Satisfy Your Pickiest Giftee with a Subscription Box

Every holiday season, as the department stores seem to be bursting at the seams with merchandise, I struggle to find gifts that my loved ones will actually enjoy. The endless aisles of products available to purchase just somehow don't fit the mark of what I'm looking for. Plus, with the consumerism habits many of us are victim to, most of my loved ones have everything they could ever want. The question that continues to plague me year after year is: what do you buy for those who already have everything? My answer: subscription gifting. Subscription gift boxes are packages of niche products fit for nearly any interest. Options range from food and drink products to books, vinyl, jewelry, puzzles, plants and so much more; you're bound to find the perfect fit for your giftee. Some boxes are themed according to their contents (like the monthly sticker club sending different themed stickers) while other boxes send you a variety of items associated with a specific theme like Star Wars, date night and even World War II. There's even a subscription box that will send you natural animal bones. While subscription boxes make a great gift for adults, there are also boxes oriented toward kids and pets—although those are often the easiest to shop for! Some options for kids, preschool age and above, range from STEM activities, crafts, fidget toys, cooking kits and beyond. The list goes on and on. The reality is, no matter how outlandish or niche the interest, there's likely a subscription box for it. Subscription gifting checks all the gift-giving boxes. They are thoughtful without requiring much effort, relieving you of any packaging or shipping responsibilities; the boxes include a variety of items so even if you're shopping for your fussiest friend, they're bound to receive something they like; and many of these boxes are practical, so you know your giftee is certain to use it. Plus, who doesn't like coming home to a surprise package on the front step? If you've chosen to gift a multiple month subscription, the surprises keep on coming! While these boxes can cost a pretty penny depending on what variety you're looking at, they are meant to be more cost friendly than compiling your own box of goodies. Boxes range anywhere from $25 to upwards of $150, but just because they are marketed as subscriptions, does not mean you have to subscribe. You can choose to purchase a one-month subscription, gifting your giftee one box, or there are various subscription plans—often three, six, or twelve months—where your loved one will continue to receive the subscription box for a set number of months or until you choose to stop—the gift that keeps on giving. When considering cost, subscription boxes are said to contain 2-2.5x their retail value, making it a worthwhile gift if all of the products are used, but this is the risk that comes along with subscription gifting. While the boxes are personalized to your recipient's interests, you don't really know what is in the box until it's opened. Some subscription boxes will take returns on products if your recipient decides they won't use everything in their box, but chances are (if you choose the right box) there won't be any returns made. If subscription gifting is a route you choose to take this season, be sure to do your research. There are endless subscription boxes available for purchase online and it can be tough to narrow them down. You'll want to compare pricing and the number of contents included. If you're worried about sticking to your holiday budget, take the extra time to see if it's possible to recreate your desired subscription box on your own. While the boxes are meant to be a money saver, I wouldn't be all too surprised if someone was able to compile their own for a lower cost.