Birthday Freebies 2019

KnitChick/ November 1, 2019/ Blog

It’s November, which means it begins my month of how much free stuff can I rake in just for turning another year older. Every year friends ask me how I get all this stuff so I have started making a list to share of what freebies I get, from where, and how I signed up. This year I’m starting the list at the start of the month and I’ll add as new freebies arrive.

The list will be in chronological order, in order of when freebies arrive to my inbox. For reference, my birthday is November 17th. Some of these freebies are timed around when your birthday date is, others are by the month.

Arrived before November 1st:

Adagio Teas – 5% off entire order (through to Nov 17th). Sign up for an account on their website for this one. This is a nationwide chain.
Hollywood Blvd – up to 8 free movie tickets, good the entire month (not valid Fri/Sat or on anything owned by Disney, everyone must purchase at least one food item as it is a dine-in movie theatre, and all tickets must be redeemed for one showing, no using two at a time unfortunately) Get this one by signing up on their website or filling out a sheet when you go see a movie. Just the one location, in Woodridge, IL.
Hollywood Palms – up to 4 free movie tickets, good the entire month (same deal as Blvd – all at once, not on Fri/Sat, need to make a purchase). Sign up on their website, or I believe they still do the paper birthday slips in the shows (it’s been a while since I got there). This is just the one location in Naperville, IL.
Star Cinema Grill – 2 free movie tickets, good the entire month (this is actually a second set for Hollywood Palms, this seems to be the company that bought them)
Medieval Times – Free admission for the birthday celebrant with purchase of an adult admission (no expiration date given). They also have some fun birthday packages but those are extra cost.
Superdawg Drive-In – free Supersandwich & large soft drink, good for 30 days from birthday month (so 12/30). Sign up for their birthday club at either location. If you give them an anniversary, you get a gift for that too (that’s been a free dessert). Only two locations, Chicago and Wheeling.

Arrived November 1st

Kohl’s Yes2You Rewards – 50 bonus points added to your account, no expiration given. A $5 reward is generated at 100 points so this is not bad (it looks like that kicked me right up to a $5 reward because that email came today too). This is the Kohl’s loyalty program, and definitely worth signing up for (you get great coupons, even better ones if you get a Kohl’s charge). Nationwide chain.
Krispy Kreme – free doughnut & hot or iced coffee, valid anytime until 11/30. Sign up in store or through their app. Nationwide chain.
Kampai Japanese Steakhouse – $15 off, good for up to 3 months after your birthday month (so basically through February). Sign up on their website or in person. This is just one location, in Mt. Prospect, IL.
AMC Theatres – free large popcorn, through November 30th. Sign up for their AMC Stubs reward program (there’s an app or on the website) and earn points year round. Nationwide chain.
Groupon – $10 off your next purchase, until 11/7 (I don’t know why this one expires way before my birthday but I’m shopping around to see if I spot something fun I can use it on)
World Market – 15% off your next purchase, good until 12/1, good in store or online. Sign up in store or online, they send out coupons periodically. Nationwide chain.
Lou Malnati’s – free slice of tiramisu, until 11/30. Sign up on their website or through their app. Mostly Chicago based chain, with a few locations in Arizona & Wisconsin.
Walgreens Balance Rewards – 10X everyday points all month, if you clip the coupon to your card. Sign up with their app or on the website. Nationwide chain.
California Pizza Kitchen – free dessert anytime during the month. Sign up for their loyalty program via app. Nationwide chain.
Tokyo Otaku Mode – $5 off coupon, until 12/1. Sign up for an account on their website. Online shopping website.
Coca Cola – free code to enter current sweepstakes. Sign up with their app.
Nintendo – 30% off a select digital title (they give you a limited list) plus some digital freebies (wallpapers & such), no expiration given. Sign up for a Nintendo account (you earn points for purchases and gameplay that can be used for discounts on future purchases or digital items).
BoxLunch – $5 off purchase, in store or online, until 12/16. Sign up for their loyalty rewards online or in store. Nationwide chain. The cool thing about this store is they have great pop culture stuff but they also donate to charity to help feed the needy.
Build a Bear – free bear carrier bag with a $10 or more in-store purchase, good all month. Sign up for their loyalty program in store or online and they do give out some good coupons throughout the year. Nationwide chain.
Torrid – $10 birthday reward, good until 12/1. Sign up for their loyalty program in store or online, points build up to reward cash. Nationwide chain.

Arrived November 2nd

Hot Topic – $5 reward to use in store or online, until 12/16. Sign up for their loyalty program in store or online, they offer coupons and reward cash year round. Nationwide chain.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt – $5 in Menchie’s Money to use in the next 14 days. Sign up for their program in store or online. I think this is a nationwide chain?
Pizza Hut – free breadsticks or cinnamon sticks, online ordering only, until 12/1. Nationwide chain.
Buffalo Wild Wings – free snack size wings (good all month). Enroll in their Blazin’ Rewards loyalty program through the app or in store. Nationwide chain.

Arrived November 3rd

Tsukasa of Tokyo – $15 off (minimum $50 purchase), good until 4 am on the 17th (such a weird expiration time!) Sign up for their loyalty program on the website.
Flat Top Grill – free bowl with the purchase of a bowl, good all month. Sign up for their emails/loyalty online. They send out some good coupons throughout the year as well. Illinois chain, I think? I only see Illinois locations on the website.
Golden Corral – free buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet, good until 11/24. Sign up for their loyalty program online. Nationwide chain.
Buca di Beppo – free colossal birthday sundae, as well as $20 off minimum $40 spend, good until 12/3. Sign up for their loyalty program online or in restaurant. Nationwide chain. This one is pretty worth it – it’s not hard to spend $40, because you generally want to order at least 2-3 items off the menu, and that’ll do it because they do family style meals. And that sundae is HUGE – last year three of us couldn’t even finish it.
The Melting Pot – free box of 6 chocolate covered strawberries when you reserve in advance and dine-in (or substitute something equivalent in price), good until January. Sign up for their Club Fondue program online. Nationwide chain.

Arrived November 4th

Red Robin – free birthday burger, good all month. Sign up for their Red Robin Royalty in restaurant or online. Their program is good because you get a free burger after every 9 burgers purchased plus decent coupons year round. Nationwide chain.

Arrived November 5th

The Container Store – 15% off purchase, good through 12/1. Sign up for their POP (Perfectly Organized Perks) reward program in store or online & get coupons throughout the year (I’ve occasionally gotten 30% off an item coupons). Nationwide chain.
Olive Garden – free birthday dessert, good through 11/26. Sign up for their eClub and get coupons throughout the year. Nationwide chain.

Arrived November 7th

Baskin Robbins – $3 off any ice cream cake ($15 minimum purchase), good through 12/7, in store or online. Sign up for their emails or download their app. Nationwide chain. (A note – they usually send a later reward for ice cream, at least in years past they have, so this is likely only part 1)
Joann Fabrics – 20% off total purchase, good until 11/29. This one is new this year, I believe because they just revamped their coupons into a reward program via their app. The app is definitely worth having because there’s always good coupons! Nationwide chain.

Arrived November 10th

Corner Bakery – free sweet (cookie, brownie bar, baby bundt, or rugalach), good until 11/24. Not for online orders. Sign up for their eClub in restaurant or online. Nationwide chain.
Domo 77 – $25 off of minimum $75 spend, good until 12/10. Sign up for their birthday club online or in person. Two locations (Glendale Heights & Aurora).
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels – free pretzel, good until 11/24. Sign up for their Pretzel Perks using their app. Nationwide chain.
Au Bon Pain – free drink (coffee or medium beverage) and pastry, good until 11/24. Sign up for their rewards program, which nets you a free reusable drink cup on signup and offers periodically. Nationwide chain.
TCBY – first 3 oz free, good until 12/10. Sign up for their rewards program online. Nationwide chain.
Denny’s – free Grand Slam, good only on your actual birthday (they send the email ahead). Sign up for their emails. Nationwide chain.
Arby’s – free small shake & free small fries with a purchase of any sandwich (excluding sliders) at full price. Sign up for their emails online, they do send out periodic coupons. Nationwide chain.
Steak & Shake – free specialty milkshake with any purchase of $1 or more, good until 11/24. Join their eClub, and get offers periodically. Nationwide chain.
Cold Stone Creamery – buy one Like It, Love It, or Gotta Have It, get another of the same size free, good until 11/24. Sign up for their rewards in-store or online. Nationwide chain.
Eli’s Cheesecake – two rewards sent. One is for $10 off a purchase of $35 or more for their online mail order store, not good at their cafe. The other is for a free slice of cheesecake plus 10% off any purchase in their cafe (one location, in Chicago on the northwest side). Sign up online for their emails. Local chain with online store.
Portillo’s – free slice of chocolate cake, good until 11/17. Sign up for their emails. Their cake is amazing so this one is always worth picking up! Chicago chain with a few out-of-state locations.
Wingstop – free large seasoned fries, no other purchase necessary, good until 11/24. Sign up for their eclub online, they send out periodic coupons. Nationwide chain.
Dairy Queen – buy one Blizzard get one free, good until 11/24. Also, $3 off any 8″ or 10″ Fudge & Crunch or Blizzard Cake, until 11/24. Redeem using their app. Sign up for their rewards program in the app. Nationwide chain.
Red Lobster – choice of three reward items: free Lobster & Langostino Pizza, free Lobster-and-Shrimp roll, or free dessert, good until 12/10. Sign up for their reward program via their app and earn points to unlock offers (usually a choice of certain free menu items). Nationwide chain.

Arrived November 11th

Famous Dave’s – Free dessert, good for 14 days from the email (so 11/25). Sign up for their new reward program in their app, which does yield a free sandwich right away. Nationwide chain.
IHOP – Free full stack of pancakes, good until 11/25. Join their “MyHOP” club. Nationwide chain.
Einstein Bros Bagels – free egg sandwich with purchase, good until 11/25. Join their Shmear Society club, and they send out coupons throughout the year. Nationwide chain.
Gameworks – $10 in free gameplay plus 25 points, good until 11/21. Sign up for their rewards program. Nationwide chain.

Arrived November 13th

Sprinkles – free cupcake, good until 12/13. Sign up for Sprinkles Perks online or in store. Nationwide chain but not a ton of locations (there’s just one in Illinois)
Benihana – $30 certificate, good until 12/11. Must purchase at least one full price adult entree before certificate is applied. Sign up for their Chef’s Table reward program. Nationwide chain.

Arrived November 14th

Old Country Buffet – buy one buffet get one free, good until 12/14. Sign up for their emails. Nationwide chain.
Honey Baked Ham – buy one get one free classic ham sandwich, good until 11/21. Sign up for their emails. Nationwide chain.
Meatheads – $7 credit to spend (so about a burger?), no expiration given. Sign up for an account in their app. Chicagoland chain.
Potbelly – free cookie, good until 12/14. Sign up for their rewards account via their app and get offers throughout the year. Nationwide chain.
Smashburger – free side or milkshake with any purchase, good until 12/5. Sign up for their emails. Nationwide chain.
Naf Naf Grill – free entree, good until 11/24. Sign up for their rewards program, which nets you $10 in credit for every 100 points earned (which will cover an entree). Nationwide (limited states) chain.
Sbarro – free slice of pizza, good until 11/28. Nationwide mall chain.

Arrived November 15th

Dunkin Donuts – free beverage, any size, good until 11/22. Sign up for their rewards program in their app, and earn free beverages year round. Nationwide chain.
Starbucks – free food or drink item, good only on your actual birthday (11/17 in my case). Register a card & make at least one purchase during the year to get the birthday reward. Nationwide chain.

Arrived November 16th

Godiva Chocolate – $10 off a purchase of $10 or more, good until the end of the month (11/30). Sign up for their emails & rewards. Nationwide chain.
The Body Shop – $10 to spend in store or online. Sign up for their reward emails. Nationwide chain.

Arrived November 17th (my birthday!)

Swagbucks – 55 SB credit when redeeming a gift card. Sign up online & do tasks to earn SB.
Fire Mountain Gems – 10% off any order, good until January 31st. Sign up for their email list online. This is a great shop if you make jewelry.
Regal Crown Club – free small popcorn, good for 30 days from send date. Sign up for their reward program and earn credits to use toward concessions or movie tickets. Nationwide chain.
Penguin House Reader Rewards – 50% off at Out of Print online store, no expiration date given. Sign up for Reader Rewards emails online.
Marcus Theatres – complimentary birthday fountain drink, good for 30 days. Sign up for their Magical Movie Rewards & earn rewards throughout the year. Nationwide chain.
Jersey Mike’s Subs – free regular sub and fountain drink, good until November 16, 2020. This is definitely the reward with the longest time to redeem – it’s good until the day before your NEXT birthday! Sign up for their emails online, and get coupons throughout the year. Nationwide chain.
Red Mango – 500 points (equivalent to $5) added to reward card to use toward a purchase, expires in 30 days. Sign up for their Club Mango reward program. Nationwide chain.
Half Price Books – 15% off your entire purchase, good until 12/1. Sign up for their emails in person or online, get coupons throughout the year. Nationwide chain.
TomboyX – 125 points added to reward account, no expiration given. Points build up to discounts off orders. Sign up for the reward program when you create an account. Online store.
Firehouse Subs – free medium sub, valid for 7 days. Sign up for their reward program online or in their app. Nationwide chain.
Michael’s – 50% off one regular price item, good until 11/24. Sign up for their rewards program online or in their app. The app is very worth having as it does give you coupons pretty much constantly. Nationwide chain.
Baskin-Robbins – free kids scoop (2.5 oz) or 3 oz soft serve swirl, good until 11/27. Sign up for their emails. Nationwide chain.
Rakuten Kobo – 20% off your next purchase, good until 11/30. Sign up for an account on their website & add your birthday. Online ebook seller.
Applebee’s – free dessert with purchase of entree, good until 12/17. Sign up for their emails. Nationwide chain.
Culver’s – free one-scoop sundae, good for 14 days. Sign up for their emails. Nationwide chain.
Subway – free cookie, good until 12/2. Sign up for their new reward program, earn points toward discounts. Nationwide chain.
Redbox – free one night rental (DVD, Blu-Ray, or game), good for 60 days. Sign up for their reward program and get coupons & free rentals year-round. Nationwide chain.
Halal Guys – free platter, good until 12/17. Sign up for their reward program and get offers and coupons periodically. Nationwide chain.
Target – 5% off next purchase (online or in-store), good until 11/24. Sign up for their new Target Circle reward program. (This is a brand new reward – the program just launched in the last month or so) Nationwide chain.
Panera Bread – free pastry or sweet, good until 11/24. Sign up for their reward program and get coupons or freebies periodically. Nationwide chain.
Chipotle Mexican Grill – free chips & guac with $5 purchase, good for 30 days. Sign up for their rewards program online or in their app. Nationwide chain.
Nintendo – second email sent, this time with 300 platinum points. This is in addition to the 30% discount on select games email sent earlier in the month.
Kellogg’s – 100 bonus points in their reward program. Sign up for their reward program online.
Bath & Body Works – free body care item up to $6 value with purchase, through 12/17. Sign up for their rewards program, earn a free item every 75 points (and it’s a full size item too!) as well as get lots of good coupons throughout the year. Nationwide chain.
Which Wich – free birthday Wich, good until 11/21. Sign up for their Vibe Rewards club and get freebies and coupons throughout the year. For some reason I never got an initial email with this reward but I got a reminder that my reward was expiring. Nationwide chain.

~~Again, I will continue to add to this post as the offers roll in this month.~~ It’s fun playing this game. If you are looking to play yourself, my best advice is just sign up for any kind of loyalty program you can. Most places that have a reward or loyalty program do give a birthday thing of some kind. It does lead to a lot of extra emails throughout the year but some of these programs are great year round! If you have Gmail, it’s easy to set up filtering or create a separate email that you import into Gmail (like I have an email that’s from my domain, and I import it into Gmail to read/respond, but it skips the inbox the way my filters are set up).

This year my grand total was over 90 offers (there are a few I did not list here as they were super local, one that the reward program shut down right after I got the email, and a couple that were not really a reward). As of finishing this post, on the 19th, I’ve redeemed 27 and have plans to get out and redeem several more this week.

Lastly, if you really enjoy this list, my birthday is coming up and I do have a wishlist! I actually have a couple of them as it’s my 40th birthday this year. There’s a wishlist on GiftHero, a wishlist on Amazon, and then I have my general GiftHero and Amazon wishlists (that I add to year-round). Or you can always send me money on PayPal (I am currently unemployed so donations would really help!)