Best subscription boxes: 12 gifts that keep on giving

What could be better than getting a gift every month? See the best subscription boxes to give to a loved one (or yourself) including beauty, plant and vegan buys

Taste Cocktails subscription box
(Image credit: Taste Cocktails)

The best subscription boxes really are the gift that keeps on giving. And if you don't know what to get someone for Christmas, then there are options for everyone including bookworms, foodies and proud plant parents. With boxes for every budget too, it could be a great way to spread the cost of Christmas and give them lots of little gifts instead of one big one.

What's more, not only is it fun to get a new treat every month on your doorstep, but this is very practical gift this year – especially when gifting in person may be hard. So we have rounded up our favorite subscription boxes below. Some offer a one off box so you aren't tied in, and they are pretty good for self-gifting too by the way...

If you are after the best food delivery boxes too, we have rounded up our faves over in our buying guide. 

Best subscription boxes US

Amazon craft subscription box

(Image credit: Amazon)

1. Adults & Crafts - DIY Craft Kits Subscription Box

The best Amazon subscription box

Specifications

Subscription lengths: As long as you like
Type: Crafts
One off box available? : Yes
RRP: $27.95

Reasons to buy

+
Super affordable
+
Amazon Prime customers save money
+
Easy to change or cancel 

Reasons to avoid

-
You can't skip a month if the craft isn't for you

Did you know Amazon does subscription boxes? Loads of them in fact, whatever your hobby you'll find a subs box for you. Most are really affordable too. This craft box has great reviews, and means you can DIY something new and stylish every month. You can purchase one off boxes too as a gift, just check out the Adults & Crafts storefront. 

Who knows maybe you'll find a subs box on sale on Amazon Prime Day, keep up to date on all the deals over on our page. 

The best subscription boxes

(Image credit: Winc)

2. Winc

The best wine subscription box

Specifications

Subscription lengths: Monthly
Type: Wine
One off box available? : As a gift, yes
RRP: from $60

Reasons to buy

+
You never pay for a bottle you don't like
+
Tailored to your tastes
+
Can cancel anytime 

Reasons to avoid

-
We  couldn't find any!

Wine, every month? Yes please! And that's exactly what you get with Winc. You take a pallet quiz before you sign up so you only get sent wines you are going to love. Then just like magic, four bottles of delicious wine turn up on your doorstep. You can then rate your wines after you've tried them so your deliveries will get even more specific to your tastes. Oh and there's $20 off your first box right now! What are you waiting for?

The best subscription boxes

(Image credit: Glossybox)

3. Glossybox

The best beauty subscription box US

Specifications

Subscription lengths: 3 month, 6 month, 12 month, rolling contract
Type: Beauty
One off box available? : No
: from $16

Reasons to buy

+
Fab price 
+
Great for finding  new beauty products 
+
One full size item in every box

Reasons to avoid

-
You can't just purchase a one off box

For those of you who haven't heard of Glossybox, it's a really affordable beauty subscription box that allows you to test out some of the most hyped about products in the industry. You get five products in each monthly box, and the whole lot is always worth at least £50 if you were to buy separately, and often there are full-size products in there too. There are so many subs options too, it's really flexible – you can pick to sign up and pay monthly, or for the whole lot in one go, meaning you can gift a subscription too. Oh and look out for the advent calendar that's coming soon!

A few examples of brands that have previously been in Glossybox are Nails Inc., Iconic and Bare Minerals. Oh, and they ship to the UK too, just visit glossybox.co.uk.

Fabfitfun box

(Image credit: Fabfitfun)

4. FabFitFun

The best subscription box for wellness and fitness US

Specifications

Subscription lengths: Annual
Type: Health and lifestyle
One off box available? : No
RRP: from $49.99

Reasons to buy

+
You can choose the products that go into each box
+
A nice mix of fashion, beauty and lifestyle 
+
You get 8-10 full sized products 

Reasons to avoid

-
It's only four times a year 

This is such a cute box as it's based on the seasons, so you get it four times a year but in each box are products to see you through the upcoming months. You also get some choice as to what is in your box, you can choose 3-5  products of the 8-10 that are in the box if you wanted to. This means you are always guaranteed to love the larger items and get a surprise with the rest. Just some examples of what comes in a FabFitFun box, this month you can choose a Michael Kors Passport Wallet, a Botkier New York Trigger Backpack or a Pottery Barn Mason Diffuser.

There are more benefits to signing up to the subs box too, 70% off box add-ons and exclusive offers brands, access to hundreds of workouts and recipes and you become part of a cute community. You can gift this box too – you send them an e-voucher that they can use to buy their boxes. 

The Sill subscription box

(Image credit: The Sill)

5. The Sill

The best plant subscription box US

Specifications

Subscription lengths: min 3 months
Type: plants
One off box available? : yes
RRP: $42

Reasons to buy

+
A great box for beginners
+
All the plants are  easy to care for 
+
You get a cute planter with your plant

Reasons to avoid

-
There's currently a waitlist to sign up 

Want to become more green-fingered? This is the best subscription box for you. With The Sill's Plants for Beginners, you get a new, easy to care for plant every single month (imagine your home after a year!) It comes with everything you need to keep your houseplant healthy, plus an adorable planter. 

The Feminist Book Club box

(Image credit: The Feminist Book Club)

6. The Feminist Book Club

The best book subscription box US

Specifications

Subscription lengths: Monthly
Type: Book
One off box available? : No
RRP: $52

Reasons to buy

+
Great book subscription to read something you perhaps usually wouldn't
+
Not expensive
+
Treats included!
+
5% of sales go to a new feminist organisation each month

Reasons to avoid

-
none!

There are so many great book subscription boxes out there, but we like that this one as it encourages you to read books that you might not otherwise (but should!) The Feminist Book Club includes a new book every month plus 3-5 products from women owned small businesses. They also donate 5 per cent of sales to a new feminist organisation each month too, so you are giving back with this box, something we always like to see. 

Best subscription boxes UK

mothers day flowers bloom and wild

(Image credit: Bloom & Wild)

7. Bloom & Wild

The best flower subscription box

Specifications

Subscription lengths: 3, 6 or 12 months
Type: Flowers
One off box available? : No (but you just order a bunch of flowers)
RRP: from £20

Reasons to buy

+
Lovely gift idea
+
Flexible options 
+
You can pause your subscription or cancel any time

Reasons to avoid

-
On the expensive side 

We have sung the praises of Bloom & Wild many a time, they just make such lovely bouquets. With the subscription box, you get a bunch of blooms that will fit through your letterbox so you don't have to be in to receive them. They arrive in bud so will bloom a few days after arrival so they really do last ages. 

How often and for how long you want your flowers delivered for is really flexible too. You can pick to subscribe for three, six or 12 months and then whether you want your flowers every week, every two weeks or every months. You can also gift a subscription too. 

Papergang subs box

(Image credit: Papergang)

8. Papergang

The best stationery subscription box

Specifications

Subscription lengths: Monthly
Type: Stationery
One off box available? : Yes
RRP: £12

Reasons to buy

+
Budget-friendly 
+
Cute gift idea
+
Exclusive prints

Reasons to avoid

-
You have no choice as to what is in the boxes 

If you are a lover of stationery, this is the best subscription box for you. Each month you will receive a super cute box of stationery in the most gorgeous packaging. You get five to eight exclusive items, including notebooks, greeting cards, pens and pencils, art prints, and much more. Also, there is world wide delivery available on this box too. 

Bakedin subs box

(Image credit: Bakedin)

9. Bakedin Baking Club Subscription

The best subscription box for baking

Specifications

Subscription lengths: 3 months
Type: Baking
One off box available? : No
RRP: £39

Reasons to buy

+
Best quality ingredient used 
+
New imaginative recipes each month 
+
Fits through a letterbox 

Reasons to avoid

-
You have to buy the fresh ingredients  

We love this idea! Bake a cake a month with a brand new recipe and all the dry ingredients delivered to your door. Each box contains all the dry ingredients weighed out plus any equipment you might need like baking paper and measuring spoons, all you need to is stock up on the wet ingredients and get baking. 

Previous recipes have included, Blueberry & Cashew Squares, Bakewell Tart, Pear & Frangipane Tart, Lemon Shortbread Squares and Custard Creams. Yum yum!

Taste Cocktails subscription box

(Image credit: Taste Cocktails)

10. Cocktail Kit Subscription

The best cocktail subscription box

Specifications

Subscription lengths: 3 months
Type: Cocktails
One off box available?: No
: £89

Reasons to buy

+
Great gift idea
+
You get all the ingredients, including all the booze! 

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive 

Imagine, gets to a Friday, you open the fridge and oh dear, no wine, you drank it all on Tuesday night. But oh wait, your cocktail subscription box is here! Sounds good to us. Each of these boxes contains an amazing quality craft spirit, and a classic recipe, then guides you through the technique to create two classic cocktails, and then up to four more modern cocktails based on that classic. We are talking Espresso Martini, Margarita, Old Fashioned, Manhattans, Long Island Iced Tea, Gin Martini, Mojitos and more!

Craftiosity subscription box

(Image credit: Craftiosity)

11. Craft Kit Subscription Box

The best craft subscription box

Specifications

Subscription lengths: 3 or 6 months
Type: Crafts
One off box available?: Yes
RRP: £26.95

Reasons to buy

+
You can gift or buy a single box
+
Everything you need to create the craft comes inside 

Reasons to avoid

-
Not suitable for children 

If you love creativity and trying new crafts, or want to delight your favourite crafter, then Craftiosity is the perfect subscription box. Each box includes all the tools and supplies you need to discover a new craft. Previous boxes have included everything from book-binding and linocut print cards to needle-felted birds and clay candle holders. It's a great way to discover a new hobby!

12. TheVeganKind Subscription Box

The best vegan subscription box

Specifications

Subscription lengths: 3, 6 or 12 months
Type: Vegan beauty or lifestyle
One off box available?: Yes
RRP: from £8

Reasons to buy

+
Lifestyle or beauty options
+
Gift cards available
+
Cruelty free

Reasons to avoid

-
None

If you know a vegan or someone trying to cut down on animal products, TheVeganKind subscription boxes are a great way for them to find new food and beauty items. You can choose from a lifestyle box which includes treats, food and a cleaning or healthcare item that shows how easy (and tasty) going vegan can be. Or opt for the beauty box to discover new cruelty-free cosmetics. One off boxes are available, but you can gift three months, six months or a year, contract free,

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Hebe Hatton

Hebe joined the Real Homes team in early 2018 as Staff Writer before moving to the Livingetc team in 2021 where she took on a role as Digital Editor. She loves boho and 70's style and is a big fan of Instagram as a source of interiors inspiration. When she isn't writing about interiors, she is renovating her own spaces – be it wallpapering a hallway, painting kitchen cupboards or converting a van.

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