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For Plant Lovers
Horti Plant Subscription
For the Old-School Music Fan
Vinyl Me Please Subscription
For Kids
KiwiCo Kiwi Crate
For the WIRED Ones
Breo Box
Between birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays, it’s easy to run out of gift ideas. Don’t throw your hands in the air yet—consider a subscription box. There are boxes for nearly every interest, and your giftee can try a bunch of stuff that would be far too expensive for you to compile yourself. You can buy them for one month, but we think three months makes the perfect gift since they’ll get that warm giddy feeling again and again. I’m also a firm believer that you need to gift yourself every so often. These boxes work whether you’re buying for yourself or someone else.
None of the options below require contracts, so you can cancel at any time. (Check the fine print of the plan you’re choosing and see how many days before billing you need to notify to cancel.) If you purchase a multiple-month subscription, you can cancel the auto-renew, but you won’t get money back for the boxes that haven’t shipped yet. We’ve noted when boxes have separate gift options, which typically cost a little more, but you won’t have to worry about canceling. Keep in mind that subscription boxes tend to ship at a very specific time every month, so they won’t mail out immediately upon ordering if you’re rushing for a last-minute gift.
Be sure to check out our many other gift guides, like Gifts for Teens and 25 Gifts Under $25, and some of our favorite gifts, like these tactical pants.
Updated November 2023: We added Vinyl Me Please records and Vellabox candles. We also updated pricing throughout.
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Photograph: Horti
For Plant Lovers
Horti Plant Subscription
When it comes to flora, people tend to gift flowers. They’re pretty and smell good, but they’re already halfway dead by the time they get to your giftee. On the other hand, plants are fantastic gifts that can live on for years if cared for correctly. Horti makes it easy for someone to slowly turn their living quarters into a jungle.
Choose between pet-friendly and beginner plants (or go for Horti’s pick) and either a plain terra-cotta pot or one with nice painted features. Each box comes with one plant, a puck of potting soil, and tips and advice for caring for them. The plants are carefully packaged, so they shouldn’t be damaged in the mail. There’s a rare plant subscription available too.
Price breakdown: Starting at $25 per month, $260 for six months, $510 for 12 months. (All cost a few dollars more for a painted pot, or less if you can pick it up in NYC.) Prices don’t include shipping. There are specific gift options that do not auto-renew and include shipping costs: $155 for three months, $310 for six months, $590 for 12 months. Rare plants are $420 for six months, and a kid’s three-month gift option costs $135.
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Photograph: Vinyl Me Please
For the Old-School Music Fan
Vinyl Me Please Subscription
Vinyl Me Please sends an exclusively pressed record every month to those who can’t get enough of that old-school sound. Choose between hip hop, country, rock, classics, or essentials categories, and members can swap that month’s pick for another title in their catalog if they’d prefer.
You can set up the membership for them or opt to gift a membership. If you go with the latter, you’ll either print a confirmation for them to redeem or have them emailed on a date of your choosing. They can set up their own profile and choose their music preferences from there.
Price breakdown: $46 per month, $128 for three months, $237 for six months, $435 for 12 months. Gift-specific options cost the same, but don’t auto-renew and are available for three, six, or 12 months.
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Photograph: KiwiCo
For Kids
KiwiCo Kiwi Crate
Younger kids tend to like any random, plastic toy, but after a while they end up in the pile that go unused. We think a subscription box like this is a better option to give them interesting hands-on activities that they’ll enjoy (and hopefully learn from in the process!).
KiwiCo has boxes for five age groups—from under 2 years to 14ish—and a range of themes you can choose from. You can pick cooking, geography, engineering, and more (see them all here—you can switch them up as you want). WIRED senior associate editor Adrienne So has watched her kids make everything from water guns to kaleidoscopes; she said there was even a night-themed box where everything glowed.
Price breakdown: Kiwi Crates start at $24 a month, $66 for three months, $120 for six months, $222 for 12 months. Those prices come with auto-renew, which you can cancel at any time. If you don’t want to worry about canceling, you can purchase the same amount of boxes for a few dollars more. (You’ll see the option for non-renewing during the selection process.) Shipping is free in the US. Crates for older kids are a bit more expensive.
★ More options: We have many more favorite subscription boxes for kids if you don’t think this one is right. We’ve tried other craft boxes, book subscriptions, and even coding kits.
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Photograph: Breo Box
For the WIRED Ones
Breo Box
Never know what to get your nerdy younger brother? Breo Box is a seasonal subscription box, so one comes four times per year, filled with four to eight of the latest gadgets and gizmos. It’s the priciest option on this list, and your giftee may get some things they don’t particularly have use for, but that’s a possibility with any subscription box. This one at least gets curious hands on some cool tech.
Price breakdown: $159 per box, $579 for all four. Gift options are available too: $175 for one box, $339 for two, $479 for three, $599 for all four. (If you’re going to do the last option, you’ll save $20 by going the direct route and canceling auto-renew.)
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Photograph: Goddess Provisions
For Witches
Goddess Provisions
A Goddess Provisions box gives your witchy friends five to seven products, like crystals, small notebooks, teas, and other ritual tools and decor. Everything included is vegan and cruelty-free. I subscribed for a few months and found the boxes useful for learning more about the metaphysical world, but even professionals will like a few boxes too.
Price breakdown: $33 per month, $99 for three months. Shipping is free in the US.
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Photograph: Vellabox
For Candle Lovers
Vellabox Candle Subscription
Candles are great gifts for the person you know who always has one burning or for someone that you might not know very well. Boxes include one candle in 4-, 8-, or 16-ounce sizes and one extra goodie—I got car fresheners. Pick scent profiles for them or let Vellabox choose. There are premade boxes too.
Price breakdown: Vellabox starts at $18, $28, and $38 a month depending on candle size—4, 8, and 16 ounces respectively; $54, $84, and $114 for three months, $90, $150, and $204 for six months; and $144, $263, and $348 for 12 months. There are single-orders and auto-renewing options. Shipping is free in the US.
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Photograph: Conscious Step
For the Cold Feet
Conscious Step Sock Subscription
Socks might not seem like the most exciting gift, but we could all probably use a few extra pairs. Conscious Step socks are comfortable, are crafted from organic cotton, and the designs are cute. Plus, a portion of every purchase is donated to charity—the cat and dog socks support Best Friends Animal Society, and the socks for mental health support National Alliance on Mental Illness. There are 16 causes, and each tell you where the proceeds go.
Price breakdown: Starting at $13 per month for one pair, or $26 for two if you build your own box, $12 for a pre-picked box, $78 prepaid for six months, $144 for 12 months.
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Photograph: Mistobox
For Coffee Fanatics
Mistobox Coffee Subscription
There’s nothing quite as nice as hearing my coffee pot sizzle from the kitchen as I’m getting up in the morning, knowing a nice warm mug is just minutes away. If your giftee is always downing caffeine, or just wants to break out of their Starbucks addiction, opt for a coffee subscription to broaden their horizons. We like Misto for gifts because there are nearly 500 types of beans to choose from.
Price breakdown: Starts at $15 per bag, $78 for six bags, $156 for 12 bags. Bags are delivered either once a week or every two, three, or four weeks. There are specific gift options available: three boxes for $60, six boxes for $120, 12 boxes for $240, plus a few specific options in between. Shipping is $5.
★ Alternative: We have many more coffee subscription options to choose from. If your giftee is an animal lover, Grounds and Hounds donates 20 percent of its profits to animal shelters.
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Photograph: Sips By
For Tea Drinkers
Sips By Tea Subscription
If your giftee prefers tea over coffee, Sips By is an affordable and great subscription box. Each box contains four types of teas per box—about 16 cups a month. You can choose pre-bagged teas or loose leaves and filters. Plus, each box comes with information on how to properly steep each type.
If you don’t want to make flavor decisions for your giftee, you can buy them a specific Sips By gift card for the number of boxes you’d have sent otherwise.
Price breakdown: $16 per month plus $4 shipping, or $48 for three months with free shipping. Gift cards are for $48 for 3 months, $96 for six, $192 for 12 months, and $384 for 24 months.
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Photograph: Novica
For the Wanderluster
Novica Undiscovered Artisan Box
Traveling all over the world and learning about different cultures is a dream that’s not always doable. For those who can’t hop on a plane at a moment’s notice, the Undiscovered Artisan Box offers a look at a specific region through handmade goodies delivered to their door. Every three months, subscribers can either choose or be surprised with five gifts that include ethically handmade home goods, jewelry, and other accessories—the Thailand box included a singing bowl, shoulder bag, and a wooden tic-tac-toe game.
The boxes are beautifully wrapped too, so it makes a great gift. Each box is curated by an artisan from the same region, and they include their favorite local recipe, which is a touch I really appreciated. Subscribers also get to access a market for discounts on additional gifts. These boxes come from the fair-trade company Novica.
Price breakdown: $60 every three months. $4 shipping added.
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Photograph: Universal Yums
For the Snacker
Universal Yums Snack Box
Who among us doesn’t like to snack on delicious treats all day between meetings, errands, and full meals? The Universal Yums box is our favorite snack box. There are a few sizes to choose from, and it includes food from a different country each month, plus a booklet with trivia and games on the country, so you get a little learning opportunity as well.
Price breakdown: Small boxes (five to seven snacks): $17 per month or $180 upfront for a year. Medium boxes (10 to 12 snacks): $29 per month or $312 for a year. Large boxes (15 to 18 snacks): $45 per month or $492 for a year. Shipping is free in the US.
★ More options: We also have more snack options for jerky and Japanese snack lovers, plus those who want more customizable quantities.
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Photograph: Firstleaf
For the Wine Lover
Firstleaf Wine Subscription
I love bringing a nice bottle of wine to someone’s house as a gift, and while I drink it myself, I never quite know what’s good. I like a dry white wine, but from there I have no idea what to look for.
Firstleaf delivers six bottles per month. I found a few new flavors that I’ll buy again and some that weren’t my favorite. You’ll have to take a quiz for your giftee first, but once they get their first box they can rate their wines to better craft the next one. Or you can opt for a gift card instead.
Price breakdown: Starting at $90 for a basic level, $105 for “noteworthy” wine, $120 for “world-class” wine, and $150 for fine wines. Gift options are available too: $60 for three bottles, $75 for three fine wines or a pinot noir bundle, or $220 for 12 reds.
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Photograph: Curdbox
For Cheese Heads
Curdbox
I often think about the line in The Devil Wears Prada where Emily talks about her insane new diet: “When I feel like I’m about to faint, I eat a cube of cheese.” I’m not on board with a starvation diet, but I am on board with eating cubes of cheese throughout the day. Snacks, meals, sides? Just say cheese.
A Curdbox subscription includes three blocks of cheese, plus three snack pairings wrapped in ice blocks to keep it all good (similar to a meal kit). Each box even includes a Spotify playlist, blog post, and wine-pairing suggestions.
Price breakdown: $75 per month, $214 for three months, $419 for six months. Gift options include three and six months for the same price, plus $825 for 12 months that don’t auto-renew. Shipping is free.
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Photograph: Blue Apron
For New Cooks
Blue Apron Meal Kit
Figuring out meals and cooking every single night is exhausting. It can also get expensive and wasteful if you’re buying ingredients that won’t get used for more than one recipe. If you have a loved one who’s struggling to come up with meals or is just learning how to cook, consider gifting them a few meal kits. Bonus points if it’s for someone you can cook with.
Blue Apron is the simplest one we tried. There were lots of menu items to choose from each week and a few dietary options, too, like vegetarian or WW-approved meals. Nearly all meal kits have solid coupon codes available for first-time customers too. If you don’t want to deal with figuring out meal plans for someone else, you could simply buy a Blue Apron gift card.
Price breakdown: Prices vary depending on serving, but for three recipes per week for two people, it costs about $77—that breaks down to $11 a serving and a $11 shipping cost.
★ Alternative: We tested a ton of other options that might appeal to your giftee more, including cheaper boxes, vegan meals, and TV dinners for picky kids. WIRED senior writer Scott Gilbertson also recommends Traegar boxes, although they aren’t on a subscription. You get everything you need for a delicious meal. He says the wagyu brisket was one of the best things he’s ever eaten.
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Photograph: Book of the Month
For Bookworms
Book of the Month
There is nothing quite like wandering the aisles of a book store or library, but that’s not always possible in our busy lives. If someone on your gift list always has their head in a book or has mentioned they want to read more, you can sign them up for a Book of the Month subscription.
Each month there are five to seven new books to choose from. The base subscription cost covers one book, but subscribers can add additional titles. If none strike their interests or they’re still reading last month’s book, they can skip a box at any time.
Price breakdown: $17 per box. There are gift options too: $60 for three months, $100 for six months, $200 for 12 months.
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Photograph: Darren Hendrix/Hunt A Killer
For True Crime Fans
Hunt a Killer
My partner came home with a magazine about famous murderers for me because he saw it and knew “I like that stuff.” If you, too, see murderers and think of your loved one, give them a chance to play detective for real.
Each case consists of six boxes, sent out over six months. Every month, they’ll get a box with clues and case records like police statements, and they’ll have to figure out just where the dots connect. You can gift them all six boxes, or one or two, and let them see if they like it enough to continue. Hunt a Killer is hard, sometimes frustrating so, but it’s fun to play FBI agent. A portion of sales goes to the Cold Case Foundation.
Price breakdown: $35 per month or $165 for six months. A 12-month subscription costs $300 and is a double membership, so they’ll solve two stories over the year.
★ Alternative: Hunt a Killer is fun, but expensive. The Unsolved Case Files ($27) games aren’t a subscription, but they’re fun to play in a night. Each box comes with everything you need to find out who the killer is.
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Photograph: Bespoke Post
For the Hard-to-Buy-Fors
Bespoke Post
Bespoke Post has options for everyone, but I think it’s a great place to start for men who are hard to buy for. If you’ve ever searched for men’s gifts, guides typically include stereotypical things like whiskey stones and meat. Bespoke has a lot more variation and every month includes different options.
First you’ll take a short quiz for your giftee—the questions are easy enough for you to guess (would they like kitchenware, clothes, cigars?)—then each month a box is assigned based on those interests. You can view and swap boxes before it ships (or skip it for the month). You can even choose the first box and then give your giftee the login info so they can choose from there.
Price breakdown: $49 per box plus $5 shipping. If you don’t want to auto-renew, a single box costs $70.
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Photograph: Natalie Duell/Laurel and Reed
For Beauty Enthusiasts
Laurel & Reed
If your giftee loves beauty products, you’re in luck: There are more beauty boxes out there than would be possible to try. Laurel and Reed makes a great gift because the packaging is so nice; every box is wrapped in a bow. They usually come with three full-size products, so for the price it isn’t a bad deal—the beauty world is very expensive.
Price breakdown: $55 per month, $144 for three months, $276 for six months, $527 for 12 months. $60 one-time purchase without auto-renew. $7 shipping added.
★ Alternatives: There are a ton of other beauty subscriptions we like for less. Kinder Beauty ($27) donates a portion of sales to animal rights and environmental causes. Petit Vour ($21) includes products tailored specifically to a beauty profile. Vegancuts ($28) is best for low-maintenance beauty fans. No Make No Life ($35) is a favorite of WIRED writer Louryn Strampe. It comes with Japanese and Korean beauty products. Allure’s Beauty Box ($25) comes from our Condé Nast sister.
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Photograph: Barkbox
For Your Pets
Pet Subscriptions
If you don’t gift your pet something on holidays, then we can’t be friends. They’re family too! Thankfully, they can also get a subscription box. We’ve tried Meowbox and Barkbox and loved them both for our cats and dogs.
Meowbox breakdown: For $26 every one or two months, your cat gets five or six toys and treats following cute themes. There are gift options available that don’t auto-renew: $33 for one month, $87 for three months, $156 for six months.
Barkbox breakdown: For $35 a month, your dog gets a mix of six toys, treats, and chews. You could also pay $26 a month if you sign a six-month contract (you’ll pay per month, not upfront like most subscriptions) or $20 a month for a 12-month contract. There are also gift options: $35 for one month, $99 for three months, $156 for six months, $264 for 12 months.