What’s better than opening a present on Christmas morning? A gift that keeps on giving. Giving them a gift to open every month. The usual upside of showing someone how well you know them and that you listen when they talk (hot tip: don’t buy someone a bath bomb set if they don’t have a tub), but the added bonus of reminding them how great of a friend/family member/partner you are on a monthly basis.
We are living in the future and there are subscription gifts for everything from learning a new skill to getting gourmet cheese delivered to your doorstep. Do I want to receive a box of cheese at regular intervals? Yes, I do but you’re going to need to pack in some Lactaid.
This post is sponsored by Somm™.
I’ve rounded up a selection of subscription gifts available in Canada (and some in the United States as well for my American readers). Whether they are a proud dog owner or an oenophile, you’ll find something for everyone on your list here.
Somm™ Cru or Grand Cru Membership | $60 and up | Somm™
Give the good of gift taste with a Somm Cru or Grand Cru membership. Perfect for the food and wine lover on your list, Somm Cru is the loyalty program with benefits they’ll actually want. And Somm Grand Cru even includes monthly deliveries of at least three sommelier-selected wines delivered to their doorstep. Wines are selected and sourced from an exclusive roster of wine agencies and wineries, providing wine they can’t get at the LCBO. They’ll also get to learn more about the wines in their monthly package through virtual sommelier-led tastings, in-person events, and chef collaborations. If that wasn’t enough, they’ll also enjoy incredible lifestyle perks included in Somm Cru, such as complimentary bubbly and wine pairings at restaurants, tastings at wineries, free delivery from their partnered global importers, discounts on luxury hotel rooms and so much more.
In Ottawa, Somm Cru and Grand Cru members can get a complimentary glass of bubbly at Buyers + Cellars Tasting Room and 10% off kitchen supplies and accessories from Chef’s Paradise. Whether your recipient lives in Toronto or is planning a visit, they’ll be in store for some special treatment with their Somm Cru or Grand Cru membership like discounts on stays at The Annex Hotel, and complimentary glasses of wine at Ascari and Boxcar Social, to name just a few.
Somm Grand Cru can be gifted for $125/month, and you can choose how many months of membership you’d like to gift to your lucky recipient. If you’re looking for something at a lower price point, you can opt for an annual subscription of Somm Cru membership for $60 and they’ll get the VIP treatment at all of Somm’s hospitality partners.
Ultimate Cookie Subscription | $100 and up | Colossal Cookie Co.
Make Santa jealous with your plate of chewy, chocolatey, luxurious cookies that gets refreshed monthly. This subscription is the perfect gift for your favourite person with a serious sweet tooth. Send them a box of assorted cookies in all of the best flavours from the titans of treats. Choose between a 6 or 12 pack cookie gift box that they can enjoy on arrival or toss in the freezer for future cookie emergencies.
Cheese of the Month Club | $195 and up for 3 months | Jacobson’s
Ottawa’s best gourmet grocer and cheesemonger Jacobson’s has three different cheese of the month club options for the Cheese Aficionado, Enthusiast or Mommy-to-be. Help them explore the world of artisan cheese, with a unique monthly selection curated by an expert cheesemonger, including detailed tasting notes and wine pairings. Each delivery includes three cheese selections. Delivered to their door every month, each carefully curated package arrives complete with everything they’ll need to create the perfect cheesy bite.
Perfume or Cologne Susbcription | $45 for 3 months | Scentbird
For the person on your list who is always seeking their next signature fragrance, a Scentbird description will give them a new perfume or cologne, sized for travel, delivered each month. A great way to experiment with new scents without the pressure or expense of committing to a full-sized bottle.
Masterclass Subscription | $20 and up per month | Masterclass
Give them the gift of a new or improved skill. Whether they’ve always wanted to master the perfect poached egg, improve their storytelling, or audition for a local theatre production, a Masterclass subscription will give them a wide array of continued education options with some of the world’s greatest, all from the comfort of home. Before suggesting this gift, I watched a sample of Gordon Ramsay making mushrooms on toast and may have had to mop up a little drool off my keyboard and he didn’t even swear at me.
Jewelry Subscription | $49 for 3 months | Rocksbox
For the person (guy or girl) on your list who is always rocking fresh drip, Rocksbox is a jewelry rental membership that makes it easy to discover new looks, rock the latest trends or add more of their favourite classic styles to their jewelry collection, without the commitment to purchase. They’ll receive personalized boxes of jewelry rentals year-round, styled just for them. Plus, $21 of monthly shopping credit if there are any pieces they want to buy for keeps.
AllTrue Subscription | $65 and up
Every three months, AllTrue members receive a beautifully illustrated box, stuffed with limited-edition curation of 6-8 full-size, sustainable and socially-conscious products. Up to $250+ in value for only $65. The good folks at AllTrue review hundreds and hundreds of products every season and select only the best for their members, in categories ranging from large accessories and jewelry, to clean skincare and homewares, and everything in between!
Art Supplies Subscription | $24 and up | ArtSnacks
For the current or aspiring artist in your life, ArtSnacks is a curated monthly box including 4-5 full size premium art products, as well as a “Menu” describing each product, best practices, and new techniques to try. All products have been tried and tested by the ArtSnacks team and when your recipient is ready for their fist vernissage they can show off their work on social by participating in the #ArtSnacksChallenge – a great way to connect with a wider community of Picassos.
Vinyl Records Subscription | $119 for 3 months | Vinyl Me, Please
For that friend who is always talking your ear off about some obscure Indie band you’ve never heard of and swears by the high fidelity sound of vinyl, gift them a Vinyl Me, Please subscription. Recipients can choose from 4 Tracks: Essentials, Classics, Hip-Hop or Country. Whether they’re new to vinyl or a pro, they’re collecting and learning something new every month. I have given this gift in the past and I took home the title of best gift giver – I also accompanied it with a badass vertical record player that was well-suited to showing off the beautiful pressings on the Vinyl Me, Please vinyl.
Monthly Dog Treats & Toys | $35 per month | BarkBox
Whether you’re looking to spoil your own good boi or have a friend who has abandoned their own Instagram account in favour of getting their dog TikTok famous (Tika the Iggy style), a BarkBox subscription is just the ticket. With a new theme every month, spoil your pup, or theirs, featuring a selection of toys and treats you might even be able to get them to sit still for your holiday card photo shoot this year.
Monthly Coffee Subscription | $90 and up for 3 months | Little Victories Coffee Roasters
Few things are better than the simple pleasure of a perfect cup o’ joe. I only started drinking coffee in the past couple of years but have quickly become a die-hard fan of Ottawa’s own Little Victories Coffee Roasters. There is something so soothing about stating your day with a carefully prepared cup, whether you’re making it pour over style, French Press, or just regular drip. My personal favourite roast is the Perfect Dark and with a prepaid subscription for 3 months at $90, you’ll keep them caffeinated until the snow melts.
Personalized Tea Subscription | $48 for 3 months | Sips By Box
Coffee isn’t their thing? The tea drinker in your life will appreciate this personalized box of tea so they can have their own personalized Sips by Box tea subscription that matches them with premium teas they enjoy from brands around the world based on their unique taste preferences. Each monthly box will include 4 premium teas matched to their preferred flavours along with reusable tea filters, tasting notes, and more.
Lingerie Subscription | $113 for one month | Aurelia
For yourself or that special someone in your life who loves a bit of lace, silk, and satin, the Aurelia Curated Lingerie Box is the perfect present. A one-time box will run you $113 and includes 2-3 pieces of curated premium lingerie at up to 50% off retail, access to a personal stylist, a free bra fitting kit, and more. As a lingerie collector myself, I might just treat myself to this gorgeous gift.
Wow! Fantastic gift ideas! Excellent selections.