If your birthday falls in January, the internet says you have it rough — and honestly, it’s not totally wrong.
After the holiday spending spree, wallets are tight, party energy is low and somehow everyone’s “too busy” or “recovering” to celebrate. But before you resign yourself to a sad cupcake at home, there’s good news.
Plenty of restaurants and brands are more than happy to celebrate you with birthday freebies and discounts, no party planning required. With just a quick email signup, you can score everything from free coffee and desserts to meals and sweet treats that make your birthday feel special again.
Keep reading for the best January birthday freebies to help you celebrate, even when everyone else is still in post-holiday mode.
Food
A&W All American Food
Celebrate your birthday with a free root beer float when you join the A&W Mug Club.
Applebee’s
Join Club Applebee’s to get a free birthday dessert.
Arby’s
When you sign up for Arby’s Rewards, you can get a free dessert on your birthday. Choose between an Arby’s regular shake, turnover or cookie. No purchase necessary. Online only and valid for 30 days after issuance.
Auntie Anne’s
Free pretzel on your birthday after you’ve spent $10+ annually and have downloaded the app and joined Auntie Anne’s Rewards.
Baskin Robbins
Free scoop of ice cream on your birthday when you opt into the Birthday Club.
Benihana
Join the Friends with Benefits loyalty program to receive a free appetizer just for signing up and earn points on every dollar spent at Benihana and its sister restaurants. Members are also treated to a $50 birthday reward during their birthday month — just because.
Ben & Jerry’s
You’ll receive a “cone-gratulatory surprise on your birthday” when you sign up for the Flavor Fanatics program.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse signature dessert — Pizookies — are free on your birthday when you sign up for their rewards program.
Boston’s Pizza
Get a free dessert on your birthday when you register to join their rewards program.
Bucca di Beppo
Sign up for Bucca di Beppo’s eClub and for your birthday you’ll get a free colossal brownie sundae (a value of $18.99).
Buffalo Wild Wings
Get six free wings during your birthday month when you’re signed up for Blazin’ Rewards.
Cheesecake Factory
Enjoy a free slice of cheesecake on your birthday when you sign up for Cheesecake Rewards.
Chicken Salad Chick
As a Chicken Salad Chick rewards member, you’ll receive a free Original Chick meal on your birthday through the app.
Chipotle
No worries about guac being extra. Chipotle rewards members can get a free surprise reward on their birthday.
Cinnabon
Cinnabon Rewards members can get a free 16 oz. cold brew on their birthday.
Crumbl Cookie
Sign up for Crumbl rewards and enjoy a free single voucher to use on your birthday.
Culver’s
Celebrate with a free one-scoop dish with one topping when you sign up for My Culver’s.
Denny’s
Join Denny’s Booth Rewards and score a birthday reward, typically a free Everyday Value Slam, available on your actual birthday. The offer is delivered and redeemed through the Denny’s app after signing up with your birthdate (check the app for current details, as offers may vary).
Edible Arrangements
Get a free six-count chocolate-dipped fruit box for your birthday when you sign up for Edible Rewards.
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Free egg sandwich on your birthday with any purchase when you sign up for Einstein Bros. Rewards.
Firehouse Subs
Get a free medium sub on your birthday with any purchase when you sign up for Firehouse Rewards.
Fogo de Châo
Join Fogo de Chão’s loyalty program to receive a $25 birthday reward toward a Full Churrasco Lunch, Brunch, Dinner or Entrée, valid for 30 days and sent two weeks before your birthday.
For non-loyalty members, Fogo de Chão still offers a free dessert on your birthday when you visit, no sign-up required.
Honeybaked Ham Co.
Join HoneyBaked Ham Rewards for $9 in HoneyBaked Cash that can be used toward your next in-store or online purchase.
IHOP
Get free birthday pancakes when you sign up for IHOP’s rewards program.
Jamba Juice
Get a free smoothie on your birthday when you join Jamba Rewards.
Jersey Mike’s
Enjoy a free sub sandwich on your birthday if you’re an existing rewards member and have purchased a regular sub within the last year.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme customers can score three-count original glazed doughnuts after joining the rewards program. The offer may vary.
La Madeleine
La Madeleine customers can get a free birthday bakery treat when they download the La Madeleine app and join the rewards program.
Logan’s Roadhouse
Join the Logan’s Rewards App to receive a free birthday dessert, like the Mississippi Brownie. Members typically need to make a purchase (sometimes just covering the tax) and must enter their birthday at least a month in advance.
McDonald’s
Download the McDonald’s app and join MyMcDonald’s Rewards to receive a birthday reward, typically free medium fries.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Join Moe Rewards and get a cup of guac or queso on your birthday every year.
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Join the Nothing Bundt Cakes eClub for a free bundtlet on your birthday! To redeem, head to your preferred bakery. You may also be asked to show ID.
Panera
Join MyPanera to receive a birthday reward, typically a free bakery treat or pastry (offer may vary).
Popeyes
Joining Popeyes Rewards gets a free apple pie on your birthday.
Portillo’s
Join the Portillo’s Birthday Club for a free slice of their famous chocolate cake on your birthday.
Rainforest Cafe
Join Landry’s Select Club and receive a $25 birthday reward.
Red Lobster
Join the free My Red Lobster Rewards program and receive a birthday reward, typically a coupon for a free select dessert or appetizer, such as the Chocolate Wave or Cheesecake.
Red Robin
Unlock birthday freebies like a Birthday Burger (upgraded from a birthday milkshake) when you join Red Robin Royalty and spend just $10 on YUMMM throughout the year.
Smoothie King
Healthy Rewards members can get a free smoothie on their birthday.
Starbucks
Starbucks Rewards members can get a free drink or food item of their choice every year on their birthday.
Taco Bell
Join Taco Bell Rewards to score a free Mtn Dew Baja Blast Freeze on your birthday.
Wendy’s
Join Wendy’s Rewards to enjoy a free Frosty on your birthday (offer may vary by location and availability).
Yogurtland
Sign up for Real Rewards and get a free birthday treat.
Make-up & Jewelry
Aveda
Get a free composition oil with any purchase on your birthday when you create an account and add your birthday to your profile.
Kendra Scott
Kendra Scott is offering select jewelry pieces for $29 when you become an Insider and redeem your birthday discount.
Sephora
Become a Beauty Insider and receive a free birthday gift. A $25 minimum purchase is required for online redemption.
Ulta
Join Ulta Beauty Rewards and choose from a selection of free birthday gifts.
Yankee Candle
Join Fragrance Family Rewards to receive a free gift on your birthday.
Entertainment
AMC Theaters
AMC Stubs Insider members can get a free large popcorn on their birthday and AMC Stubs Premiere & A-List members can get a free large popcorn and free large fountain drink.
Build a Bear Workshop
Anyone at any age celebrating a birthday can get a Birthday Treat Bear for the special price of the age they’re turning.
Adults must sign up to become a Build-A-Bear Bonus Club member and register their children’s birthdays. Then just stop into a Build-A-Bear workshop and let a staff member know how old the child is turning. No need to bring in any proof of age or identification.
The special offer can be redeemed any day during their birthday month.
Medieval Times
Sign up and receive a special coupon code to use during your birthday month.
Clothing
American Eagle
Sign up for the American Eagle Real Rewards program and you’ll get a $5 birthday reward.
Anthropologie
Sign up for AnthroPerks at least two weeks before your birthday to get a 20% off coupon to use during your birthday month.
DSW
Become a DSW VIP and get $5 off to spend any time during your birthday month.
Famous Footwear
Join Famously You Rewards for $5 birthday reward cash. Plus, earn 2X points per dollar on all purchases during your birthday month.
Madewell
Become a Madwell Insider to receive $25 off during your birthday month.
Target
Join Target Circle for 5% off an entire Target run for any one-time use in the next 30 days after your birthday.
Victoria’s Secret
Join Victoria’s Secret Rewards for a $10 reward for your birthday.
Miscellaneous
Trader Joe’s
Reportedly, Trader Joe’s has been known to give some lucky customers free flowers on their birthday. But it’s not a given. According to SFGate, TJ crew members are “permitted to give away free flowers and other items at their own discretion.”
You should not walk into a store and ask for free flowers. Instead, let the fact that it’s your birthday come up in natural conversation and wait and see if an employee offers flowers or another small item as a kind gesture.
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