It’s hard to choose the best thing about subscription boxes. Snail mail! Expectation! Surprises! They’re literally a gift that keeps on giving, which makes them a fantastic choice for plenty of people — yes, even including the ever-elusive, what-on-earth-should-I-buy-them teenager. Subscribe to one of these, and on a regular basis (often once a month), your giftee will get a box delivered directly to their/your house — chock full of cool stuff. And you? Well, in return, you’ll likely get months-long adoration and major Cool Mom/Cool Aunt cred. Plus, the box prices are often quite reasonable (with some coming in under the $10-per-month mark) so you can even go wild on a 6- or 12-month order of one of the best subscription boxes for teens.
Because — luckily, for those of us searching for a great gift for that teen who refuses to tell you what on earth they want — there’s a subscription box option out there for pretty much anything they’re into. Pop culture fandom boxes? Check. Jewelry subscription boxes? Mega-check. And that’s just the beginning; read on for foolproof ideas even discerning (read: picky) teens will have to admit are cool AF. And hey, gifting them one of these is probably a hell of a lot easier than trying to start a conversation with them.
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A version of this story was originally published in June 2019.
Sweet Studs
Your teen obsessed with curating their ear will adore this one-of-a-kind earring subscription box. Each month, they’ll get hypoallergenic and Nickel-free earrings in gold vermeil or sterling silver, a mindfulness card to start up a thoughtful conversation, and a surprise accessory (like a bracelet or necklace).
Stylish Phone
Although limited to cases for iPhones and Samsung devices, Casely is a super cool subscription box. The Casely Club costs $15 a month and is good for those who have iPhone models 6 through 12 Pro Max and select Galaxy devices.
Mad Scientist
The brainiac who doesn’t just want more stuff will geek out over this cool chemistry kit. Each box explores a different chemistry lesson through 2-3 experiments. Oh, did we mention it’s on Amazon?
Green Thumb
Whether they’re a plant pro or just getting started, you can never go wrong with a succulent subscription box. Each month, they’ll get a different type of succulent to add to their windowsill.
Pop Culture Fan
If you have a teen on the geeky side, Loot Crate could be right up their alley. The company pulls together a bunch of pop culture goodness from movies, TV shows, comics and games — for a box valued at $45+. Subscribers get figurines, T-shirts, random doodads, socks, magnets and whatever other randomness the brand comes up with.
Comics Galore
This has any Comic-Con fan’s name allll over it. Each box is filled with three comics, fan art, and mystery gifts.
Nifty Knitting
This subscription from KnitCrate is ideal for teens who like to knit or crochet. They’ll get to choose the colorway for each kit to match their mood. Plus, they plant a tree for each eco-friendly box shipped.
Arm Party
If they don’t have their ears pierced, this bracelet subscription is another fun jewelry box pick. They can choose from two sets each month, and each box comes with three bracelets they can stack together.
Eco-Friendly Pick
Earth Love is an eco-friendly lifestyle box to make living sustainably and healing the planet easier. Because while we all want to be greener, sometimes having help delivered directly to your door makes it seem a little more doable. Each box comes with 6-8 full-sized eco-concious items, a book, a themed guide with tips and ideas each season to get closer to nature, and support for a featured seasonal non-profit partner. Choose from an annual subscription for $54.95 per quarter, or a quarterly subscription for $59.95 per quarter.
K-Beauty Overload
There are a few different subscriptions available from Face Tory, which brings some of the best of Korean skincare straight to your front door. You can opt for the brand’s FOUR-even FRESH kit, which sends four sheet masks your teen’s way for $8.90 a month, or try the SEVEN LUX box, which gives them seven masks per month for $19.90. The company also offers a Lux PLUS box that ships 10 to 12 products for $49.95 each quarter.
Glam in a Bag
Do you have a teen who loves makeup and beauty items — but you don’t want to fork down mega dollars every time they want to try a new one out? Ipsy may be the solution you’re looking for. Each month, subscribers get five deluxe samples that are customized to their tastes and color preferences. Walmart also has a beauty box subscription perfect for teens.
Mystery Box
Mystery buffs will appreciate this unique subscription box that holds a solveable puzzle. It involves looking for clues, discovering “underground” societies, and decoding secret messages.
Bookworm
If you’re shopping for an avid reader, the Book of the Month subscription will get a new book into their hands every — yep, you guessed it — month. Recipients will be able to choose one from five new books per month, and the new reads will show up right at their doorstep.
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