Gift Guide: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Monthly subscription services are the gifts that keep on giving. But today’s subscription services go far beyond the Wine-of-the-Month and Fruit-of-the-Month clubs popularized in the 1980s. A simple Google search will turn up enough options to suit any taste and interest, but here are a few of my favorites.

Birchbox is the perfect gift for the woman who has drawers and bags and boxes full of much-loved beauty products. Every monthly box contains five deluxe-sized makeup and skincare samples from well-known brands like Essie, NARS, Philosophy and Kiehl’s.  Subscriptions cost $110 for a full-year, $60 for six months and $30 for three months.

Tie Try allows fashionable gentlemen access to a selection of designer neckties that they can borrow for a fraction of the cost of buying them.  The $12 monthly subscription entitles you try one tie at a time, while the $30 subscription allows you to receive five ties at a time.  Choose only the ties you want to receive and exchange them at any time for another one.  The perfect gift for the fickle, stylish man. 

Julibox. Does your loved-one love cocktails? Each Julibox contains the recipe cards, spirits and mixers needed to create two beautifully crafted cocktails with names like Polish Mule and Autumn Sling. Budding mixologists can also visit the website to watch videos of the pros to ensure that their made-at-home drinks will come out perfect every time.  A three-month membership costs $38 per month. 

Kiwi Crate provides children between three and seven years old with a new hands-on craft or activity each month.  Sample activities include making stained glass, growing a flower garden and building a dinosaur fossil.  Subscriptions cost $20 per month or $220 per year. 

Zingerman’s Bacon Club was featured on Food Network as the ultimate holiday gift for the swine lover in your life.  Recipients are treated to a different flavor of Zingerman’s best bacon each month.  Boxes also contain recipes featuring that month’s pork product.  This bacon-of-the-month club costs $99 for a three-month subscription and $189 for a six-month package.  

H. Bloom makes a great gift for ladies who love receiving beautiful bouquets of flowers.  Subscriptions start at $29 per bouquet for folks who don’t need a vase and go all the way up to $85 for orchid lovers.  Bouquets can be shipped weekly, bi-weekly or monthly and you can choose how long you want the subscription to continue.