Canadas Freebie Scene 2020 Offers For Beauty Food Family And Healthcare Workers

Introduction

In 2020, Canadian consumers had access to numerous free samples and promotional offers across various categories. From birthday freebies at popular restaurants to complimentary skincare samples and special offers for healthcare workers, numerous opportunities existed for Canadians to enjoy products and services at no cost. This article explores the landscape of freebies available in Canada during 2020, highlighting offers in beauty and skincare, food and beverages, family-oriented products, and special appreciation offers for essential workers. The information is based on verified sources and promotional materials available during that period.

Birthday Freebies in Canada

Several Canadian establishments offered complimentary items or discounts to customers celebrating their birthdays. These offers typically required advance registration through loyalty programs or newsletters, with most requiring proof of age and birthday date.

Restaurant and Food Establishments

• Denny's offered a complimentary Grand Slam Breakfast on birthdays. Customers needed to present a valid photo ID with their birthday visible. The offer included choice from Grand Slam options or the ability to create a customized Grand Slam.

• Starbucks provided special birthday treats to customers who had signed up for their rewards program in advance. The specific treat wasn't detailed in the source material, but participation required enrollment in the Starbucks rewards program.

• Harvey's restaurant chain offered free onion rings through their Burger Boss Club. Customers needed to sign up for the program online prior to their birthday to receive the complimentary item.

Retail and Apparel

• American Eagle and Aerie offered 15% off during the birthday month for customers who signed up for their loyalty program. The discount applied to purchases made in the month of the customer's birthday.

The birthday freebies generally required minimal effort beyond initial registration, making them accessible to most interested consumers. Most offers were valid only on the actual birthday date or during the birthday month, with some requiring verification of identity.

Beauty and Skincare Samples

Canadian consumers had access to numerous complimentary beauty and skincare samples in 2020, with many brands offering products specifically to the Canadian market.

Skincare Samples

• Olay provided complimentary samples of their Retinol24 serum and moisturizer exclusively to Canadian residents. To receive these samples, interested individuals needed to complete a sample form on the Olay website.

• L'Occitane offered free sample tubes of Lavender Hand Cream available to both U.S. and Canadian residents. These samples were valid while supplies lasted, with no purchase required.

• MONU distributed free samples of their professional skincare products worldwide. According to the company, samples were selected at random and available while stocks lasted.

• Watsons offered free samples of Physiogel daily defense facial care moisturizer worldwide, including Canada. The samples were available until supplies ran out, with requests processed through the Watsons website.

Makeup and Hair Care Samples

• Neora provided complimentary makeup sample kits with five different options available. Canadian customers could request these samples by completing a form on the company's website.

• Baebody offered free samples of their Eye Gel, though specific distribution details were limited in the source material.

• Planative distributed free samples from their haircare line worldwide, including options such as All-Natural Shampoo, Soothing Conditioner, Pure Essential Oil, Manly Beard Oil, and Sensual Massage Oil.

• Maple Holistics offered free samples of their haircare products worldwide, with over 10 different products available for sampling. The company provided haircare, skincare, and general-use products in their sample program.

The beauty and skincare samples generally required only an online request through the respective brand's website, with shipping typically included at no cost. Most samples were available while supplies lasted, suggesting limited-time availability.

Family-Oriented Freebies

Several programs and brands in 2020 offered free products and samples specifically designed for families and households.

Family-Focused Communities and Programs

• Family.one represented a community platform offering giveaways, freebies, and perks for families. The service claimed that major brands provided Canadian families with over one hundred million dollars in free products annually. Membership was free and customized to match family needs, with over 1.8 million members reported.

• Build Your Library offered family reading challenges and occasionally provided free educational materials, though specific 2020 freebie details were limited in the source material.

Household and Lifestyle Samples

• The Moorings offered complimentary 2023 calendars featuring sailing and sea-themed imagery. These calendars were available as perfect gifts for sailing enthusiasts and those inspired by maritime themes.

• Unity Online provided free 2020 calendars, with hard-copy versions available to U.S. residents and digital downloads available worldwide.

• Antios distributed free packs of 3 antibacterial wipes worldwide, including Canada. These samples were available until supplies ran out, with no purchase required.

Family-oriented freebies often required joining a community or newsletter to receive updates about new offers. Many of these freebies focused on practical household items or experiences that could benefit the entire family.

Healthcare Worker Appreciation Offers

In recognition of the essential work performed by healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 crisis, several companies offered special freebies and discounts in 2020.

Nurse and Healthcare Worker Freebies

• Registered Nursing.org compiled a list of companies offering special deals for nurses during the COVID-19 crisis and Nurses Week 2020. These offers included items ranging from socks to coffee, intended to provide healthcare workers with small comforts during stressful times.

• The source noted that several companies were donating PPE, money, and their time, with most deals available to frontline healthcare workers, though the focus was primarily on nurses.

• Some companies offered free meals, coffee, and other items as gestures of appreciation for healthcare workers' service during the pandemic.

The healthcare worker appreciation offers varied by company and location, with some requiring verification of employment in the healthcare field. These offers were available primarily during specific periods of the pandemic, particularly during recognized appreciation weeks or months.

Conclusion

Canada's freebie landscape in 2020 offered diverse opportunities for consumers across various categories. Birthday freebies from popular restaurants and retailers provided complimentary meals and discounts with minimal registration requirements. Beauty and skincare companies offered numerous samples, with several brands specifically targeting Canadian consumers with product trials. Family-oriented programs and communities provided access to household items and educational resources. Special recognition extended to healthcare workers through complimentary items and discounts as appreciation for their essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While many freebies required advance registration or newsletter sign-ups, most offers were accessible to interested consumers with basic internet access. The availability of samples and free items varied by brand, with many limited by supply or geographic restrictions. Overall, 2020 presented numerous opportunities for Canadians to enjoy products and services at no cost, particularly through digital sample requests and loyalty programs.

Sources

1. List of Freebies for Nurses During the COVID-19 Crisis & Nurses Week 2020

2. Canada Freebies Birthday Freebies in Canada

3. Canada Freebies

4. Family.one Community

5. 16 Freebies You Can Get On Your Birthday In Canada Including Dinner, Dessert & Drinks

6. Worldwide Freebies

7. Build Your Library Freebies