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Birthday goodies from restaurants and retailers abound, even in a tough economy, and they’re not just for kids. There’s plenty of free food, free stuff and great deals for adults and kids on their special days, though, like senior discounts at restaurants, you may have to ask for them wherever you go. We’re not saying you should pretend it’s your birthday to take advantage of these deals, but if it really is your birthday, here are some ways to celebrate for free or on the cheap.
California Pizza Kitchen
Kids can enjoy a free meal at California Pizza Kitchen during their birth month by having their parents join the CPKids Birthday Club. The kids menu includes pizza, pasta, chicken or salad with a drink and free refills. Pizza toppings include some of the more adventurous options, including cheeseburger and honey chicken. Age limit: 10 and under.
TGI Friday’s
Free food at Friday’s may vary depending on your location, but some patrons of this restaurant chain have reported getting a free appetizer and a free dessert on their special day. Call ahead or ask your server what goodies you can get, and if they won’t give you free food, at least you’re likely to get a free birthday song out of it. If you’re 21 or over, you can get a “Give Me More Stripes” rewards card, which entitles you to a free appetizer or dessert once you join, an $8 coupon for free food for every $100 you spend and other benefits. Age limit: None for the birthday deal.
The Children’s Place
Parents can get a coupon for this kids clothing retailer on their children’s birthdays and their own birthdays by registering for the Children’s Place Birthday Club. And there’s enough space to enter five kids’ names. Age limit: Parents signing up have to be 18 years of age or older.
Denny’s
Kids enrolled in the Denny’s Birthday Club will receive a birthday card entitling them to a free kids meal and sundae at a participating Denny’s restaurant as long as they’re with an adult paying for a regular-priced adult entrée. Age limit: Kids 10 years and under accompanied by an adult.
Red Robin
Red Robin patrons who join the restaurant chain’s eClub get a free gift for signing up as well as a free birthday burger (in addition to regular e-mail newsletters). When you register, you’ll have to fill out a survey asking what you order most often at the restaurant, when you go there, who you tend to go with and how often you go. Age limit: None
Firehouse Subs
By adding yourself to the Firehouse Subs mailing list and selecting your favorite sandwich on the restaurant’s menu, you can get a certificate for a free sub during your birth month. Age limit: None
Coldstone
What’s a birthday without ice cream? Thankfully, ice cream chain Coldstone understands the importance of this frozen treat on birthdays, so you can get “the sweetest birthday possible,” according to the company. You’ll have to create an account on the company’s Web site and sign up to receive other promotions. Age limit: None
Baskin Robbins
Baskin Robbins is another chain of ice cream shops with a birthday club. It entitles members to a free 2.5-ounce scoop of ice cream and discount on a birthday cake, that is, if you’re in charge of buying your own cake. You’ll have to create an account at baskinrobbins.com, but you can opt out of e-mail newsletters and other offers unrelated to your free birthday ice cream and cake deal. Age limit: None
