Pumpkin Spice Season 2021 Deals and Freebies: A Guide to Fall Offers

Fall 2021 brought a variety of promotional offers and freebies centered around seasonal pumpkin spice products. Ranging from beverages and baked goods to pet treats and home brewing supplies, these deals were available at major retailers, restaurants, and online marketplaces. The availability of these offers often coincided with specific dates such as the start of fall, National Coffee Day, and National Pumpkin Day, requiring consumers to act quickly to take advantage of limited-time promotions.

Many of the documented offers focused on food and beverage categories, with coffee chains and quick-service restaurants leading the way. Retailers such as Bed Bath & Beyond and grocery stores like Kroger and Whole Foods also featured discounts on pumpkin spice products. Additionally, niche brands and online retailers offered seasonal items, sometimes with the added benefit of free shipping.

Pumpkin Spice Beverage Promotions

Coffee and beverage chains were prominent sources of pumpkin spice deals during the fall of 2021. Starbucks officially returned its Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) and Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew to menus on August 24, 2021. The PSL consisted of espresso and steamed milk combined with pumpkin and spice flavors, available hot, iced, or blended. The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew was sweetened with vanilla syrup and topped with pumpkin cream cold foam and pumpkin pie spices. In 2020, the cold brew version reportedly outsold the PSL for the first time.

Dunkin' also promoted pumpkin spice beverages, including the Pumpkin Creme Cold Brew. Consumers were encouraged to use the DD Perks app to score points on these purchases. On National Coffee Day, which fell on September 29, 2021, several chains offered deals. Krispy Kreme provided free coffee and doughnuts, while other participants included Circle K, Dunkin', Panera Bread, and Sheetz. Specific deals varied by location. For example, Baskin-Robbins offered Cappuccino Blasts at discounted prices ($4 for small, $5 for medium, $6 for large) through the end of October. Bruegger's Bagels offered free iced or hot coffee daily with a purchase when ordering ahead through their app. Caribou Coffee offered a free beverage to members of their free Perks rewards program after their first visit as a member.

Retail and Grocery Deals

For consumers looking to enjoy pumpkin spice flavors at home, several retailers offered discounts on grocery items and brewing supplies. Bed Bath & Beyond featured a deal on Green Mountain Coffee Pumpkin Spice Keurig K-Cup Pods. A 48-count box was on sale for $20, marked down from $29.99 (approximately 33% off).

In the grocery sector, Bobo’s, a bakery known for oat bars, released a limited-edition Pumpkin Spice Bar. These bars were available at major retailers including Kroger, Target, and Whole Foods. Additionally, Bobo’s offered the bars online with free shipping. Carousel Cakes offered an award-winning Pumpkin Cheese Pie, described as a combination of New York cheesecake and spiced pumpkin pie. This item was available on Goldbelly for $39, feeding between 8 and 10 people.

Trader Joe's and Target were also mentioned as sources for pumpkin spice products to satisfy seasonal cravings, though specific deal details for these retailers were not provided in the source data.

National Day Promotions

Specific dates on the calendar drove many of the available promotions. National Coffee Day on September 29, 2021, served as a major event for beverage discounts. National Pumpkin Day fell on October 26, 2021. While specific "National Pumpkin Day" deals were not explicitly identified in the source data, the date occurred near Halloween, prompting various pumpkin-themed fun and general food deals.

On National Pumpkin Day, Buffalo Wild Wings offered BOGO traditional wings on Tuesdays, though this was a recurring weekly promotion rather than a specific holiday offer. IHOP offered free kids' meals daily from 4 pm to 10 pm. Krispy Kreme encouraged customers to check their app for potential offers on that day. Pizza Hut celebrated by offering Original Stuffed Crust Pizza for $12.99 and partnering with the horror streaming service Shudder for a movie promotion.

Halloween 2021 also brought food freebies. Schlotzsky's offered a free Classic Cinnabon Roll with the purchase of an entrée on October 31, 2021. The entrée could be a sandwich, pizza, flatbread, or salad, and the offer was valid in-store or via the app but could not be combined with other offers.

Pet and Niche Offers

The seasonal trend extended beyond human food. Chewy, the online pet retailer, was noted as a source for pumpkin spice-flavored dog treats. While specific product details or pricing were not provided in the excerpt, the inclusion of pet products highlights the broad reach of the pumpkin spice trend during the 2021 season.

Historical Context of Pumpkin Spice

The popularity of pumpkin spice has deep roots in American culinary history. October 1st is recognized as National Pumpkin Spice Day. Pumpkin spice is defined as a blend of ground cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg, and sometimes allspice. Originally used for pumpkin pie, the blend was commercially introduced by McCormick & Company in 1934 to simplify the baking process. The combination of pumpkin and spice dates back to the Pilgrims, with early recipes appearing in the 1796 cookbook American Cookery by Amelia Simmons. The modern proliferation of pumpkin spice flavors, particularly in beverages like the Starbucks PSL, builds on this historical foundation.

Conclusion

The fall 2021 season provided U.S. consumers with numerous opportunities to purchase pumpkin spice products at a discount or receive free items. The offers spanned a wide range of categories, from coffee and baked goods to pet treats and home brewing supplies. Key dates such as National Coffee Day and National Pumpkin Day served as focal points for specific promotions. Consumers were advised to check participating locations and specific app terms, as offers often varied by retailer and were subject to expiration.