If you’re struggling to find the perfect Christmas present for a loved one, have you considered a subscription or experience gift?
There are so many options available, I can always find something that will appeal to my recipients, including both adults and children – and at all price points, so they’re a budget-friendly option, too.
To get you started, here’s a selection of my favourite subscriptions and experience days out, for a Christmas gift that truly keeps on giving!
I will receive a small commission on some products purchased via affiliate links on this page.
This is at absolutely no cost to you and I only suggest products that I would recommend to my friends and family.
Thank you to Margaret Jones who follows Christmas Organised on Facebook for her excellent suggestions.
Amazon Kids+
Amazon Kids+ is an all-in-one subscription that gives children access to thousands of books, films, TV shows, educational apps, and games on compatible Fire, Android, iOS and Kindle devices.
Parents also receive access to easy-to-use parental controls that allow them to find the right balance between education and entertainment.
There are a couple of downsides – I find the library a little overwhelming to navigate and there are no bookmark features for longer books for older children, which can be frustrating.
But there are some great features: you can personalise screen time limits, set educational goals, filter age-appropriate content, and also manage web browsing and content usage.
Amazon Kids+ starts at £3.99 a month after the one-month free trial.
Science experiments for children
Curious kids will love receiving a new science kit through the letterbox every month.
MEL Science is an educational subscription that offers hands-on projects delivered monthly, plus digital experiences that your lucky recipient can enjoy any time.
Each box contains up to seven exciting and safe science experiences, created for children of all ages.
I’ve bought science kits before and been a bit disappointed as most of the stuff inside them I’ve already had in my kitchen and garage.
But the MEL kits are real science, with proper theory behind it that I would find difficult to do at home without spending extra on the equipment and chemicals.
The fact that everything (except the batteries) is included and with more than enough equipment to provide a couple of goes at the experiments is a definite bonus.
A subscription starts at £19.90 per month.
Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online is a necessary subscription for any Switch owner who wants to play games on the internet – plus they’ll receive some cool bonus titles and extras.
The subscription, which costs £17.99 for 12 months, will allow your giftee to take part in online multiplayer games, backs up (most) games to the cloud and includes a modest retro game library.
If you have a family member who gets a lot of enjoyment out of playing Switch games online, this will be the perfect gift choice!
Flower subscription gifts
If the person you’re buying for loves creating a stylish home, a regular fresh bunch of beautiful blooms could surely be the answer to your gift conundrum.
Appleyard London is one of my favourite flower subscription companies, specialising in boutique designs with a modern British twist.
I also like that they try to do the right thing for the environment: they use recyclable cardboard and paper in their packaging and aim to produce as little waste as possible.
Plus they work with Fairtrade farms – who pay employees above average wages.
All of these farms provide good working conditions, healthcare, child care services and education.
Gift subscriptions start from £25 per month.
A year of books, from £140
Foyles offers a 12-month subscription, with a book-a-month hand-picked by booksellers and delivered direct to your recipient’s door.
Encourage your recipient to read more and discover new authors to fall in love with. The books will provide hours of pleasure!
Prices start at £140 for a year of paperback fiction.
Magazine subscriptions are also a popular choice – there’s something to choose for every interest or hobby, from celebrity gossip and fashion, to photography or fish keeping!
Headspace
If you have a friend or family member who works too hard or has a busy mind, a subscription to the Headspace app could be the best present they’ve ever received.
The app offers guided lessons on mindfulness, sleep and simply remembering to breathe – it’s the everyday app for feeling happier.
It’ll help your loved one to decompress and even fall asleep at night.
You can buy gift subscriptions from £9.99 for a month, or it’s £49.99 for one year.
And breathe….
Experience gift cards
A special or adventure experience can create memories that last a lifetime so, just like a subscription, it’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Both Airbnb Experiences and Virgin Experiences offer a wide range of adventures, experiences and luxurious treats.
Take your adventurous loved-one white water rafting or hot air ballooning, your artistic friend to a graffiti workshop, or an afternoon tea for a tea-obsessed relative – the choice is yours!
I hope these ideas give you some inspiration for gift subscriptions and experiences for your friends and family!
Do let me know if you have any of your own and I’ll share them with the Christmas Organised community.
Alex x
Prices and information are correct at the time of writing (9 October 2022).