Thrifty Christy: Freebies are plentiful to help with celebration

Jade Dunaway of Rockford celebrates her second birthday with a UT-themed party at Eagleton Village Baptist Church. Her birthday fell on Sept. 19 last year, the same day as the UT vs. Florida football game. Mom Tasha went with a “Go Vols!” theme for her daughter, saying, “It definitely got people in the mood to watch the big game.”

Everyone in my household just happens to have a summer birthday, so we’ve been doing a lot of celebrating, and not just to recognize the passing of another year. Couponers look forward to birthdays because we know they are a great opportunity to rack up freebies from companies we frequent.

This does require a little work because in order to reward you, a company has to have at least a little bit of information about you, including your birthday, your email and sometimes your mailing address.

Here are some of the great free things my family and I received for our birthdays this summer. If any of these goodies interest you, be sure to go to the company’s website and sign up for their loyalty program or email list.

Restaurants

We usually celebrate birthdays by enjoying a free dessert at Aubrey’s, no coupon required.

Here are some of the other coupons we received by email to use anytime in celebration of our birthdays. Remember, unless noted, you do have to sign up ahead of time. You can’t always just show your driver’s license.

Free burger at Ruby Tuesday

Free waffle at Waffle House

Free Brownie Sundae at Chili’s

Free Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘n Fruity meal at IHOP

Free ice cream from Baskin Robbins

Free Cream Slush from Sonic for the adults

Free Wacky Pack Kid’s Meal for our little ones (sign up adults at sonicdrivein.com/login/cruisers.jsp. Sign up kids at sonicdrivein.com/kids/birthdayClub.jsp)

Free drink from Starbucks (this coupon came by mail; you have to register a gift card with their My Starbucks Rewards program at starbucks.com/card/manage/my-rewards)

$5 to spend at McAlister’s Deli

Free appetizer from Texas Roadhouse

Free Zaxby’s Nibbler sandwich for the grownups and a free kid’s meal for the children

Retail

Free Redbox movie rental

Free perfume from the Aveda Pure Privilege program. Sign up at avedabday.com

$15 off a $15 purchase at the Polo Ralph Lauren outlet, courtesy of the Tanger Rewards program, which I’ve belonged to for two years now. You’ll receive a $10 gift certificate during your first year in the Tanger Rewards program.

50 free Swagbucks (a search engine rewards program). Sign up at swagbucks.com

A 15 percent off coupon from American Eagle

100 Disney Movie Rewards points (a rewards program for buying Disney products). Sign up at disneymovierewards.com

Free movie ticket for each of my girls for any Kidtoons matinee movie. In Maryville these are shown at Carmike Theaters on the weekends. You can register at kidtoons.com

20 percent off coupon from Hallmark Crown Rewards. You can sign up in-store on online at hallmark.com/online/crown-rewards

So, happy birthday to you, whenever it may be! Go ahead and sign up for the rewards I’ve mentioned, and you’re sure to have a fun, frugal, coupon-filled birthday.

Do you know of any birthday freebies I’ve missed? Please let me know by commenting on this article at blountmomstoday.com or emailing me at christy@blountmomstoday.com.

Christy Bramblett is a mother of two girls, ages 4 and 2, and is married to Ash Bramblett, Minister of Youth and Outreach at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Her blog Thrifty Christy is updated daily and is featured at www.BlountMomsToday.com. She is featured on Page 9 in Blount Today every month and in Blount Moms Today magazine.