Many of the standard present choices end up being forgotten after the holidays, but a subscription box based on the recipient's special interests is bound to be a useful gift [1] that will keep sparking joy each and every time it lands on the doormat. You can think of it as the gift that keeps on giving, whether you choose to buy someone an annual subscription or a three-month taster.
There are lots of choices in popular categories, like beauty and food (and we've picked out some of the very best for those), but you'll also find unusual, quirky offerings that are perfect for loved ones who are difficult to buy for — think crystals, candles, and cats. We've selected options for everyone in the family, from gardening grandparents to crafty kids. Ahead, take a look at our picks for the best subscription box gifts, from craft gin and badges to Harry Potter goodies [2] and hot sauce.
Geek Gear Wizardry Subscription Box
Geek Gear Box [4] (£15) promises a "monthly shipment of magic," perfect for Harry Potter [5] and Fantastic Beasts fans. Prices go up to £45 for special edition premium boxes.
Rare Birds Book Club Subscription Box
Keen readers will get all the benefits of an online book club with Rare Birds Book Club Box [6] (£11 and up). They'll select their favourite out of two secret blurbs, and can then discuss to their heart's content online with other members.
Tiny Party Club Subscription Box
Tiny Party Club Box [7] (£12-£72) delivers five adorable illustrated gifts on a monthly theme, always including an enamel pin. Choose from one-, three-, or six-month subscriptions.
Craft Gin Club Subscription Box
The Craft Gin Club Box [8] (£160 for four quarterly boxes) includes a full-size bottle of gin, mixers, foodie treats, and a club magazine. The prices increases to £480 for 12 boxes delivered monthly.
Toucan Kids Craft Subscription Box
Crafty kids between ages 3 and 8 will get a monthly delivery of creative inspiration from Toucan Box [9] (£35.50 and up) for hands-on fun inspired by Montessori learning. Gift options include prepaid bundles for six or 12 months (£71 or £143), or gift cards starting at £35.50 for three months.
Makerly Adult Craft Subscription Box
For the grown-up crafter in your life, there's the Makerly Craft Box [10] (£45), a monthly mystery box with everything they need to try out a new craft project. Previous offerings have included jewellery making, paper toys, and DIY [11] fairy lights. Gift subscriptions are available for three or six months.
Letterbox Lab Kids Science Subscription Box
Perfect for the inquisitive kid in your life, the Letterbox Lab Investigate Box [12] (£24) brings science kits to their home. This bumper box includes six to nine big experiments/projects and collectable lab equipment for ages 8 and up, or there's the Letterbox Lab Explore Box [13] (£10) with three to four experiments for ages 6 and up.
Mud + Bloom Kids Nature-Themed Subscription Box
The Mud + Bloom Box [14] (£36 and up) is all about "inspiring children to connect with nature." Aimed at three- to eight-year-olds, each monthly box includes four seasonal activities based on gardening and nature crafts. You can give a prepaid box as a gift for three, six, or 12 months, with single or sibling box options.
The Cheese Geek The Elvis Cheese Subscription Box
The Cheese Geek The Elvis Box [15] (£88.50 for three months) provides four to five cheeses per month (enough for four to eight cheese-lovers), with info, pairing notes, and a scorecard. You can add bespoke options to ensure your cheesebox has no blue cheese, no goat's cheese, or vegetarian cheese only.
Chococo Club Chocolate Subscription Box
Give a chocolate-lover a Chococo Club Subscription [16] (£46 and up) full of "truly fresh" chocs, with a choice of three, six, or 12 month subscriptions of small, medium, or large boxes.
Biscuiteers Jolly Ginger Biscuit Subscription Box
Give the gift of beautifully iced biscuits with a Biscuiteers Jolly Ginger Subscription [17] (£30 for three months). Each month they'll get a seasonal gingerbread character delivered through their letterbox.
Baked In Baking Club Subscription Box
The budding baker in your circle can learn a new recipe every month with the Baked In Baking Club Box [18] (£9 and up). The box includes a step-by-step recipe by Michel Roux and all the dry ingredients weighed out.
Pick 'n' Mix Grow Your Own Seeds Subscription Box
With Plant 'n' Grow's Pick 'n' Mix Grow Your Own Seeds Box [19] (£48 for three months), they'll get seeds, step-by-step instructions, a mini-greenhouse propagator, compost discs, plant markers, and recipes to make the most of what they've grown.
The Spicery Date Night Recipe Kit Subscription Box
The Spicery says they invented the first recipe kit subscription in the world in 2006, and you can get a loved one in on the action with The Spicery Date Night Subscription [20] (£26 for three months). It includes ground and blended spices measured out along with colourful recipe cards.
Little Cooks Co. Baking Subscription Box
Each month, the Little Cooks Co. Box [21] (£13) includes a healthy baking recipe and all the dry organic ingredients required for ages 3 to 10 to get cooking in the kitchen with an adult. A one-off box is available, with the monthly price dropping for a three-month (£36), six-month (£60), or 12-month (£100) subscription.
The Willoughby Book Club Couples Subscription Box
Ideal for a book-loving duo, The Willoughby Book Club Couples Subscription [22] (£50 for three months) will post out two copies of the same title each month for them to read alongside each other. Choose from the Classic or Contemporary Book Club option, and a three-, six-, or 12-month package.
Birchbox Beauty Subscription Box
If you're looking for a beauty box, then you're onto a winner with Birchbox [23] (£39 for three months). They'll get five deluxe sample and travel-size beauty treats each month, personalised to match their Beauty Profile. You can pay for a gift card from three months, or go right up to £145 for a year's subscription.
Flaming Licks Hot Sauce Subscription Box
Hot sauce, chilli products, and spicy foods will wing their way to the recipient's doorstep with a Flaming Licks Hot Sauce Subscription Box [24] (£54 for three boxes). Each box includes three hot sauces/chilli condiments, one spicy snack, and recipe cards. There's even a vegan option, too.
Wildwoman Book Subscription Box
Each Wildwoman Book Subscription Box [25] (£28.50) contains a new release self-development book and accompanying gifts worth over £40.
Crystal Club Crystal and Spirituality Subscription Box
Each item in the Crystal Club Box [26] (£10) goes through a process of purification and interaction with the elements before being sent to the recipient. Every box contains three crystals and matching oracle cards to work with the theme of the month, plus a five-minute Ritual Kit that includes a gemstone intention bracelet, incense cones, wax melts, meditation, and inspiration candle.
Gus & Bella Cat Subscription Box
The Gus & Bella Box [27] (£27) is all about "delivering happiness to cats and their humans" in a monthly themed box, with four to five toys, gifts, and food treats for cats, plus two to four wellness or cat-themed lifestyle, self-care, or homeware products for humans.
Trinket Treasurez Self-Care Subscription Box
The Trinket Treasurez Box [28] (£88 for three months) delivers a "monthly astrological self-care package." Each themed box is worth £55 to £65 with up to nine items, containing at least one custom item specifically made and sold only for the box, a crystal, and in-depth emails with astrological updates.
Lazy Flora Plant Subscription
Green-thumbed loved ones can enjoy a new plant on the regular with the Lazy Flora Plant Subscription [29] (£144 for six months). Choose an outdoor plant, indoor plant, or combo (alternating indoor/outdoor) plan. There are also pet-friendly plant options.
Iggy Box Scented Candle Subscription Box
Iggy Box [30] (£15) is a monthly artisan scented candle subscription, with the choice of gifting a one-, three-, six-, or 12-month supply to your loved one. There are two sizes to choose from, with burn times of of 20+ hours or 35+ hours.