- There’s a subscription box for every interest and hobby you can think of: books, designer fashion, pets, and even flavored water.
- Conveniently, you don’t even need to wrap them yourself – they’ll be sent directly to your recipient in pretty packaging so they can immediately start discovering new products or automating an everyday routine.
- Read more: 25 small gifts and gestures for friends or family members who are having a hard time self-isolating or social distancing
By now, the idea of a subscription box service is far from new. It remains, however, an excellent gift choice because there’s one for pretty much every interest and hobby you can think of. It’s also easy to purchase online and send – no pesky gift-wrapping necessary.
The best subscription services provide unique discovery opportunities, curate high-quality brands, and automate everyday routines to make life easier. They also make great gifts because most of them have digital gift card options that will land in your recipient’s inbox immediately. Then, they can apply it towards a plan of their choice and personalize the subscription to their own wants and needs. So, even if the actual subscription box doesn’t ship in time for the occasion (though no one needs an occasion to celebrate these days), your recipient will still receive notification that it’s on its way, so they know you didn’t forget about them.
The top 5 best subscription gifts:
- A wine subscription from Winc
- Their favorite food from Goldbelly
- A Disney+ subscription
- Low-maintenance indoor plants from The Sill
- Japanese snacks to feed their wanderlust
Check out 40 great subscription gifts below:
Winc: full-sized bottles of wine to enjoy
Gift a Winc gift card, $60-$600
The other wine subscription option, better suited to gift to frequent party hosts, is Winc. The California-based company both creates its own wine and curates bottles from top vineyards, and it sends three full bottles of wine based on their “Palate Profile.” Its community rating system also points them to new names to try.
Read our full review of Winc here.
Goldbelly: their favorite food delivered to their door
Gift a Goldbelly Subscription, $45-$749
You can choose from subscriptions to their favorite food like pizza and BBQ, their favorite cities like NY and New Orleans, or let the editors at Goldbelly curate the month's best sellers for a surprise box.
Read our full review of Goldbelly here.
Disney Plus: entertainment options for every mood and interest
Gift a Disney+ subscription, $69.99/year
The popular new streaming subscription features unlimited, ad-free access to thousands of movies and series (including original, exclusive programming), and the ability to stream on up to four devices simultaneously and add up to seven profiles. If you know someone who still hasn't subscribed, you can help them tune into all the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars content they've been craving.
Read our full review of Disney+ here.
Escape the crate: the fun of an escape room from the comfort of your home
Escape the crate Subscription, $57.98/4 months
Escape the crate allows people to bring the fun of escape room's to their homes. It comes with all of the clues/puzzles to solve and each box has a fun and exciting theme. The boxes deliver every other month because they are tested and ensure that they are giving people the best experience. Gift this brain puzzling experience to anyone who loves fun game night's in.
Date night in box: a custom-curated date night sent right to their door
Gift a Date Night in a Box Subscription, $120/3 months
If you're shopping for a couple that you know, this will take the stress out of planning date night. Each box is themed and comes with activities, ambience for the night, and of course, snacks or recipes to make.
Adult and Craft: all that you need to make your Pinterest project dreams come true
Gift an Adult and Craft Subscription, $33 a month
Crafting lovers rejoice because this box provides you with all you need to make your Pinterest dream projects some true. The box provides you with enough supplies to create the projects which range anywhere from photo transfer to wood working.
Vinebox: glasses of wine to help them wind down at the end of the day
Gift a Vinebox subscription, $158/6 months
Rather than sending full-sized bottles of wine, Vinebox adopts the unique approach of bottling up nine single glass servings of wine they'll love. This personalized wine flight arrives on a quarterly schedule. Your recipient also receives a $15 credit to buy the full-sized bottle of their favorite sample.
Read our full review of Vinebox here.
Birchbox: beauty and grooming samples tailored to their style and needs
Gift a Birchbox subscription for her, $45/3 months
Gift a Birchbox subscription for him, $30/3 months
The grooming, skincare, and beauty industries couldn't be more packed with products for all types of needs and concerns. Birchbox digs through the clutter for them and picks out five samples each month that they should use. At $15 a month, the value of the service is unparalleled.
Read our full review of Birchbox here.
Harry's: razors and accessories needed for a close and comfortable shave
Gift a Harry's custom shave plan here, starting at $8 one time payment with a $15 refill every 5 months
The gift of a clean, smooth shave is more cherished than you might think. Harry's full line of shaving products work together seamlessly, and you can customize this combination of blades, creams, foaming gels, and post-shave balms to send to your recipient.
Read our full review of Harry's here.
BarkBox: toys and treats for their best animal friend
Gift a BarkBox subscription, $89/3 months
The best way to please a dog owner is to gift not them but their dog. Bark Box's adorable toys and all-natural treats are the highlight of the month for more than two million dogs nationwide.
Read our full review of BarkBox here.
KitNipBox: toys and treats for their other best animal friend
Gift a KitNipBox subscription, $24.99/3 months
Of course, cats also deserve to be spoiled. The toys will entertain them for hours and the treats will keep their bellies full through lazy afternoon naps. KitNipBox supports more than 100 animal welfare organizations by donating a portion of proceeds and products every month.
Read our full review of KitNipBox here.
Atlas Coffee Club: the ability to travel the world, one cup of coffee at a time
Gift an Atlas Coffee Club subscription, $60/3 months
More than one area of the globe boasts amazing coffee, and around-the-world subscription Atlas Coffee Club is out to prove that by sending coffee from a different region every month. Each order includes tailored brewing recommendations and a postcard with information about the country's coffee-growing methods so they'll fully appreciate the flavor and history of each cup.
Read our full review of Atlas Coffee Club here.
Book of the Month: the perfect gift for people who appreciate the feel of a physical book
Gift a Book of the Month subscription, $49.99/3 months
This national book club is still going strong after more than 90 years. Every month, the bookworm in your life can choose a hardcover from five new titles and settle into a story that, more often than not, goes on to gain national attention and win major literary awards.
Read our full review of Book of the Month here.
Cairn: outdoor products to get them prepared and excited to explore
Gift a Cairn subscription, $89.85/3 months
A group of outdoor enthusiasts came together to start Cairn, a subscription box of up to six products to gear anyone up for hikes, camping, and other outdoor activities. Whether they are just starting a new outdoor hobby or have conquered trails across the country, they'll be inspired by the food, gear, and apparel in the box to stop wasting time and get outside.
Read our full review of Cairn here.
FabFitFun: the seasonal subscription box filled with the best full-sized products
Gift a FabFitFun gift card, $25-$300
Curating eight to 10 full-sized, premium products across beauty, wellness, and fitness for only $49.99, FabFitFun sounds almost too good to be true. Members can customize their boxes and add on other products, enjoy exclusive offers and discounts from brand partners, and access workouts through FabFitFunTV.
Read our full review of Fab Fit Fun here.
KiwiCo: activity-filled boxes that make kids forget they're even learning
Gift a Kiwi Crate subscription, $60/3 months
This kids' subscription is divided into different types of "crates" based on the age group. The Tadpole Crate (0-2 years old), for example, helps develop their imagination and fine motor skills; the Kiwi Crate (5-8 years old) blends art, science, and engineering into hands-on projects; and the Atlas Crate (6-11 years old) explores world geography and cultures.
Read our full review of Kiwi Co Panda Crate here.
Stance: socks worn by NBA players, skateboarders, and musicians alike
Gift a Stance subscription, $57/3 months
As a kid, no one was ever excited to receive socks, but it's a different story for adults - especially when the socks are as stylish and comfortable as Stance's. With celebrity investors like Will Smith, Dwayne Wade, Nas, and Jay-Z, Stance definitely has an aura of cool that translates into its socks.
Read our full review of Stance here.
Hint: delicious, healthy waters that kick their soda habit
Gift the Hint Flavor of the Month Bundle Subscription, $46.99/month
Fans of this flavored water stock it in their pantries by the caseful. The calorie-, sugar-, and GMO-free water comes in refreshing flavors like mango-grapefruit and blood orange, which they can rotate through with this drink subscription. Anyone who's bored with regular water but wants to stay hydrated and healthy will look forward to each month's delivery.
Read our full review of Hint Water here.
Causebox: products for the socially and environmentally conscious
Gift a Causebox membership, $199.80/year
Causebox curates ethically made, vegan, and charitable products from the top socially conscious brands in beauty, fashion, wellness, home, and art. Each quarterly box has a retail value of more than $200 but only costs $49.95 and has the added benefit of doing good - for artisans, the environment, and your body.
Read our full review of Causebox here.
The SIll: low-maintenance plants for budding green thumbs
Gift The Sill's Plants for Beginners Subscription, $35/month
Even those with terrible histories of tending to plants can build a thriving garden with The Sill. Each month, the houseplant subscription delivers a hand-potted plant in a gorgeous earthenware planter in one of four colors of their choosing.
Read our full review of The Sill here.
Rent the Runway: designer clothing rentals for less
Gift a Rent the Runway membership, $69/month, or a gift card, $50-$250
Rent the Runway's innovative model means they no longer have to waste money on clothes they'll wear once or twice. Other clothing subscriptions to consider are competing rental service Le Tote ($69/month) and Stitch Fix, which caters to personal styles and budgets.
Read our full review of Rent the Runway here.
Mouth: gourmet treats from makers you've never heard of
Gift a Mouth subscription, $47.75/month
Gourmet PopTarts, single-origin chocolate, and unusual chips made in small batches by independent American makers fill the boxes from this elevated snack company. There are six different subscriptions to choose from, including a Best of Mouth tasting sampler and the hyper-specific Pickles assortment.
Vinyl Me, Please: exclusive vinyl records to build their collection
Gift a Vinyl Me, Please membership, $99/3 months
Adding to their vinyl collection isn't difficult when they can choose one exclusive LP each month from a collection of Essentials, Classics, and Rap and Hip Hop. The three-month gift membership includes one bonus record, while the six- and 12-month ones include two bonus records.
Read our full review of Vinyl Me, Please here.
ArtSnacks: supplies for artists of all levels
Gift an ArtSnacks subscription, $24/month
Part of the fun of being an artist is trying out new products and techniques. ArtSnacks' collection of four to five premium, limited-edition art products (brushes, pens, paint, paper) encourages artists to incorporate supplies and techniques they might not use otherwise. They can join in on the #artsnackschallenge by using only that month's products to create and share a work of art.
Carnivore Club: cured meats to snack on
Gift a Carnivore Club gift card, $25-$100
Hopefully they'll invite you to the picnic after they receive a box of delicious, handcrafted cured meats from Carnivore Club. The local salami, prosciutto, pancetta, and other cured meats taste far better than the kind they get from the grocery store. The price is $39.99 per box, and each contains four to six meats.
Goby: the first electric toothbrush they'll be excited to receive
Gift a Goby gift card, $50-$100
The gift of good oral care is both thoughtful and useful. The Goby electric toothbrush is vigorously thorough, with the ability to be switched between sensitive and standard modes. Choose the eye-catching monochrome or metallic style, and throw in the brush head subscription so they always have an effective brush head.
Read our full review of Goby here.
Next Big Idea Club: the best nonfiction books, as recommended by bestselling authors
Gift a Next Big Idea Club Hardcover Book subscription, $249/year
The book selections from Next Big Idea Club are curated by some of the biggest names in business and psychology non-fiction. Your recipient will read only the books that really matter, receive course materials that delve deeper into the content, access exclusive interviews, and discuss learnings with fellow members.
Read our full review of Next Big Idea here.
Frank And Oak: stylish yet composed closet basics
Gift a Frank And Oak Style Plan gift card, $25-$500
Canadian clothing startup Frank And Oak offers Style Plans for both men and women who are looking to build the foundation of their closet with long-lasting, versatile basics. The box contains items like simple crew necks and button-downs they can't go wrong with, plus they're all ethically sourced and sustainably made.
Read our full review of Frank and Oak here.
Teabox: fresh, hand-selected tea leaves from India
Gift a Teabox subscription, $108/3 months
Teabox sends enough tea (and in five varieties) that they can enjoy two to three cups every day of the month. The themed boxes will make them appreciate the diverse types of tea more than ever. Past boxes include the Assam box, a range of black teas, and the Diwali box, a tribute to the flavors of India.
Read our full review of Teabox here.
The Bouqs Co.: flower bouquets every week or every month, just because
Gift a Bouqs Co. subscription, $36-$60/month
We would never turn down a regular shipment of beautiful flowers to adorn our desks or tabletops. With a subscription, you can save 20% on bouquets, enjoy free delivery, and set customizable dates for your lucky recipient.
HelloFresh: convenient, easy-to-cook, and delicious meal kits
Gift a HelloFresh subscription, from $60.93
HelloFresh is one of our top meal kit subscription choices because of its tasty dishes, creative features like "Dinner-to-Lunch" recipes, and accompanying wine club. There are plans and menus to suit all types of cooks and family sizes, from vegetarian couples to omnivore families of four. If HelloFresh doesn't look like it'll suit your recipient, check out the gift options from one of these services.
Read our full review of HelloFresh here.
Daily Harvest: the easiest way to eat and drink healthy
Gift a Daily Harvest gift card, $25-$250
From breakfast to dinner, Daily Harvest is the purveyor of all things healthy. Its pre-portioned smoothies, harvest bowls, lattes, soups, parfaits, and overnight oats are far from rabbit food and will actually fill them up with the nutrients to attack the day.
Read our full review of Daily Harvest here.
Bokksu: authentic snacks from Japanese makers
Gift a Bokksu subscription, $116.97/3 months
Experience the creative snack culture of Japan through Bokksu, the subscription where they won't know which one to tear open first. Think: Kit Kat flavors they can't find in the US, shiitake mushroom chips, kabocha bread, and citrus shortbread cookies. The themed boxes contain 20 to 25 snacks and a tea pairing.
Read our full review of Bokksu Club here.
Universal Yums: snacks from a different country each month
Gift a Universal Yums subscription, $81/3 months
Another delicious snack box option from Universal Yums, this one spotlights treats from a different country each month. Each box contains at least 12 unique snacks, plus a guidebook with trivia and games from the country. Past boxes have featured snacks from Spain, Greece, Indonesia, and Israel.
Read our full review of Universal Yums here.
Care/Of: a personalized supply of daily vitamins
Gift a Care/Of subscription, $90/3 months
Vitamins were never so giftable before Care/Of. Its business centers around personalization, down to the name and message printed on the vitamin pack. Your purchase also provides mothers in need with prenatal vitamins.
Read our full review of the Care/Of Subscription here.
Facetory: the best Korean sheet masks
Gift a Facetory subscription, $59.70/3 months
Soothing sheet masks are essential to an at-home spa day. Facetory sends high-quality Korean sheet masks for half their retail price. Made from unique ingredients like banana milk, yogurt, marine collagen, and 24 karat gold extract, they address a range of skin concerns and simply feel great on their skin.
Read our full review of Facetory here.
Breo Box: high-end and boutique brand name products
Gift a Breo Box subscription, $309/2 seasons
Past boxes from Breo Box have included TRX fitness accessories, smart home devices and smartwatches, and Bluetooth headphones. The high-end products aren't geared toward any gender - as long as they appreciate quality everyday essentials, fitness and health gear, and tech, they'll love Breo Box.
Read our full review of Breo Box here.
Stitch Fix: an inclusive and personalized styling experience
Gift a Stitch Fix gift card, $20-$1,000
Stitch Fix offers the most styling options for different ages and body types: men, women, kids, plus size, maternity, and petite. The average price for men's and women's items is $55, but they can set their own budget to receive clothes they're comfortable with, and you can give a gift card in amounts up to $1,000.
Read our full review of Stitch Fix here.
Tippsy: premium Japanese sake from top breweries
Gift a Tippsy subscription, $168/3 months
While you have plenty of wine clubs to choose from, other types of alcohol are quietly waiting in the background for their moment to shine. Sake is one example - it's harder and more expensive to find, and it lacks the mainstream education afforded to beer and wine. Tippsy sources its sake directly from the best Japanese breweries for a more affordable price and teaches your recipient everything they need to know to become a sake expert.
Read our full review of Tippsy here.
Candy Club: curated treats to satisfy a sweet tooth
Gift a Candy Club subscription, $29.99/month
Giftees with a hankering for something sweet will appreciate receiving a Fun Box with six 6-ounce candy cups. The brand partners with smaller artisans as well as famed candy shops for a curated selection of delicious treats every month based on a personalized flavor profile.
