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 aren’t generous enough to shower you with gifts, you can count on the offers below to spoil you rotten when your big day comes around.
All you have to do is sign up to a few newsletters or loyalty schemes here and there (or sometimes just turn up with ID to prove it’s your birthday) and you’ll 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, right?).
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!
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!
-
Frankie & Benny’s
Freebie: Free main mealHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to Frankie & Benny’s Rewards and you’ll be sent a voucher. Download the Frankie & Benny’s app and you’ll also get a voucher for £10 off your next visit
T&Cs: Can’t be used in conjunction with other offers and discounts.
-
Shepherd Neame
Freebie: Voucher for a free main mealHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to 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 applies to the lowest value adult main course on your order.
-
Zizzi
Freebie: Main course and/or bottle of prosecco (drink can be substituted for a maximum of four soft drinks)How to claim your freebie: Sign up to the Zizzi mailing list and you’ll receive a voucher a month before your birthday
T&Cs: Free main course when two or more people order full-priced main courses. Free bottle of prosecco when four or more people order full-priced main courses. Main course and prosecco offer can be combined with one another, but not with any other offer or voucher.
-
Greggs
Freebie: Free cupcake, cream cake or doughnutHow to claim your freebie: Download the Greggs app and check the ‘rewards’ tab on your birthday
T&Cs: Valid for one month after issue.
-
Barburrito
Freebie: Free burritoHow to claim your freebie: Join their loyalty card scheme ‘La Familia’ by picking up a card in store and registering it online
T&Cs: Your card needs to be registered at least four days prior to your birthday to qualify for your free burrito.
-
Table Table
Freebie: Free main meal (no price limit)How to claim your freebie: Join Table Table’s ‘Tasty Rewards’ scheme by picking up a card in the restaurant and registering it online
T&Cs: Only one voucher can be used per party.
-
Krispy Kreme
Freebie: Free doughnut of your choice (plus a free doughnut for your significant other on their birthday)How to claim your freebie: Get the Friends of Krispy Kreme app (you also get a free doughnut just for signing up!) and you’ll be sent a voucher to show on screen in store
T&Cs: Valid in Krispy Kreme stores only, not concession stands that you may find in Tesco and other shops.
-
Yo! Sushi
Freebie: 1/3 off your billHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to the Yo! Sushi newsletter
T&Cs: Maximum of 10 sushi plates per person with a maximum party size of four guests. Valid for one month after receiving the code.
-
Damon’s
Freebie: Free main meal and dessertHow to claim your freebie: Bring proof of your birthday with you
T&Cs: Must be used within a three day period either side of your birthday. Excludes Lobster Combos, Signature Combos, Prawn Combos and 8ox Fillet Steak.
-
Las Iguanas
Freebie: Free mealHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to the Las Iguanas newsletter and you’ll be emailed a voucher at the relevant time
T&Cs: You must buy at least one other main, and voucher can’t be used in conjunction with any other offers.
-
ASK Italian
Freebie: £20 offHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to the ASK Italian mailing list and enter your date of birth. You’ll be emailed a voucher around the time of your birthday
T&Cs: Minimum spend of £50. Present your code to your waiter/waitress before ordering your meal. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.
-
Beefeater Grill
Freebie: Free main mealHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to a Beefeater Grill Rewards card. Around your birthday, you’ll be emailed a voucher that you’ll need to present either printed or on your phone
T&Cs: At least one other main meal must be purchased from the main menu.
-
Pizza Hut
Freebie: Cookie dough dessertHow to claim your freebie: Register for an online account with Pizza Hut and you’ll be emailed a voucher around the time of your birthday
T&Cs: Must also purchase an adult main meal, and the offer only extends to an individual cookie dough dessert – not a sharer. Can’t be used in conjunction with other offers.
-
Toby Carvery
Freebie: Ice cream sundaeHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to the Toby Carvery newsletter and you’ll emailed a voucher on your birthday (as well as when you sign up!)
T&Cs: Freebie comes when you order a carvery roast and is valid for four weeks after your birthday. Can’t be used in conjunction with other offers.
-
Subway
Freebie: CookieHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to Subway Subcard and register it online with your birthday
T&Cs: No other purchase is necessary!
-
Hotel Chocolat
Freebie: Box of chocolatesHow to claim your freebie: Sign up for a Hotel Chocolat VIP card and activate it online (you’ll also get 15% off your next purchase when you sign up!)
T&Cs: Reward voucher will be sent via email at the start of the month of your birthday and will be valid during that month only.
-
Patisserie Valerie
Freebie: CupcakeHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to the Patisserie Valerie Cake Club (you’ll also get 10% off your next visit to a Patisserie Valerie cafe just for registering!)
T&Cs: None!
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?!
There are loads of great deals for free drinks on your birthday. Just remember to drink responsibly!
-
Jamie’s Italian
Freebie: Bottle of proseccoHow to claim your freebie: Become a Jamie’s Gold Card member – you can pick up your card in any Jamie’s restaurant, or sign up online
T&Cs: Must be redeemed 14 days before or 14 days after your birthday. Minimum spend £30.
-
Pizza Express
Freebie: Bottle of proseccoHow to claim your freebie: Join the My Pizza Express newsletter mailing list and you’ll be emailed a voucher for a free bottle
T&Cs: Your voucher needs to be redeemed two weeks before or after your birthday date (bring ID to prove when that is!). Only valid with the purchase of at least two main meals.
-
TGI Fridays
Freebie: Up to six free cocktails, mocktails or dessertsHow to claim your freebie: Download the TGI Rewards app or sign up for their newsletter and you’ll receive the code three weeks prior to your birthday
T&Cs: One freebie per main course ordered by your party (of up to six people), and you must all choose the same type of freebie (e.g. all cocktails, or all desserts).
-
All Bar One
Freebie: Bottle of proseccoHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to the A-List newsletter and they’ll email you a voucher (you also get £5 off a £20+ bill when you sign up!)
T&Cs: Only valid for parties of four or more people dining in.
-
Cafe Rouge
Freebie: Bottle of prosecco/one glass each for tables of seven or more, or desserts for up to four peopleHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to the Cafe Rouge Birthday Club
T&Cs: Valid for six weeks from the date of issue
-
Strada
Freebie: Bottle of proseccoHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to the newsletter and they’ll email you a voucher
T&Cs: Must spend over £30.
-
Hungry Horse
Freebie: One drink (alcoholic or soft – scroll to the bottom of this page for the full list)How to claim your freebie: Sign up to the Hungry Horse newsletter (you’ll also get a voucher for £5 off a £15+ spend when you sign up!)
T&Cs: You need to sign up at least 28 days before your birthday, and the voucher is valid for 28 days after you receive it.
-
Ed’s Easy Diner
Freebie: One milkshakeHow to claim your freebie: Become an Ed’s Club member
T&Cs: None!
-
Brewhouse & Kitchen
Freebie: Pint of Brewhouse & Kitchen brewed beer, or a glass of the house wineHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to the mailing list and you’ll be emailed a voucher around the time of your birthday
T&Cs: You must have signed up at least three weeks before your birthday, and the voucher will be valid for three weeks from the day of your birthday.
-
Vue
Freebie: Coca Cola Freestyle drink (basically a drink from the machine where you can choose from Coke, Fanta, Sprite etc.)How to claim your freebie: Become a Vue member and you’ll receive a voucher around your birthday
T&Cs: The voucher is valid for seven days from the receipt of the email.
-
Kaspa’s
Freebie: One milkshakeHow to claim your freebie: Bring in a valid photo ID (display your date of birth) on your birthday
T&Cs: Can be any regular size milkshake, excluding those under the VIP section of the menu.
-
Nicholson’s
Freebie: A pint of Nicholson’s Pale Ale or a 25ml Bombay Sapphire gin and tonicHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to Nicholson’s newsletter (you’ll also get a voucher 25% off your food bill, valid for 28 days after you sign up)
T&Cs: Can only be used with eat or drink-in orders, and isn’t valid with any other offers.
-
Loch Fyne
Freebie: Bottle of Joseph Perrier champagneHow to claim your freebie: Sign up for a Friends Card
T&Cs: Must be in a party of four or more diners.
-
Miller & Carter
Freebie: Bottle of champagne/proseccoHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to their newsletter
T&Cs: Four or more people must order main meals.
-
La Tasca
Freebie: Bottle of cavaHow to claim your freebie: Book a table ahead under the person whose birthday it is and tell them it’s a birthday celebration
T&Cs: Must spend at least £30 ordering from the main or party menu.
-
Boost
Freebie: Juice of your choiceHow to claim your freebie: Pick up your Vibe Card in store, register it online and bring it in with you on your birthday
T&Cs: Can only be redeemed on your birthday the date of birth on your Vibe Card must match your actual date of birth.
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.
Nab yourself a new nail polish and a free brow wax and you’re ready to begin the celebrations!
Just remember not to go for the wax on your way out to dinner, otherwise you might look a bit blotchy in the birthday pics.
-
Space NK
Freebie: £5 voucher to spend online or in-store, plus a free gift to pick up in-store (gift changes monthly)How to claim your freebie: Sign up to their N.Dulge loyalty scheme and you’ll be emailed the voucher
T&Cs: You’ll need to sign up to the loyalty scheme at least six seeks before your birthday.
-
The Body Shop
Freebie: £5 voucher to spend online or in-storeHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to the Love Your Body loyalty scheme and they’ll put £5 on your card on your birthday
T&Cs: Valid for one month after your birthday, and there’s no minimum spend.
-
Benefit Brow Bar
Freebie: Eyebrow wax worth £14.50How to claim your freebie: Pick up a Debenham’s Beauty Card in store, register it online then visit a Debenham’s with a Benefit counter for your free wax
T&Cs: You have two weeks before and two weeks after your birthday in which to claim the freebie.
-
Elizabeth Arden
Freebie: Oxygen blast facial worth £15How to claim your freebie: Again, pick up a Debenham’s Beauty Card in store, register it online and visit a Debenham’s with an Elizabeth Arden counter for your free facial
T&Cs: Must be redeemed within two weeks of your birthday.
-
Cult Beauty
Freebie: 15% offHow to claim your freebie: Sign up for a Cult Beauty account and you’ll be emailed a voucher in the month of your birthday
T&Cs: One use per customer, minimum spend of £25 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.
-
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.
-
Boots
Freebie: No freebies, but double points up for grabs!How to claim your freebie: Sign up for a Boots Advantage Card and load it onto the Advantage Card app. At the start of the month of your birthday you should see the offer under ‘My offers’ – click ‘LOAD’ and then get shopping!
T&Cs: Valid for the calendar month of your birthday. We’ve heard reports of some members not getting the offer, so there’s a chance it may not be for all users.
-
House of Fraser
Freebie: No freebies but bonus points up for grabs!How to claim your freebie: Pick up a House of Fraser Recognition card in store or online and shop in store anytime during the month of your birthday to receive bonus points
T&Cs: Card must be registered online.
Birthday clothing discounts
Ok, so the following birthday freebies aren’t technically freebies – more like partial freebies.
If you’re on the hunt for some new clothes to sport 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 to these well before your birthday so you give them enough time to send you out your code/voucher, as well as leaving yourself enough time to go shopping.
-
Topshop and Topman
Discount: 20% off at Topshop, 15% at Topman (both when you shop online)How to claim your birthday discount: Sign up to the Topshop newsletter and a code will be emailed to you at the relevant time
T&Cs: Can’t be used in conjunction with other offers, including student discount.
-
New Look
Discount: 20% offHow to claim your birthday discount: Sign up to the newsletter and you’ll be emailed a unique code to use online for your discount
T&Cs: Valid for up to two weeks after your birthday, and can’t be used alongside other offers.
-
Nike Store
Discount: 25% offHow to claim your birthday discount: Sign up to the Nike Store’s newsletter and in the month of your birthday they’ll email you a unique code that’s valid for the whole month
T&Cs: No minimum spend, but there’s a maximum spend of £450 and it’s not valid in conjunction with other offers.
-
Boohoo
Discount: 25% offHow to claim your birthday discount: Sign up to the Boohoo newsletter and they’ll email you a unique code around your birthday
T&Cs: Valid for 14 days after your birthday.
-
H&M
Discount: 25% off one itemHow to claim your birthday discount: Sign up (for free) to the H&M Club (which also gets you 10% off and free delivery!)
T&Cs: Valid for two weeks after your birthday.
-
Oasis
Discount: 10% off online or in-storeHow to claim your birthday discount: Sign up to the Oasis newsletter and you’ll be emailed a unique code
T&Cs: Valid up to two weeks after your birthday, and can’t be used alongside other offers.
What else can you get for free on your birthday?
The following offers are a bit hard to categorise, so we made the executive decision to lump them together as ‘free stuff’.
-
Paperchase
Freebie: £5 voucherHow to claim your freebie: Pick up a Treat Me card in store, register it online and they’ll pop a fiver on your account on your birthday
T&Cs: Valid for 14 days after your birthday, no minimum spend.
-
IKEA
Freebie: £5 voucherHow to claim your freebie: Sign up for an IKEA Family Card and you might get a voucher around your birthday. Not all members get one, so check your emails around the big day!
T&Cs: Valid for 28 days, no minimum spend.
-
Hobbycraft
Freebie: £5 voucherHow to claim your freebie: Sign up for a Hobbycraft account and you’ll be emailed the voucher at the relevant time
T&Cs: Valid for 14 days from the date of issue, no minimum spend.
-
Pets at Home
Freebie: Treats for your petHow to claim your freebie: Sign up to the free Pets at Home VIP Club and you’ll receive a voucher on your pet’s birthday
T&Cs: Remember this is on your pet’s birthday, not yours!
-
Lovehoney
Freebie: 15% offHow to claim your freebie: Register for a Lovehoney account (you’ll also get £15 worth of vouchers and points when you sign up!) and you’ll be emailed a voucher around the time of your birthday
T&Cs: Cannot be used in conjunction with other offers, can only be used once, and is valid for 14 days after your birthday.
-
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.
If you are willing to fork out for a pressie but are on a tight budget, take a look at our handy list of gifts for under a fiver!
