If you’re anything like me, you seriously struggle to find the perfect holiday gift for your loved ones. Some people might be relatively easy, but most of the time, people are just really hard to shop for! But over the years, I’ve found that subscription gifts are practically fool-proof.
What is a Subscription Gift?
Exactly what it sounds like! You’re gifting someone a subscription for a specific service or package delivered straight to them each month.
Subscription gifts are fantastic for a number of reasons. For one thing, they’re a lot of fun. (If you’ve never had one yourself, you’re seriously missing out.) There are also subscriptions for just about every interest or hobby you can think of, so you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list.
It’s also a really thoughtful gift. Not only are you giving someone something they’re genuinely interested in, you’re giving it to them every single month! You can choose to give someone a yearly subscription, but a lot of companies also offer 3-month or 6-month boxes as well.
Keep reading to find the best subscription gifts for your loved ones this holiday season.
Best Subscription Gifts To Consider
I wasn’t kidding when I said there was something out there for everyone! But in order to make this gift guide a little more manageable, I’ve narrowed it down to the 10 best ones you should consider this year.
StoryWorth
The first one on my list is StoryWorth. This has to be one of the most unique gift ideas I’ve seen. It’s an online service that collects your favorite stories and memories to keep in book form.
And while it is technically a subscription, it’s a little different than the other gifts on this list. Here’s how it works:
Each week, StoryWorth will send an email with a prompt or question. Then, the responses are stored and at the end of the year, all of the stories are compiled into a hardcover book. You can choose the questions ahead of time, have them randomly selected, or even write your own. Some sample questions include:
- What is one of your favorite childhood memories?
- Who are your favorite artists?
- What things matter most to you in life?
Cost – $99
Masterclass
If you have a loved one who seriously adores learning, Masterclass is one of the best gift ideas out there. It’s an online platform where you can find thousands of classes from leading experts in everything from business to cooking.
There are classes on a wide variety of topics, but it tends to be extremely popular with creatives. You can find classes on writing, art, entertainment, music, and more. And right now, you can buy one subscription and get a second one for free to give as a gift!
Cost – $180 per year
Book of the Month
Book of the Month is one of the most popular book boxes on the market. Each month, BOTM features 5-7 newly released books that you can choose from. If you don’t like the options, you can choose from the library or skip a month and choose next month instead.
To give as a gift, you can choose a 3-month plan, a 6-month plan, or a 12-month plan.
Cost – starts at $50 (3 months)
Audible
An audible subscription is perfect for those who prefer to listen to audio-books. Memberships come with one free audiobook to keep every month along with access to their catalog of books and podcasts.
Cost – starts at $15 (1 month)
Scribbler
If you want to gift a subscription box to the writer in your life, Scribbler is a pretty good bet. Each box comes with a newly released novel, helpful writing tips, and live chat opportunities with publishing industry insiders. There’s also a box option that includes extra writer gifts.
It’s a monthly subscription, but you can choose to send only one box at checkout. Otherwise, it will renew each month until you cancel.
Cost – starts at $20 per month
Related Read: The Ultimate Writers Gift Guide
Beauty Boxes
A beauty box subscription is perfect for the makeup or skincare addict in your life. It’s one of the most popular types of subscription boxes, so there are a ton of them out there you can choose from.
Allure Beauty Box is one that lets you choose a 3, 6, or 12 month plan which makes it really easy to gift.
Cost – starts at $64 (3 months)
Ipsy Beauty Box is a little more complicated in terms of gifting—you can’t choose a set plan, instead it’s a strictly monthly service that costs $13 per month. But having used both of them myself, I can honestly say you get way better products with Ipsy.
Scent Bird is another interesting one. It’s actually a fragrance subscription so you can try top perfumes and colognes before committing to a full bottle. Each month, you get a new fragrance to try from over 600 different designer scents. And it lets you choose a subscription plan of 3, 6, or 12 months.
Cost – starts at $48 (3 months)
Hunt a Killer
Hunt a Killer is the original murder mystery subscription. It’s basically an immersive game where you take on the role of a detective and try to solve a murder. The games are told over the course of six episodes. Each month, you’ll get a box with different clues that you’ll use to solve the mystery.
Given that each game consists of 6 boxes, it can be slightly expensive. But you can also choose to purchase box sets from previous seasons, which come with all six games at once.
Cost – $30 per month or $100 per box set
Winc
For the wino in your life. With Winc, you get 4 full bottles of wine each month. Rather than giving a full subscription, the company sells gift cards that can be redeemed on the website. However, it’s similar to a subscription since the gift cards are only sold in set amounts (ie – the amount per month).
Cost – starts at $60 (1 month)
Atlas Coffee Club
Perfect for the friend who seriously loves a good cup of coffee.
Atlas Coffee Club is a subscription that lets you try new coffee from around the world each month. And you can gift a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscription.
Cost – starts at $50 (3-months)
TheraBox
TheraBox is a monthly self-care subscription aimed at improving health and happiness. Each box comes with a therapeutic activity and 7-8 full sized products to boost your mood. Skincare products, essential oils, candles, and other wellness inspired gifts.
It’s a bit pricy, but given how much each box comes with, it’s well worth it. Gift subscriptions can be 1, 3, 6, or 12 months.
Cost – starts at $39 (1 month)
What are your thoughts on subscription gifts? Let me know in the comments below!
6 Comments
These are some great ideas. Love the story book one, the beauty boxes are fab and anything book related is right up my street.
Beauty boxes are so much fun! After awhile, though, your samples start to pile up. But as a gift, a 3 or 6 month plan would be perfect.
These are some great ideas! I’ll have to remember these next time I’m buying gifts. Everyone is already sorted this year but I’ve spotted a few that would be good for birthdays etc.
Of course! Holidays aren’t the only gift-giving season!
We would love to get a MasterClass subscription!
I know! It’s such an interesting one too. Almost like Netflix but for people who always want to learn something new.