Digital Subscriptions: Top Gift Ideas That Keep Giving
As the holiday season approaches, it's time to start pondering thoughtful gifts for your friends and family. While traditional presents typically involve physical items wrapped in boxes and adorned with bows, consider the allure of gifting something intangible yet immensely valuable: a digital subscription. Not only does this streamline the shopping process (all online, naturally), but it offers a diverse array of options that cater to all age groups, from kids and teenagers to adults. What's more, rather than presenting a tangible item that may or may not suit their tastes, you can provide months of entertainment with a digital subscription. Additionally, digital subscriptions are ideal for last-minute shopping endeavors since there's no reliance on shipping. Moreover, gifting digital subscriptions doesn't have to break the bank. So take a look at our curated gift guide below and consider treating someone on your list to a digital experience this year.
Pandora
What They'll Receive
A full year of access to Pandora, the largest streaming music provider in the U.S., enables them to enjoy ad-free music playback and explore a vast library of artists, genres, and podcasts.
Why We Recommend It
We appreciate Pandora's seamless transition between online and offline playback, as well as its personalized playlists, curated based on the user's reactions (thumbs up or thumbs down) to tailor recommendations according to their listening history and preferences.
Cost
$54.89 for one year of ad-free listening on Pandora.
Disney+
What They'll Receive
A gift card granting access to a Disney+ subscription, offering complete immersion into the world of Disney movies and television shows, alongside content from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. While Disney+ does feature new releases for additional fees, it boasts an extensive library of free programming, including highly acclaimed original series like "The Mandalorian" and "Loki."
Why We Recommend It
Although Disney is often associated with children's entertainment, Disney+ also provides an impressive array of documentaries accessible through its National Geographic section.
Cost
Gift cards range from $25 to $200 and are delivered electronically to your recipient.
Masterclass
What They'll Receive
A year-long membership to Masterclass, granting access to a plethora of online courses taught by world-renowned experts across various fields. These encompass Arts & Entertainment, Home & Lifestyle, Business, Writing, Food, Music, Design & Style, Sports & Gaming, Wellness, Community & Government, as well as Science & Technology. Additionally, members gain access to supplementary materials such as workbooks, content, and community discussions.
Why We Recommend It
With an abundance of impressive talents and intriguing subjects, Masterclass serves as an endless source of inspiration.
Cost
$180 per year for a Standard membership at Masterclass (currently offering a holiday promotion of two memberships for the price of one).
Babbel
Babbel offers a digital language education service that incorporates app lessons, online classes, games, videos, and podcasts.
What They'll Receive
Gift a membership to this language-learning platform to anyone interested in enhancing their proficiency in Spanish, French, Italian, English, German, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Danish, Polish, Norwegian, Swedish, Turkish, or Indonesian. Developed by Yale University researchers, the program prioritizes real-life conversations for practical application.
Why We Recommend It
Language learning serves as an excellent pursuit for those eager to resume traveling internationally.
Cost
Options include $93 for 6 months, $117 for 12 months, or $239 for a lifetime membership at Babbel. Fully paid memberships incur no recurring fees unless the user opts to continue their studies. Don't forget to activate the cashback offer from Items when making your purchase.
Calm
What They'll Receive
Your gift grants full premium access to the content offered in the Calm app, a digital streaming service renowned for its daily guided meditation and mindfulness sessions. This content encompasses daily guided meditations, sleep stories, and self-improvement narratives aimed at providing fresh perspectives and motivation. Calm's app is meticulously designed to aid in improving sleep quality, reducing stress and anxiety, and enhancing focus on the present moment.
Why We Recommend It
Giving a gift that encourages someone to explore new avenues for happiness and well-being is considerate and can help them navigate the upcoming year with a more positive outlook.
Cost
$69.99 for a full year of access to Calm Premium at Calm.
Audible
What They'll Receive
Each month, they'll receive a credit that can be redeemed for any bestseller or newly released audiobook, along with an Audible Plus membership providing access to thousands of additional titles included in the subscription.
Why We Love It
While many individuals aspire to read more as a New Year's resolution, time constraints often pose a challenge. Audible simplifies the process by offering convenient access to audiobooks that can be enjoyed on the go.
Cost
Audible offers gift plans that start at $15 for one month, inclusive of 1 credit, and extend up to $150 for a 12-month subscription with 12 credits.
Tips for Gifting Digital Subscriptions
Know Your Recipient
Take the time to consider the recipient's interests, hobbies, and preferences when choosing a digital subscription gift. Whether they're a fitness fanatic, a music junkie, or a foodie, there's a subscription out there that's perfect for them.
Consider the Platform
Before purchasing a digital subscription, make sure to check which platforms the recipient uses and whether the subscription is compatible with their devices. Whether it's iOS, Android, Kindle, or PC, there's a subscription out there for every platform.
Check for Gift Options
Many digital subscription services offer gift options, allowing you to purchase a subscription as a gift and send it directly to the recipient's email address or inbox. Take advantage of these features to make the gifting process as seamless as possible.
Conclusion
Gifting digital subscriptions is a thoughtful, convenient, and versatile way to show your loved ones how much you care. Whether it's for a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or just because, a digital subscription gift offers endless possibilities for entertainment, learning, and enrichment. So, the next time you're struggling to find the perfect gift, consider giving the gift of digital subscriptions and watch as your loved ones unwrap joy and excitement with every click.
