If your special day celebrating you happens to fall in May, you’re in luck.
Spring is in full bloom, which means the days are getting longer, and it also means there’s no better time like the present to treat yourself.
But did you know that your birthday month also comes with tons of free food and stuff?
From free food to beauty products to deep discounts, many businesses are eager to assist in celebrating your birthday in style.
Several stores and restaurants, like Ulta Beauty, Applebee’s and McDonald’s, offer items free of charge on or around your birthday.
Most places will require you to sign up for a membership, but most of them are free.
Here’s a full list of stores and restaurants you can visit either on your birthday or during your birthday month to snag some freebies and keep the celebration going all month long.
Birthday freebies you can get on your actual birthday
Applebee’s: Get a free dessert on your birthday if you’re a Club Applebee’s rewards member and spend $15 or more on your birthday.
Ben & Jerry’s: Get free ice cream on your birthday when you sign up to be a Flavor Fanatic.
California Pizza Kitchen: Get a free dessert on your birthday when you sign up for California Pizza Kitchen’s free rewards program, CPK Rewards.
Chili’s: If you join My Chili’s Rewards, you can get a free dessert on your birthday. It’s free to sign up for the rewards program.
Chipotle: If you sign up for the rewards program, you can get freebies, such as free guacamole on your birthday.
Cinnabon: If you sign up for Cinnabon’s free rewards program, you can get a free 16-ounce Cold Brew on your birthday.
Cold Stone Creamery: When you buy one ice cream creation, you’ll get one free on your birthday.
Crumbl: If you sign up for Crumbl’s free rewards program, you can get a free cookie on your birthday.
Dunkin’: Dunkin’ rewards members can get three times the amount of points on all purchases on the day before, the day of, and the day after their birthdays. You can redeem these points for free drinks and food.
Denny’s: Get a free Grand Slam on your birthday when you sign up for Denny’s Rewards program. And even if it isn’t your birthday yet, you’ll automatically get 20% off your next order when you sign up.
Dr. Martens: On your birthday, members will receive a special 15% off code via email to use on their next purchase, which pairs very well with the Dr. Martens Bratz collection release this month.
Edible Arrangements: You can get a free 6-count chocolate-dipped fruit box on your birthday if you’re a rewards member. Plus, if you sign up, you can get $5 off your next order and one non-birthday-related freebie at your local store.
Friendly’s: If you sign up for Friendly’s rewards, you can get a free sundae on your birthday.
IHOP: You can get a free stack of birthday pancakes if you’re a member of IHOP’s rewards program.
McDonald’s: Get a free order of medium fries on your birthday if you have downloaded and registered with the My McDonald’s app.
Nothing Bundt Cakes: You can get a free bundt cake if you’re a member of the company’s free rewards program.
Olive Garden: If you dine in at Olive Garden on your birthday, you can get a complimentary dessert on your birthday.
Panera Bread: You can get a free pastry on your birthday if you’re a member of My Panera rewards. If you’re not a member, it’s free to sign up.
Regal Cinemas: You can get a free popcorn and drink on your birthday if you’re signed up for a Regal Unlimited subscription. Note that this does cost at least $18.99 per month at the lowest tier.
Starbucks: You can get a free drink if you’re a member of Starbucks’ free rewards program.
Texas Roadhouse: When you dine at Texas Roadhouse on your birthday, you’ll get a free appetizer or Sidekick (with the purchase of an adult entree) if you’ve signed up for the free VIP Club.
Birthday month freebies
Abercrombie: You’ll get $20 off your purchase of $99 or more when you sign up for a free MyAbercrombie membership.
AMC Theatres: You can get free popcorn the month of your birthday if you’re a member of AMC Stubs, the theater’s free rewards program.
Anthropologie: Get 20% off your purchase during your birthday month, if you sign up for AnthroPerks rewards.
Baskin-Robbins: If you sign up for Baskin Robbins’ free birthday club, you can get a free scoop of ice cream valid on any day of the month of your birthday.
Bath & Body Works: You can get a free gift valued up to $9.95 the month of your birthday if you are a member of My Bath & Body Works Rewards, the store’s free rewards program.
Benihana: You can sign up for The Chef’s Table rewards program and get a $30 birthday certificate valid for the month of your birthday.
Buffalo Wild Wings: If you’re a member of Blazin’ Rewards, Buffalo Wild Wings’ free rewards program, you can get free wings during your birth month.
Chick-fil-A: You can get a birthday reward valid for 30 days. All you have to do is sign up for Chick-fil-A’s rewards program, Chick-fil-A One. The level of birthday rewards depends on your membership tier. The lowest tier will allow you a choice between a chocolate chunk cookie and a brownie. The next level, Silver, will allow you to choose from a range of desserts. The level up after that, Red, will allow you to choose from a grilled or regular sandwich, or 8-count or 12-count nuggets. The highest tier, Signature, will allow you to choose a free entrée.
E.L.F. Cosmetics: You can get a free birthday gift the month of your birthday if you’re a part of the store’s “beauty squad,” the store’s free rewards program.
Hollister: Get 20% off your order when you sign up for Hollister House Rewards.
Jersey Mikes Subs: MyMikes members will get a birthday reward of 72 points added to their account on their birthday, which is enough points to redeem for a free regular-sized sub.
Journeys: Journeys All Access members will receive a 15% off birthday discount that can be used any time during the month of their birthday.
Krispy Kreme: If you’re a Krispy Kreme rewards member, you can get a free doughnut that is valid for redemption from the first day of your birthday month to the last day of your birthday month.
Papa John’s: Get a free dessert during your birthday month at select locations if you’re a Papa Rewards member.
P.F. Chang’s: Get a complimentary dessert or appetizer during your birthday month if you sign up for the Gold Rewards program.
Red Robin: If you’re part of this burger chain’s loyalty program, you can get a free burger during your birth month with a $4.99 purchase. The offer is valid for dine-in only.
Sephora: You can choose from any travel-sized beauty item the month of your birthday if you’re part of the store’s free “Beauty Insider” program. April’s birthday freebies are from Makeup by Mario, Amika, Skinfix and LANEIGE.
The Cheesecake Factory: If you sign up for Cheesecake Rewards before your birthday, you will get a free birthday slice of cheesecake that can be redeemed up until 14 days after your birthday. Note, there is a limit of one per table, and you must make a purchase to get the slice.
Triple T Hospitality Group: The company that owns Tommy’s Tap + Tavern and Tio Taco + Tequila Bar has a loyalty program where you can sign up for free and receive a dessert for your birthday. You can redeem this free dessert any time during your birthday month.
Ulta Beauty: If you’re a member of Ulta Beauty Rewards, the free rewards program for the store, you can choose from any travel-sized beauty item in the month of your birthday.
Victoria’s Secret: If you’re part of the store’s rewards program, you can get a $10 off birthday coupon. Also, if you’re a store credit card member, you can get either a $10 or $15 birthday coupon. You can see the conditions here.
Wawa: When you join Wawa Rewards ahead of your birthday, you’ll receive a birthday freebie of either a free fountain drink, hot coffee or ICEE. This reward will be available from your birthday through the next 30 days.
Other freebies and deals to check out this month
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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.