It's crunch time for the holidays, which means last-minute gifts are even more stressful amid earlier shipping deadlines than usual. But don't worry! Cleverly curated subscription boxes can be signed, sealed and delivered straight to your recipient's door.
Whether you're looking for the perfect gift or simply want to treat yourself, there's a subscription box for every kind of person — the foodie, the kids, the skin care lover and more.
To help everyone out this season, Yahoo Life contributing editor Chassie Post found the best boxes that will arrive in time for Christmas. But be sure to act fast, since some deadlines are as soon as Dec. 15.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s 2020 Gift Guide to find the perfect present for everyone on your list!
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Food subscription boxes
1. Munchpak
You might be able to think of one or two friends who can be found digging through the cupboards in the middle of night. These snack fiends will love this box filled with sweet and savory goodies from all over the world. It's available as both a one-time gift and subscription starting at $9.95/month depending on how many months and snacks you choose.
2. United Sodas
There's a seltzer craze right now, and this brand is minimal in both its aesthetic and ingredients. Each soda has only 30 calories with no artificial ingredients. Launched in May 2020 during the pandemic, this female-founded brand has 12 flavors mixing the classic and adventurous, such as pear elderflower, lemon verbena and toasted coconut.
The variety pack features all 12 flavors, but you can also choose themed packs or single-flavor packs. Each box is $34.99 for a one-time purchase, but you get 10% off if you subscribe. The variety pack is also 10% off if you gift a three-month subscription. But hurry! The company recommends placing gift orders by 12 p.m. EST on Dec. 15 to ensure it arrives by Christmas.
4. Mistobox
A Shark Tank success, this specialty coffee subscription service takes your palate into consideration and delivers coffee from roasters they've discovered all over the world for a personalized brewing experience. To gift this subscription box to someone, you can choose the date when you'd like the email to arrive in the reciever's inbox. Gift subscriptions are $20 a month with a minimum of two months. But be sure to order by Dec. 15 to ensure timely deliver for Christmas.
Subscription boxes for kids
1. Baketivity
This is a box the whole family (and foodies) can enjoy. Select from a variety of recipes and get a baking kit for delectables such as gingerbread man cookies, cinnamon buns and bagels. This is especially great for parties, weekend activities and more. You can choose a variety of monthly plans, but they start at $32.95 for one month or $25.95 per month when purchasing an annual subscription. The first box even comes with an apron and chef's hat! TODAY viewers can also enter the promo code TODAY to get a second free box, which will arrive in January!
2. Green Kids Crafts
Kids ages 2 to 10 can put their thinking caps on with this one. Founded by a mother and environmental scientist, Green Kid Crafts has themed monthly boxes with four to six creative, nature-based activities in the areas of science, tech, engineering, art and mathematics. While they're designed and reviewed by teachers and experts, they're tested by kids, too. You can feel good about your purchase in other ways, too. The company has a partnership with One Tree Planted and plants on tree for every order placed. Green Kid Crafts donates up to 1% of sales to environmental nonprofits, works with Carbon Fund to offset carbon emissions produced by its business and aims to use sustainable materials to produce its boxes.
Subscription prices vary from $29.95 for one month to $249.36 for 12 months. Be sure to order by Dec. 16 for guaranteed delivery by Christmas.
Subscription boxes for home
1. Vinyl Moon
Know someone who only listens to music on vinyl or geeks out on undiscovered bands? Vinyl Moon is a small business that curates the best new music across genres and presses a "mixtape" of their favorite tracks on vinyl. For each release, it partners with a different visual artist so that each record jacket and booklet gives listeners a unique experience every month. Subscriptions start at $45 for a one-month gift. TODAY show viewers can get 10% off here by using the code VINYLTODAY.
2. Horti
This year, many people brought the outdoors indoors and became plant parents. Horti allows you to choose subscriptions for those who need pet-friendly options, those who are new to planting or those who just don't know what they want! Each month, you'll get a new plant to add to your collection.
And giving it as a gift is easy, since you can choose the duration and the recipient gets a plant a month (starting at $25 for one month) in a terra cotta pot. Dec. 15 is the last day to place orders so that plants arrive by Christmas. For gift orders after 12/15, the gift recipient will receive a gift card instead.
3. Who Gives A Crap
There's no shame in wanting to wipe your bum with paper that looks and feels good. Who Gives A Crap offers 100% recycled post-consumer waste fibers in their toilet paper, and it gives 50% of its profits to WaterAid to build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world.
You can gift a box to a friend by sending them a box or buy a gift card so they can choose what they want. Depending on the type of paper and the duration they choose, subscriptions start from $30. They currently have an A-Z limited edition box ($55 for a one-time purchase, or subscribe and save $10) with 100% bamboo rolls that include each letter of the alphabet.
4. Vellabox
Nothing makes a home warm and cozy like a candle. Each month, Vellabox partners with a different natural candle brand and delivers locally made artisan candles that have a range of 25 to 50 hours of burn time. Subscriptions are available for $10, $20 and $30 per month depending on the size candle you choose. Be sure to place your order by Dec. 16 so that it arrives in time for Christmas.
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More subscription boxes to gift
1. Birchbox Beauty Box
Birchbox was one of the very first beauty subscription boxes on the market and continues to be a favorite among shoppers. Every month customers receive a fun package filled with deluxe makeup, skin care and hair products along with useful tips on how to use them. Birchbox also offers a men's grooming subscription box. If you're worried about shipping delays, you can buy a gift card so the beauty junkie in your life can purchase when they're ready!
2. Lovevery Play Kit Subscription
Lovevery is an educational subscription play kit designed by child development experts for kids as young as 1 week old and up to 24 months. The science-backed sets come in a variety of options based on your little one's age and you'll receive a new one every two to three months depending on their stage. But don't wait! Order by Dec. 16 for holiday delivery.
3. Candy Club
Do you have a sweet tooth? The Candy Club subscription is a fun way to try out new sugary snacks. Each month The Candy Club sends about three pounds of sweets — including classics and newer unique options — that arrive in their own resealable containers so you can slowly work your way through your stash throughout the month.
4. Driftaway Coffee Subscription
For a coffee addict, there's no better gift than receiving boxes of coffee every month. Driftaway Coffee will introduce you to coffee from around the globe — including places like Ecuador, Brazil, Rwanda and beyond. Subscribers can choose how many bags they want to receive, every week, two weeks or four weeks. Dec. 15 is the last day to order by FedEx ground, but you have until Dec. 22 if you're OK with paying for overnight shipping. See Driftaway's detailed order deadlines here.
5. Cratejoy Grill Masters Club
Cratejoy has tons of boxes curated for every type of person on your gift list. Think kids crafts or even all-natural skin care delivered straight to your love done's door. This Grill Masters Club is filled with grilling and barbecue goodies, and if you order by Dec. 16, you'll get it by Christmas Eve. Cratejoy even created a super helpful page with top-rated gift boxes that will arrive in time for the holidays. Deadlines vary by box, so you'll have to go to each product page to get the details.
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Still looking for the perfect gift? Be sure to check out Shop TODAY’s 2020 Gift Guide to shop for everyone on your list, including:
- Love luxury on a budget? These 42 chic gifts are under $100
- 37 gift ideas for the women in your life
- 39 helpful tech items that'll make the perfect gift
- Shopping for a newly engaged couple? Here are 31 gifts they'll love
- 26 of the sweetest personalized ornaments for all your loved ones
To discover more deals, shopping tips and budget-friendly product recommendations, download the TODAY app and subscribe to our Stuff We Love newsletter!