In a world where time is of the essence and thoughtful gestures often take a back seat, subscription boxes are the unsung heroes of gifting. These curated packages of joy, arriving at your doorstep like clockwork, offer a delightful escape from the ordinary.
Whether you're treating yourself or surprising a loved one, join us on a journey through the best subscription boxes for gifting.
What are the best monthly subscription boxes?
Whether it's a cold brew for sleep-deprived parents or eco-conscious essentials for the planet-minded, gifting a subscription box offers a personalised and convenient way to cater to specific needs and preferences, making them a thoughtful and engaging gift option for a variety of lifestyles.
Ultimately, subscription boxes cater to a host of interests and lifestyles, making them a thoughtful and engaging gift option for those who appreciate the joy of ongoing surprises and personalised experiences.
From hobbies to self-care, these curated deliveries bring a touch of excitement to the ordinary, fostering a deeper connection between the giver and the receiver.
Continue scrolling to discover our picks of the best subscription boxes.
Best subscription boxes for 2024
Ordnance Survey Maps Subscription Box
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For anyone who enjoys rambling, hiking or even just an easy-going countryside stroll, a subscription to Ordnance Survey makes a thoughtful and practical gift.
What's in the box?
With a 12-month subscription, you get access to the 607 maps covering the entirety of the UK, as well as 3D imagery, aerial flythroughs and route planners.
Why buy?
Being able to use these services on Ordnance Survey’s website and app, print out the maps and even access them offline makes this a convenient outdoor subscription.
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Eco-friendly Box Brom Small Eco Businesses
- Buy now from Etsy UK (£20.00+)
Transform the world one box at a time through these themed, letterbox-friendly parcels brimming with eco-conscious products crafted by small UK-based businesses.
What's in the box?
Every month, you get a particular set of items sourced from small businesses, such as a dental care kit, ethical gardening gear and sustainable stationery. And you can customise the length of your subscription gift, from one month up to a year.
Why buy?
These monthly environmentally friendly subscription boxes embrace a green lifestyle but also champion 40 small businesses across the UK, making a meaningful impact one subscription at a time.
BBC Countryfile Magazine Subscription
A subscription to the Countryfile magazine makes a great gift for those who enjoy spending time in the great outdoors.
What's in the box?
A monthly magazine! Alternatively, if your intended recipient isn’t one to flick through magazines, you could get them the digital subscription for iPhone, iPad or Android devices. They'll be able to access each edition on the day it's released into the shops.
Why buy?
Either opt for six or 13 issues, and you'll save money on the shop price.
Adventure Book Club Monthly Subscription
If you know someone who loves reading and the natural world, why not combine their passions with an adventure book subscription?
What's in the box?
Every month, the curator Tim chooses and sends an adventure, travel or nature book, along with a handwritten letter to introduce it. Choose a four, six or 12-month subscription.
Why buy?
In addition to the book, there's also a live online discussion with the author to find out more about it.
For individual book recommendations, see our guide to the very best non-fiction adventure books.
'The Botanical' Mini Posy Fresh Flower Subscription
Having fresh blooms around your home is one of the most satisfying ways to celebrate the natural world, so what could be lovelier than a flower subscription?
What's in the box?
A mix of seasonal flowers and herbs, hand selected and designed by Li, renowned florists and founder of FLower Be, arrive through your letterbox, ready for you to arrange and display.
Why buy?
Unlike other flower subscriptions, they include rare species as well as seasonal varieties, and you get a hand-illustrated information card with every delivery.
Pact Coffee Subscription
- Buy now from Pact (£7.95)
With a range of subscription packages, Pact ensures your friends and family enjoy a delicious daily cup of joe. The company works with growers across more than nine regions, including Brazil, Colombia and Honduras, to offer a varied selection of flavours.
What's in the box?
Customising the subscription is easy – pick beans, ground coffee or pods; your preferred brewing method; and a regular or decaf blend; and then select your favourite plan.
Why buy?
Pact is a certified B Corporation and pays its farmers a fair price by working with them directly. Its coffee bags are made from recycled materials using carbon-neutral processes, and they're fully recyclable too.
See the other coffee subscriptions we've tried out for more options.
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Flavair Whisky Subscription Box
- Buy now from Flaviar (£158.40)
Indulge friends or family with a subscription gift to the self-proclaimed band of spirits enthusiasts, Flaviar.
What's in the box?
Choose between two, three or four quarterly deliveries, where each carefully curated shipment includes a full-size bottle of whisky sourced from top distillers around the world, as well as an exclusive Tasting Box™, featuring three 1.7 oz vials of exciting whisky samples with detailed tasting notes.
Why buy?
This subscription gift also includes a complimentary 1-year Flaviar Black membership, valued at £40, which unlocks exclusive perks such as free shipping, special pricing, and early access to limited releases.
Monthly Baking Subscription
- Buy now from Mon Dessert (£59.99)
Baking enthusiasts will love this carefully curated dessert kit from baking specialists Mon Dessert.
What's in the box?
Whether you choose the three, six, or nine month subscription gift, each parcel includes luxury bakeware alongside everything needed to create a delectable treat.
Why buy?
In addition to premeasured ingredients and essential bakeware, a QR code provides access to detailed written instructions with accompanying photos as well as a video tutorial, offering a one-to-one masterclass experience for an added layer of baking mastery.
RISE Coffee Gift Box
- Buy now from Rise (£22)
This gift box is the perfect idea for the coffee enthusiast in your life, and you can either buy it as a one-off present, or as a subscription.
What's in the box?
Recipients receive 2 x 250g bags of freshly roasted, ethically sourced coffee, the inspiring origin stories behind the coffee and a personalised gift message. And all this comes in an eco-friendly, sustainably sourced, and recyclable packaging.
Why buy?
Coffee gurus RISE are revolutionizing the coffee industry and setting new standards for a more responsible approach to sourcing exceptional coffee – they believe that the pursuit of great-tasting coffee should never come at the expense of people or the planet.
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Bird & Blend Tea Co's Tea Tasting Club Subscription Gift
- Buy now from Bird & Blend (£35.85+)
This offering from Bird & Blend, an award-winning independent tea company, is every tea lover's dream.
What's in the box?
Curated by tea expert Krisi Smith, author of The World Atlas of Tea, the box offers a choice of three curated options, each containing 3 exciting tea blends (30 cups worth) delivered every month, for either three, six or 12 months.
Why buy?
We love their commitment to sustainability, with carbon-neutral and 100% compostable packaging.
To make this gift even more special, add a copy of Krisi's book, The World Atlas of Tea.
- Buy now from Bird & Blend (£20)
The Spicery Subscription Boxes
- Buy now from Not On The High Street (£28+)
Delivered conveniently through the letterbox, each package from The Spicery is meticulously crafted to bring the vibrant world of flavours to your friends and family’s kitchen.
What's in the box?
Created at their HQ in Bristol, the team passionately develops and tests recipes in a bustling kitchen, where curry is a daily indulgence. Spices are expertly measured and ground in small batches just before dispatch, ensuring they’re received at their peak.
Why buy?
These subscriptions are really cute - choose from Friday Night Curry, Date Night, Food Truck Recipes, World Kitchen and Highlights for two - and promise a flavourful and aromatic journey worth savouring.
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Cheesegeek Subscription Box
- Buy now from Cheesegeek (£32+)
Cheesegeek subscriptions stand out as a unique and savoury experience for cheese enthusiasts - members of the ‘Curd Herd’, get to sample new and exclusive cheeses curated by Cheesegeek.
The brainchild of founder Edward Hancock, Cheesegeek was born from his departure from the corporate world of Fund Management to embrace the exciting and aromatic realm of cheese.
What's in the box?
Opt for a pure cheese delight or enhance it by adding wine to the mix. For the ultimate cheese odyssey, explore "A Year in Cheese," a 12-month journey through the seasons of artisanal cheese.
Why buy?
It's a delectable and exclusive gift that promises a year-long exploration of the finest cheeses curated by a passionate connoisseur.
Whether it's the aromatic journey of artisanal cheeses, the eco-conscious treasures in sustainable living boxes, or the flavourful world of curated teas, these subscription boxes promise something a little different.
We've also put together a guide to the best experience gifts. And, if you're looking for smaller presents? Check out our expert guides to the best eco gifts, best outdoor gifts and best gifts for walkers.
