Use a curated snack subscription box from around the world, not just a gift basket from a local store.
From a Predictable Treat to a Monthly Trip for Your Taste Buds
A local gift basket is a lovely gesture, but it’s a familiar one—the same crackers, the same cheese, the same predictable treats. It’s like walking through your local park. Now, imagine a box arrives at their door with “SPAIN” written on the side. Inside are unique, delicious snacks they’ve never seen or tasted before. Next month, a box arrives from “THAILAND.” You haven’t just given them a snack; you’ve given them a surprise plane ticket for their taste buds, a delicious, edible adventure that arrives on their doorstep every single month.
Stop giving a single bouquet of flowers. Do a monthly flower subscription instead.
From a Week of Beauty to a Year of Blooms
A single bouquet of flowers is a beautiful, classic gift. It brightens their home and makes them feel special for about a week, and then it’s gone—a lovely but fleeting memory. A monthly flower subscription, however, transforms that single moment of joy into a recurring celebration. Just as the first bouquet begins to fade, a new, fresh, seasonal arrangement arrives. You’re not just giving them flowers; you’re giving them a perpetual spring, a constant, beautiful reminder that you are thinking of them all year long.
Stop just buying them coffee. Do a subscription to a coffee club that sends beans from different roasters instead.
From a Simple Refill to a Cross-Country Coffee Tour
Buying a bag of their favorite coffee is a thoughtful and practical gift. You’re refilling their supply. But a subscription to a coffee club is a gift of discovery. One month, they receive a rich, dark roast from a small, artisanal roaster in Seattle. The next, a bright, fruity single-origin bean from a roaster in North Carolina. You’re not just giving them their daily caffeine; you’re giving them a curated, cross-country tour of the best coffee shops in America, delivered one delicious cup at a time.
The #1 secret for a great subscription box gift is to choose one that aligns with a passion, not a passing interest.
The Candle Collection vs. The Fly-Fishing Kit
They mentioned they liked a candle once, so you gifted them a candle-of-the-month club. Now, six months later, they have 27 candles and their apartment has become a fire hazard. That was a passing interest. But they are a passionate, dedicated fly-fisherman. Gifting them a subscription box for hand-tied flies and tackle is a gift that feeds their soul. It shows you see their true passion and you’re investing in their joy. Don’t give them a puddle of interest; give them something that fills their deep well of passion.
I’m just going to say it: Most beauty subscription boxes are filled with sample-sized products they’ll never use.
A Box of Clutter, Not Cosmetics
The beauty box arrives, and the excitement is real! But inside is a tiny foil packet of serum, a lipstick in a weird color they’d never wear, and a travel-sized hairspray for a hair type they don’t have. The box isn’t a treasure chest; it’s a monthly delivery of clutter destined for the junk drawer. It’s like a collection of free samples from a department store—it feels like a treat, but it’s mostly small, unusable items that create a sense of obligation and waste.
The reason your subscription box gift was canceled is because it became clutter instead of a treat.
The Monthly Chore in a Box
The first box of nerdy pop-culture trinkets was fun and exciting. But by the fourth month, the unopened boxes are starting to pile up in the corner. The joy of the surprise has been replaced by the guilt of the accumulating clutter. The monthly “treat” has become a monthly “chore” to deal with. A great subscription box should be consumable—like coffee, snacks, or a mystery to be solved. It should be an experience that is used up, not a collection of stuff that needs to be dusted.
If you’re still giving a generic wine club membership, you’re losing the personalized curation of a service like Winc or Bright Cellars.
The One-Size-Fits-All Case vs. a Personal Sommelier
A generic wine club sends everyone the same two bottles of red and one bottle of white each month. It’s a one-size-fits-all approach. But modern services are like a personal sommelier in a box. The recipient takes a simple quiz about their tastes (“Do you like citrus? How do you take your coffee?”). An algorithm then selects wines specifically tailored to their unique palate. You’re not just giving them a random selection of wine; you’re giving them a personalized journey of discovering wines they are almost guaranteed to love.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about subscription boxes is that they are a good value.
The Illusion of a Bargain
The marketing for subscription boxes always touts the “retail value” of the items inside, making it seem like you’re getting an amazing deal. “Get $100 worth of products for only $25!” The reality is, you’re often getting $100 worth of overstock, private-label, or sample-sized items that you would never have purchased on your own. The true value of a gift isn’t its hypothetical retail price; it’s how much the recipient will actually use and enjoy the items. A single, full-sized $25 item they love is a better value than five $20 items they don’t.
I wish I knew about date-night-in-a-box subscriptions when my kids were little.
The Logistical Nightmare vs. a Connection Delivered
When our kids were young, “date night” was a logistical nightmare. Finding a babysitter, making a reservation, rushing out the door—it was more stressful than romantic. I wish I had known about date night subscription boxes. A box arrives each month with everything needed for a fun, creative, at-home date after the kids are asleep—a new cocktail recipe to make, a fun game for two, a conversation starter. It’s a gift of connection, a monthly reminder to be a couple, delivered right to your door.
99% of people make this one mistake when gifting a subscription: not making it clear how to cancel it.
The Gift That Becomes an Unwanted Bill
You generously gift a one-year subscription to a friend. A year goes by, and they are surprised to see a charge on their own credit card for the renewal. You forgot to cancel the auto-renew, or you never gave them the login information to manage the account themselves. This turns your thoughtful gift into an awkward financial chore for them. When you give a subscription, always include the login credentials and clear instructions on how to cancel or manage the account, giving them full control.
This one small action of choosing a subscription that donates a portion of its proceeds will make your gift more meaningful.
A Box of Goods vs. a Box That Does Good
A subscription box that sends nice items is a wonderful gift. A subscription box that sends nice items and supports a good cause is a gift with a soul. Many modern subscription services partner with charities. For every box of coffee sent, they donate to a clean water project. For every box of dog treats, they donate to an animal shelter. By choosing one of these services, your gift has a dual impact. It brings joy to the recipient and makes a small but meaningful positive change in the world.
Use a book-of-the-month club, not just a single bestseller.
One Story vs. a Year of New Worlds
A single, bestselling book is a great gift that provides a week or two of entertainment. A subscription to a book-of-the-month club is a gift that lasts a full year. Each month, the recipient gets to choose from a curated selection of new and exciting titles, often before they are widely available. You’re not just giving them a book; you’re giving them a personal library that grows over time, a constant source of new stories, and the joyful anticipation of a new world arriving on their doorstep each month.
Stop giving a single plant. Do a plant-of-the-month subscription instead.
One Green Friend vs. an Ever-Growing Indoor Jungle
A single potted plant is a lovely, living gift that brings a bit of nature indoors. A plant-of-the-month subscription is a gift that transforms a home into an indoor jungle over time. Each month, a new, unique, and healthy plant arrives, complete with a stylish planter and care instructions. It’s a perfect gift for a new homeowner or a budding plant enthusiast, helping them build their collection and their confidence. You’re not just giving a plant; you’re giving the gift of a growing, green sanctuary.
Stop just buying a new toy for a child. Do a KiwiCo Crate subscription instead.
A Toy to Play With vs. a Project to Build and Learn From
A new toy is exciting for a child, but the novelty often wears off quickly. A KiwiCo Crate is a gift that engages their mind and their hands. Each month, a box arrives with all the materials and instructions for a fun, age-appropriate science or art project. One month they might build a working claw machine, the next they might explore the science of slime. You’re not just giving them a toy to passively play with; you’re giving them a fun, educational experience that fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and a love of learning.
The #1 hack for choosing a subscription is to read the reviews of the last three boxes.
The Marketing Promise vs. the Recent Reality
The website for a subscription box will always show you a picture of the most amazing, high-value box they’ve ever created. This is marketing. The reality can be very different. The #1 hack for knowing what you’re really buying is to search for unboxing videos or reviews of the last two or three months’ boxes. This will give you a true, unbiased look at the quality, value, and type of items they are currently sending out, ensuring your gift will meet the reality, not just the hype.
I’m just going to say it: A sock subscription is a deeply uninspired gift.
The Monthly Reminder of a Practicality
Unless the person is a world-renowned sock connoisseur with a deep and stated passion for hosiery, a sock subscription is the gift equivalent of a shrug. It says, “I know you have feet, and I couldn’t think of anything else.” It’s a monthly delivery of a basic, practical necessity. Gifting is an opportunity to provide a luxury, a treat, or an experience they wouldn’t get for themselves. A sock subscription is a gift of something they were probably going to buy anyway.
The reason their “fun” subscription box is piled up in a corner is because the activities require too much effort.
The Box of Projects vs. the Box of Joy
You gifted a DIY craft subscription box. The idea was to give them a fun, creative outlet. But each month, a new, complex project arrives—with tiny pieces and lengthy instructions—and it starts to feel like homework. The “fun” activity requires a significant investment of time and energy they just don’t have. A great activity box is one where the project can be completed in a single, relaxing session, providing a sense of accomplishment, not another daunting task for their to-do list.
If you’re still giving a generic magazine subscription, you’re losing the niche appeal of an independent or literary journal.
The Glossy Mainstream vs. the Voice of a Passion
A subscription to a mainstream magazine is a nice gift. But for someone with a specific passion, a subscription to an independent or literary journal is a much more thoughtful and impressive choice. These smaller publications offer deep dives into niche topics—from modern poetry to graphic design to sustainable farming—with a level of quality and authenticity that mainstream magazines can’t match. It shows you see their specific interest and you’ve found a community of fellow enthusiasts for them to join.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about meal kit subscriptions is that they save you time.
The Myth of the 30-Minute Meal
Meal kit subscriptions market themselves as a time-saving convenience. The reality is, while they save you the time of grocery shopping, they often don’t save you any time on cooking. You still have to do all the chopping, mixing, and cooking yourself. A “30-minute” recipe can easily take 45 minutes or more, and then you still have a pile of dishes to clean. They are a great way to learn new recipes, but they are not the magical time-saving solution they appear to be.
I wish I knew about jerky-of-the-month clubs for the snack-lover in my life.
The Same Old Bag of Jerky vs. a Safari of Savory Snacks
I have a friend who loves beef jerky, and for years I would just buy him a bag of his favorite brand. It was a fine, but boring, gift. I wish I had known about jerky-of-the-month clubs. These services send a curated selection of artisanal jerky from small-batch producers all over the country. One month it’s a spicy elk jerky, the next it’s a sweet and savory bison jerky. It would have transformed my simple, repetitive gift into an exciting, monthly safari of savory new flavors.
99% of people make this one mistake with a subscription gift: forgetting to check the shipping costs.
The $25 Box That Costs $40
You find what seems like a great deal on a subscription box: “Only $25 a month!” You sign up for a three-month gift. Later, you look at your credit card statement and realize that with the $15 per month shipping fee, your “affordable” gift was actually 60% more expensive than you thought. Many subscription box companies hide their shipping costs until the final stage of checkout. Always make sure you know the “all-in” price per month before you commit.
This one small action of setting the subscription for 3 months instead of a full year will prevent gift fatigue.
The Year-Long Commitment vs. the Perfect Taste
Gifting a full year of a subscription box seems generous, but it can be a risky commitment. What if they don’t like it after the first couple of months? Now they are stuck with ten more boxes they don’t want. A three-month gift subscription is the perfect sweet spot. It’s long enough for them to truly experience the service and enjoy the novelty, but it’s short enough that it doesn’t become a burden or lead to “gift fatigue.” It’s a wonderful taste, not an overwhelming feast.
Use a high-quality meat subscription box like ButcherBox, not just a gift certificate to the grocery store.
The Weekly Chore vs. a Delivery of Discovery
A gift certificate to the grocery store is a practical gift that helps with a weekly chore. A subscription to a high-quality meat delivery service is a gift of culinary discovery and quality. Each month, a curated box of grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, or heritage-breed pork arrives at their door. It’s not just a replacement for their grocery run; it’s an upgrade. It introduces them to better-tasting, higher-quality meat and inspires them to try new things in the kitchen.
Stop giving a single scented candle. Do a candle-of-the-month club instead.
One Scent for a Season vs. a Fragrant Journey Through the Year
A single scented candle is a lovely gift that can define the scent of a home for a season. A candle-of-the-month club is a gift that takes them on a fragrant journey through the entire year. They get to experience a curated selection of scents that match the seasons—a bright, floral scent for spring; a warm, spicy scent for autumn; a cozy, fir-tree scent for winter. It’s a recurring gift of ambiance, a delightful surprise that keeps their home smelling fresh and interesting all year long.
Stop just buying a six-pack of beer. Do a craft beer subscription box instead.
Their Usual Brew vs. a Tour of the Country’s Best Breweries
Buying someone a six-pack of their favorite beer is a nice gesture. You’re giving them something you know they like. A craft beer subscription box, however, is a gift of adventure. Each month, a curated selection of beers from different craft breweries across the country arrives at their doorstep. They get to discover new styles, learn about new breweries, and expand their palate beyond their usual go-to. You’re not just giving them a drink; you’re giving them a guided tour of the craft beer world.
The #1 secret for a successful kid’s subscription box is that it should be consumable or educational.
The Pile of Plastic vs. the Experience in a Box
Many kids’ subscription boxes are filled with cheap, plastic trinkets that are exciting for five minutes and then end up at the bottom of the toy box, contributing to a mountain of clutter. The best, most successful kids’ subscriptions are the ones where the contents are either consumable (like a baking kit) or educational (like a science experiment kit). The gift should be the experience of doing the activity, not the accumulation of the stuff left over at the end.
I’m just going to say it: Nobody needs a monthly box of random trinkets from Japan.
The Quirky Novelty vs. the Overwhelming Clutter
The idea of a Japanese snack or trinket box sounds fun and quirky. The first box arrives, and it’s full of interesting candy and cute stationery. It’s a delight. But by the fourth month, the novelty has worn off, and the recipient’s desk is now covered in tiny, plastic figurines and a backlog of snacks they’re not sure they even like. What starts as a fun cultural import quickly becomes a monthly delivery of overwhelming, unusable clutter.
The reason your gift subscription wasn’t a hit is because you didn’t consider the recipient’s storage space.
The Gift That Doesn’t Fit
You gifted a wine-of-the-month club to your friends who live in a tiny city apartment. It was a generous and thoughtful gift. The problem is, they have no place to store a dozen bottles of wine. Their small kitchen is already overflowing. Your gift of luxury has become a spatial problem, a source of clutter they have to constantly navigate. Before gifting a subscription that involves physical goods, it’s crucial to consider if the recipient has the space to comfortably store what you’re sending.
If you’re still gifting a generic tea assortment, you’re losing the curated experience of a tea subscription box.
The Supermarket Sampler vs. a Curated Tea Journey
A generic box of assorted tea bags from the supermarket is a nice, but basic, gift. A tea subscription box is an elevated, curated experience for a true tea lover. Each month, a selection of high-quality, loose-leaf teas from around the world arrives, complete with detailed tasting notes and the story behind each tea estate. You’re not just giving them a box of tea; you’re giving them a guided tasting journey, an education in a cup, and a connection to the global culture of tea.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about subscription services is that they are easy to cancel.
The One-Click Signup vs. the Labyrinth of Cancellation
Signing up for a subscription service is a seamless, one-click process. Canceling that same service, however, can be a frustrating labyrinth. Companies often hide the cancellation button behind multiple menus, require you to call a customer service line with long wait times, or try to entice you with multiple “please don’t go” offers. The ease of getting in is often a deliberate trap, making the process of getting out a true test of patience and persistence.
I wish I knew about cheese-of-the-month clubs sooner.
The Same Old Cheddar vs. a Monthly Tour of the World’s Best Dairies
For years, I would bring a simple block of cheddar and a box of crackers as a gift for my foodie friends. It was fine, but uninspired. I wish I had known about cheese-of-the-month clubs. These amazing services send a curated selection of artisanal cheeses from around the world each month. One month it’s a creamy brie from France, the next a sharp, aged gouda from the Netherlands. It would have transformed my boring gift into a sophisticated, delicious, and educational culinary adventure.
99% of people make this one mistake with a coffee subscription: choosing pre-ground beans instead of whole beans.
The Convenience vs. the Flavor
When gifting a coffee subscription, it’s tempting to choose the “pre-ground” option for convenience. This is a mistake. Coffee begins to lose its flavor and aroma the moment it is ground. A bag of pre-ground coffee is already past its peak by the time it arrives. Gifting whole beans, along with an inexpensive grinder if they don’t have one, ensures that the recipient gets to experience the coffee at its absolute freshest and most flavorful. It’s the difference between a good cup of coffee and a truly great one.
This one small action of including a note about why you chose that specific subscription will make it more personal.
The Anonymous Box vs. a Gift with a Story
When a subscription box just shows up at someone’s door, it can feel a bit impersonal, like a corporate gift. A simple action can change that entirely. Before the first box arrives, send a card or an email with a short, personal note. “I chose this coffee subscription for you because I know how much you love trying new things, and I thought it would be a fun way to explore together.” This small gesture connects the gift back to you and your relationship, turning an anonymous box into a thoughtful, personal message.
Use a pet-focused subscription like BarkBox, not just another squeaky toy.
A Single Toy vs. Christmas Morning for Your Dog, Every Month
A single squeaky toy is a fun gift for a dog, providing a few days of entertainment. A subscription like BarkBox is the equivalent of Christmas morning for that dog, every single month. A themed box arrives filled with unique toys, healthy treats, and fun chews that you can’t find in a regular pet store. It’s a gift of sustained joy and discovery for the pet, and a gift of delight for the owner as they watch their furry friend go wild with excitement over their new treasures.
Stop giving a single bottle of hot sauce. Do a hot-sauce-of-the-month subscription instead.
One Level of Heat vs. a World of Flavor and Fire
A single bottle of hot sauce is a great gift for a spice lover. A hot sauce subscription box is a thrilling journey into the world of heat. Each month, a curated selection of artisanal hot sauces from small-batch makers arrives. They get to explore different peppers, different flavor profiles, and different levels of intensity. You’re not just giving them a condiment; you’re giving them an exciting, and sometimes terrifying, culinary adventure that will challenge their palate and expand their spicy horizons.
Stop just buying a new puzzle. Do a puzzle subscription service that lets you rent and return puzzles instead.
The Puzzle That Becomes Clutter vs. an Endless Library of Challenges
A new jigsaw puzzle is a wonderful gift, but once it’s completed, it just becomes a bulky box that takes up space in a closet. A puzzle rental subscription is a brilliant, clutter-free alternative. You receive a new, beautiful puzzle, and when you’re finished, you simply send it back and get a new one. It’s like a library for puzzles. You get all the fun and challenge of constantly having a new puzzle to work on, without the guilt and clutter of accumulating dozens of boxes you’ll never use again.
The #1 hack for gifting a subscription is to choose one that offers customization options.
The One-Size-Fits-All Box vs. the Box That Learns
The problem with many subscription boxes is that they are a one-size-fits-all curation. A much better gift is a subscription that allows for personalization. The best services have the recipient fill out a taste profile, and then allow them to preview and swap items before the box ships. This turns the gift from a random surprise into a collaborative and customized experience, ensuring they receive items they will actually love and use, which dramatically increases the value and longevity of the gift.
I’m just going to say it: A monthly box of wellness products won’t solve their anxiety.
A Band-Aid in a Box
Your friend is going through a tough time, so you gift them a “self-care” subscription box. It’s filled with face masks, bath bombs, and calming teas. While the intention is kind, these items are often just temporary, surface-level distractions. True wellness and mental health support are about more than just consumer products. A more meaningful gift might be a subscription to a meditation app, a certificate for therapy sessions, or simply the gift of your time and a listening ear. A box of products can feel like a superficial Band-Aid on a deeper issue.
The reason your meal kit gift failed is because the recipient hates cooking.
The Gift of a Chore
You thought a meal kit subscription would be a fun and convenient gift. But for your friend who sees cooking as a stressful, necessary evil, you have gifted them a box of work. You have given them a project that requires chopping, sauteing, and cleaning up—all things they actively dislike. For someone who hates cooking, a much better gift is a subscription or gift card for a prepared meal delivery service, which provides the convenience of a home-cooked meal without any of the associated labor.
If you’re still gifting a generic beauty box, you’re losing the targeted approach of a skincare-only subscription.
The Makeup Bag of Randomness vs. a Curated Routine
A generic beauty box is a mixed bag of makeup, skincare, and hair products. The recipient might only be interested in one of those categories, rendering much of the box useless. For the person who is passionate about their skin, a skincare-only subscription is a far more effective and valuable gift. These boxes focus on high-quality serums, moisturizers, and treatments, often tailored to a specific skin type or concern. It’s a targeted gift that helps them build a consistent, effective routine, rather than just a collection of random samples.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about “discovery commerce” is that you’ll discover things you actually like.
The Promise of Serendipity vs. the Reality of Overstock
Subscription boxes sell the dream of “discovery commerce”—the idea that you’ll be introduced to your new favorite products. The reality is that many of these services are a way for brands to offload excess inventory or get you hooked on a sample in the hopes that you’ll buy the full-size product. The “discovery” is often less about a carefully curated selection of hidden gems and more about a random assortment of items the company got for a good price. You’ll discover a lot of things, but you may not like many of them.
I wish I knew about Hunt A Killer and other mystery-in-a-box subscriptions for my crime-junkie friends.
Watching a Mystery vs. Being the Detective
My friends and I were obsessed with true crime podcasts and documentaries. I would gift them books on the subject. I wish I had known about mystery-in-a-box subscriptions. These services send you a monthly box of evidence, ciphers, and clues related to a fictional cold case. You’re not just passively consuming a story; you’re the detective, working collaboratively to piece together the puzzle and catch the killer. It would have transformed our shared hobby into an interactive, immersive, and thrilling game night.
99% of people make this one mistake with a clothing subscription box: not filling out the style profile accurately.
Your Aspirational Self vs. Your Actual Lifestyle
When filling out the style profile for a clothing subscription, the temptation is to answer for the person you want to be—the one who goes to fancy cocktail parties and wears bold, trendy outfits. But your real life involves office meetings and weekend errands. The result is that you receive a box of beautiful clothes that you have absolutely no occasion to wear. The key to a successful clothing subscription is to be brutally honest about your actual, day-to-day lifestyle, budget, and comfort level.
This one small action of checking for an “every other month” delivery option will prevent product overload.
The Monthly Deluge vs. the Manageable Treat
A monthly subscription can sometimes be too much of a good thing. A box of four new hot sauces or three new candles every single month can quickly lead to a backlog of unused products. Many subscription services now offer a bi-monthly or quarterly delivery option. This is a fantastic way to give a recurring gift without overwhelming the recipient. It spaces out the deliveries, giving them time to fully use and appreciate the items from one box before the next one arrives.
Use a pasta-of-the-month club for a unique foodie gift, not just a box of fancy pasta.
One Nice Meal vs. a Year-Long Tour of Italy
A single box of artisanal, imported pasta is a lovely and delicious gift. A subscription to a pasta-of-the-month club is a gift of culinary exploration. Each month, a different, unique pasta shape arrives, often paired with a sauce or a recipe that highlights its specific region of Italy. It’s a delicious, educational, and inspiring gift that encourages a home cook to move beyond spaghetti and explore the incredible diversity of the Italian table.
Stop giving a single vinyl record. Do a Vinyl Me, Please subscription instead.
One Album vs. a Curated Record Collection
A single vinyl record is a great gift for a music lover. A subscription to a service like Vinyl Me, Please is a gift that builds their entire collection. Each month, they receive a beautifully pressed, exclusive edition of a classic or essential new album, complete with deluxe packaging and listening notes. It’s a curated journey through music history, helping them discover artists and albums they may have missed. You’re not just giving them a record; you’re giving them the services of a very knowledgeable and cool friend.
Stop just buying a bag of dog treats. Do a subscription for fresh, customized dog food instead.
The Standard Kibble vs. a Personalized Meal Plan
A bag of dog treats is a nice gift for a pet owner. But for the owner who sees their dog as a true family member, a subscription to a fresh, customized dog food service is a gift of health and wellness. Based on the dog’s age, breed, and health needs, these services deliver perfectly portioned, human-grade meals to their door. It’s a significant upgrade to the pet’s well-being, a gift that says, “I care about your best friend’s health as much as you do.”
The #1 secret for a great subscription is that the value of the items consistently exceeds the cost of the box.
The Disappointing Box vs. the Monthly “Win”
The thrill of a subscription box wears off quickly if it feels like a bad deal. If you’re paying $40 for a box that contains items you could have bought yourself for $30, the subscription will be a disappointment. The best, most successful subscriptions are the ones where the subscriber consistently feels like they are “winning.” The perceived value of the curated items inside—whether through exclusivity, discovery, or sheer quantity—must always feel greater than the monthly cost. That feeling of getting a great deal is the secret to long-term enjoyment.
I’m just going to say it: The packaging for most subscription boxes is incredibly wasteful.
The Box-Within-a-Box Problem
Unboxing a subscription box is part of the experience, but it often reveals a shocking amount of waste. The items are nestled in shredded paper, inside a branded box, which is then placed inside a larger shipping box. This multi-layered approach creates a huge amount of cardboard and plastic waste for a small number of products. Gifting a subscription is also gifting a stream of recycling and trash. Choosing companies that use minimalist, eco-friendly packaging is a more responsible way to give a recurring gift.
The reason your gift recipient is overwhelmed is because their new subscription box arrives the same week as their other three.
The Subscription Collision
Subscription boxes are so popular that many people are already subscribed to one or two. Your thoughtful new gift subscription might arrive on the same day as their meal kit and their beauty box. Your intended monthly treat has now become part of a “subscription collision,” an overwhelming influx of boxes and products that all need to be unboxed, used, and stored at the same time. Before gifting a subscription, it can be helpful to subtly ask if they already subscribe to any services to avoid adding to the clutter.
If you’re still gifting a generic snack box, you’re losing the health-conscious curation of a service like Thrive Market.
The Junk Food Box vs. a Curated Pantry of Wellness
A generic snack box is often filled with the same chips, candy, and cookies you could find in any vending machine. A membership to an online market like Thrive is a gift that aligns with a healthy lifestyle. It provides access to high-quality, organic, and diet-specific products at discounted prices. You’re not just giving them a box of snacks; you’re giving them a tool to build a healthier pantry, save money on the products they already buy, and discover new wellness brands.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about introductory offers is that you’ll remember to cancel before the price goes up.
The “First Box Free” Trap
Subscription services lure you in with an amazing introductory offer: “Get your first box for only $5!” or “First month free!” You sign up, thinking you’ll just try it out and cancel if you don’t like it. This is the business model’s secret weapon: inertia. Life gets busy, you forget the exact date the offer ends, and before you know it, you’ve been charged the full, much higher price for the second month. The “great deal” is built on the high probability that you won’t remember to cancel.
I wish I knew about Universal Yums for a fun, family-friendly way to explore world cultures through snacks.
A Geography Lesson vs. Eating Your Way Around the World
As a kid, I learned about other countries from boring textbooks. I wish my parents had known about Universal Yums. This subscription box sends a monthly package filled with snacks and candies from a different country. One month you’re trying salty licorice from the Netherlands, the next you’re eating pineapple cakes from Taiwan. It comes with a fun, educational booklet about the country’s culture and traditions. It’s a gift that turns a geography lesson into a delicious, interactive, and memorable family activity.
99% of people make this one mistake with a flower subscription: not checking if the recipient has a vase.
A Beautiful Bouquet on the Floor
You generously gift a monthly flower subscription. The first beautiful bouquet arrives at your friend’s office or home, and they are thrilled! And then they realize they have nothing to put the flowers in. They have to scramble to find a water bottle or an old jar. A simple, but crucial, part of this gift is to send a nice, simple glass vase along with the first delivery. It’s a small, thoughtful touch that ensures your beautiful gift can be enjoyed immediately, without any added stress.
This one small action of giving a 6-month subscription instead of 3 will allow them to truly experience the service.
The Quick Taste vs. the Full Experience
A three-month subscription is a great way to give a taste of a service. But a six-month subscription is where the real value often emerges. It gives the recipient enough time to truly integrate the service into their life, to see the variety over several seasons, and for the curation to adapt to their preferences. For services like clothing or wine, it takes a few boxes for the algorithm to really learn their taste. A six-month gift provides a more complete and representative experience of what the subscription has to offer.
Use a cocktail subscription box that sends everything you need for a new recipe, not just a bottle of spirits.
The Bottle of Gin vs. the Perfect Gin and Tonic
Giving a bottle of nice gin is a great gift. But a great cocktail is more than just the spirit. A cocktail subscription box is a gift of a complete, curated experience. Each month, a box arrives with a bottle of a craft spirit, as well as the unique syrups, bitters, and garnishes needed to make a specific, interesting cocktail. It also includes a recipe card with the history of the drink. You’re not just giving them a bottle; you’re giving them a fun, educational mixology class in a box.
Stop giving a single comic book. Do a subscription to a comic book box instead.
One Issue vs. a Monthly Trip to the Comic Shop
A single graphic novel is a fantastic gift for a comic book fan. A subscription to a comic book box is like having a perfectly curated comic shop deliver to your door every month. These boxes often include a mix of new releases from major publishers, indie comics you might not have discovered, and sometimes even exclusive variant covers or related merchandise. It’s a gift of constant discovery that keeps the recipient on the cutting edge of the comic book world.
Stop just buying a new tie. Do a subscription to a service that sends a tie and matching accessories instead.
A Single Tie vs. a Complete, Coordinated Look
A single tie is a nice addition to a man’s wardrobe. A subscription to a service like SprezzaBox is a gift that elevates his entire style. Each month, a curated box arrives with a new tie, but also a complete set of matching accessories—like a pair of stylish socks, a coordinating pocket square, and a tie clip. It takes the guesswork out of accessorizing and provides a polished, cohesive look. You’re not just giving him a tie; you’re giving him a personal stylist in a box.
The #1 hack for a flexible subscription gift is to give a gift certificate to a marketplace like Cratejoy.
Your Best Guess vs. Their Perfect Choice
You want to gift a subscription box, but you’re overwhelmed by the thousands of options. What if you choose the wrong one? The ultimate hack is to give a gift certificate to a subscription box marketplace like Cratejoy. This gives the recipient the freedom to browse hundreds of different boxes—from coffee to crafts to crystals—and choose the one that perfectly matches their unique interests. You’re giving them the fun of the subscription and the control to make the perfect choice for themselves.
I’m just going to say it: You’re just outsourcing the gift-giving process to a stranger.
A Thoughtful Choice vs. a Curated Guess
When you give a subscription box, it can feel like a thoughtful, recurring gift. But it’s important to remember that you are essentially paying a stranger to pick out gifts for your loved one every month. The curation is done by a company, not by you. While convenient, it can lack the deep, personal touch of a gift that you have chosen yourself, based on your intimate knowledge of the recipient. It’s a wonderful option for some, but it’s not a substitute for your own personal thoughtfulness.
The reason your “self-care” subscription box feels stressful is because it’s another thing to “do” each month.
The Promise of Relaxation vs. the Pressure to Perform Self-Care
A self-care subscription box arrives, filled with face masks, bath salts, and a journal with prompts. The intention is relaxation. But for a busy person, this box can feel like a new set of chores. “Now I have to find the time to take a bath, do a face mask, and write in this journal.” The gift of “self-care” has become another list of tasks to complete, adding a layer of performance pressure to the act of relaxing, which is the exact opposite of its intended purpose.
If you’re still gifting a generic box of chocolates, you’re losing the artisanal quality of a monthly chocolate subscription.
The Supermarket Box vs. a World Tour of Cacao
A generic box of chocolates from the drugstore is a classic, but forgettable, sweet treat. A subscription to an artisanal chocolate club is a sophisticated, educational, and delicious experience. Each month, a curated selection of craft chocolate bars from small-batch makers around the world arrives at their door. They get to explore the nuanced flavors of single-origin cacao and learn about the bean-to-bar process. You’re not just giving them candy; you’re giving them a guided tasting of the world’s best chocolate.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about kids’ activity boxes is that they are a substitute for parental involvement.
The Myth of the “Keep Them Busy” Box
Marketing for kids’ activity boxes often implies that you can just hand the box to your child and they will be quietly and independently entertained for hours. The reality is, most of these projects, especially for younger children, require significant parental help and supervision. They are not a substitute for your involvement; they are a tool for it. They are a fantastic way to structure quality time and do a fun project together, but they are not a magical, hands-off babysitter in a box.
I wish I knew about spice-of-the-month clubs to expand my culinary horizons.
The Same Old Spices vs. a Pantry Full of Possibilities
For years, my cooking was stuck in a rut because my spice rack was limited to the same five or six basic seasonings. I wish I had known about spice-of-the-month clubs. These subscriptions send you a new, unique spice or blend each month, along with recipes and ideas for how to use it. It’s a brilliant way to gently push a home cook out of their comfort zone, introduce them to new flavors from around the world, and inspire a new level of creativity in the kitchen.
99% of people make this one mistake with a recurring gift: not setting a calendar reminder for when it will renew.
The Surprise Charge on Your Credit Card
You thoughtfully gift a one-year subscription. You feel great about it and promptly forget all the details. A year and a day later, you’re surprised to see a large charge on your credit card for the automatic renewal of the subscription. Forgetting to track the renewal date is a classic mistake. The moment you purchase a recurring gift, you should immediately go to your digital calendar and set a reminder for one week before the renewal date. This simple action will save you from an expensive surprise.
This one small action of “unboxing” the first month’s box with the recipient will make it a shared experience.
The Gift They Open Alone vs. the Discovery You Share
When you gift a subscription, the recipient will usually open all the subsequent boxes by themselves. To make the gift feel more personal and connected to you, make a plan to be there for the unboxing of the very first one. You can do it in person or even over a video call. This turns the initial gift from a simple delivery into a fun, shared experience. You get to see their genuine reaction and share in the excitement of the first discovery together.
Use a “National Parks Explorer” subscription box, not just a book about hiking.
Reading About Adventure vs. a Monthly Dose of the Outdoors
A book about hiking is a great gift of inspiration. A subscription box themed around National Parks is a gift that fuels the adventure itself. Each month, a box arrives focused on a different park. It might contain a useful piece of gear (like a good pair of hiking socks), a tasty trail snack, and a beautifully designed map or guide for that specific park. It’s a recurring dose of inspiration and practical gear that encourages the recipient to get out and explore the great outdoors.
Stop giving a single board game. Do a subscription box for murder mystery games instead.
One Game on the Shelf vs. a New Case Every Month
A single board game is a great gift that can provide a few fun game nights. A murder mystery subscription box is a gift of an ongoing, immersive story. Every month, a new box arrives with clues, evidence, and ciphers related to a complex mystery. You’re not just playing a game; you’re detectives solving a case together over an entire season. It’s a fantastic gift for a couple or a family, turning a standard game night into a thrilling, collaborative, and story-driven event.
Stop just buying a new candle. Do a seasonal scent subscription instead.
One Scent vs. a Year-Long Aromatic Journey
A single candle, no matter how beautiful, has one scent. A seasonal scent subscription is a gift that changes with the year. Each quarter, a curated box arrives with a scent that perfectly captures the essence of the season: a light, floral scent for spring; a beachy, coconut scent for summer; a spicy, pumpkin scent for fall; and a cozy, pine scent for winter. It’s a thoughtful gift that keeps their home feeling fresh, festive, and perfectly in tune with the time of year.
The #1 secret for a good clothing subscription is a generous and easy return policy.
The Box of Ill-Fitting Clothes vs. the Risk-Free Try-On
A clothing subscription sounds amazing, but the fear is always, “What if nothing fits or I don’t like it?” The secret that separates a good service from a bad one is an incredibly simple and generous return policy. The best services include a pre-paid return label, give you ample time to make a decision, and make the process of sending back unwanted items completely hassle-free. A great return policy removes all the risk and turns your home into a private, no-pressure fitting room.
I’m just going to say it: The “surprise” element of subscription boxes wears off after the third month.
The Initial Thrill vs. the Predictable Pattern
The first subscription box is a thrill. The second is still fun. By the third or fourth, the novelty of the “surprise” starts to fade. You begin to notice the patterns: there’s always a snack, there’s always a gadget, there’s always a pair of socks. What started as a delightful mystery becomes a predictable formula. The long-term value of a subscription box is not in the surprise, but in the consistent quality and genuine usefulness of the items inside.
The reason your plant subscription gift failed is because the recipient has a black thumb.
A Gift of Life vs. a Gift of Guilt
A plant subscription seems like a wonderful, living gift that will bring nature into a home. But for someone who notoriously kills every plant they’ve ever owned (a person with a “black thumb”), this is a gift of monthly anxiety and guilt. Each new, beautiful plant that arrives is a ticking clock, a future failure waiting to happen. Before gifting a subscription that requires care and maintenance, it’s crucial to know if the recipient will see it as a joy or as a pressure-filled responsibility.
If you’re still gifting a generic coffee pod subscription, you’re losing the eco-friendly appeal of compostable pods or whole beans.
The Landfill vs. the Compost Bin
A subscription for standard, plastic coffee pods is a gift of convenience, but it’s also a gift of environmental waste. Those tiny plastic cups are a major contributor to landfill waste. A far more thoughtful and eco-conscious gift is a subscription to a service that offers compostable coffee pods or, even better, freshly roasted whole beans. It provides the same daily ritual but with a much smaller environmental footprint, a gift that is good for the recipient and the planet.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about “free trial” subscriptions is that they are free.
The Hidden Cost of Forgetting
The “30-day free trial” is one of the most effective marketing tools ever invented. You sign up, thinking you’ll get to try a service for free. But the company is banking on the high probability that you will forget to cancel. The trial is not “free”; it is a contract that will automatically begin billing you the moment the trial period ends. The true cost of the “free” trial is the full price you will inevitably pay when you forget to cancel it in time.
I wish I knew about pickle-of-the-month clubs for the person who has everything.
The Gift Dilemma vs. the Briny Solution
I had a friend who was impossible to shop for; he had every gadget and hobby imaginable. For years, I struggled to find a unique gift. Then, I discovered the world of niche food subscriptions, including pickle-of-the-month clubs. The idea of getting a curated box of artisanal, funky, and flavorful pickles every month was so weird and so specific that it was perfect. It would have been a hilarious, delicious, and genuinely surprising gift for the person who truly thought they had seen it all.
99% of people make this one mistake with a meal kit subscription gift: not considering the recipient’s kitchen skill level.
The Gourmet Meal vs. the Intimidating Project
You gift a meal kit subscription that features complex, gourmet recipes with advanced techniques. You think you’re giving the gift of a fancy dinner. But for a novice cook, this is an intimidating and stressful experience. They are left with a box of unfamiliar ingredients and a set of instructions that feel like a final exam. The best meal kit gifts are the ones that match the recipient’s actual skill level, offering simple, quick, and approachable recipes that build confidence, not anxiety.
This one small action of confirming the recipient’s address before ordering will save you a major headache.
The Gift Sent into the Void
You’re ordering a subscription gift online, and you confidently type in the recipient’s address from memory or from an old contact file. The problem is, they moved six months ago. Now, their monthly box of treats is being delivered to the wrong address, creating a frustrating and awkward situation for everyone. Before you click “purchase” on any gift that involves shipping, a quick text—”Hey, just confirming, is your address still 123 Main Street?”—is a simple, crucial step that can prevent a major logistical headache.
Use an olive-oil-of-the-month club for a sophisticated foodie gift.
The Standard Bottle vs. a Liquid Gold Tasting Journey
Every home cook uses olive oil, but most stick to the same standard supermarket brand. A subscription to an olive oil club is a gift of sophisticated flavor exploration. Each month or quarter, a bottle of high-quality, artisanal olive oil from a different region—like Tuscany, Greece, or Spain—arrives. The recipient gets to taste the dramatic differences in flavor and learn how to pair different oils with different foods. It’s a chic and unexpected gift that will elevate their cooking to a whole new level.
Stop giving a single piece of jewelry. Do a subscription box like Rocksbox that lets them rent and try new styles.
One Piece Forever vs. an Endless, Rotating Collection
A single piece of jewelry is a wonderful, but permanent, gift. What if they want to try new trends without the commitment? A jewelry rental subscription is a brilliant alternative. For a monthly fee, they receive a set of high-quality, designer jewelry that they can wear as much as they want. When they’re ready for something new, they simply send it back and get a new set. It’s like having an infinite, rotating jewelry box, allowing them to constantly refresh their style without the clutter or cost of buying.
Stop just buying a new art print. Do a subscription that sends a new print from an emerging artist each quarter.
One Piece on the Wall vs. a Rotating Home Gallery
A single art print is a great way to decorate a wall. An art print subscription is a way to turn a home into a dynamic, rotating art gallery. Each quarter, a new, limited-edition print from a talented, emerging artist arrives. It’s a fantastic way to discover new artists, support the creative community, and keep one’s home decor feeling fresh and interesting. You’re not just giving them a piece of art; you’re giving them a curated collection that evolves over time.
The #1 hack for getting the most out of a subscription is to review and rate the items each month.
The Random Curation vs. the Personalized Box
Many subscription services use algorithms that learn from your feedback. If you just passively receive your box each month without rating the items, the curation will remain generic. The #1 hack for improving the quality of your boxes is to take the two minutes to go online and give feedback. “Loved this, hated this, send more of that.” This trains the algorithm (and the human curators) on your specific tastes, making each subsequent box more personalized and better suited to you.
I’m just going to say it: Most subscription boxes are just a way to offload overstock inventory.
The Curated Dream vs. the Warehouse Reality
The marketing for subscription boxes paints a picture of experts carefully selecting the best, most exciting new products just for you. The business reality is often less romantic. For many brands, subscription boxes are a highly effective channel for getting rid of products that aren’t selling well in traditional retail, or for offloading inventory that is nearing its expiration date. The “curation” is often a clever solution to a company’s inventory problem, not a pure act of discovery for the customer.
The reason your “hobby” subscription box is failing is because the projects are less interesting than what they’d choose for themselves.
The Curated Craft vs. Their Own Creative Vision
You gift a subscription box for a knitting hobbyist. But the monthly projects are for simple, beginner-level patterns in colors they don’t like. A true hobbyist has their own taste, their own list of projects they want to tackle, and their own preferred materials. A subscription box that makes those choices for them can feel restrictive and uninspired. For a dedicated hobbyist, a gift certificate to their favorite craft supply store is often a better gift, giving them the freedom to pursue their own creative vision.
If you’re still gifting a random assortment of items, you’re losing the cohesive theme of a well-curated box.
A Box of Stuff vs. a Box with a Story
Some subscription boxes feel like a random jumble of items thrown together. The best, most delightful boxes are the ones that have a clear, cohesive theme each month. For example, a “hygge” themed box might contain a soft pair of socks, a calming tea, a nice candle, and a good book. All the items work together to create a specific feeling or experience. A strong theme elevates a box from a random collection of products into a thoughtful, curated story.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about pet subscription boxes is that your pet will love every single item.
The Perfect Box vs. the Picky Pet
The pictures show happy dogs and cats ecstatically playing with every toy and devouring every treat. The reality is that pets, like people, have their own unique preferences. Your dog might be terrified of the squeaky toy, or your cat might turn up its nose at the fancy new treats. It’s almost guaranteed that not every single item in the box will be a hit. The value is in the discovery and the overall joy, not in the false promise that every item will be a perfect match.
I wish I knew about the existence of a high-quality sock-of-the-month club earlier.
The Exception to the “No Socks” Rule
I once said that a sock subscription is an uninspired gift. I must make one exception. For the true sock aficionado—the person whose style is defined by their bold, colorful, and high-quality socks—a premium sock subscription is actually a brilliant gift. Services that send well-made, beautifully designed socks from interesting brands are a cut above the generic novelty socks. For this specific person, it’s not a gift of practicality; it’s a gift that directly feeds their unique and quirky passion for fashion.
99% of people make this one mistake with a digital subscription gift (e.g., streaming service): buying it for someone who already has it.
The Redundant Gift
You have a great idea to gift a one-year subscription to a popular streaming service or a meditation app. It’s a thoughtful, clutter-free gift. The problem is, the recipient is already a paying subscriber. Your gift is now either useless or has created the awkward task for them of trying to figure out how to apply a gift credit to their existing account. Before buying a digital subscription, a quick, subtle question—”Hey, have you been watching anything good on XYZ service lately?”—can help you avoid this common mistake.
This one small action of writing down the login information for a gifted digital subscription will be a huge help.
The Gift They Can’t Access
You gift someone a subscription to a cool new app or streaming service. You sign them up, and they get the welcome email, but they promptly forget the password you created for them. Now, your thoughtful gift is locked behind a digital wall they can’t access. When you gift a digital subscription, a small, but crucial, action is to write down the username, password, and the website on a physical card and give it to them. It’s a simple, helpful touch that ensures they can actually use and enjoy your gift.
Use a fresh pasta subscription box, not just another box of dried pasta from the store.
The Pantry Staple vs. a Taste of Italy, Delivered
A box of high-quality dried pasta from the store is a great pantry staple. A subscription for fresh, handmade pasta is a gift of true, restaurant-quality luxury delivered to their door. Each month, a different type of fresh, artisanal pasta—like ravioli, gnocchi, or pappardelle—arrives, ready to be cooked in just a few minutes. It’s an incredibly easy way to create a genuinely gourmet meal at home, and a gift that will make any pasta lover feel incredibly spoiled.
Stop giving a single self-help book. Do a subscription to a personal growth box instead.
One Author’s Advice vs. a Holistic Toolkit for Growth
A single self-help book provides one perspective on personal growth. A personal growth subscription box is a more holistic and interactive experience. Each month, a box arrives themed around a topic like “mindfulness” or “confidence.” It will include a book on the topic, but also other tools like a guided journal, a deck of affirmation cards, or an aromatherapy roller. It’s a recurring, multi-faceted gift that provides a complete toolkit to support their journey of self-improvement.
Stop just buying a new bottle of perfume. Do a scent subscription service like Scentbird instead.
One Big Bottle vs. a Monthly Wardrobe of Fragrance
Buying a full-sized, expensive bottle of perfume is a huge risk. What if they don’t love it? A scent subscription service is a brilliant, low-risk way to gift fragrance. Each month, the recipient gets to choose a new, travel-sized atomizer of a designer perfume from a library of hundreds of options. It allows them to explore new scents, date a fragrance before committing to a full bottle, and build a “fragrance wardrobe” to match their mood. It’s a gift of discovery, not a risky commitment.
The #1 secret for a successful gift subscription is choosing a company with excellent customer service.
The Frustrating Problem vs. the Easy Solution
When you give a subscription, you are also giving the experience of dealing with that company. If a box arrives damaged, gets lost in the mail, or an item is missing, a company with terrible customer service can turn your thoughtful gift into a frustrating ordeal for the recipient. Before you subscribe, do a quick search for reviews of the company’s customer service. A company that is known for being responsive, helpful, and quick to solve problems is a gift in itself.
I’m just going to say it: A “quarterly” subscription is often better than a monthly one.
The Monthly Onslaught vs. the Seasonal Surprise
A monthly subscription box can sometimes feel like too much, too often. The boxes can start to pile up, and the initial excitement can wane. A quarterly subscription, which arrives every three months, is often a much better pace. It gives the recipient ample time to use and appreciate the items from one box before the next one arrives. The longer wait time also builds more anticipation, making the arrival of the box feel like a true, special, seasonal treat rather than a routine monthly delivery.
The reason your gift seems to have stopped arriving is because your credit card on file expired.
The Gift That Vanished
You generously gifted a subscription, and your friend loved the first few boxes. Then, they just stopped arriving. The most common reason for this is not that the company failed, but that the credit card you used for the purchase has expired. Most people forget to update their payment information on recurring charges. This leads to a failed payment, a cancelled subscription, and an awkward end to your thoughtful gift. It’s a small but crucial detail to track for any long-term gift subscription.
If you’re still gifting a random collection of items, you’re losing the educational value of a box that teaches a new skill over time.
A Box of Stuff vs. a Curriculum in a Box
Some subscription boxes are just a random assortment of products. A more valuable and engaging subscription is one that is designed to teach a new skill over time. Think of a subscription that teaches you how to knit, with each box building on the last—the first box has the needles and basic yarn, the next introduces a new stitch, and so on. This “curriculum-in-a-box” approach is a gift of mastery, providing a structured, long-term journey of learning and accomplishment.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about food subscription boxes is that they cater to picky eaters.
The Culinary Adventure vs. the Unfamiliar Ingredient
Food subscription boxes are designed for culinary exploration and discovery. That’s what makes them fun. This also means they are often a terrible gift for a picky eater. A box filled with unfamiliar spices, exotic vegetables, or unique cuts of meat will be a source of stress, not joy, for someone with a limited palate. These subscriptions are a wonderful gift for an adventurous eater, but for a picky one, a gift certificate to their favorite, familiar restaurant is a much safer bet.
I wish I knew about hot chocolate subscription boxes for the ultimate cozy gift.
The Standard Can of Cocoa vs. a Monthly Mug of Molten Bliss
I used to give friends a nice can of hot cocoa as a cozy winter gift. It was a nice thought. I wish I had known about the existence of artisanal hot chocolate subscriptions. These services send a monthly delivery of high-quality, gourmet drinking chocolate from small-batch makers. We’re talking about rich, complex flavors made from single-origin cacao, often paired with unique, handmade marshmallows. It would have elevated my simple gift from a pantry staple into a truly decadent, luxurious, and comforting monthly ritual.
99% of people make this one mistake with a book subscription: choosing a genre the recipient doesn’t enjoy.
The Gift of Required Reading
You know your friend loves to read, so you gift them a book subscription box. You choose the “thriller” box because that’s what you like to read. The problem is, your friend exclusively reads historical fiction. Now, each month they receive a book they have absolutely no interest in. It feels less like a gift and more like a required reading assignment they never wanted. Before gifting a genre-specific subscription, it’s absolutely essential to know what the recipient’s favorite genres actually are.
This one small action of checking for promo codes before gifting a subscription will save you a significant amount of money.
Paying Full Price vs. the 2-Minute Search That Saves You 20%
Subscription box companies almost always have a promotional code available for new customers. Before you ever pay full price for a gift subscription, you must take the two minutes to do a quick internet search for “[Subscription Box Name] promo code” or “[Subscription Box Name] coupon.” You will almost certainly find a code that will save you anywhere from 10% to 50% on your first box or your entire gift subscription. It’s a simple, quick action that can result in significant savings.
Use a “date night” box subscription for a couple, not just another gift certificate for a restaurant.
One Night Out vs. a Year of Connection at Home
A gift certificate for a restaurant is a great gift for a couple, but it’s one night out. A “date night” subscription box is a gift that fosters connection all year long, right in their own home. Each month, a box arrives with a fun, creative, and interactive activity for two—like a cocktail-making kit, a new board game, or a set of conversation starters. It’s a perfect gift for busy parents or homebodies, a monthly reminder to set aside time for each other, with no babysitter or reservation required.