February 24, 2022
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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has attracted an incredible amount of propaganda and fake news stories.
The people who are suffering are the Ukrainians who have been displaced, killed and captured. No-one disagrees with that.
But so many people are suggesting that their is an endgame that is involves Russian sanctions and isolation.
The cost of the war in Ukraine
Whilst Ukraine will be left in ruins and in need of a rebuild. The unfortunate cost of the war will leave the country with debt for the arms that have been supplied by the United States and being used as a proxy for the US.
Russia has a perspective which is monitored and blocked by major search engines.
Ukraine and specifically the President Zelensky is on a PR war. Rallying as many world leaders to join to condemn the Russian invasion.
Will Ukraine join NATO?
The questions everyone is still asking is Will Ukraine be able to join NATO and the EU.
And if that happens will Russia take this war to the next level.
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Follow WTX News for the latest news from the ground in Ukraine.
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On WTX News EU – A new channel after our last one was banned, for sharing the Truth about the War.
Shops that give away birthday vouchers and freebies – from Hobbs to The Body Shop
It’s your birthday, so you deserve a freebie! (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Birthdays are a time for… presents, of course!
It’s also a time for celebrating the year gone by, looking forward to the year ahead, enjoying time with family and friends, and hopefully indulging in some cake.
Still, gifts are pretty great, right? Especially when it’s a treat or money to spend in your favourite shop.
A number of stores offer treats and vouchers to mark your big day – usually if you sign up to their newsletter, or become a member of their customer loyalty scheme, and (obviously) tell them your birth date.
Here are a few brands to check out.
Which shops give you vouchers or freebies on your birthday?
Accessorize
Joining loyalty club Accessorize Treats and you’ll be offered a – you guessed it – treat for your birthday.
It’s not 100% clear what your gift will be, mind, though the shop is known for its handbags, jewellery, hats, hair accessories and more.
More: Shopping
Boden
In the past, Boden has been known to send its newsletter subscribers a £10 voucher for their birthday.
The birthday form to sign up with doesn’t promise a voucher, mind, but it does mention ‘surprise treats’ and offers, so it may be worth signing up – and seeing what comes out of it.
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Clinique
Best get on that Smart Rewards scheme (Picture: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Credits: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Make-up and skincare brand Clinique offers a free birthday gift to members of its points-based loyalty program Smart Rewards.
Depending on how many points you have (which informs what ‘tier’ you’re in), you could get a deluxe sample size or full size product for free – alas, you can only get it when you make a purchase.
Smart Rewards also allows you to redeem your points to get free products alongside your purchases, too.
Find out what you could get at Clinique
Hobbs
Hobbs offers a free birthday gift for anyone who subscribes to its newsletter.
Back in 2021, it seemed the birthday gift was a lovely Hobbs candle, worth £20, though it’s not clear if that’s still what is on offer in 2023.
You also get 10% off your first purchase for signing up to the newsletter, too, as well as other offers, which is another bonus.
Find out more on Hobbs’ website
More: Cost of living
Hobbycraft
Members of the crafting store’s Hobbycraft Club get a £5 voucher or discount code to use for their birthday.
You don’t appear to need to make another purchase to use it, so you could buy an item valued at £5 without needing to spend another penny. It can be spent in store and online, too, as per the T&Cs.
Signing up also gets you a 15% discount on your first purchase (or workshop).
Sign up on Hobbycraft’s website
Hotel Chocolat
Nothing says happy birthday like some fancy cholate! (Picture: Getty)
VIP.me is Hotel Chocolat’s reward scheme, and it also a ‘surprise treat’ to spend for your birthday.
It’s thought that this is £5 to spend, which you can do in store, according to Money Saving Expert.
This is on top of other offers you get when you join – including 15% off your next purchase after signing up, and getting 20% off café drinks, ice lollies and ice creams.
Find out more at Hotel Chocolat
Monsoon
Clothing brand Monsoon has its own points-based loyalty scheme, Monsoon Rewards, which offers VIP members (who’ve collected 500 or more points in a year) a free birthday gift.
It’s an ‘exclusive’ birthday gift, says the website, but no detail on what exactly you get.
New threads for your birthday? (Picture: Getty)
Rituals
Rituals often offers free gifts (though you do have to make a purchase).
A free birthday gift – which has previously been a shower oil of your choice – is available for those who have an account and have signed up to the newsletter.
Additionally, joining the My Rituals membership programme comes with a free welcome gift, and even a changing gift by month (at the time of writing, it’s a The Ritual of Jing sleep set) – again when you make a purchase.
Find out more on Rituals’ website
Smiggle
Kids’ stationery shop Smiggle offers its VIP members a £5 birthday voucher. You do have to spend a minimum of £20 to use it, though.
There are other benefits to being a VIP, including 20% off your next full price order, as well as the chance to collect stamps in-store, leading to a free gift.
More: Money
Space NK
Make-up brand Space NK has a loyalty scheme called NDULGE, which allows customers to collect points on their purchases, but also offers a ‘complimentary birthday beauty treat’.
You’ll be made up with Space NK’s complimentary birthday treat (Picture: Getty)
The treat changes month on month, but to give you an idea, March 2023’s free gift includes a 5ml sample of Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment, with a mini mascara and trial-sized deodorant, too.
Members who spend £1,000 or more in a 12-month period with Space NK are classed as ‘Deluxe’ members of NDULGE, and get to choose from a selection of full-sized beauty products for their gift. One option in the March 2023 line-up is worth £86.
It’s not entirely clear if you need to make a purchase to get your gift, though.
The Body Shop
Are you a member of the Love Your Body Club? (Picture: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
The Body Shop sells all sorts of fragrant bath products, skincare and cosmetics.
And if you join the Love Your Body Club, you’ll be able to buy something for £5 thanks to their birthday voucher offering.
The brand says online: ‘You’re eligible to receive a £5 reward voucher (sent to you via email on your birthday) if you’ve provided us with your date of birth and shopped in the last 12 months. This can be spent in-store or online, on anything you’d like.’
You’ll also get 15% off your next purchase when you sign up.
MORE : All the restaurants where you can get free food on your birthday
MORE : The Sephora UK store is finally here – and you can bag some sweet freebies
MORE : From checking your mileage to loyalty rewards – everyday life hacks that will save you money
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