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The Best Subscription Boxes to Give as Holiday Gifts

By ETonline Staff 4:50 PM PST, December 18, 2020

Each product has been selected and reviewed by our editorial team; however, we may receive affiliate commissions from some links to the products on this page. Prices listed are subject to change by the retailer. Promotions in this article are subject to availability, expiration and other terms as determined by partner.

Driftaway Coffee

Would you believe us if we told you that holiday shopping for a zillion loved ones doesn't have to be stressful or time-consuming? With only a number of days left before the Christmas holiday officially arrives, holiday shopping is undoubtedly stressful. And when you have last-minute gifts, like stocking stuffers and white elephant presents, on your mind (along with fast-approaching holiday shipping deadlines), it can only get worse. Luckily, the secret to your gifting success lies in a gift subscription box that's tailored to your recipient. It's still a special and thoughtful present -- but way easier on you because everything is already taken care of, from selecting the individual products to packaging them up and shipping them off.

Subscription boxes make great gifts any time of year, and especially when you're shopping for a bunch of family members at once. And thankfully for the gift-giving crowd, it seems like every day there's a new kind of monthly subscription box that would make the perfect gift for someone we know.

Here's what we recommend if you want to cross off everyone on your list in a single online shopping session: Make a list of the friends and family members you're shopping for this year, then find the match below based on their interests and hobbies.

From dog parents to healthy eaters to coffee lovers, keep reading for the best gift subscription boxes for all the people in your life. (And for a whole list of food-focused subscription boxes, see the recs from our friends at Rachael Ray!).

Check out all of ET's top picks of the best gift ideas in our Holiday Gift Guide 2020.

For the coffee fiend: Driftaway Coffee

Driftaway Coffee

For the coffee fiend: Driftaway Coffee

New coffees from small farmers around the world every month? Sounds, tastes and smells like heaven. To nail your recipient's particular coffee preferences, each Driftaway subscription begins with a tasting kit. Subsequent deliveries are tailored to the flavor profiles they like, and all coffee bags are personalized with their name. Need one more incentive? From Nov. 20 to 30, use promo code THANKS to take 25% off annual gift subscriptions or promo code THANKS15 to take 15% off all other gift subscriptions.

For the Prime shopper: Personal Shopper by Prime Wardrobe

Amazon

For the Prime shopper: Personal Shopper by Prime Wardrobe

If you know someone who's an avid Prime shopper, gift them Amazon's personal shopping service, Personal Shopping by Prime Wardrobe. Every month for $4.99, a stylist will compile a selection of clothing and accessories suited to your preferences. Choose up to eight items to try on at home for free for a seven-day period. What really seals the deal? You only pay for what you keep, and returns are free!

For the devoted dog mom or dad: BarkBox

BarkBox

For the devoted dog mom or dad: BarkBox

BarkBox offers several pet subscription box options, including ones for "Super Chewers," and each includes two toys, two bags of natural treats customizable for any allergies or diet preferences) and a meaty chew based on a theme -- October's is "Lick or Treat." Personalize a monthly delivery for a friend's beloved pup based on their size and name. (And check out the rest of our pet-related subscription box recs.)

For the luxury lover: Curateur

Curateur

For the luxury lover: Curateur

Celebrity stylist turned fashion icon Rachel Zoe curates a selection of elevated essentials every season; each delivery includes luxe fashion, beauty and lifestyle items. Choose from a one-time annual payment of $349 or a $99 payment per seasonal delivery.

For the health-conscious eater: Daily Harvest

Daily Harvest

For the health-conscious eater: Daily Harvest

If you have a friend who's trying to eat healthier but doesn't have the time or patience for weekly shopping trips, Daily Harvest's deliveries of clean and convenient food will ensure they stay on track. With the gifting option, your recipient can choose nine fresh, delicious items to arrive on their doorstep -- the DH menu includes bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, soups, lattes, snacks and desserts. (You can also keep it simple and send them a gift card.) Coming soon: a sweet new way to treat your gift recipient with pints of Daily Harvest's decadent ice cream. Mmm.

For the skincare obsessive: LookFantastic Beauty Box

LookFantastic

For the skincare obsessive: LookFantastic Beauty Box

Surprise a beauty product junkie with this jam-packed delivery every one, three, six or 12 months. Each LookFantastic Beauty Box contains six treats that range from skincare to body care to makeup to beauty tools, all in line with the month's theme and at major savings for you. Elsewhere on the site, shop Black Friday savings of up to 50%.

For quarantining parents: KiwiCo Crates

KiwiCo

For quarantining parents: KiwiCo Crates

We all know a family that's going stir-crazy right now. Give the gift of learning (for the cooped-up kid) and less planning (for the tired parents). Choose the age of the gift recipient -- from infant to 14+ -- and the kind of stuff they're interested in, like geography and culture or science and engineering. You can have the crates shipped directly to the family or to you so you can deliver them yourself.

For the mom-to-be: Armoire Maternity

Armoire

For the mom-to-be: Armoire Maternity

Give an expecting friend one less thing to worry about: her daily wardrobe. Armoire is a clothing rental company that ships capsule collections every month with four, seven or unlimited pieces tailored to your custom style. In addition to maternity-wear, Armoire offers sizing from 0R to 24W.

For the wine enthusiast: 90+ Cellars

90+ Cellars

For the wine enthusiast: 90+ Cellars

Anyone who drinks vino will appreciate a quarterly delivery of wine from 90+ Cellars. A shipment of three, six or 12 bottles will arrive at their doorstep four times per year, each with a handpicked selection from wineries and vineyards around the globe.

For the fashion-minded friend: Rent the Runway

Rent the Runway

For the fashion-minded friend: Rent the Runway

Has someone on your holiday shopping list been talking about needing a wardrobe refresh? Rent the Runway is an excellent way to borrow designer goods from Christian Siriano, Jonathan Simkhai, Reformation, DVF, A.L.C. and more. Choose from three monthly subscription plans where you can rent four pieces at a time and swap one, two or unlimited times each month. Categories include all kinds of workwear, loungewear, accessories and handbags from more than 400 designers and in sizes from 0 to 22. We also recommend several other clothing subscription services -- see them all here.

For the Epicurean: Vices

Vices

For the Epicurean: Vices

Looking for the perfect gift for the friend or family member who enjoys the finer things? That's exactly who the aptly named Vices box was made for. From fine wines to handmade leather goods to exquisite foods to high-tech gear, each box contains a variety of luxury items that will keep them satisfied -- until the next monthly shipment arrives.

For everyone else: Bouqs

The Bouqs

For everyone else: Bouqs

Thank goodness for flowers, the ultimate catchall gift. The Bouqs has blossomed into a direct to consumer business model that sources fresh flowers, plants and wreaths from eco-friendly farms around the world and delivers them straight to your (recipient's) door. The company offers subscriptions and one-time orders, meaning you truly never have to fret over finding a gift again.