30 Thoughtful Subscription Gifts You Can Send Last-Minute
The time to grab presents for the holidays is slipping away quickly, especially when you factor in shipping times (and delays!), so subscription gifts that’ll arrive in your loved one’s inbox in seconds can be a great move at this point. Plus, signing them up for a subscription box means they get several presents throughout the year, and who doesn’t love the anticipation of a fun package every month? Some come with products that can be enjoyed as soon as your giftee opens the box; others will provide them with an entertaining project or useful service; and some can help them build a collection of items, like outdoor gear, that’ll support their favorite new hobby. We’ve found options that’ll cater to all kinds of interests, like crafting, cooking, reading, beauty, fitness, fashion, spirits—even history.
The best subscription gifts
Since there are hundreds of thoughtful subscription ideas to choose from, we've highlighted our top five, for quick browsing:
- UrbanStems: For the Person Who Adores Fresh Flowers
- Home Chef: For the Person Who Experiments in the Kitchen
- Atlas Coffee Club: For the Person Who’s a Self-Proclaimed Coffee Snob
- Nomadik: For the Person Who’s Always Outdoors
- Stitch Fix: For the Person Evolving Their Style
For even more presents, check out all of the best gift ideas of 2023 here.
All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Urbanstems
For the Person Who Adores Fresh Flowers: UrbanStems
Brighten their day with a monthly flower delivery from UrbanStems, which sends subscribers gorgeous bouquets and plants like snapdragons or monstera.
- Availability: Contiguous U.S., excluding PO boxes and military bases
- Cost: Plans start at $55 per delivery.
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For the Person Who Experiments in the Kitchen: Home Chef Meal Kit
Whether your giftee is a seasoned chef, craving some cooking variety, or new to the whole making-dinner-at-home thing, SELF Certified Home Chef makes it easy for them to put together exciting meals. Every week, they can choose from a range of recipes, then the instructions and all the components are delivered to their door. Another great feature: The meal kits include precise measurements of every ingredient, so your loved one doesn’t have to buy a whole bottle of something when all they need is a teaspoon.
- Availability: Nationwide
- Cost: Send a physical gift card or an e-gift card, starting at $25.
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For the Wine Enthusiast: Bright Cellars
After your loved one takes a short quiz about taste preferences, this subscription ships curated wine selections from around the world to their door. Plus, they can rate each bottle they receive, which helps the service better curate their future boxes.
- Availability: Nationwide, excluding PO Boxes
- Cost: Gift cards start at $100 and a subscription starts at $45 for 4 bottles of wine.
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Atlas Coffee
For the Coffee Lover: Atlas Coffee Club
If your loved one turns their nose up at Dunkin’ Donuts, give them the gift of quality coffee every month. SELF Certified Atlas Coffee Club sends freshly roasted beans from around the world, along with flavor notes, a postcard, and brewing tips.
- Availability: Nationwide
- Cost: Gift subscriptions are available in 3-, 6-, and 12-month packs, starting at $50.
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For the Fruit Fiend: Harry & David Fruit of the Month Club
From giant strawberries in May to sweet plums in September, Harry & David’s Fruit of the Month club ships delicious fresh produce to your giftee’s door. The produce is hand picked according to local harvest schedules, which means they’ll only get fruit that’s in season.
- Availability: Nationwide
- Cost: Subscriptions start at $113 for three months.
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For the Historian: Uncommon Goods History by Mail
Delight the history buffs in your life with detailed replicas of notable documents (like Rosa Parks’s police report and letters from Annie Oakley). Each delivery also comes with informational papers to put the documents into context.
- Availability: Nationwide, with the exception of US territories and PO boxes
- Cost: Subscriptions start at $40 for six months.
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Murray's Cheese
For the Person Who’s a Little Cheesy: Murray’s Cheese
The giftable subscriptions available through Murray’s are enough to make any brie lover or gouda hound weep. There’s a Classic Cheese of the Month club, a Cheesemonger’s Picks option, and even a Mac and Cheese subscription (for anyone who also loves pasta).
- Availability: Nationwide, with the exception of APO and FPO destinations
- Cost: A gift subscription is $65 per month for 3 months, but you can also get a discount for 6 or 12 months.
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For the Person Evolving Their Style: Stitch Fix
Stitch Fix is like having a personal shopper in a box. Subscribers receive a selection of clothing that suits their preferences on price, fit, and style. If something isn’t a hit, it’s easy to return or exchange for free, and users only pay for what they keep.
- Availability: Nationwide
- Cost: Gift cards start at $20 and you can choose to print, email, or mail it.
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For the Experienced Snacker: Bokksu
Shake up their snacks with this unique subscription box that sends seasonal goodies curated from local makers in Japan. Treats from the SELF Fave box range from savory (tiny pickled-plum-flavored potato sticks, crunchy edamame crackers) to sweet (a pear and cheese biscuit, freeze-dried strawberries filled with chocolate, cherry blossom jelly).
- Availability: Internationally, with some exceptions
- Cost: 3-month plan is $46 per month; 6 months is $44 per month; 12 months is $40 per month. One-off boxes are $65.
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Adore Me
For the Person Who Loves Lingerie: AdoreMe Elite
AdoreMe is known for its supportive, stylish, and surprisingly affordable bras, underwear, and swimsuits. This subscription box includes four to seven sexy options for people sized 30A to 46G, including romantic balconette bras and lacy one-pieces.
- Availability: Nationwide
- Cost: Sets range from $20 to $60. A $20 styling fee is charged per box.
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Scentbird
For the Perfume Connoisseur: Scentbird
Scentbird spares your giftee the guesswork associated with traditional perfume hunting. Instead, it helps them discover a fragrance that they’ll actually be excited to spritz on before leaving the house. Here’s how it works: Your giftee will choose one brand-name perfume or cologne, then the brand ships them an eight milliliter bottle that’s perfect for sampling a new scent.
- Availability: Nationwide, excluding military bases
- Cost: Gift subscriptions start at $48 for three months.
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For the Person Who’s Always Outdoors: Nomadik
Nomadik’s gear gift boxes center around a different aspect of outdoor recreation with every shipment. One month might focus on lighting and visibility equipment, while the next month may be all about making the most of a campfire, with s’more kits and koozies.
- Availability: Internationally
- Cost: A month-to-month subscription costs $35 per month.
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For the Person Who's Head Over Heels for Hops: Beer Drop
Beer Drop makes a great gift for the stout snob, Belgian buff, and sour sipper. Whatever their brew of choice, they’ll receive 10 curated cans from award-winning beer makers every month.
- Availability: Based on zip code
- Cost: Plans start at $33 for six cans.
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For the Workout Guru: Alo Moves
The Alo Moves subscription offers a wide catalog of virtual yoga, meditation, HIIT, Pilates, and barre classes.
- Availability: Internationally
- Cost: Gift cards start at $78 for a six-month subscription.
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For the DIY-er: Cratejoy’s Adults & Crafts Crate
This nifty craft crate is a creative tinkerer’s dream: It highlights a new skill or technique in every kit, and includes all the materials you need for the project at hand. One month the theme might be woodworking; the next, your friend may be introduced to the world of clockmaking.
- Availability: Internationally
- Cost: A 1-month plan costs $35; 3-month plan costs $34 per month; 6-month plan costs $33 per month; 12-month plan costs $32 per month.
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For the Person Who Wants to Clear Their Mind: Headspace
Headspace warmly welcomes users into the world of meditation with guided programs for stress, mindfulness, anxiety, and more. The service also features music and other sounds to support focus and sleep.
- Availability: Internationally
- Cost: Gift subscriptions start at $39 for three months.
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For the Person Whose Home Has a Signature Scent: Brooklyn Candle Studio
Anyone who’s got a candle on every surface in their home will enjoy some new scents from Brooklyn Candle Studio’s monthly subscription box. Subscribers receive a seasonally-scented 7.5-ounce candle (like woodland pines and tobacco in winter, or peonies and lavender in spring), a gold travel-size candle, and matches—all made by in-house artisans.
- Availability: Internationally
- Cost: Subscriptions are $45 per month and you can choose to have a delivery every month, every two months, or every three months.
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For the Person Who Starts Every Morning With a Cuppa: Sips By
If your recipient is tired of the same old breakfast blend, then gift them a Sips By subscription box, which contains four premium loose leaf teas, a tasting note and steeping guide, and reusable tea filters. They’ll receive enough to brew at least 16 cups, and they can make their own Sips By profile to rate and review the varieties they’ve tried.
- Availability: Nationwide
- Cost: Gift cards start at $25 for any purchase or $50 for a three-month subscription.
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For the Person Who Lives in Activewear: Wantable
A workout clothes subscription service like Wantable makes it easy to update their collection when it’s time for fresh leggings, bike shorts, or sports bras. There’s a fun personal style quiz to help narrow down their options, they can try up to seven pieces at one time, and they only have to pay for the items they keep.
- Availability: Nationwide
- Cost: Gift cards start at $25.
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For the Person with a Sweet Tooth: Goldbelly Ice Cream Monthly Subscription
This ice cream subscription takes recipients on a nationwide tour of the very best scoops in San Francisco, Austin, and beyond. You can choose between an order of five or six pints of ice cream, or six to 24 scrumptious ice cream sandwiches.
- Availability: Nationwide, with the exception of Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and APO and FPO destinations
- Cost: Subscriptions cost $100 per month and are available in packs of 3, 6, 9, or 12 months.
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Cratejoy
For the Person Who Could Soak All Day: Bath Bevy
Majorly upgrade their tub time with goodies from Bath Bevy. This service sends a monthly box packed with bath bombs, salts, and scrubs from a range of small and independent body care brands.
- Availability: Nationwide
- Cost: A 1-month plan costs $43, a 3-month plan costs $41 per month, a 6-month plan costs $40 per month, and a 12-month plan costs $40 per month.
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For the Budding Mixologist: Shaker & Spoon
Anyone who’s tired of making the same old G&T will thrill at the chance to learn inventive recipes and sample new drinks. The recipient supplies their own booze, but they'll be covered as far as syrups, bitters, juices, garnishes, and tools go—i.e., all of the special ingredients it would be costly to acquire on their own.
- Availability: Nationwide
- Cost: A one-month plan costs $59; three months cost $169; six months cost $319; one year costs $599.
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For the Conscious Carnivore: ButcherBox
ButcherBox’s commitment to curating selections of humanely raised meat—from grass-fed beef to free-range chicken to wild-caught seafood—makes it a cut above the rest. Choose between four protein-laden subscription boxes (custom, mixed, beef and chicken, and beef and pork), which can contain as much as 14 pounds of meat.
- Availability: Nationwide, except for Alaska and Hawaii
- Cost: Gift cards start at $50.
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For the Person Who’s Always Wanted a Personal Trainer: Future App
One SELF editor wrote that giving Future a try was a “fitness game changer.” The 2022 SELF Home Fitness Award–winning app pairs your giftee with a coach who sets up a plan based on goals, schedules, workout space, and available equipment. In other words, it’s a highly customized exercise experience combined with the convenience of a workout app.
- Availability: Nationwide
- Cost: Gift memberships start at $149 for one month of training.
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For the Bibliophile: Book of the Month
Give the friend or family member who’s always buried in a book the gift of a new hardcover or paperback. This subscription provides five to seven featured titles to choose from every month, and they can pick the one they’re most interested in reading.
- Availability: Nationwide
- Cost: A three-month gift subscription is $60; six months is $100; one year is $200.
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For the Couple In Your Life: The Adventure Subscription Box
This is a two-part gift: First, you’ll need to pick up The Adventure Challenge Couples Edition book, which lists creative date ideas, like baking an apple pie blindfolded or recreating their grandparents’ first date. Then, get them this monthly subscription box that’ll provide them with all the materials they need to bring those unique prompts to life.
- Availability: Nationwide with the exception of PO boxes.
- Cost: $40 per month
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For the Person Who Hates Grocery Shopping: Thrive Market
You can help your giftee avoid the grocery store with a membership to this online market. They’ll get access to pantry staples, snacks, beauty, and home products at discounted prices.
- Availability: Contingent USA with the exception of PO boxes.
- Cost: Gift card for a shopping credit starts at $25, a one-year membership for $60, or you can get a combination of the two.
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For the Person with a Furry Friend: Bark Box
Spoiling a loved one’s pup is the ultimate gift. Bark Box is a monthly subscription that includes two plush toys, two bags of treats, and surprise activities and games catered to your giftee’s dog.
- Availability: Nationwide
- Cost: Subscriptions start at $35 for 1 month.
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For the Fully-Booked Friend: Therabox
Ideally, we’d all remember to slow down and take good care of ourselves on our own, but alas, we’re not perfect and could use a little nudge. Your friend with the very full calendar will probably appreciate the self-care themed Therabox. The monthly package is curated by therapists and includes eight wellness products, like skin care, tea, notebooks, and candles.
- Availability: Internationally
- Cost: A subscription is $40 monthly; $38 per month for three months; $35 per month for one year.
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For the Person Who Never Skips Skin Care: Dermstore BeautyFix
Reward your loved one’s dedication to their multi-step skin care routine with, yes, even more products. Dermstore’s monthly subscription delivers at least $100 worth of full- and travel-sized items for face, body, and hair, from popular brands like Olaplex, Tula, and Skinceuticals.
- Availability: Internationally
- Cost: Subscription costs $25 per month; $23 per month for six months; $22 per month for one year.
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