40+ digital and subscription gifts for the entire family

Remember when digital presents were just a last-minute lifesaver? Well, buckle up, because we’re finally living in a more forgiving future. (Well, with regards to digital gifts anyway.)

Let’s face it–we’re all living in a world where our phones are practically glued to our hands. So why not lean into it with gifts that slide right into our digital lives? We’re talking experiences that’ll make your family’s eyes light up brighter than their smartphone screens.

Gone are the days of “Oh… an e-gift card. Cool. Thanks.” Now it’s more like “You got me a private cooking class with a celebrity chef?!” or “Whoa, a subscription to that streaming service I’ve been dying to try?” Digital gifts have seriously upped their game.

Whether you’ve got a fitness freak sister, a teen who thinks they’re the next big YouTuber, or a cousin who’s always wanted to learn guitar but never had the time–there’s a digital gift out there that they’re sure to love. And the best part? No wrapping paper fights or trips to the post office required! (For this, we’d pay double.)

We’ve scoured the internet to bring you the cream of the crop in digital gifts and subscriptions for 2024. Trust us, these aren’t your average presents–they’re tickets to new adventures, skills, and maybe even a few humble brags on social media.

So, ready to be the family hero this year? Let’s dive into the world of pixels and subscriptions that’ll have everyone thinking you’re the gift-giving wizard you’ve always claimed to be!

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of our holiday gift guides!

We’ve rounded up some of the best digital gifts and subscriptions for everyone in the family. Explore them all below!

Streaming service memberships

From family movie nights to post-bedtime television binges, there’s never been a better selection of entertainment right at your fingertips. Beyond the usual suspects like Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu, there’s an endless selection of streaming services that make fantastic gifts for the entire family.

• Max Sure, there’s plenty of steamy series to binge after the kiddos go to bed (Hello, Insecure!) but there’s also an impressive collection of kid-friendly favorites like Sesame Street, Studio Ghibli and more. ($9.99/month)
• SlingTV If they regret cutting the cord, SlingTV is where its at. The cable-esque service allows subscribers to stream live TV from their favorite channels like Nickelodeon, Disney and even the Hallmark channel (cheesy holiday marathon anyone?) for less than the cost of traditional cable plans. (Starts at $20/month)
• Criterion Channel Movie buffs will delight in having Criterion’s vast collection of classic and contemporary films right at their fingertips. From the most obscure noir to genre-defining westerns, there’s something for everyone. ($99 annually)

Subscription gifts for kids

Stitch Fix Kids

$20

Kids grow out of clothes so fast so instead of running to the store to purchase new items every few months, Stitch Fix sends 8-12 handpicked items to try. Tell them about your kids’ personality, style and budget, then get your box automatically based on your preference (every 2-3 weeks, monthly, every three months, etc.) or simply choose whenever you need a fix, no membership required. Pay for what you like and then send back the rest—your $20 styling fee per box is put towards any purchases! Items are typically $10-$35.

SHOP

Little Feminist Book Club

$26.90

For the littles in your life, this book club membership will give them something to look forward to each month. Each box features one or two books about strong female characters and/or people of color, hand-selected by a team of teachers, librarians and parents. Then you get various activities that encourage kids to explore and guide conversations.

SHOP

Raddish Kids

$24

With Raddish Kids, the all-ages cooking club, each month’s themed box contains three recipe guides and culinary skill lessons, grocery list, quality kitchen tool, creative kitchen project, a colorful apron patch and four table talk cards (great for getting a conversation going around the dinner table). They also offer free “bonus bites” on the website with things like extra recipes and playlists to inspire your little chef as they cook up a storm.

 

SHOP

Little Global Citizens

$34.95

They may not have traveled the world quite yet, but the educational and inspiring boxes from Little Global Citizen are sure to ignite their sense of wanderlust. Every two months they send along a box filled with a book, crafts, activities and recipes that focus on a single country, bringing a new culture to life for kiddos ages 4-10. You can purchase a single box for $44.95 or sign up for a plan for a discounted rate.

SHOP

Baketivity

$34.95

Baketivity is sure to be a hit with kids who have a sweet tooth. (So, pretty much all of them.) Each month’s kit provides you with a detailed kid-friendly instruction booklet and every ingredient you need to make a yummy dessert (past choices have included chocolate chip cookies and red velvet heart cupcakes), with the exception of perishable goods like butter and eggs. And yes, an apron and pretty cool chef’s hat is included with each kit.

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KiwiCo Boxes

$17.50

“Tinker, create, innovate” with these age-targeted monthly crates (ages 0-104–yes. You read that right.) Each contains a craft project with materials, a magazine and online DIY ideas that make Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math (STEAM) learning fun and accessible. The goal is to promote confidence and foster your child’s natural curiosity and creativity through each enriching activity. Monthly subscriptions start at $17.50.

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Crunch Labs

Build Box Subscription

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$24.95

Crunch Labs was founded by a NASA engineer turned YouTube prankster, and the playful approach the brand takes to engineering is perfect for kids. Created with ages 8-12 in mind, Crunch Labs monthly subscription boxes provide all the materials they’ll need to create a build-it-yourself toy like disc launchers and coin spinners. The parts are super high quality which means there’s no unnecessary frustration and each offer video support that takes learning to a deeper level and makes it easy enough for them to tackle solo. (But there’s a good chance you’ll want to share in the fun.) Prices start at $24.95 per month.

SHOP CRUNCH LABS

Subscription gifts for adults

Raising the Bar

$58

For the friends and loved ones who don’t drink or are taking a break, the boxes from Raising the Bar ensure no one feels left out at cocktail hour. Each month’s box features three creative seasonal drink recipes, everything you need to make them and a fun goody to build out your bar, like garnishes or accessories. There’s enough ingredients to create up to 12 mocktails which were the MVP of a recent dinner party, chez moi. So much fun without the hangover!

SHOP

Wantable

$20

If you’re looking to put a dash of sexy (and cozy!) into your month, Wantable has you covered. Just take their quick style quiz to tell your stylist a little about your tastes and they’ll ship out a mix of seven hand-picked bras, jammies, undies, loungewear and slinky underthings from brands you already know and love like Free People and Z Supply. Ship back what you don’t love (chances are those things will be few and far between!) and only pay for what you keep. Victoria’s Secret? Never met her.

SHOP

Audible

$15

While you might want to devour a good book, finding the time to sit down and have a few minutes of quiet isn’t always possible. That’s why we’re obsessed with Audible, a service by Amazon that lets you download audiobooks and listen to them anywhere—in the carpool line, during a workout, while you’re in the shower.

Each month you’ll get a new credit that can be used towards an endless array of options.

SHOP

Shaker & Spoon

$40

For the cocktail lovers, this is such a fun subscription. Each month, they’ll send you everything you need to make about 12 fabulous drinks, including recipes, syrups, bitters, mixers, garnishes and citrus—all centered around one type of alcohol. No alcohol is included in the box, but one bottle will be enough so you can work with what you have at home.

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Winc Wine Delivery

$59.95

A wine tasting from the comfort of their own home? Yes, please. Winc is a modern take on a classic gift. For $59.95 a month, Winc Wine Club members receive a box of three or more bottles of wine carefully picked just for them. New members complete a brief questionnaire dubbed the Palate Profile which asks questions geared to taste: how do they like their coffee, how much salt is too much salt, and so on. The Palate Profile aids Winc in selecting wines based on their preferences. The days of wandering in the wine aisle, dizzy with the pressing question of if they’re a Cabernet or Merlot type of girl are nearing a long-awaited end; Winc is a necessity for all the wine-lovers in your life.

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Goldbelly

$85

I think we can all agree that few things hit like comfort food. Goldbelly isn’t just any food subscription service; it’s the food subscription service. For $80 a month, Goldbelly sends a box of Gourmet goods from all over the country straight to the doors of subscribers. Some months, the boxes will consist of something sweet, while others will be filled with something savory, but what remains constant is the fact that one Goldbelly box can feed four people. Goldbelly satisfies the cravings that extend beyond the distances of delivery. A Philly Cheesesteak in Vermont? Yes, please.

SHOP

Online classes & digital education gifts

Though the novelty has probably worn off, it’s still pretty incredible what we can learn in the comfort of our own homes. From mastering a new language to sweat-pumping workouts the gift of knowledge is always in style.

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Motherly’s Birth & Postpartum Classes Motherly strives to be there for mamas every step of the way—from pregnancy to birth and everything that comes after—and what better way to do that than through classes designed to help you prepare your body and mind for the journey ahead? We have teamed up with some of the best experts in the fields of pregnancy, birth and postpartum wellness to provide courses that give both expecting mamas and those who’ve already welcomed their baby the support they need to navigate the biggest challenges of motherhood. They all provide supportive, non-judgmental, expert-driven and woman-centered advice and insight and make the perfect, thoughtful gift for the mama-to-be in your life!

Outschool Connects kids with pros/teachers that cover everything from singing to coding, cooking, acting, LEGO masters, karate, dancing, musical instruments, art, sports–anything you can think of really– in their live online classes. (Seriously, there’s over 100k+ offerings!) Sign up for specific ongoing classes or opt for a gift card so they can choose. Prices vary.

Lovevery Parent Courses We’re big fans of the expert-backed play things from the Montessori pros at Lovevery, so it’s no surprise we were thrilled when they launched their parent classes! Topics include things like tummy time and baby-led weaning to help take the guesswork out of your little one’s first year.

MyYogaTeacher offers live (not pre-recorded) group and private yoga classes online, led by expert Indian yoga teachers for kids and adults. The teachers also interact with students to help them learn safely and have fun! Plans start at $49/month.

Rosetta Stone The gold standard of language learning, Rosetta Stone offers the opportunity to learn 25 different languages in just a few minutes a day. Their immersive approach makes it easy to learn even on the go and is simple enough that even kiddos can use it. Plans start at $7.99/month

CLI Studios Bust a move right in the living room with thousands of recorded, live, and interactive dance classes taught by 300+ world-renowned instructors. Think of the Tik Tok fame that awaits! $199/year

MasterClass Ever wished you could learn to cook with Gordon Ramsay? Master your make up technique with Bobbi Brown? Tell stories with LeVar Burton? Well, you can! With an impressive collection of experts in all kinds of fields (David Sedaris! Tan France! Issa Rae!) MasterClass is the online curriculum you wish you had in college. Plans start at $15/month

Skillshare There’s something for every creative at Skillshare. These easy-to-complete online classes are taught by creative industry rock stars like Jonathan Van Ness and Roxanne Gay and cover everything from how to prioritize self-care to writing your memoir. Plans start at $32/month

Peloton Going to the gym to work out is so last century. Gift them the gift of at-home sweating with Peleton. They don’t need a bike to make the most of their wide range of classes from outdoor running to pilates. Plans start at $12.99/month.

Fender Whether they’re just starting out or already rockin’, Fender offers over 3K+ lessons, chord challenges and access to instructors that will inspire them all year long.

The Pilates Class Melt stress, relieve tension and get stronger, longer and leaner with Pilates instruction right at home. With over 140 videos and a brand new weekly workout each week, they’ll find a workout for every mood. $29/per month.

FaceGym A workout, but for your face. Learn tension releasing exercises and how to use the tools that will keep you glowing. $15 per session of $75 for 30 days unlimited.

Williams Sonoma With an array of cooking, baking and hosting classes, Williams Sonoma is a great bet for the culinary aficionados in your life. Prices vary, and some even include accompanying books.

Virtual experience gifts

It’s hard to put a price tag on the value of experiences. And even if people you love are scattered around the world, you can still gift some unforgettable at-home adventures with these digital gifts.

57Hours If they love a good adventure, they’ll love 57Hours. From mountain biking to back country skiing, 57Hours pairs you with the best tour guides in the world to explore like a local.

Alice’s Table They may already be the hostess with the mostest, but there’s always something new to learn. From arranging a stunning bouquet to assembling an almost too gorgeous to eat charcuterie board, she can hone a skill right at the dining room table with a virtual workshop from Alice’s Table. Not only do they send everything they’ll need right to their doorstep, but the workshop itself is loaded with tips and tricks that they’ll carry with them long after it’s over. (Did you know if you don’t have fresh flower food that vodka will do in a pinch??)

Pasolivo For the foodies on your list, you can’t go wrong with an evening of at-home sampling the most delicious olive oils, balsamics and spices from California-based Pasolivo.

Cameo You’ve wished them a Merry Christmas or Happy Birthday for years. But you know who hasn’t? Their favorite celebrity. That all changes with the (often hilarious, sometimes inspiring) personalized videos from Cameo. Choose from thousands of comics, athletes, musicians and actors to send them custom well wishes they’ll never forget.

WWF Give a gift that families love and support animals around the world with World Wildlife’s symbolic species adoptions. Choose from a wide variety of species and the giftee will receive a photo, adoption certificate and even a cuddly plush pal to match.

Priority Wine Pass Sure, they’ve had plenty of nights at home with a bottle of wine, but not a night like this! Ignite their inner sommelier with a fun at-home tasting event. Prices start at $75/shipment.

Airbnb Experiences Whether they want to expertly plan their next IRL adventure, “visit” the Vatican, or roll pasta with an Italian grandma, Airbnb Experiences offers tours and lessons hosted by people all over the world.

Subscription-based apps to give as gifts

Caribu Even faraway grandparents can share bedtime stories with their grandkids. Caribu’s app contains a collection of books and games that can be shared virtually with a video chat that’s simple to set up on phones, tablets and desktops.

StoryBook The StoryBook app combines bedtime stories, relaxation techniques and soothing audio to help make bedtime a calm bonding experience for parents and their littles. Each story provides parents prompts to incorporate massage that helps babies, toddlers and even big kids wind down and drift off peacefully.

Calm Calm offers an array of calming sounds and mediations for sleep, quiet time and even stretching. Each track is created to help you relax or sleep. Bonus: There’s white noise on there, too—perfect for baby. 

Spiritune Change your mood anytime, anywhere with the personalized, science-driven playlists from Spiritune which combine the principles of music therapy and neuroscience to help you feel better, focus and relax.

Planta For the plant lover with a black thumb, Planta will help keep their green babies alive and thriving with personalized water and feeding schedules delivered right to their phone.

1Password Making “forgot password” a thing of the past with a secure and convenient 1Password membership

Dancely Getting the wiggles out is easy with Dancely! Designed for kiddos age 2-8, this app puts a dance party in your pocket (or on your TV). Choose from over 100+ instructor-led videos and kid-friendly songs featuring songwriters who have written music for companies such as Marvel, Netflix & Disney for screen time without guilt. $5.99/month

Luca & Friends Combining educational screen time with movement, the AI-enabled Luca & Friends is an immersive way to teach littles everything from grammar and math to balance and coordination. The educational app is ideal for kiddos ages 4-8.

Homer An educational app that’s tailor made for your little one? Yes please. Homer’s lessons and activities are personalized to your child’s age, interests and skill levels to provide them with engaging, playful learning. And it’s not just math and language on the menu! The content also includes important subjects like social and emotional learning and creativity as well.

Autio Road-trippers will love having HearHere as their personal tour guide. With over 9,000 stories about distinctive landmarks along any US journey narrated by celebrities like John Lithgow and Kevin Costner it may even change the whine of “are we there yet?” to “we’re there already??”

Best online gift cards

Gift cards get a bad wrap as the easy way out, but we have to disagree. They don’t take up extra space and allow the giftee to get exactly what they want–even if they didn’t know they wanted it in the first place. That said, Amazon and Target are great, but they’re not very inspired are they? Check out some of these unique alternatives and watch as you earn a spot as the most thoughtful gift giver of the year.

Bookshop Help them support their local bookshop with a Bookshop gift certificate! Available in any amount, they can redeem at one of thousands of small book stores all around the country.

Blue Apron With pre-measured ingredients and step-by-step instructions that even the most hapless cooks can master, Blue Apron makes cooking dinner less chore, more fun. The recipes are generally more sophisticated than our typical go-tos but just as easy to master–and they’ve introduced us to new flavors that everyone in the family loves. They also offer some delicious pre-made options for the days you just can’t get it together.

Etsy You could spend the better part of December choosing the right handmade gift, or you could let them do it themselves.

Getaway A nature escape delivered straight to their inbox? Yes please. If they’re in need of some unplugged time, send a gift certificate they can redeem for the long weekend they’ve been dreaming about.

GrubHub Or you could treat them to their next delivery night!

Hungryroot Powered by AI, this personalized grocery service will help them eat healthier and deliver the goods right to their door.

Instacart Be the holiday MVP by not only paying for the groceries but delivering them to the door as well.

Lowe’s The perfect gift for new home owners or anyone who’s ever had to change a light bulb. (So, everyone.)

Parachute With hotel-worthy bedding, the coziest loungewear and even stylish decor, the “I’d rather be home” crowd will love a Parachute gift card.

Shopbop Stylish, designer-loving giftees will love a gift card to the luxury purveyor which carries women and menswear from cult-loved brands.

Swimply This pool rental service lets you rent local pools by the hour. Think Airbnb, but for swimming pools. It’s all the convenience of a backyard pool, but none of the work.

SpaFinder Gift them their next manicure, pedicure, facial or massage by giving them a Spafinder gift card they can redeem at thousands of locations all across the country.

The Sill They don’t have to have a green thumb to appreciate the gorgeous potted plants from NYC-based The Sill.

Steam If you’ve got a gamer on your list, you can’t go wrong with a Steam gift card. With thousands of games to choose from there’s guaranteed to be something they’ve been wishing for.

Ulta Beauty lovers will always appreciate a chunk of change to spend on anything from perfume to makeup.

Uncommon Goods Easily one of my favorite online places to find a unique gift, the selection at Uncommon Goods can get pretty overwhelming. Let them pick something out themselves with a gift card!

A version of this story was published December 6, 2021. It has been updated.