Selecting the perfect present can be tough—so why not leave it to the pros? Each of these 25 subscription boxes—for everyone from the wine lover to the makeup junkie—is curated by a team of experts. So whether your bestie is obsessed with coffee or really into knitting, you can find a gift that will make them sing your praises.
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1. FOR THE BOOKWORM: BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB; $45 FOR THREE MONTHS
Give the gift of polished prose. Subscribers receive an email on the first of each month detailing five books selected by a panel of judges. They input their choice and the tome arrives at their door a week later. Want to join in the fun? When you purchase a subscription for a pal, you get half-off your own three-month membership.
Find It: Book of the Month Club
2. FOR THE ADVENTURER: ISLE BOX; $45 PER MONTH
Here’s what to get that sporty pal who’s always conquering a new mountain or setting up camp in a remote place you’ve never heard of. Each month—or season—they’ll pocket a crate of outdoorsy loot (think: a backpack or an inflatable hammock) they can put to good use. For newbies, add the $200 starter box filled with essentials such as a headlamp, stove, and medical kit.
Find It: Isle Box
3. FOR THE PAWSOME PUP: BARKBOX; $35 PER MONTH
Don’t leave Spot off your list. Sign your four-legged pal up for this service and they’ll score a monthly gift brimming with up to six healthy treats and toys the company vows are “crazy dog person-designed and dog-approved.”
Find It: BarkBox
4. FOR THE SELF-PROCLAIMED NERD: LOOT CRATE; $14 PER MONTH
Chock full of lust-worthy, pop-culture collectibles, this gift will thrill the proud geek in your life. Monthly deliveries are theme-oriented (August’s anti-hero box contained Kill Bill socks and a Harley Quinn figurine). But if your pal is fixated on a particular franchise, you can opt for a one-off limited edition crate like the ones dedicated to Gears of War 4 or South Park.
Find It: Loot Crate
5. FOR THE HOME BARISTA: MISTO BOX, $20 PER MONTH
Deliver a monthly perk-me-up: A coffee curator will work with your java-loving pal to determine their preferences. Then, every 30 days they’ll open a new 12-ounce bag of whole beans thoughtfully selected from more than 300 fresh-roasted blends.
Find It: Misto Box
6. FOR THE TRENDY GUY: BESPOKE POST; $45 PER MONTH
Dubbed the subscription club for men, Bespoke Post delivers carefully curated themed collections of home goods, accessories, grooming products, food, and alcohol. Your bud gets to preview the selection each month so if Copper (custom hammered mugs, crushed ice and ginger syrup to make a perfect Moscow Mule) or The Barber (a razor and other shaving goodies) isn’t for them, they can opt out.
Find It: Bespoke Post
7. FOR THE ONE WHO ALWAYS PUTS HIS OR HER BEST FOOT FORWARD: SAY IT WITH A SOCK; FROM $12 PER MONTH
This service is perfect for those that put thought into accessorizing from head-to-toe. (Emphasis on the toes.) Once they share if they prefer patterns (i.e. polka dots and stripes), graphic designs (say, pizza slices?), or both, they get a monthly shipment of up to four pairs of snazzy socks.
Find It: Say It With A Sock
8. FOR THE CANDLE-OBSESSED: VELLABOX; FROM $10 PER MONTH
Help your luminary-loving friend burn, baby, burn. You choose the gift—a 4-ounce candle, an 8-ounce, or both—and every 30 days they’ll get a new scent to light up plus a surprise gift!
Find It: VellaBox
9. FOR THE SMART SNACKER: GRAZE; $12 A BOX
Meet the answer to the 4 p.m. cravings. Delivered weekly, bi-weekly, or once a month, the eight-snack pack is filled with perfectly portioned bites that are free of artificial flavors, preservatives, trans fats, and high fructose corn syrup. On their menu of more than 100 good-for-you, 150-calorie-and-under treats: berry compote with shortbread dippers and apple and cinnamon flapjacks.
Find It: Graze
10. FOR THE STYLISH WOMAN: POPSUGAR MUST HAVE BOX; $40 PER MONTH
The editors at celebrity and lifestyle site POPSUGAR—who test-drive countless beauty products, accessories, and foods—curate these monthly arrivals. Expect boxes packed with $100 worth of gluten-free treats, on-trend cosmetics, and fun conversation pieces like emoji cocktail napkins and an inflatable swan drink holder.
Find It: POPSUGAR Must Have
11. FOR CURIOUS KIDS: KIWI CRATE & TINKER CRATE; $25 PER MONTH EACH
Inspire budding innovators. These kits—the Kiwi Crates are for ages 5 to 8; Tinker is age 9 to 16—are designed to get kids engaged in science, technology, engineering, art and math. Each includes a kid-tested, expert-reviewed project, instructions and a magazine to stimulate more ideas.
Find It: Kiwi Crate Inc.
12. FOR YOUR FAVORITE FELINE: KITNIPBOX; $30 PER MONTH
These packages will please even the finickiest of felines. Shipments are stocked with all-natural treats and toys (see: a wool felt bell stuffed with catnip), with a side of largesse. A portion of proceeds go to shelters, rescue groups, and other cat-related causes. Get $15 off your purchase with the code: MENTALPAWS.
Find It: KitNipBox
13. FOR THE WINE ENTHUSIAST: WINC; $50 PER MONTH
For your pal with the discerning palate, opt for this three-bottle-a-month service. Pre-delivery, they’ll be quizzed on their taste preferences so they’re insured vintages they’re eager to uncork.
Find It: Winc
14. FOR THE MUSIC ENTHUSIAST WHO WANTS TO REVISIT THEIR FAVORITES: VINYL ME PLEASE; $100 FOR THREE MONTHS
Skip the iTunes gift card: With this service your old school pal scores a limited edition vinyl LP each month along with a 12-inch-by-12-inch print inspired by the album and a recipe for a cocktail meant to be enjoyed as they listen. They’ll also get a $25 coupon to purchase more albums. Record player not included.
Find It: Vinyl Me Please
15. FOR THE MUSIC ENTHUSIAST WHO WANTS TO FEEL LIKE AN INSIDER: VINYLMNKY; $30 PER MONTH
Thanks to you, your giftee will be able to say they’ve been listening to that hot new artist for years. Vinylmnky keys in on emerging musicians before they become the next big thing and sends their subscribers a vinyl copy of their album, a custom lithograph, and a special add-on like an autographed poster.
Find It: Vinylmnky
16. FOR THE MAKEUP MAVEN WHO WANTS TO DO GOOD: VEGAN CUTS BEAUTY BOX; $23 PER MONTH
Perfect for your BFF who refuses to eat meat and gets teary-eyed at the thought of cosmetic companies testing on adorable bunnies. Each month, they can up their beauty game with between four and seven makeup and skincare products (retail value: roughly $50) that are all cruelty-free.
Find It: Vegan Cuts
17. FOR THE WELL-GROOMED GENT: SPREZZA BOX; $28 PER MONTH
Nudge your boyfriend into a more stylish 2017 or keep your sartorially inclined brother in the loop. A team of in-the-know trendsetters curates this monthly delivery of designer goodies (valued at more than $100), so they can rest assured that their new tie, pocket square, or shiny cufflinks are stylist-approved.
Find It: Sprezza Box
18. FOR THE HOME BARTENDER: SALOONBOX; $38 PER MONTH
Rather than spring for another bottle of whisky, surprise the aspiring mixologist in your life with this DIY cocktail kit. Their monthly arrival includes recipe cards (the fancy mixes are created by top bartenders) and small batches of the necessary liquors, syrups, bitters, and garnishes.
Find It: SaloonBox
19. FOR THE NEWBIE KNITTER: KNITWISE; $29 PER MONTH
Gift this now; reap a handmade scarf next year. Each month, wannabe knitters are sent a project in a box—all of the supplies they need to craft a certain item, plus step-by-step instructions for getting it done. And if they hit an, er, knotty spot, they can head online for video tutorials.
Find It: Knit Wise
20. FOR THE KNITTING QUEEN: YARN CRUSH; $33 PER MONTH
If your pal’s knitting hobby is firmly established, opt for this service that delivers a full-size skein of premium yarn (suited to their color preferences) plus a crochet pattern. (And they’ll usually throw in fun extras like a “My Hobby Takes Balls!” pin.) They also have a Sock Crush option for those dedicated to cozy feet warmers or you can spring for the one-time-only $75 Holiday box with yarn, patterns, books, and handmade trinkets.
Find It: Yarn Crush
21. FOR THE TRENDSETTER: FABFITFUN BOX; $50 PER BOX
Fashionable goodies for all seasons! Every three months, members collect a virtual swag bag of full-size products hand-selected by the FabFitFun tastemakers as well as a compact guide that details each brand and features interviews from pros. In vogue items include adult coloring books, eye shadow palettes, and yoga towels. Get $10 off your first box with the code: MENTALFLOSS.
Find It: FabFitFun
22. FOR THE BAKING FANATIC: WHISK & FLOUR; $28 PER MONTH
You know that friend who always has the most Pinterest-worthy holiday cookies? Treat them to this monthly service. They’ll receive a new dessert recipe each month along with the pre-measured dry ingredients, including hard-to-find artisanal eats like matcha and dulce de leche. You’ll receive a steady infusion of pecan covered cinnamon rolls and poppy seed shortbread. Get 10 percent off your first box through December with the code: LETSBAKE.
Find It: Whisk & Flour
23. FOR THE PARTY PLANNER: MOSTESS; $120 PER BOX
Perfect for the hostess with the, well, you know. Shipped every two months, the curated crate includes up to seven entertaining must-haves such as a decorative wine stopper, a gold cocktail shaker and strainer, and porcelain coasters. Potential buyers are able to check out the contents before they order, guaranteeing they’ll never be stuck with something they don’t want.
Find It: Mostess Box
24. FOR THE PERSON LOOKING FOR A WARDROBE UPGRADE: STITCH FIX; $20, PLUS COST OF CLOTHES
A personal shopper at your fingertips: Users fill out a style profile, detailing their size, price and trend preferences, then receive five clothing items, from designers like Citizens for Humanity or Joie, hand-picked by their personal fashion guru. They can buy the pieces they like—the $20 style fee goes toward the cost—and ship back the rest (for free!).
Find It: Stitch Fix
25. FOR THE CRAFTER: DARBY SMART TO DIY FOR BOX; $19 PER MONTH
Consider this a monthly reminder to unleash their inner Martha Stewart. Kits come stocked with everything they’ll need to completely a cute DIY project such as a personalized planner or metal stamped jewelry. They simply use the included supplies, craft, and then show off their work on Instagram!
Find It: Darby Smart
December 19, 2016 – 4:00am