Ifelt like a star last week. My birthday rolled around and I started receiving all kinds of free birthday gifts from retailers and restaurants around the country.

Just the perk of being a consumer columnist, you ask? No, dahling. You can get in on the action, too.

Lots of companies will reward you for simply signing up for their mailing lists. Often, those rewards include freebies on your birthday. Here are a few:

Go to www.Boulevard-Mall.com and click to sign up for its e-Club. You’ll get a voucher on your birthday, which you can take to customer service and exchange for a free gift card.

Sign up for “Chunk Mail,” Ben & Jerry’s free e-newsletter at www.Ben-Jerry.com .

You’ll get a free scoop on your birthday (no purchase necessary) at a Ben&Jerry’s Scoop Shop. I savored a lump of oatmeal cookie chunk.

Click “rewards” at www.DaveAnd-Busters.com and get $10 in game credits when you sign up and another $5 in credits for your birthday.

Get a free gourmet burger when you join the eClub at RedRobin.com.

Bob Evans will give you a coupon for a free breakfast when you sign up for its BE-mail at www.BobEvans.com .

Click on “Get our E-mails” at www.Applebees.com for a coupon for a 99-cent appetizer right away and a “free treat” on your birthday.

Get birthday freebies for yourself and your spouse when you sign up for the Perkins eClub at www.Perkins-Restaurants.com and a free bakery treat for kids under 13 at Bakery- Buddies. KidsBirthdayClub.com.

Get a free hamburger (purchase necessary) when you join the Rocket e-club at JohnnyRockets.com.

You’ll get a “free treat” for signing up with Pretzel Perks at www.Auntie-Annes.com and get additional freebies and coupons each month.

Sign up with Dairy Queen at www.BlizzardFanClub.com/join and get a coupon for a free birthday blizzard.

Get free chips and Queso at Chili’s when you sign up at www.Chilis.com .

Stop in at a participating Denny’s on your birthday, show your ID and get a free Grand Slam breakfast.

Register for the Burger King Kids’ club at www.ClubBK.com and get a free hamburger kids’ meal on your kids’ birthday (as long as they’re younger than 13).

Click “So Connected” at www.Ruby-TuesdayRestaurants.com and receive a free burger on your birthday.

Register a Starbucks gift card at www.Starbucks.com/card/rewards and receive a free drink on your birthday.

Join the Birthday Club at www.Cold-StoneCreamery.com and get a coupon for free ice cream to use during the week of your birthday.

Sign up for the eClub at www.Buffet.com/eclub and get a free birthday meal at Old Country Buffet.

Click “Give me more stripes” at www.TGIFridays.com and get a free dessert on your birthday.

Remember—use your real name and birthday when signing up. Some offers require you show ID.

Happy birthday to us!

schristmann@buffnews.comnull