Gift Guide #7: Gifts That Keep on Giving

a.k.a. subscriptions are best when you didn't pay for them.

I first learned the subscription model could be tricky when I worked for a slick music startup built on the idea that people would pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to music. I know, I know, that sounds like an easy sell now. But 12 years ago – not so much. Subscribing to a magazine wasn’t such a tough sell, but convincing people to fork over $9 a month for an invisible streaming product took a bit of effort.

Because people tended to forget about subscriptions—particularly the invisible ones—this business model was branded a potential goldmine if you played your cards right. And so, the tech industry pressed on in the direction of a life dominated by subscriptions.

I think we’ve arrived at a life dominated by subscriptions.

Today, we are bombarded by requests to subscribe, subscribe, subscribe! I’ve learned the best subscriptions are the ones you don’t pay for. Empowered by that knowledge, may I present to you a list of subscriptions that will make for an excellent holiday gift.

Aside from my Spotify account, my monthly subscription to Mootsh brings me the most joy. Each month, I upload photos to Mootsh, and a few days later they magically appear in my mailbox printed on gorgeous paper and packaged in a beautiful sleeve. I’ve made a habit of mailing photos (real photos!) to family and friends each month, and it’s been a sweet way to stay connected.

For the friend who loves fresh flowers, a monthly bouquet of flowers would make for a wonderful gift that brightens their home throughout the year. Bouquets from JJ’s Flower Shop start at $42 while Urban Stems offers flowers starting at $55.

Do you have someone in your life who is part of the Cook’s Illustrated fan club? It’s easy to see why cooks (like my husband and L.A.-based friends Andy and Lisa) love this magazine so much. Each issue features clever tips, product recommendations, and loads of recipes broken down step by step. The collection of backstories about the recipes makes for great airplane reading.

Sunset Magazine for the sister who lived out West. Southern Living for the sister who misses home. Yankee Magazine for the sister-in-law who went to school in New England. Maybe all three for a girl like me who called all those places home.

One of the best gifts I received as a twenty-something living in a massive city was hands down a AAA card. It may not seem like a snazzy gift on the 3^rd night of Hanukkah, but when your loved one has a flat on the side of the freeway, it’ll be a godsend.

It’s wild that we seem to have collectively cut the cord to pricey cable services but somehow become tethered to at least a half-dozen streaming services. Knowing the best subscription is the one you didn’t pay for, maybe a subscription to Hulu or BritBox would work for a parent or distant relative?

Provided there are no allergies in your home (sorry, B), New York City’s iconic Murray’s Cheese clubs could very well earn you the title of Best Gift Giver on Christmas morning.

FabFitFun sends a curated box to you each season that features beauty products, home décor, clothing, and tech goodies from top brands.

Highlights magazine (!!) for curious kids.

Jeni’s Ice Creams pint club for the serious ice cream lover in your life.

If you know someone who would appreciate the ability to transform their kitchen into a Parisian bakery, Ballerina Farm’s baked goods encore box is your ticket to Paris. Their croissants, cinnamon rolls, and cookies are all made by French Cottage Bakery, frozen, and then shipped to you for baking. There are also subscriptions for beef and pork, also shipped frozen to you from their farm in Utah.

And this list from New York Magazine highlights more options for people who love seafood, tea, cupcakes, hot sauce, pasta, wine, oysters, and well basically there is a subscription option for anyone in your life. Even those who are especially hard to shop for.

What did I miss? Do you have a secret subscription gift that won Christmas? I wanna know!