Sent with Love: Our 2020 Gift Guide
The weather outside might be frightful, but the shopping is still delightful! The choices can be overwhelming, so we thought we’d curate a few fabulous subscription-based suggestions for your gift list. It is easier than ever this year to send good tidings to those we care about. Giving thought to those around us is a visible display of how we put others first.
One of the reasons we love subscriptions is because they let your recipients know you care about them beyond December. Imagine the pleasure your gift will bring in January, February, or throughout the year if you wish. Studies show that anticipation is almost as important as the actual act of receiving. Think about how in the past (back when we could travel!) we so looked forward to that overseas trip. It is the same with receiving gifts - just the sheer act of knowing something personal, exciting or new is on its way can evoke so much pleasure. We have given thought to something for your pets to enjoy monthly, too! Take a look at Bark Box.
We’ve narrowed our subscription recommendations into categories to make it easier to navigate. Please note: we are not affiliated with any of these companies and receive no benefits other than goodwill.
FOOD & WINE
The Urban Grape in Boston offers three levels of monthly offerings for 3-5 bottles of wine.
The Personal Sommelier, based in Washington, D.C., offers virtual tastings. Owner Ashwin Muthiah can help build your wine collection as well.
Ecreamery will deliver a different flavor each month with a subscription for the ice-cream enthusiasts on your list.
Cheesy Academy’s monthly cheese box offers virtual tastings, too. A delicious treat any time of the year.
FLOWERS & SCENTS
Who doesn’t love receiving flowers? Send a Design of the Month floral arrangement monthly from Winston Flowers.
The right fragrance can be very uplifting. Treat yourself, or someone else, to a monthly subscription from Nest, which includes a candle and a diffuser.
The Sill provides plants and containers monthly—the perfect gift for your son or daughter's first apartment or college dorm room.
Farmgirl Flowers sends artfully packaged fresh flowers in gorgeous bundles with countless options to arrange yourself. They also deliver greens in cool containers like this spider plant.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Therabox has joined the monthly subscription business with wellness themed boxes.
Cairn specializes in subscription plans for the person who loves being active outdoors. Boxes offer cool gear for healthy adventurers.
Although not a monthly subscription, this 10-day subscription from Smudge via Williams Sonoma delivers a gift for re-balancing wellness.
If going to the gym during Covid isn’t an option, online fitness classes are the way to go. Gift yourself or a friend a monthly subscription to Daily Burn. They have a variety of classes from yoga to kick-boxing to muscle-strengthening.
MUSIC & ART
Want to learn from an expert? Try MasterClass, currently offering two-for-one yearly memberships through 12/28.
Tidal consistently earns high marks for music streaming on all of your devices. A nice alternative to Spotify or Pandora.
Vinyl Me, Please is perfect for the music lover who missed albums and has reverted to one of the hot, new systems for spinning vinyl. Monthly selections in a number of genres.
Art subscriptions fall into two categories: for the makers and for the collectors.
The SmartArt box is one of many fun art and/or craft subscriptions.
Several of the interior designers we know love the online framing company Framebridge. An Architectural Digest recommendation as well.
Although not art per se, these colorful candles are from the Museum of Modern Art and among our favorites!
