Free Graduation Perks And Promotional Offers For 2020 Graduates

The year 2020 presented unique challenges for high school and college graduates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted traditional commencement ceremonies and celebrations. In response, numerous brands across the food, retail, and service sectors introduced special promotions, discounts, and freebies to honor the Class of 2020. These offers ranged from complimentary food items to significant percentage discounts on apparel, electronics, and other consumer goods. While many of these specific 2020 promotions were time-limited, the underlying strategies—such as student discount programs and brand engagement through social milestones—remain relevant for consumers seeking promotional value today. This article details the verified offers available to the Class of 2020, categorizing them by industry and outlining the eligibility requirements and redemption processes as documented in contemporary promotional materials.

Food and Beverage Promotions

The food and beverage sector offered some of the most prominent and accessible freebies for 2020 graduates. These promotions focused on celebratory treats and dining discounts, acknowledging the inability of students to gather in traditional settings.

Krispy Kreme: The 2020 Graduate Dozen

Krispy Kreme launched a highly publicized campaign specifically targeting the Class of 2020. The brand offered a "2020 Graduate Dozen," which was available for purchase during the week of May 18 to May 24, 2020. To sweeten the promotion, on May 19, 2020, seniors could receive a free 2020 Graduate Dozen.

• Eligibility: High school and college seniors.
• Verification Method: Customers were required to wear their cap and gown or other "Class of 2020 swag" to prove their senior status.
• Availability: The offer was valid at local Krispy Kreme shops across the USA.
• Category: Food.

Yogurtland: Graduation Cup

Yogurtland participated in the graduation celebration with a specific offer for the Class of 2021, though the methodology is relevant to the 2020 context as well. On June 21, recent graduates could fill a free 8oz cup of yogurt with their choice of toppings.

• Eligibility: Recent high school and college graduates.
• Verification Method: Wearing a cap and gown or showing proof of graduation status.
• Category: Food/Drink.

Dining Discounts

Several major restaurant chains offered percentage-based discounts to students with valid identification. While not exclusively for 2020 graduates, these discounts were applicable to the graduating class.

• Arby’s: Offered a 10% discount to students with valid ID.
• Applebee’s: Provided a 10% discount with valid school ID.
• Buffalo Wild Wings: Offered a free shareable meal for every $10 minimum purchase for college students from select universities.
• Chick-fil-A: Offered a 10% discount on select orders.
• Dairy Queen: Provided a 10% off order at participating locations.
• Dog Haus: Offered a $5 discount on orders of $15.
• McDonald’s: Offered a 10% discount on select orders at participating restaurants.
• Pizza Hut: Offered 10-20% on select orders to students with valid ID.

Retail and Apparel Discounts

The retail sector provided a vast array of discount codes and percentage-off offers for students and graduates. These offers covered clothing, accessories, electronics, and general merchandise.

Major Retail Chains

• Amazon: Promoted Amazon Prime Student, offering six months of Prime for free, followed by a subscription rate of $6.49/month. This program provided various weekly discounts.
• Ann Taylor: Offered 60% off with the code SUMMER (valid until May 24, 2020).
• Forever 21: Provided 25% off orders of $75+ with code PICK20 (valid until May 27, 2020).
• LOFT: Offered 40-60% off almost everything with promo code SPRING, with loyalty members receiving up to 60% off.

Apparel and Accessories

A comprehensive list of brands offering student or graduate discounts was documented. These discounts generally required verification via a student email or valid ID, though specific verification methods were not detailed for all brands in the source material.

• Adidas: 15% discount plus free shipping.
• Aerie: 20% discount to students.
• Aeropostale: 15% one-time discount to U.S. students.
• American Eagle: 20% discount.
• ASOS: 10% discount on full-priced purchases.
• Champion: 10%.
• Converse: 10%.
• Dr. Martens: 15%.
• Express: 15%.
• H&M: 15%.
• J.Crew: 15%.
• J.Crew Factory: 15%.
• Kate Spade: 15%.
• Levi’s: 15%.
• Nike: (Mentioned in context of sending invitations, though specific discount details were not provided in the source data).

Specialty and Niche Brands

• Alex and Ani: 15% on select accessories.
• Allen Edmonds: 15% on regular-price products.
• Calvin Klein: 10%.
• Cole Haan: 15%.
• Daniel Wellington: 15%.
• Dockers: 20%.
• FitFlop: 21%.
• GymShark: 10% student discount.
• Hunter: 15%.
• JanSport: 10%.
• Jockey: 10%.
• Keen: 30% on $100+.
• Kipling: 10%.
• Puma: (Mentioned in context of sending invitations).

Services and Subscriptions

Service-based companies also offered incentives for graduates.

• Freshly: Provided a 15% student discount code applicable to the first four orders only.
• Shipt: Offered 50% off the first same-day grocery shipping, in addition to a free 2-week trial.
• Harry & David: 20% off.
• Home Chef: 50% off.

Strategies for Acquiring Freebies: The Invitation Method

An unconventional method for acquiring free products and coupons involved sending graduation announcements or invitations directly to corporate headquarters. This strategy relies on the goodwill of consumer goods companies that maintain promotional programs for significant life events.

Recommended Companies for Announcements

According to user discussions and recommendations found on platforms like Reddit, specific companies are known to respond to graduation announcements with coupons, samples, or merchandise.

• Food and Beverage: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Kellogg's, General Mills, Mars, Hershey's, Nestlé, McDonald's, Starbucks, Burger King.
• Apparel and Sports: Nike, Adidas.
• Stationery and Gifts: Hallmark, American Greetings.

Execution Guidelines

To maximize the potential of this strategy, the following guidelines are recommended: 1. Include Details: The announcement should include the graduate's name, address, and graduation details. 2. Be Polite: Include a polite request for recognition or promotional items. 3. Target Corporate Headquarters: Send invitations to the corporate headquarters rather than local branches. 4. Manage Expectations: It is emphasized that responses are not guaranteed and vary based on company policies and current promotional cycles.

Networking Context

While primarily discussed as a method for freebies, sending graduation announcements to companies is also cited as a networking strategy. Users on Reddit note that personalizing the announcement, highlighting relevant skills, and including a resume or LinkedIn link can lead to job opportunities or internships. However, this approach should be professional to avoid appearing generic.

Categories of Offers

The promotional landscape for graduates can be divided into distinct categories based on the type of offer and the verification required.

Direct Freebies (No Purchase Required)

These are the most valuable offers but are less common. They usually require physical proof of graduation status. * Krispy Kreme: Free dozen donuts on specific dates with cap and gown. * Yogurtland: Free cup of yogurt with cap and gown.

Discount Codes (Requires Purchase