Once a year, you probably blow out the candles on a cake while your loved ones (or enthusiastic restaurant staff) sing you a little ditty. But whether you love birthdays or are horrified by the realization that another year has flown by, here are some places that give you a little present without a song-and-dance routine…but also without cake.
Make sure you sign up for emails and/or free memberships to get these offers. If you don’t see an email with an offer around your birthday, check your spam folder or go directly to your online account. Generally, birthday offers are either sent on the first day of your birth month or a week before your birthday. Offers may also change depending if the store updates their rewards program or just decides to make cutbacks.
Best Buy
If you have a My Best Buy membership, you may be awarded a 10% off birthday coupon around your birthday. It’s not valid with sale prices though, and it’s not an annual offer for everyone, unlike most of the others on this list.
CDJapan
CDJapan gives its users 300 points for their birthday. So that’s like a free 300 yen (~$3 off) on any one order — and the points don’t expire for a whole year! Plus the points mix with any other point or coupon offers you have, which is very nice.
Department Stores
Okay, kind of cheating here by lumping a bunch of them together and also stretching it since these places generally only occasionally stock items like an anime shirt or a video game toy figure. But places like Kohl’s, JCPenney, and Macy’s generally send their rewards members $5 to $10 off — usually on the higher end if you also have a store/credit card from them. Some don’t have minimums, so you can get a free or nearly-free item.
GameStop
GameStop sends out a coupon for 20% off a preowned game on your birthday that is valid for two weeks.
Hulu
If you don’t have an active subscription, Hulu may send you a free one-month trial.
Hot Topic/Box Lunch
These two chains are related, so it’s no surprise they have the same offer: a $5 reward automatically loaded to your account. These are valid for a month. Find something cheap at your local store, and you can walk out with a free item every year for doing nothing!
Midtown Comics
Midtown Comics has sent out 25% off everything coupons, but it’s valid the day of your birthday only.
Nintendo
Each year, Nintendo sends out a coupon (usually 30%) off a select digital title. Sometimes the price for a physical version is better or the digital version could have been recently discounted, but it still could be a way to get a game you want at a reduced price.
Right Stuf
Right Stuf sends out a coupon code for 5% off on your birthday, but often the best deals at Right Stuf are items that can’t have any additional discounts. Still, you may be able to get a few dollars off that set you’ve been eyeing that never goes on sale, especially since the coupon is valid for 30 days.
Tokyo Otaku Mode
Tokyo Otaku Mode sends out a $5 off anything coupon to newsletter subscribers.