30 Surprising Subscription Box Ideas

It's getting hot in here, and it may have something to do with this small-batch hot sauce subscription box. Each quarterly box contains three 5-ounce bottles of hot sauce (that's 12 bottles per year), that are so good, you'll want to clear some space in your fridge.

To buy: $120 for the year; food52.com.

It’s like having your own affordable-art curator on retainer: Papirmasse mails out archival-quality prints of emerging artists’ work—paintings, illustrations, collages and more—with a piece of original, contemporary creative writing stamped on the reverse. The format changes from month to month: Past projects have ranged from a 5-by-7-inch booklet to an 18-by-24-inch poster.

To buy: $12 per package; papirmass.com.

There’s a better way to score freebies than stalking your department store cosmetics counter. Birchbox ships out four to five deluxe product samples (think travel-size, not single-use) each month from brands like Benefit, Kiehl’s, Ouai, Stila, and Oribe—some tailored to the recipient’s specific beauty needs.

To buy: $10; birchbox.com.

Have a friend or family member who’s always on the go? Gift them with the ultimate travel subscription box from Wanderlust. As the name suggests, this subscription box offers a variety of in-flight essentials, like a carry-on-approved cocktail mixing kit, RXBAR protein bar, Sugarfina Pale Ale Pints candy box, satin eye mask, luggage tag and passport holder, and a tote bag.

To buy: $145; welcomeandwishes.com.

BESO (shorthand for books everyone should own) is a bibliophile's dream. Over the course of a year, you'll receive one timeless novel a month, and titles include ornately bound classics like Jane Eyre and Oliver Twist. Choose from a monthly subscription, or shop the prepaid annual option to save cash over time.

To buy: $50 per month; juniperbooks.com.

Every two months, a new selection of six full-size ingredients is assembled, complete with recipes that demonstrate how to cook with each. Made for men, but women will enjoy it just as much.

To buy: $59 per box; mantry.com.

Indulge the pickle-lover with a box of three to four pickled products (like green tomatoes or beets) sent straight to their door.

To buy: $60 per month, mouth.com.

Italian for “dapper or stylish, without seemingly trying,” this subscription box offers on-trend accessories for men. Subscriptions range in price and include items like ties, socks, suspenders, and more. Each box has a retail value of about $100, but you can purchase one for $25 per month for 12 months, $26 per month for six months or $28 per month for one month.

To buy: From $25; sprezzabox.com.

Whether you're in the market for jewelry, apparel, housewares or artwork, Causebox has you covered. The feel-good subscription service brings socially conscious companies directly to your door, all of which will help you do good and look good.

To buy: $55 per quarter, causebox.com.

So much more than just a box, this subscription is a treat for the soul. MoonBox is brimming with astrological and holistic-focused finds, including premium crystals, tea recipes, essential oils and a lunar tapestry.

To buy: $22 per month; cratejoy.com.

Creative people deserve creative gifts, which is the motto behind Teak & Twine—a gifting service that provides beautifully made, thoughtfully packaged presents. Perfect for friends, clients or family, each box is a curated treat, and a portion of all Teak & Twine proceeds goes to America's Vet Dogs.

To buy: starting at $52; teakandtwine.com.

You don’t need a plane ticket to explore a faraway city. With Explore Local Box, you can gift a travel experience without the hassle of leaving your home. This subscription box sends locally made products and food items from a featured city. From Portland to Brooklyn, this gift is perfect for your most adventurous (and busy) friend or relative.

To buy: From $40; explorelocalbox.com.

Vinebox’s Twelve Nights of Wine provides 12 curated glasses of wine from all over the world. Each day leading up to Christmas, your loved one will pour out a glass from one of the twelve tubes delivered right to their door.

To buy: $129; getvinebox.com.

This subscription box is every book lover’s dream. Every month, they have the opportunity to select one of five curated options selected by Book of the Month’s esteemed judges. Your favorite bookworm will look forward to receiving their pick, along with a review from one of the judges, in the mail each month.

To buy: $45 for three months; bookofthemonth.com.

Great for a busy mom or on-the-go friend, this box features products from well-known brands and newcomers. Beauty products like nail polish, lip-gloss and shampoo are commonly included, but there’s more to this box of goodies. Past boxes have contained lifestyle favorites like candles, workout DVDs, granola bars, scarves and even umbrellas.

To buy: $50; fabfitfun.com.

This clothing rental box allows the recipient to select from a variety of stylish clothing options (like Melissa McCarthy’s new line) from dresses to pants in sizes 10 to 32. Better yet, the site has a size adviser tool which makes trying new styles and brands a cinch.

To buy: $49; gwynniebee.com.

Curated by notable chefs, this gourmet delicacy box will make the recipient feel like a world traveler right in the comfort of her own home. Included is a culture guide for each item, which features the story behind the product and recipes that showcase it best.

To order: $39; trytheworld.com.

Get this for the friend who’s a fan of unique and little-known food purveyors (Vermont goat milk caramel pumped up with cold-brew coffee, anyone?). Each box features four to five products (from pickles to peanut-butter-and-jelly chocolate bars) made by passionate, indie American companies.

To order: $60; mouth.com.

This monthly box is loaded with American specialties with a farmer’s market feel. The samplers have a seasonal spin and feature the company’s wildly popular jams and jellies, cocktail helpers (like sea breeze and island punch mixers), deli condiments, pancake mix and other tasty snacks.

To buy: $80; stonewallkitchen.com.

One thing just about everyone can agree on? That fresh flowers on the table make any room a happier place. This year, give the gift that keeps on giving.

To buy: $32; thebouqs.com.

He probably already has a ton of ties that match his go-to suit. Or, maybe the dress code at his office is on the more casual side. Either way, we’re pretty sure one thing he really does need is some quality, comfortable socks. Over the period of four months he’ll get three pairs of dapper dress socks chosen by the stylists at The Tie Bar.

To buy: $89 for 12 pairs; thetiebar.com.

Shopping for kids can be tough—especially if you don’t have your own children at home. Plus, one thing just about everyone knows is how quickly the little ones tire of their toys. Rather than stand on line for this season’s biggest craze, let the experts at KiwiCo select the gifts for you.

To buy: $60; kiwico.com.

Gift bath lovers with a present they'll actually use. Bath Bevy delivers 6-10 handmade bath products to your door each month, ranging from bubble bars and bath bombs to scrubs, soaps and salts.

To buy: $35; cratejoy.com.

You could get her a trendy lariat necklace or a set of mismatched studs to up her style factor. You could even try your luck at picking out a pair of wide-legged pants or a bell-sleeved blouse to encourage her to try a new trend. Or, you could let the fashionable experts at Box of Style make the dressing decisions for you.

To buy: $100; boxofstyle.com.

Love With Food is on a mission. Two, actually: To fill mailboxes with hard-to-find gourmet goodies packed in themed sets (healthy, New-Year’s-resolution-friendly treats in January or sweet Valentine’s Day surprises in February), and to fill food banks across the country with meals for those in need. (Every Love With Food box purchase buys one meal donation through the Feeding America Network and Share Our Strength—No Kid Hungry.)

To buy: $10; lovewithfood.com.

Perk someone up with a monthly coffee sampler culled from top micro-roasters and boutique bean companies (Portland’s Coava Coffee Roasters, Miami’s Panther Coffee, New York’s Gimme! Coffee). Each set includes three four-ounce pouches with detailed tasting notes and brewing tips.

To buy: $25; craftcoffee.com.

Gift subscriptions from BarkBox let you spoil one pooch while you help save another: The company donates 10% of each sale to local animal rescues. Boxes contain at least four pup-pampering items, from food samples and treats to shampoos and leashes—often from small businesses you might not see in the big-box pet stores. The goodies are even chosen to suit your dog’s size (under 20 pounds, 20 to 50 pounds, or over 50 pounds).

To buy: $29; barkbox.com.

For the friend or family member who is always on the go, enhance their travel experiences by helping them learn a new language. The online software, which is accessible via phone, tablet, or desktop computer, has a wide array of learning tools (including speech recognition!) to help them read, write, and speak a new language with confidence. Available in 24 different languages from around the world.

To order: $189; rosettastone.com.

This subscription box is snarkier than a Real Housewife. The Smartass & Sass box will deliver 4 to 8 cheeky products with quotes and prints for your most cynical of friends (or yourself). Some of the handmade items include bags, pins, notebooks, mugs, and much more with a whole lot of personality.

To buy: $14; cratejoy.com.

Perfect for the candle collector, Wickbox will send you a new medium or large candle to your doorstep every month. Not only are the candles high-quality and in beautiful containers and jars, the company has you fill out a scent profile before your first box arrives, so they can choose a unique scent just for you.

To buy: $27; cratejoy.com.