The Ultimate Birthday Freebies Guide for 2026 — Free Stuff from Top Retailers!
Did someone say free stuff? And birthdays? Lots of companies give loyalty members great discounts and free stuff to help celebrate their birthdays, and if you use them right, you can save a ton of money. Birthday freebies from stores are the best!
This year for my birthday, I spent just over $90 (more than I intended to spend, to be fair), and got over $650 worth of makeup, personal care products, clothing, and more! That’s not even counting all the free food I got! Sound good? Great, because I’m going to break it all down so you can score even better deals.
If you don’t want all the deets and just want a simple list of all the birthday freebies you can get, I’ve got you covered. But for those of you who like to know exactly what types of things those loyalty dollars in your rewards accounts can score, this ultimate guide breakdown is for you!
Things to know before we get started:
You must sign up for these rewards about a month in advance.
You must ensure your birthdate is put in your profile.
Downloading apps for each store is also a helpful thing.
If you want more helpful tips to help you prepare for the best birthday shopping trip ever, I outlined all my best tips in another article!
This article is organized in categories, with stores listed in order of best value/deal. At the start of each section, I’ll explain the total value of all items I bought/received, and what I actually paid for those.
So, without further ado, let’s go shopping! Oh, and Happy Birthday!
(I do not receive any compensation for any purchase you may make with these links. I am simply just excited about these bargains and spreading the goodness)
Birthday Beauty Freebies
Beauty birthday freebies that I got, listed in this article. From left to right: Caviar hair mask from Ulta, Sephora Beauty Insider birthday gift, Bath & Body Works travel-sized body wash, PocketBac hand sanitizer, e.l.f birthday gift, Tarte Quick Stick eyeliner and Maracuja Juicy Multi-Stick sample.
Total value of all items received/bought: $95.40
Total spent on beauty items: $9.95
For around one-tenth the cost, I managed to score multiple skincare items, a deep conditioning hair mask, eyeliner, eyeshadow, lipstick, hand sanitizer, and a travel-sized bath soap.
1. Sephora
Surprise, surprise. Sephora ranked number 1 again for the best beauty birthday freebie— it’s not really a shock, to be honest.
What Does Sephora Give You for Your Birthday?: A free miniature beauty set of your choice out of their selections at the register or online.
What I got: Laneige set (a 2025 reward including Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer, Cream Skin Cerapetide Toner & Moisturizer, and Berry Lip Sleeping Mask)
Valued at: $22.50
What I spent: $0.00
When does the reward appear: On the first day of your birthday month, and it’s good for a single use until the end of the month.
How to use Sephora birthday reward: You’ll get a coupon on your Sephora app (make sure you have the app downloaded). Head on over to your closest Sephora checkout counter and tell them you’re there to redeem your free birthday gift.
2. Tarte Cosmetics
What does Tarte Cosmetics give you for your birthday?: 3500 points for your Tarte VIP account.
What I got: Quickliner and Shadow Stick, plus a free sample
Valued at: $26 (but it was on sale for $10)
What I spent: $0.00 (and got free shipping)
When does the reward appear: On your birthday
How to use the Tarte Cosmetics birthday reward: Go to the Tarte website and log in to your Tarte VIP account. Shop the website for whatever product you want– I opted to go with a clearance/sale item to maximize my reward. When you check out, you’ll have the option to redeem your points. 3000 points is equal to a $10 reward, so that’s what I used. Bada bing bada boom, nice free eyeliner and a sample of a lipstick/blush combination stick!
3. Ulta
What does Ulta give you for your birthday?: A free deluxe sample of your choice.
What I got: Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Hair Cream
Valued at: $12
What I spent: $0.00
How to use the free Ulta birthday reward: You should get the reward emailed to you, or you can find it in your app/profile on the web. However, my reward never shows up, so I always have to contact customer support (it has to do with subscribing to emails, and despite being subscribed, somehow I never get emails. Weird, idk). Then simply go to the checkout counter at your local Ulta and tell them you’re there for your birthday gift. You’ll have to show them the coupon, then pick which sample you want.
4. e.l.f. Cosmetics
What does e.l.f. Cosmetics give you for your birthday: A birthday beauty gift set.
What I got: Full tube of lipstick and mini hydration burst drops, plus a concealer.
Valued at: $16.00
What I spent: $8.00 (I had to buy an item to get it shipped. To get free shipping on top of that, I opted to buy $8 concealer, which is not pictured)
When is the reward available: At the start of your birthday month.
How to use the e.l.f. Cosmetics birthday reward: Open the e.l.f. Use the cosmetics app on your phone, or log in to your account online. Shop for any item. You have to spend money to get this freebie, but you could spend as little as you want. Once you have another item in your cart, go to the rewards section, find the birthday reward, and add it to your cart. You might have a free shipping option, as well, depending on when you created your e.l.f. Beauty Squad profile.
5. Bath and Body Works
What does Bath & Body Works give you for your birthday?: A free item up to $9.95 with any purchase
What I got: “In the Stars” travel-sized body wash (with a purchase of pocketbac hand sanitizer)
Valued at: $10.90 ($8.95 + $1.95 hand sanitizer)
What I spent: $1.95
When is the reward available: On your birthday
How to use Bath & Body Works Birthday Reward: Open the Bath and Body Works app on your phone. In the wallet tab, you’ll find any rewards you have— including your birthday one. You should have also gotten an email telling you that the reward was available. Use the barcode from that reward when you check out.
Birthday Deals on Clothes
Birthday deals on clothing that I received. From left to right: Two pairs of folded up slacks from Madewell, blue jean mini bubble dress from American Eagle, dainty floral hoops from PacSun, white ruffled blouse folded on top of green corduroy skirt.
Total value of all items received/bought: $446.46
Total spent on clothing items: $70.48
So, for about 1/6th of the total value, I got two nice pairs of dress pants, a corduroy skirt, a sleeveless blouse, a jean mini dress, underwear, and a pair of earrings. Just by utilizing birthday rewards with clearance and sale items.
1. Madewell
What does Madewell give you for your birthday: $25 off any order over $25
What I got: Two pairs of nice dress pants in the sale tab of the website.
Valued at: $236
What I spent: $22.98
When is it available: The start of your birth month
How to use the Madewell birthday reward: Shop the website (you can also shop in-store, but I always shop online since they give their rewards members free shipping, put things in your cart, then apply the $25 off at checkout.
This is more than I spent last year at Madewell, where I scored two blouses and a pair of earrings for around $5— and here’s why: I opted to purchase things that I knew I needed, i.e., professional pants. I found one pair of pants that I loved in the clearance sale. However, the pants by themselves were only around $22, which meant I couldn’t use my reward. I had tried to order a pair of socks, but they sold out before I could complete my transaction. So, instead, I opted to get a second pair of dress pants for the same price.
2. J.Crew/J. Crew Factory
So, last year I got a $10 birthday gift from J.Crew, but this year I got a $15 reward! This is either a change to their rewards program, or you get a higher amount for your second year. It has nothing to do with dollar amount spent in the prior sales year— I have not spent any money at J. Crew since my birthday (aside from getting a completely free pair of sunglasses).
What does J. Crew give you for your birthday: $15 reward
What I got: A ruffled white sleeveless shirt and a green corduroy skirt at J. Crew Factory.
Valued at: $147.97
What I spent: $38.00
When is the reward available: On the first day of your birth month
How to use J. Crew birthday reward: If shopping online, add the coupon to your cart. If shopping in-store, tell the sales associate that you have a reward you’d like to use.
I also got an extra $5 off by signing up to receive texts in-store!
To be honest, this is more than I wanted to spend on birthday rewards. I had planned to spend the rewards online, but the company no longer offers free shipping to its rewards members. Luckily, there’s a J. Crew Factory not too far from where I live. As I was browsing the clearance rack, I picked up this shirt to try with the skirt (which was my main goal to purchase). The two were so adorable together, so I opted to get both since they fill a necessary gap in my wardrobe (professional/business casual).
However, I debated about it for a long time in the store. There are tons of ways to spend those rewards bucks without spending any of your real money at J. Crew by optimizing clearance offerings. I just didn’t love any of their clearance items in-store, aside from the ruffled white shirt, which was only $6.94 with all my discounts.
3. Aerie/American Eagle
What does Aerie/American Eagle give you for your birthday?: $5 reward
What I got: A mini jean bubble dress
Valued at: $39.99
What I spent: $7.00 (plus tax)
When is the reward available: A week before your birthday
How to use American Eagle/Aerie birthday reward: Find the reward in your Aerie/American Eagle loyalty account and screenshot it for easy access before you get to the store. When you head up to the checkout counter, show the cashier the coupon so they can scan it.
Like with J. Crew and Madewell, I highly recommend utilizing clearance sales with this reward to get the most bang for your buck.
4. Victoria’s Secret
What does Victoria’s Secret give you for your birthday? A $10 reward
What I got: 1 pair of underwear
Valued at: $10.50
What I spent: $0.50 (plus tax)
When is the reward available: The first day of the birth month
How to use Victoria’s Secret birthday reward: Unlike other rewards in this article, Victoria’s Secret birthday coupon is not usable on any clearance or sale deals. If using in-store, make sure you have the reward on your phone and the barcode ready for the sales associate to scan. You can use this reward online, but shipping costs a bit extra. The reward is also usable at PINK!
5. PacSun
What does PacSun give you for your birthday?: $5.00 for your birthday (plus you can get a $5 sign-up bonus)
What I got: A pair of LA floral hoop earrings
Valued at: $12.00
What I spent: $2.00 (plus tax)
When is the reward available: The first day of your birth month
How to use PacSun birthday reward: If shopping online, simply pick something out and add it to your cart. Then, during the checkout process, make sure you add your rewards before finishing.
Birthday Shoe Freebies/Deals
Birthday shoe deals and steals. Left to right: 4 out of 6 of my free pairs of socks from Rack Room Shoes and under-the-eye masks from DSW.
Total value of all items received/bought: $33.98
Total spent on beauty items: $2.97
1. Rack Room Shoes
What does Rack Room Shoes give you for your birthday?: $10 reward
What I got: A 6-pack of dog-themed socks
Valued at: $11.99
What I spent: $0.00
When is the reward available: First day of birth month.
How to use Rack Room Shoes birthday reward: When you get to checkout, tell the cashier you’d like to use your reward. The rewards are already loaded into your account.
I’m still baffled as to how I managed to score these socks completely free. There was no mention of a sale/promotion on the items. But maybe there was, and I just missed it.
2. DSW
What does DSW give you for your birthday?: $5 reward
What I got: Two 6-ct packs of under-the-eye masks
Valued at: $14 (but they were on clearance for $3.49 each)
What I spent: $1.98 (plus tax)
When is the reward available: First day of birth month.
How to use the DSW birthday reward: You’ll get an email on the first day of your birthday month with the reward’s barcode in it. Either open that email or screenshot the barcode before you go shopping, so that it's ready to use when you arrive.
3. Famous Footwear
What does Famous Footwear give you for your birthday?: $5 reward
What I got: A 6-count pack of no-show women's socks
Valued at: $7.99 (on sale for $5.99)
What I spent: $0.99
When is the reward available: At the start of your birth month
How to use the Famous Footwear birthday reward: Shop online or in the app, then select the reward while checking out. Make sure you’re signed in to your rewards account!
I’m actually planning to gift these socks to someone else for their birthday, along with another small gift (that’s why they’re not pictured). What a score!
Birthday Misc. Freebies/Deals
Whew! That’s a lot to look at! From left to right: Ikea cardboard magazine holder (one put together on top of one collapsed), shoe rack, two under the bed storage bags folded up, Island Life Miniso Birthday Blindbox, Thorn and Fable earring set, dog tail key holder, Strawberry Shortcake wallet.
Total value of all items received/bought: $55.74
Total spent on Birthday misc. items: $9.41
1. Ikea
What does Ikea give you for your birthday?: $10 reward
What I got: 2 soft-sided under-the-bed storage cases, a dog tail-shaped wall hook, 2 magazine boxes, and a metal shoe rack shelf
Valued at: $11.95
What I spent: $1.95 (plus shipping and tax)
When is the birthday reward available: The first day of your birth month.
How to use Ikea birthday reward: Simply apply the coupon to your cart when you check out. Or show the barcode from the coupon on your account to a sales associate.
2. Miniso
What does Miniso give you for your birthday: A free blindbox item of your choice in-store (up to a $24.99 value)
What I got: Smoko Island Life Blind Box
Valued at: $14.99
What I spent: $0.00
When is the birthday reward available? The first day of your birth month.
How to use the Miniso birthday reward: This reward is a little tricky. You will need to verify your account via email, and then it will ask you to re-enter your birthday. I was nervous when I went to open my birthday email from Miniso, and it asked me to verify my account and put my birthdate in. I thought that meant I had not finished setting up my account and wouldn’t be able to pick up my freebie (and here I was, already standing outside of the store). But once I verified my account information and re-entered my birthday, I was able to access the coupon on the website via my phone! I screenshot the coupon and left the webpage open while I browsed.
I will say, I think their blindboxes are overpriced for what they are— but I won’t complain about free!
3. Hot Topic
What does Hot Topic give you for your birthday: $5 reward
What I got: Thorn & Fable 6-pack of earrings
Valued at: $9.90
What I spent: $4.90 (plus tax)
When is the birthday reward available: The day before the first day of your birthday month.
How to use the Hot Topic birthday reward: The reward is automatically uploaded to your account. So, when you go to check out, just inform the sales associate that you have a $5 reward you’d like to use. If shopping online, add the coupon during the checkout process.
4. BoxLunch
What does BoxLunch give you for your birthday?: $5 reward.
What I got: Strawberry Shortcake card holder wallet
Valued at: $18.90
What I spent: $2.56 (plus shipping and tax)
When is the birthday reward available: The day before the first day of your birthday month.
How to use BoxLunch birthday reward: This reward is the same as Hot Topic’s, since they’re owned by the same company. You’ll redeem the two exactly the same. I opted to shop online with BoxLunch’s reward, since they tend to have a better clearance selection and run better sales on their website.
5. Little Words Project
What does Little Words Project give you for your birthday?: 150 points. 100 points = $10 off, and 50 points = free US shipping.
What I got: I have not used this reward yet because I am waiting for the right sales.
When is the reward available: On your birthday
My oh my, isn’t this an exciting one? A Little Words Project birthday reward! In essence, Little Words Project gives you a $10 coupon + free shipping for your birthday. If you shop their clearance online, then you could get a $10 bracelet shipped to your house for free!
Items that were COMPLETELY free!
The best part of these birthday freebies are the ones that were actually completely free!
So without further ado, here’s all the places I got items at without spending a single penny:
Tarte (also included free shipping and a free sample!)
Sephora
Ulta
Rack Room Shoes
Miniso Blind Box
*Technically Little Words Project, too, if you use the 150 points to get a clearance $10 bracelet and free shipping.
And this doesn’t even include all the great food freebies you can get on your birthday!
Birthday Rewards that I Got– but Didn’t Use (and why)
Bluemercury
Reward: Choose a 10-count facial peel pack for free.
Why I didn’t use it: To redeem this reward online, you have to spend $25. Also, the idea of a facial “peel” sounds terrifying to me, honestly!
Urban Decay
Reward: 15% off your next purchase
Why I didn’t use it: 15% off is not enticing to me. Anything under 40% off just is not worth it in my opinion, usually, unless I’m already having to make a purchase, like at Target.
Aeropostale
Reward: 15% off your next purchase
Why I didn’t use it: 15% off is not worth it to me.
Express
Reward: $5
Why I didn’t use it: There was nothing I wanted, really. So I decided against it. Plus, shipping was $8. No, thank you.
Journey’s
Reward: 15% off
Why I didn’t use it: I signed up for Journey’s because I saw a website advertising that Journey’s gives you $5. They don’t.
Torrid
Reward: $10
Why I didn’t use it: Shipping was more than I wanted to spend.
World Market
Reward: 15% off
Why I didn’t use it: It’s not any different than any other sale or special offer they give. Again, 15% off is not enticing enough.
Foot Locker
Reward: $5
Why I didn’t use it: I’m not ashamed to admit that the only reason I didn’t spend my $5 at Foot Locker is that I felt intimidated going into the store. There were two guys (employees) dressed as refs standing outside the mall’s shop… I didn’t feel like being talked to, honestly. But to be fair, I don’t think there was much I would have wanted in the store at my price point.
Shoe Carnival
Reward: $5
Why I didn’t use it: There genuinely was nothing I wanted online enough to spend extra money on shoes or shipping, and no location close by.
Disney Store:
Reward: 20% off
Why I didn’t use it: Shop Disney is kinda expensive already. Similar to the 15% off already listed, this just wasn’t worth it to me.
Yankee Candle
Reward: A free small tumbler candle (valued at $12.99)
Why I didn’t use it: There was no free shipping. By the time I pay for shipping, it’s over half the cost of the candle, which is fair— but I could just go to a Marshall’s or Ross and get the same size candle cheaper.
Miss A
Reward: $5 off (100 points)
Why I haven’t used it (YET): So, this one tricked me. Miss A gives you enough points for a $5 reward on your birthday. I excitedly made my way to the closest Miss A and filled a basket with goodies— only to have the manager of the store tell me the rewards were only redeemable online. I’m still debating whether I’ll redeem this one or not.
Birthday Rewards I Did Not Receive
Some of these rewards were things I attempted listed by other sites, claiming they had rewards. Some do, some don’t. Some require hefty payouts before you can get a freebie, while others just simply don’t have a place to put a birthday. Some of these rewards listed were rewards that I did get last year, but somehow didn’t get this year, too. All interesting information to keep in mind.
Kohl’s - I didn’t add my birthday when I made this account years ago, and now there’s no place to put it in my account.
Macy’s - You have to have made a purchase in the last 12 months.
Lane Bryant - It might require a prior purchase to earn, because they have a birthday reward, but I did not receive it.
Nordstrom Rack - I never got any reward. It might require a prior purchase to earn, I’m not sure.
Rue 21 - There’s no place to put a birthday.
Claire’s - They have done away with their online presence, and I think they are starting to phase out their rewards program, too.
Half Price Books - This one confuses me as to why I didn’t get it. Their website and sign-up say to add your birthday for a special surprise, but nothing ever came, sadly.
Hallmark - I got this reward last year, but for some reason, they removed my birthdate from my profile this year. I didn’t realize it until later.
Kate Spade - Couldn’t add a birthday.
The Spice and Tea Exchange - Some websites claimed you got a free spice blend on your birthday, but there’s no way to add a birthdate.
Buff City Soap - Couldn’t add birthday.
Smashbox - Requires you to spend at least $75 before your birthday to qualify.
Life is Good - There’s no place to put a birthdate.
