatically receive the discount off eligible items at checkout.
T&Cs: Only redeemable on Nike.com or through the Nike app. No minimum spend, but there's a maximum spend of €1000 equivalent (around £850) and it's not valid in conjunction with other offers.
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H&M
Discount: 25% off one item.
How to claim your birthday discount: Sign up (for free) to the H&M Club (which also gets you 10% off your first purchase and free delivery on orders over £30!).
T&Cs: Valid for two weeks after your birthday. You must have at least one purchase registered on your account to be eligible.
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New Look
Discount: Currently not specified but previously 15% off.
How to claim your birthday discount: Sign up to receive e-mails (you'll get 25% off your next purchase just for doing so!), add your date of birth and you'll be emailed a unique code to use online a couple of weeks before your birthday.
T&Cs: This offer is only available online. Discounts can only be used against full-price items and cannot be used alongside other offers.
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Swarovski
Discount: 20% off.
How to claim your birthday discount: Sign up for the Swarovski Club and they'll send you a voucher 14 days before your birthday (signing up will also give you a 10% discount voucher).
T&Cs: The voucher is valid for three months and cannot be combined with any other offer. Check the email for full T&Cs.
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Schuh
Discount: 10% off.
How to claim your birthday discount: Join the SCHUH CLUB and sign up for emails. Make sure to add your date of birth at least eight days before your birthday and you'll receive your discount code via email.
T&Cs: The discount code can be used online or in-store against full-price products only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. Check the email for full T&Cs.
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Oliver Bonas
Discount: £5 off.
How to claim your birthday discount: Subscribe to the Oliver Bonas email newsletter and you'll get a £5 discount code sent in time for your birthday.
T&Cs: The discount is valid on full price and sale items and must be used within 30 days. A minimum spend of £20 excluding delivery is required.
More free birthday stuff
The following offers are a bit hard to categorise, so we made the executive decision to lump them together as 'free stuff'. Here's the best of the rest of the free stuff you can get on your birthday:
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Hobbycraft
Freebie: £5 voucher.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for a Hobbycraft account and the voucher will be added to your app account or emailed on your birthday.
T&Cs: Valid for 35 days from the date of issue.
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Pets at Home
Freebie: Treats for your pet.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for the free Pets at Home Pet Club (you'll get a 10% discount voucher for signing up) and you'll receive a voucher for free treats on your pet's birthday.
T&Cs: Remember this is on your pet's birthday, not yours! The free treats must be redeemed within the month the voucher is sent.
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Lovehoney
Freebie: A discount on your shopping (offer can change).
How to claim your freebie: Subscribe to Lovehoney emails and fill out your details to get your birthday voucher.
T&Cs: You must have supplied your date of birth on your account page at least seven days before your birthday.
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shopDisney
Freebie: 15% off.
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for a shopDisney account and you'll be sent a voucher for the month of your birthday.
T&Cs: You must have opted in to receive marketing emails at least two months prior to your birthday. The account must have been active in the last 12 months. Some products are excluded from the offer.
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Hobbs
Freebie: £20 off voucher
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for the Hobbs newsletter and you'll receive a £20 off voucher by email within seven days of your birthday.
T&Cs: The voucher can only be used online on full-priced items and is valid for 30 days. If you have ordered from Hobbs before, the minimum spend is £20, otherwise, you'll have to spend at least £100.
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Swagbucks
Freebie: 55 free Swagbucks (SBs).
How to claim your freebie: Sign up for a Swagbucks account and they'll send you a 55SB rebate on a Gift Card redemption.
T&Cs: Must be redeemed within 30 days of your birthday.
TRIVIA: Turns out you only need 23 people in a room for it to be likely that at least two people have the same birthday! We won't pretend to understand why, but this Wikipedia article explains it.
For cheap (but thoughtful) gift ideas, see our list of gifts for under a fiver.
