Prosecco, cakes and beauty products - how to get birthday freebies and why there's a catch
Friday, 4 September 2026
Warm-up
- What do you like to do on your birthday?
- Have you ever received a free gift from a shop or cafe?
- Do you use any store apps on your phone? Why or why not?
Vocabulary
- loyalty
- A programme where a shop rewards members who sign up.
- voucher
- A code or paper that lets you get money off or a free item.
- minimum
- The smallest amount of money you must spend.
- redeem
- To use a code or reward to get your gift.
- tier
- A level in a membership where higher levels get more.
- marketing
- Messages from companies that try to make you buy things.
- data
- Information about you, such as your birthday or habits.
- profile
- A picture of your habits made from your data.
Reading
It is your birthday! Many UK brands give freebies if you join a loyalty scheme. Greggs, Costa and Caffè Nero offer a sweet treat when you add your date of birth. Burger King members can claim a free Whopper. Most meals are not fully free: Harvester and Zizzi give a free main when you buy another. Wagamama offers free gyoza with a £12 minimum spend and a recent stamp on your card.
There is a catch. To get many offers, you must share data and accept marketing. Some rewards are short and must be redeemed fast, says consumer expert Sue Hayward. Emma Richards, from a data privacy service, warns that your data can build a spending profile. Always check the small print, the voucher rules, and your membership tier before you spend money.
Comprehension
- Which coffee chains give a birthday sweet treat?
- What free item can Burger King members claim?
- What is the Wagamama condition for free gyoza?
- Who warns that some rewards must be used quickly?
- What risk does Emma Richards mention about your data?
Grammar focus
Uncountable nouns
Uncountable nouns are things you cannot count (no plural). Use words like much, some, a little, or a lot with them. Examples show uncountable words used in sentences. (Examples constructed.)
- You need to share **data** to get the offer.
- Your membership can change your **spending** profile.
Grammar exercise
Circle the correct option in each sentence.
- To get offers you must share (many / much) personal data.
- Staff can give (advice / advices) about joining loyalty clubs.
- You often see (information / informations) about vouchers online.
- Enjoying birthday freebies gives customers (fun / funs).
- Check the small print to avoid (a few / a little) confusion.
Discussion
- Would you share your date of birth to get a freebie? Why?
- Which offer in the text would you try first?
- When is a freebie not really free, in your view?
- Are loyalty schemes popular in your country? Why or why not?
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