If you’re looking for a gift that keeps on giving, consider a subscription. They can enjoy a service, whether it’s music or TV streaming, health tracking, or gaming, for a limited time, thinking of you every time they do. The best idea: set them up for a year subscription so if they love it, you can renew it next Christmas. Instant recurring gift and you can check off your list ahead of time, and all you need is to click a quick “renew” button and make a personalized card.
Top Picks
1. Ring
Of course, this subscription requires a Ring smart doorbell, but chances are you know someone who has one, or you might even have one in your own home. There’s significantly more value when you sign up for a Ring Home subscription to go with it. Pricing starts at $60/yr. for the Basic plan, which includes up to 180 days of video event history, person and package alerts, video preview alerts, and 10% off select Ring products should they be looking for an upgrade or accessories.
The recommended Standard plan for $150/yr. adds doorbell calls, extended live view, and alarm cellular backup. Go all out with the Premium plan for $300/yr. that includes 24/7 recording, SOS emergency response, and the new smart video search feature, which is currently in beta.
It’s a night and day difference with Ring Home compared to without. I’m able to not only see if someone comes by in the middle of the night to try and get into my car by scrubbing through the footage each morning, but I can see when my son gets home from school if I’m not here, check on package deliveries while downstairs doing my morning workout, and keep an eye on the house while away. We’ve gone for a short period without the subscription and I missed it dearly.
With the Premium plan for $300/yr., you get new video descriptions and AI single event alerts, both in beta, along with smart video search, 24/7 recording, and more.
2. OWL Magazine
Keep kids exposed to reading and support print media at the same time with a subscription to OWL Magazine. Suitable for kids from 9-13, it includes content completely tailored to their interests, with some education snuck in for good measure. Everything is age appropriate, fun, and engaging and the focus highlights STEAM learning. Think interesting and timely science and tech news, interviews, hands-on activities, puzzles, quizzes, and even comics.
For younger kids, there’s Chirp magazine (ages 3-6) and Chickadee for ages 6-9. My son enjoyed all three of these growing up (interestingly, the subscription given to him as a recurring gift!) He was excited every month to find his new issue in the mail, addressed to him. They’re great for keeping in the car as well as backseat activities for road trips. Each title is $35.95/yr. with free shipping in Canada. Did we mention it’s a Canadian publication?
Other Gift Ideas
For Students: Amazon Prime with DoorDash
Amazon Prime has always had discounted pricing for students, but the latest inclusion sweetens the deal. Not only will students get fast and free delivery on essentials like printer ink, notebooks, tech, and pantry staples, they can also order take-out through DoorDash via the app with DashPass now part of a subscription. That’s perfect for college students pulling all-nighters who have a hankering for a snack. This includes 5% back in DoorDash credits on pick-up orders as well. Eligible students pay just $5/mo. or $49/yr. with a 30-day trial, so go ahead and set them up for the new school year, and add some funds to their account, too. They’ll also be able to enjoy access to Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Prime Gaming, and access to special sales.
For Families: Rogers Xfinity StreamSaver
The Rogers Xfinity StreamSaver streaming plan brings together three of the most popular streaming services, Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV, in one bundle, perfect for TV-loving families with members of all ages. StreamSaver delivers movies and originals from these three top streamers in one plan, all seamlessly integrated on the Rogers Xfinity’s entertainment platform and offered at a discounted rate. It costs $22/mo., combining Netflix with ads ($8/mo.), Apple TV ($15/mo.), and Disney+ with ads ($9/mo.), which would normally cost $32/mo. Transition your family’s existing account to a new StreamSaver plan, retaining your saved content and viewing history. Want sports? Add Sportsnet+. It’s available for customers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba and will be rolling out across the country later this year. Surprise your family with this upgrade.
For Sports Fans: Fubo TV
Fubo TV subscribers get access to live sports and entertainment from a TV, tablet, and other mobile devices. And now, all Fubo subscribers in Canada can enjoy unlimited DVR features so you can stream favourite content when it’s most convenient to you, at no additional cost. With Unlimited DVR, you can record live programs on most channels either before or during the program’s airing. Recorded content will remain on the Cloud DVR for nine months, unless you opt to delete content sooner after you watch it. You can record as many programs as you choose on any Fubo compatible device. It is available in monthly, quarterly, or annual plans starting from $22.74/mo. for the Sports Quarterly plan, ideal for soccer and sports fans, including all premier league matches in 4K. Adding NBA TV, lifestyle channels like Global TV and Slice and kids channels like Disney Channel is the Premium Quarterly plan, which is $36.74/mo. Prices are slightly more if you opt for month-to-month and conversely, you can save by signing up for an annual plan. You can cancel any time based on your contract duration. Fubo TV works on Apple TV, Android, iPhone, LG TVs, Hisense TVs, Fire TV, Roku, Xbox, Chromecast, and more. You can stream on up to three devices at a time.
For Teens and Tweens: Crunchyroll
Many teens and tweens are into anime, and Crunchyroll represents the Holy Grail of content in that genre. With a subscription, you can access new episodes shortly after they air in Japan. The basic Fan plan is $10/mo. for access to the entire library ad-free with the ability to stream on one device at a time. But you’re best off getting the Mega Fan ($12.49/mo.) with the added benefit of being able to stream on up to four devices at a time (ideal for siblings), enjoy offline viewing, and access the Crunchyroll Game Vault with a catalog of free games. If you pre-pay for the year, it’s $125 and includes everything in the Mega Fan plan with a 16% discount and billing that auto-renews every 12 months unless you cancel. Access popular shows like One Piece, My Hero Academia, and Dragonball Daima. Watch on a multitude of devices, including smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, Chromecast, Apple TV, Blu-ray players, and more. Simplify billing by adding Crunchyroll it to your existing Amazon Prime Video subscription.
For Gamers: Xbox Game Pass
With the Xbox Game Pass, suited to gamers who own an Xbox console or play via PC, they’ll get instant access to play games on the first day of their release, access to hundreds of game titles to play with friends on consoles, PC, and cloud via multiplayer options, the ability to download console and PC games, premium deals, discounts, and perks, and more. It’s a must-have for a gamer who loves to unwind with a game of Call of Duty or Fortnite with friends or even strangers from around the world after a long day at school or work. You can get it for PC, console, or both, with pricing that starts at $15/mo. or $23/mo. for the Ultimate package that adds the online console multiplayer option. There’s also a standard console-only play for $17/mo. that includes online console multiplayer as well.
For Moms: Netflix
As the viral Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch suggested, women love their “murder shows,” and when it comes to true crime, Netflix can’t be beat. The streaming service has tons of fabulous true crime shows, from Mindhunter to Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, Unsolved Mysteries, Lover, Stalker, Killer, Worst Roommate Ever, and more. Plus, there are reality shows like Love is Blind that mom will want to watch once everyone is in bed and text her girlfriends about, and thrilling new shows like The Beast in Me. Sign mom up for a year for the standard plan with ads for $84 (she should get access to most if not all of these as Netflix originals but won’t get access to all content) or go all out with a top-tier subscription for $252 for the year. If you have Netflix at home, add her to your account as a surprise and pay for her access through your bill for an additional $8/mo. or $96 for the year.
For Dads: Brocratews Beer Clubs
If dad loves beer, imagine how he’ll feel when some shows up on his doorstep every month, and it’s new brews he can sample and enjoy? Sign up for the Brocrates Beer Clubs and he’ll receive a beer of the month every 30 days, each from a different microbrewery. Each one comes with an information card telling him more about it, advising on the tasting notes and details about the brewery. Choose from domestic, mystery, or ultimate craft bundles ranging from $50 up to $66 per month, each providing an assortment of beers from him to try. You can choose either six or 12 bottles per delivery and even include add-ons like wine (for mom), champagne, spirits, gourmet snacks, cheese, even a stuffed animal or baked goods. Choose the duration as well, from three months up to 12. Shipping is free for orders over $100. A mystery beer club delivery with 12 bottles will cost you $600 for the year, or about $50/mo.
For Kids: KiwiCo Labs
KiwoCo Labs monthly crates combine both fun with education. Each box focuses on a STEAM topic to help kids grow their skills and explore everything from creativity and building to engineering and science. There are hands-on projects and boxes suitable for everyone from babies to kids aged 16+. Think all the tools they need to build their own pair of headphones or a basketball trash can for older kids to a camping adventure or space exploration kit for kids up to age five. Pricing starts at about $32/mo., depending on the specific box chosen and length of subscription. So, for a year, expect to spend about $400.
For Music Lovers: Qobuz
What good is a hifi system without great music sources to enjoy? A great gift for someone who loves music and enjoys every nuance of its sound as the musician intended is Qobuz. The high-quality music streaming and download platform offers a catalogue of more than 100 million titles, all lossless, downloadable files that are high-res and CD quality. This includes high-res FLAC files at up to 9,216 kbps with a sample rate up to 24-bit/192kHZ. The service is also about music discovery with access to content like artist interviews, in-depth articles, and a section dedicated to Hi-Fi hear within its online magazine. Each week, the expert editorial team also provides a list of recommendations and featured albums including both known and emerging artists. These are across a variety of music genres, like rock, jazz, classical, pop, R&B, electronic, world, and metal. Building a community, the Qobuz Club offers audiophiles and music lovers from all over the world a unique place where they can share their musical discoveries and recommendations as well as advice on Hi-Fi equipment. Cost starts at $10.83/mo., but check out the various options as there might be an upgrade worth spending a bit more on.
For Fitness Enthusiasts: Strava
Consider a Strava Premium Subscription at $100 as a gift option with an appreciated feature you don’t often find with subscriptions: it doesn’t auto-renew so you don’t need to worry about having to remember to cancel or getting billed for another year once the year is up. Genius! It lasts for 12 months at which point, the recipient can decide to renew on their own and go through the payment process if they decide to do so. What is Strava? Strava is a great app for fitness enthusiasts that provides access to a community of other like-minded individuals along with features like a personal heat map, goal setting, and progress tracking for both running and other sports and activities. The app now even includes training plans to help guide you along your journey to health and wellness. This link takes you right to a gifting option where you can choose a virtual gift card design and have it e-mailed right to them. Perfect last minute gift!
For Work-From-Homers: HP Instant Ink
There’s nothing worse than finishing a project and prepping to print it to hand into a teacher or as handouts for a meeting only to realize that you’re out of printer ink. Time to rev up the car and head to the 24-hour store. HP printers work with the HP Instant Ink subscription, which includes not only convenient ink delivery based on a recurring schedule, but also an up to 50% savings on the price. With plans as low as $2.29/mo. based on your printing needs, you can sign up online. It isn’t just on a recurring schedule: through cloud connectivity, when HP recognizes that you’re running low on ink, it will automatically ship you a new cartridge to avoid the “out of ink” warning at the worst possible time. Send back the old cartridge in the prepaid return envelope for safe recycling. It’s a great gift for a spouse or college-aged kid to ensure they’re not held up or miss deadlines because of low ink.
For The Creative Worker: Google AI Pro
Help them be more productive and enjoy everything AI has to offer with a subscription to the Google AI Pro service. At $27/mo., if you know they’ll use it, it will be worth the investment of under $300 for the year, factoring in that it comes with a one-month trial. They’ll be able to use Gemini across all the most popular applications, including Gmail and Docs, enjoy 2TB storage, and priority access to new features. It will help them create original images of Google Slides, enhance video quality in Google Meet, and hopefully provide tools to help simplify otherwise monotonous of mundane tasks, and gain inspiration for projects. It also comes with Google Home Premium so you can leverage features like Gemini Live throughout your smart home as well.
For Pet Owners: Woof Pack Subscription
Yes, you can get a subscription box for your dog that provides delicious treats, toys, and chews, all delivered to your door for a monthly surprise. One option is Woof Packs, with various plans starting at $32/mo. The package is shipped immediately and subsequent ones on the 15th of each month. Each pack includes four or five items, including two toys and two bags of treats valued at $65 or more. There’s a convenient Give a Gift option if you want to get this for a dog lover on your list. These include special holiday plans that only run for one, three, six, or 12 months. Each box comes with a fun theme to get both doggie and owner excited.
For the Cordcutter: Apollo TV
Know someone who has cut the cord completely, and cancelled streaming subscriptions because the rising costs were just too much? Consider signing them up for Apollo TV IPTV service. It was previously a challenge as the service only accepted payments through bitcoin. But now, you can finally pay by credit card. Apollo Group TV offers a catalog of 24,000+ live channels and 95,000+ Video-on-Demand (VOD) titles spanning movies, TV series, news, sports, and international programming. But understand that it operates in a grey area of legality, so buyer and user beware. Content is available in HD and 4K resolution and the platform uses anti-freeze technology to eliminate buffering, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted playback. You can navigate Apollo Group TV using the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) TV Guide. The intuitive interface makes it simple to switch among channels and discover new content. It’s compatible with a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming boxes, mobile devices, and tablets. Pricing starts at US$13.35/mo. or $160/yr. Just make sure they’re using it responsibly!
For the Smart Home: Amazon Alexa+
Just recently launched in Canada in Early Access phase, Alexa+ brings more natural language conversations thanks to the power of GenAI. The smarter, more proactive AI assistant can assist with smart home control as well as general queries, all using natural language conversations. When controlling your connected smart home devices, you can give more contextual commands, like to play your favourite artist, then ask it to move the audio to a speaker in another room when you move there. You can also ask it to play something everywhere, or do thing like show you the front door on an Echo Show smart display to see footage from your Ring camera. You can even give statements like “I’m cold” and it will intelligently know to turn up the heat, or “it’s too dark” to have it turn on some lights. Create custom routines by voice as well to combine multiple actions, like the lights, music, and coffee machine coming on for a good morning routine. You don’t have to rely on the app. Alexa+ costs $28/mo. but is free for all Prime members. It will be free during the Early Access phase, which has begun rollout in Canada. To be among the first to try it, purchase a new eligible Echo device. Customers who already own certain Echo devices can sign up to try Alexa+ Early Access by visiting www.amazon.ca/newalexa. New Echo devices purpose-built for Alexa+ include the Echo Show 8, Echo Show 11, Echo Dot Max, and Echo Studio.