BreakingModern — Gift shopping is more challenging than ever, thanks to the large number of people on our lists who already have everything they could possibly want. This is especially true for the tech lovers on our lists. They seem to always have the latest gadget on the market, impressing everyone they encounter by being on the cutting edge.
It’s this very challenge that has opened up new options to gift givers. With a new year beginning, it’s the perfect time to gift a subscription that will provide something to enjoy throughout the year. If the word “subscription” calls to mind magazines, you’ve likely missed an exciting new trend. Today’s subscriptions go well beyond magazines, giving consumers access to streaming services and monthly boxes filled with surprises. It’s the “Fruit of the Month Club” updated for a new generation. Here are three exciting subscriptions for your techie friends.
Oyster
We’ve all heard of Netflix and Hulu Plus, both of which offer unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows for a monthly fee. But book lovers are still downloading books from Amazon or accessing audiobooks using Audible.com. Since 2007, Scribd has operated in relative quiet, offering unlimited books each month in exchange for a subscription fee. The service’s limited book selection kept readers away initially, but in recent years readers have reported significant improvements, with many bestsellers and popular recent books showing up on the service.
Now Scribd has competition. For just $9.95 a month, Oyster gives members access to more than half a million titles, with new books arriving each day. This is slightly more than Scribd’s $100 annual cost, but Oyster allows a month-to-month plan. Both services provide gift-subscription options and both allow customers to browse their selections before purchasing.
Quarterly
Imagine receiving a gift box from Bill Nye the Science Guy or actress Rosario Dawson. That’s exactly what Quarterly gives you. Boxes are curated by interesting and unique people from a variety of industries. Best of all, you pick the curators who will be putting your friend’s box together each month.
The company has examples of boxes that are available as quarterly gifts, including the 3-in-1 holiday package by Pharrell. You can purchase a gift subscription now and let the recipient know it will be delivered four times in the coming year.
Lootcrate
If you have a geeky gamer in your life, Lootcrate has a fun box. For $13.37 each month (plus shipping and handling), your recipient will receive a monthly box filled with items geared specifically toward the gaming enthusiast and technogeek, with each box holding a value of more than $40.
Each purchase enters the buyer into a Mega Crate raffle, making you eligible for a box valued at more than $1,000. Your recipient will also be invited to join Lootcrate’s active community of customers.
If you’re still searching for the perfect gift for that person who has everything, these options may be worth noting. A monthly subscription will give customers something to look forward to each month as they check their mailboxes.
For BMod, I’m Stephanie Faris.
All screenshots: BreakingModern Staff
Featured image: © Igor Mojzes / Dollar Photo Club