1. Starbucks: free birthday drink or food item

Starbucks Rewards members can choose a complimentary handcrafted drink, food item, or eligible ready-to-drink bottled beverage for their birthday.

You need to join Starbucks Rewards at least seven days before your birthday and make at least one Star-earning purchase beforehand. Green members can redeem the reward on their birthday, while Gold and Reserve members get a longer redemption window.

2. Sephora: free Beauty Insider birthday gift

Beauty lovers, this one is worth knowing.

Sephora Beauty Insider members can choose a free birthday gift during their birthday month. In-store redemption does not require a minimum purchase, while online redemption in Canada requires a purchase of at least $25.

The available gift sets change throughout the year and are offered while supplies last.

3. Booster Juice: free regular smoothie

Booster Juice keeps this one simple.

Join Booster Rewards and you can receive a free regular smoothie for your birthday through the Booster Rewards app.

If smoothies are already part of your routine, this is an easy one to remember.

4. COBS Bread: free cinnamon bun

COBS Club members receive a coupon for one free cinnamon bun on their birthday.

The reward is loaded to your account on your registered birthday and is valid for 14 days. There is also a bonus: members can receive a free scone six months later for their half-birthday.

Two baked goods for simply remembering to enter your birthday? Not bad.

5. Chatime: free birthday drink

Bubble tea fans can get in on the birthday freebies too.

Societea Rewards members can receive a free birthday drink after making a qualifying loyalty purchase before their birthday. The reward appears in the app and is valid for seven days.

The program is currently available at participating Chatime and Bake Code locations in Ontario and British Columbia.

6. Boston Pizza: free birthday dessert

MyBP members can receive a free dessert on their birthday when dining in.

Joining MyBP is free, and members also receive other offers throughout the year, including a sign-up reward and an anniversary reward.

7. Denny’s: free Build Your Own Grand Slam

If free dessert is not enough, how about breakfast?

At participating Denny’s locations in Canada, you can get a complimentary Build Your Own Grand Slam on your actual birthday.

You will need valid photo ID, and you must purchase at least one beverage. The offer is dine-in only and is not available at every Canadian location, so check before heading out.

8. Tim Hortons: free birthday treat

Tims Rewards members may receive an offer for a free birthday treat.

To qualify, your birthdate needs to be added to your account at least seven days before your birthday, and you need to have scanned your Tims Rewards account at least once within the previous 12 months.

The offer normally appears in your account two days before your birthday, so keep an eye on the app.

9. New York Fries: free regular fries

Join the Fry Society and you may qualify for free regular fries on your birthday.

There is one important catch: your Fry Society spending needs to reach $50 before tax before you become eligible for the birthday reward. Your birthdate also needs to be added to your account before your birthday.

So this one makes the most sense if New York Fries is already in your regular rotation.

10. Dairy Queen: birthday surprise

DQ Rewards members can receive a special birthday surprise through their account.

Unlike some of the other programs on this list, Dairy Queen does not publicly promise one specific birthday item across Canada, so check your account around your birthday to see what offer is available to you.

Sign up before your birthday

The biggest lesson here: do not wait until your birthday morning to start downloading apps.

Many birthday rewards require you to join a loyalty program, add your birthdate, or make a purchase ahead of time. If your birthday is coming up, create your accounts early and check the current terms before heading out.

Birthday offers can also change, and availability may vary by location.

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Credit: Becky Fantham

Free experiences do not have to stop after your birthday

A free coffee or cinnamon bun is great for one day. But if you are eligible for Canoo, there are ways to keep discovering Canada for free or for less throughout the year.

Canoo connects eligible newcomers with free and discounted access to museums, galleries, parks, cultural attractions, events, and other experiences across Canada.

So once the birthday treats are gone, you can still have another reason to get out, try somewhere new, and see more of the place you now call home.