14 Gifts You Can Buy on Christmas Day That Will Still Arrive on Time
Did you have an unsuccessful last-ditch holiday shopping run this past weekend? Don’t panic. Here’s a friendly little gift idea that definitely keeps on giving: monthly subscription boxes. Not only are they more thoughtful than a gift card to a department store, but they’re actually easier to buy (no need to head back to the mall) and can be purchased right up until Santa arrives. Simply head over to the website, purchase a subscription for however long you’d like (or a gift certficiate so your recipient can do so), print out the confirmation and stick it in an envelope. So, get going, it’s time to officially put holiday shopping to rest.
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1. The Sill Monthly Plant Box
For the Mom Who Returned Last Year’s Gift
Mom definitely doesn’t need another candle or scarf this year. This hip New York City plant shop makes gifting easy by offering subscription boxes that deliver one potted plant per month in a stylish earthenware planter. When she signs up, Mom can pick the color pot and what kinds of plants she wants to receive based on her green thumb aptitude: low light, beginner-friendly, medium size or pet-friendly. Then the beginnings of an indoor jungalow will arrive at her doorstep in no time.
2. Audible Membership
For the Dad Who “Doesn’t Want Anything” This Year
Set Dad up with an Audible membership so he can mix in an audiobook—like Malcom Gladwell’s Talking to Strangers or David Sedaris’s Calypso—on his morning commute. You have the option to gift a membership for one month, three months, six months or one year, and if he already has a membership, you can still send him credits to use for more book purchases.
3. Beer Drop
For the Honey Who Loves IPAs
A gift card for a monthly box of ten different microbrews shows you’ve been paying attention. When he goes to redeem his subscription, he’ll be able to choose from flavor profiles like “malty” or “sour,” and then Beer Drop will suggest top-notch cans from brewers around the country. Hey, maybe he’ll even share one with you if you’re lucky.
4. Scentbird
For the Sister Who Saves Perfume Samples
Skip gifting an expensive fragrance that she may or may not like. A Scentbird subscription gets her a monthly mini spray bottle of a designer perfume of her choice that she can try out until she finds one she wants to commit to in the full size.
5. Mouth’s Jerky of the Month Club
For the Father-in-Law Who Loves Meat
Thanks to styles like campfire Angus beef and “lox in a bag” salmon jerky, he’ll have something to look forward to once those post-holiday blues set in.
6. VineBox
For the Couple That Loves Happy Hour
You could get a bottle of Chianti, but that just seems impersonal, doesn’t it? Go for a VineBox subscription, which will make them feel like they’re sipping their way around the world right from the comfort of their couch. Each box comes with nine glasses of wine from different regions. And the packaging is oh so Insta-friendly.
7. Loot Crate
For the Tween Who Saw Star Wars on Opening Night
The Rise of Skywalker will be old news the minute this monthly mystery crate filled with pop culture collectibles (think anything with a rabid fan base like Harry Potter, Marvel movies, and of course, Star Wars) arrives. The assortment of goods ranges from figurines to T-shirts to comic books and is selected by in-house fandom specialists to ensure it’s sci-fi and gamer-approved.
8. Try the World Snack Box
For the Brother Who’s a Constant Snacker
Expand your pal’s grazing options with a gift certificate to Try the World’s gourmet snack box. Included are foods to munch on from around the globe, like savory seaweed from Korea and dried fruit from Ecuador—no plane ticket required.
9. Stitch Fix
For the Bestie Who Doesn’t Have Time to Shop
Let the fashionable experts at Stitch Fix update her closet for her. They’ll set her up with an on-demand personal shopper who curates packages of five items based on an extensive question quiz that helps nail down her style and price point. Once she receives the box, she can keep her favorites—or all of it—and send back the rest with a prepaid shipping label. Choose a gift card value of $20 (which would only cover the styling fee that is credited to her purchase) to $1,000.
10. Birchbox
For the Sister-in-Law Who Owns a Skin Care Fridge
The OG beauty box is still kicking, and we happen to think it’s better than ever. Packed with samples from luxe brands like Sunday Riley and Oribe and cult-favorite newcomers like Wander Beauty and Davines, she’ll get to test-drive new products before committing to the full-size versions. When she’s ready to take the next step, she'll access to exclusive discounts in Birchbox’s online store.
11. BarkBox
For the New Pup in Your Life
Because Duke needs some holiday pampering too. Gift your dog (or the proudest pet parent you know) a monthly subscription box filled with treats, toys and more goodies that will spoil your pooch. Each delivery centers around a theme and includes up to five items tailored to the dog’s size and weight. Plus, you both will feel good about this purchase since BarkBox donates 10 percent of each sale to local animal rescues.
12. Rosetta Stone
For the Family Member Who Travels Around the World
Enhance their next trip abroad by gifting them a way to learn a new language. The online software features a variety of learning tools to help them read, write and strike up a conversation with the neighborhood café owner—or to do more practical things like ask for directions. They’ll have access to the program on their computer, as well as their tablet and phone, so they can take a ten-minute nightly refresher lesson from the hotel room.
13. Rowan
For the 8-Year-Old Who Can’t Get Enough Sparkle
Sign your niece up for Rowan instead of guessing your way through the overwhelming aisles of the mall. With this subscription, she’ll receive a new pair of custom-designed (and hypoallergenic) earrings in gold vermeil or sterling silver along with other fun surprises designed to delight and inspire.
14. Misfits Market
For the In-Laws Who Compost
This subscription service is leading the charge in creating less food waste by rescuing “ugly” fruits and veggies and delivering them directly to customers' homes. Each Misfits Market box contains a variety of in-season certified organic and non-GMO produce and is shipped in 100 percent recyclable packaging. While your socially conscious recipient will enjoy their upgraded meal-prep fixings, they’ll be even more appreciative of the thought behind it.
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