13 expertly curated subscription boxes that will keep the fun going all year

There is absolutely nothing wrong with gifting a subscription. But let's face it, your giftee is already stealing their parents' streaming service subscription, so you're going to have to try a little harder to truly deliver. Thankfully, our research has proven that there is literally a subscription box out there for everyone. Everyone. The beauty of subscription boxes is that they keep on giving; all you need to do is subscribe (and pay for them). But you don't want to look like you were procrastinating. So, we scoured the internet to find the best of the best subscriptions that don't scream last-minute-gift. They're all either Canadian-made or ship to Canada and will provide hours of unboxing fun for friends, family, pups, influencers — everyone on your list!

Charley & Co. offers a monthly box of thoughtfully curated offerings with mom and baby in mind. Each parcel can be delivered with a personalized note. If you provide this Canadian company with a baby's birth date and a colour preference, they'll make sure the 3-5 premium items in each delivery of their 3, 6, or 12-month subscriptions are "aligned with babies growing needs and interests."

Easy. (pronounced easy period) offers a subscription of pads, tampons and panty liners that are certified 100% organic. That means no more last-minute runs to the drug store for whoever you gift this stylish and convenient parcel to. Not only are the products free of toxic ingredients but "each purchase supports a girl in need as 5% of profits are donated to Zana Africa Foundation, supplying pads and health education to girls in Kenya."

This gift is more like the stocking stuffer that keeps on giving. Sure, a toothbrush subscription service may not seem like the most exciting gift, but listen up. Quip offers up a dentist-approved electric toothbrush that is not only the most aesthetically pleasing brush on the market, it will provide your giftee with a "wholesome two minute clean". Brush head refills are delivered every three months for for just $5 with free shipping, even to Canada.

StoryWorth might be one of the most special gifts you can give to someone in your family this year. It's not stuff — it's the invitation to tell and preserve stories. Each week, family members receive an email with a question from you, urging them to tell a story and share memories and wisdom. And at the end of the year, StoryWorth delivers all the stories bound in a beautiful personalized book. Stories are only shared with you and your fam, and you can also use this service to help someone write their memoir.

Parachute Coffee delivers fresh-roasted coffee to your giftee's doorstep with the goal of making every cup of home-coffee cheaper, fresher, and better than your favourite café. They roast coffee every Tuesday and ship it out on the same day. I love that the company limits waste by only roasting as many beans as their orders call for each week. That also means you'll be gifting beans that haven't been sitting around on a shelf for months. Subscriptions are available in weekly, bi-weekly or monthly subscriptions and in dark, medium and limited edition roasts. With plenty of selection, it's a great option for the coffee connoisseur in your life — at a very giftable price point.

Give the gift of "The World's #1 Hot Sauce Of The Month Club." Fuego Box ships your friends, family or foe small-batch hot sauce straight to their door. This subscription box is perfect for spicing up the life of that someone who is always reaching for the hot sauce, no matter the meal. Their mission is to steer clear of gimmicky hot sauces, so your giftee will receive a premium curated selection, every month, quarterly, or whatever convenient option you select.

Oat Box offers up a range of handcrafted granolas and oatmeals in delicious flavours like pecan pie and apple & cranberry. It's also available in a certified gluten-free option and is perfect for breakfast lovers or even those that can't be bothered to make their own. Select from three different monthly plans and have it shipped to Canada for free with no taxes and no duty!

The Detox Market offers a monthly subscription box that is perfect for the adventurous beauty junkie in your life who's always trying something new. The Detox Box is a collection of their fave all-natural hits. Each parcel contains a selection of what the company deems to be "best in green beauty" available in 3-month and 6-month plans and shipping is included.

Books are one of my favourite gifts to give kids. They will grow out of the super cute clothes I'm always tempted by, but books will stick around for a long time. Plus, storytime is a big deal. Lily Post is a subscription service that delivers brand new books to kids on a monthly basis. Books are available for kids from newborn to 7 years old and can be gifted for less than 20 dollars per month. The company was "founded on the idea that reading is fundamental to the development of every child," so for every box they ship, they donate a book to kids in need across North America.

Gifting books can also be daunting. It's tempting to always opt for what you enjoy, but of course, you want to ensure it's a read your giftee will actually adore. Enter monthly and bi-monthly book subscriptions from Heywood Hill. The packaging is so stunning it wouldn't even matter if the receiver didn't like the book. But that's not a cause for concern because A Year in Books literary subscription is expertly curated and available in various themes, ranging from Literary Review to Anglophone to Expat. The first shipment includes an invitation for the reader to "have an (optional) reading consultation with their personal bookseller." This info is collected and then "booksellers go into their monthly huddle and carefully hand-pick an exceptional book to suit the subscriber's individual reading taste." So you can subscribe and let the Heywood Hills experts work their magic to curate a giftable "bespoke literary adventure" for friends and loved ones. And fret not about shipping to Canada, because it's a one-time charge on your first order.  

Tokyo Treat delivers a box of snacks from Japan to your giftee's door each month, and the shipping is free. It's great for the hard to buy for person on your list, and the person who is always trying new candies. And these aren't just samples — the boxes include at least 12 full-size items and come with a guide book for the treats. Past boxes have included brands such as Kit Kat and Pocky and the team behind these delicious deliveries always includes a mix of the most sought after popular Japanese snacks.

This box from Sports Crate is for the baseball fan in your life. Simply select their favourite team and pick your subscription option and a crate of merch from that team will show up at your giftee's door. We all know that sports gear is hard to pick out without worrying that the super-fan already has it, but this box comes with collectables, new items and premium team items. And if you've got a Blue Jays fan to shop for don't worry, because they are rolling out a box dedicated to them soon!

Let us not forget about our furry friends this holiday season! Woof Pack is a Canadian subscription service that delivers innovative toys and all-natural treats for dogs. I'm certain these boxes offer the most joyful unboxing you could possibly witness. You can subscribe to these "pawsome" accessories for the pup in your life, or any grand-dog, canine-niece or nephew in the fam. Shipping is free (!) and there are various plans to pick from, so there's sure to be an ideal gifting option for the doggo in your life.