The best subscription gifts for everyone on your list

You don’t need to know everything about a person to give them a great gift. As long as you know about one of your hobbies or interests, a subscription can offer a number of products that match your passion. Physical subscription boxes are curated to include various items around an overarching theme (whether holiday-related or otherwise) that you may not have known existed. A digital subscription will allow someone to access a useful service without having to shell out money every month, and it will be a last-minute gift if you receive an unexpected gift from a distant friend or co-worker and want to reciprocate. Another benefit of giving this type of gift is that the recipient could continue to receive things throughout the year, depending on the length of the subscription. They’ll think of you every time a box shows up at their door or they access something new on the digital service they’re using. You’ll have no trouble finding a subscription gift to suit everyone’s tastes, but we’ve selected some of the best subscription gifts to help you get started.

Best for avid readers: Unlimited Kindle

An Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription will put millions of books of all genres in the hands of whoever is lucky enough to receive them. The service allows subscribers to download and read as many books as they like from a massive library on any device that has a Kindle app. If they move from one device to another, Amazon’s servers automatically keep track of their location. That’s better than a marker. This gift subscription, for 6 ($48), 12 ($80) or 24 months ($144), may encourage out-of-date readers to finally catch up on contemporary titles, while the voracious will find their literary yearnings. It also avoids long waits to borrow books that come with great library apps.

The best for book lovers: once upon a book

We understand that digital books (while convenient) can’t entirely replace a paperback or hardcover for some people, so you can help your favorite book build the library of your dreams with a subscription to Once Upon A Book. Each month, a package containing a new book and up to five ephemeral pieces dealing with the story will arrive at your doorstep. Once Upon A Book also includes a set of discussion questions, which is helpful if you get a subscription for yourself. Extras can entice younger readers to read the book from cover to cover to discover its meaning.

Best for Bakers: wild grain

There is nothing like the feeling of dough in your hands. Unfortunately, enthusiastic bakers don’t always have time to wait for fresh bread to rise or to make homemade croissants. Enter Wildgrain. This service ships ready-to-bake frozen breads and pastries to your door with instructions on how to cook them properly. Your favorite baker will be able to have fresh grains at your table made with seasonal and climate-friendly ingredients without having to go to the local bakery. Still, nothing beats fresh bread straight out of the oven. Perhaps consider a selection of handmade butters to accompany your crunchy creations.

The best for cheese lovers: International Cheese Subscription igourmet

If you know someone who regularly hosts a wine and cheese night, or wants to try something new, igourmet’s international cheese subscription is a great gift. Each box contains three half-pound cuts of cheese from around the world. Some cheeses can be variations on old favorites (the world of cheddar only contains multitudes) or something completely new. While many of igourmet’s cheeses come from abroad, the company also features items from domestic cheesemakers.

The best for the host: Decorated

Everyone knows that person who always decorates their halls every time a new holiday arrives. Each Decorated box includes a curated assortment of holiday-themed items, from pillows to decorative pieces like signs and wreaths. This gift subscription could also work for people who just moved to a new place and want to celebrate their first vacation with a bit of holiday cheer.

Best for Hot Ones Enthusiasts: Subscription to three bottles of Fuegobox

Fuegobox has a wide variety of hot sauces at all spice levels in their store, and this subscription will send three bottles to the person of your choice. Because spice levels can vary wildly, we recommend gifting this subscription to someone who has a high tolerance for heat. If you’re shopping for someone who loves condiments but doesn’t see every meal as an opportunity to test their power, you can choose some milder bottles a la carte.

Best for the deli wizard: cymbals

Preparing a charcuterie board is an exercise in balance: sweet, spicy, salty, bitter, and even sour notes must combine to create a pleasurable dining experience. Platterful can take some of the stress out of the equation by packing cheese, meat, spreads, crackers and additional fixings into one package. There’s no need to worry about matching the right items, which can make a host’s life a lot easier. There are even step-by-step layout instructions, so you can build your board like a pro. It’s so much more elegant than a bag of baby carrots and a big plastic tub of onion gravy.

Best for the enthusiastic home cook: spice seasons

Winter, spring, summer or fall, the best chef in your life will turn to the items in the Seasons of Spice box for inspiration or encouragement when they feel like they’re in a rut. Each season’s box contains spice packets specifically chosen by chefs to complement meals typically prepared during that time of year. Each spice includes a brief description and tips on how to use it, which is helpful if the person receiving this box is unfamiliar with it.

Best for quiet people: Broken Sails Rookie

Each month, the Broken Top Candles box delivers a four-ounce soy wax candle and a pack of matches. Broken Top has a wide variety of candles that can be purchased a la carte, but there’s something special about the element of surprise that comes with a subscription. If the person you are buying for loves candles, Broken Top offers subscriptions with one larger candle or two larger candles.

Best for the person who is always in the Christmas spirit: readyfestive

ReadyFestive’s subscription service does a great job of taking the stress out of holiday shopping. You are presented with a selection of boxes based on items appropriate for a season or holiday. Simply select which boxes you want to ship and you’re good to go. If you want to skip spring and get only winter and summer subscription boxes, you can. If you want a crate to appear this spring and on the 4th of July, you’re just a couple of clicks away. You also have the option of sending a mini, standard or deluxe box, which changes both in size and content.

Best for the perpetual student: master class

MasterClass subscribers get unlimited access to full video courses taught by teachers in their chosen field(s). Courses are taught with pre-recorded video instruction and include cooking taught by Gordon Ramsey, drumming taught by Ringo Starr, and writing taught by Roxane Gay. MasterClass continues to offer new classes on a regular basis, so this subscription will only become more valuable over time.

Best for Cable Cutter: Sling

Cable cutters sometimes regret their decision to cancel cable service. Internet video streaming is awesome, but sometimes you want to watch the latest episode of your favorite show or sports game while it’s streaming. A Sling TV subscription allows you to stream live TV from various premium channels, including CNN, ESPN, TLC, TNT, and TBS. Sling can be accessed on any device, so you’ll be able to stream any of your shows from anywhere.

The best for the most demanding gourmet.: Short

A good olive oil can change the composition of a dish, and if you know someone who understands it, get them a subscription to Corto immediately. Every six months the recipient of this gift will receive a couple of 500ml bottles and a 3L FlavorLock Box of 100% virgin olive oil. Signing up now will also get you a 2022 vintage olive oil and discounts on an expert-led tasting and chef-led cooking class. The olives for this oil are harvested from a family farm in California and are guaranteed to be of the highest quality.

Best for Snack Fans: Bokksu

Japanese snack foods are known the world over for their taste, packaging, and (unfortunately for us here in the US) their inaccessibility in much of the West. Fortunately, Bokksu will deliver a box full of 22 Japanese snacks to his friend or family member’s door every month. These snacks come straight from Japan and come with a booklet explaining each item. Bokksu includes a mix of sweet and savory snacks in every box, so there’s something for everyone.