Make It Easy. Get Them a Streaming Subscription.
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Sure, Netflix and Hulu are cracking down on family accounts and password-sharing, but you can still help your loved ones stream to their heart's desire. This holiday season, instead of shelling out cash on luxury gifts, or aiming to find the perfect present, instead gift them a subscription to your favorite streaming service. Chances are your gift recipient just got kicked out of their parent's, friend's, or ex-significant-other's account (no judgment here!) and are dreading making their own streaming setup.
Well, what’s better than the gift of convenience? If said person is already subscribed to some streaming services, this may be the time to introduce them to a new one. Have they tried Paramount+ yet? What about ESPN+? Or Disney+? The options are plentiful—and let’s face it, you’re running out of time to buy them anything else. So let’s dive into the steaming-verse and find them a subscription they’ll love. Either way, you're saving them money which is truly the best gift of all.
Netflix, $6.99 and up
How to gift:
Here’s the thing: Netflix doesn’t technically allow for gifted subscriptions, but there are a couple of workarounds. You can purchase a Netflix gift card for prices ranging from $15 to $200 in retail stores or on Amazon. A standard Netflix account will run you $15.49 a month without advertisements–or $185.88 a year—so a gift card for $200 should do the trick. Or, if you already have a Netflix subscription, you can add someone to that account for $7.99. They don’t even have to be a member of your household to join in on the fun. Head to Netflix’s extra members page for more information.
What to watch:
Hulu, $7.99 and up
How to gift:
Like Netflix, Hulu allows customers to purchase gift cards. The prices range from $25 to $100, so—depending on how generous you’re feeling—you can cover their streaming habits for a few months or a whole year. There’s also the option to create an account in their name if you can get a hold of their email. The choice is yours, but the gift is theirs.
What to watch:
Apple TV+, $9.95 and up
How to gift:
Apple gift cards were all the rage in the early aughts—and guess what? They still are. If your special someone has missed out on Apple’s slate of film and television, now is the time to get them up to speed. At just $9.99 a month, they can access Apple TV+’s entire library of movies and shows. If you want to sweeten the deal, you can sign them up for Apple One, which includes Apple music, podcasts, news, fitness, and gaming apps for $19.95 a month. Whichever option you choose can be delivered to a special someone via a gift card.
What to watch:
Max, $9.99 and up
How to gift:
When HBO decided to rebrand itself to HBO Max, and then, Max, I’ll admit that I was skeptical. But after using Max for a year, I can assure you it’s worth the investment. Gifting it will take a bit of sleuthing though, as they don’t offer gift cards. Fear not! If you have your gift recipient's email address, you can create an account in their name and bill the monthly subscription to your credit card. Or, if you’re already subscribed, you could just send them your login information. Max is one of the few streamers left that allows it.
What to watch:
Parmount+, $11.99 and up
How to gift:
Paramount+ is like six streamers in one, with access to CBS titles along with content from Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, and Paramount Pictures. You can even watch live television through their platform! At just $11.99 a month, Paramount+ is a steal, but I’d consider it an underdog in the streaming-verse. Odds are, whomever you’re shopping for hasn’t invested in it yet. If you want to help them create an account, Paramount+ offers a virtual gift card that can be used to cover the membership fee.
What to watch:
ESPN+, $110
How to gift:
Sports on demand! What more could anyone want? ESPN+ offers exclusive coverage of UFC fights, along with boxing, soccer, and tennis tournaments. Unfortunately, it doesn’t show live NFL, MLB, or NBA games (you need cable or access to your local dive bar for that) but any sports fanatic would appreciate the content that ESPN+ can offer. Gifting the service is easy. You can pre-pay for a year's worth of streaming through their website. After purchasing, you can pick a delivery date and ESPN+ will email your recipient instructions for how to set up their account.
What to watch:
Disney+, $7.99 and up
How to gift:
Disney+ offers vintage Disney Channel originals (like Phil of the Future and The Proud Family), new Disney productions, and entertainment from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Unlike ESPN+ you can’t (technically) gift a year-long subscription but you can purchase a gift card that will cover the cost. You can find gift cards in retail stores or online. Once you’ve purchased one, your recipient can redeem the amount you gifted them, and voila! They’ll have an account in no time.
What to watch:
You Might Also Like
