16 of the best gift subscriptions for last-minute present shopping

Run by husband-and-wife team Dan and Casey Gregory, By Foke supports independent UK makers with curated gift boxes that include everything from hand-poured candles and stationery to ceramics and jewellery. You can also pick and mix objects to create your own box set to personalise your gift further. From £13.50, byfoke.com

Curling up with a good book is one of life’s true pleasures, so imagine getting new reading material through your letterbox every month. Persephone Books publishes forgotten gems by women writers in its signature dove-grey covers; you can choose the recipient’s books or they can pick for themselves. £72 for six months, persephonebooks.co.uk

Many people discovered the joys of doorstep cocktails during lockdown and Nio emerged as one of the best, with its ingenious pre-mixed pouches that can slip through a letterbox (or into a Christmas stocking). Give one of its limited-edition winter cocktails: the ‘Snow Daiquiri’, ‘Apple Rum Punch’, ‘Christmas Margarita’, ‘Winter Sidecar’, ‘Spiced Negroni’ or ‘Christmas in Manhattan’. £42 for a box of six, niococktails.co.uk

It’s never too late to learn a new skill and the rise of online courses has made it easier than ever. Buying someone a class from Create Academy gives them access to design-world pros willing to share their expertise. Think paint supremo Edward Bulmer and rising stars like upholstery queen Micaela Sharp. For gardening fans, there’s even the likes of Dan Pearson and Arthur Parkinson. From £49, createacademy.com

Generosity when choosing a LuxDeco gift card will benefit more than just the recipient, because 10% from every one sold will be donated to Centrepoint. So, when your loved one is selecting from the online design emporium’s choice of high-end brands, they can know that they are not the only one benefitting from their purchases. The plastic-free card comes in a chic box with an illustrated greeting card explaining the collaboration – there’s an e-card option, too. luxdeco.com

It’s not just free entry that a museum membership gets you; it’s priority booking for blockbuster shows, access to members’ lounges and often a discount in the gift shop – always a good spot to pick up treats. A National Art Pass will get you into museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK for free, plus 50% off admission to major exhibitions. From £45 for under 30s, artfund.org

From paying growers at least 50 per cent above the standard Fairtrade price for their beans, to using an energy-saving roaster, Kiss the Hippo takes the sustainability of its supply chain as seriously as the final product, resulting in the ultimate feel-good caffeine fix. Gift subscriptions come in a variety of frequencies from weekly to monthly. From £36, kissthehippo.com

Queer Book Box sources its titles from Gay’s the Word, the UK’s first and oldest lesbian and gay bookshop. Boxes start from £15 and go up to £45, with extra treats including queer art, stickers, tote bags, badges, pins and mugs. From £15, queerbookbox.com

As the name suggests, this new Barcelona-based firm specialises in natural wines, connecting wine lovers with the most interesting growers and makers from around the world. Choose from four- and six-bottle monthly deliveries or buy a one-off box containing hand-selected wines to suit recipients' tastes. From approx £58, thenaturalwinecompany.com

Socks no longer need be the boring back-up present thanks to British knitwear label Genevieve Sweeney's snazzy UK-made designs. Available in men's, women's or unisex subscriptions, there's also the option of monogramming for seriously fancy feet. From £14, genevievesweeney.com

Leaf Envy’s subscription service delivers unusual indoor plant varieties direct from the grower, plus growing tips and stylish planters to help indoor gardens flourish. Choose from a delivery every month, two months or three months. From £20, leafenvy.co.uk

For its book subscription service, Bath-based Mr B’s Emporium asks the giftee to complete a questionnaire and a ‘bibliotherapist’ curates a selection just for them. From £50 for three months, mrbsemporium.com

Not Another Bill’s exquisitely packaged gifts and gift sets cover everything from homewares to beauty. Partnering with leading brands and emerging designers, there's something for everyone, whether you choose a curated set or pick your own presents from its edit of stylish objects. It also has a wide range of monogrammed goods for a bespoke twist. Gift sets from £30, notanotherbill.com

There’s no better gift for the design devotee or homebody in your life than an ELLE Decoration subscription (if we do say so ourselves). The ultimate sourcebook for inspiration, advice, opinion and the latest news, every month is packed with fresh ideas for stylish living – all wrapped in a special subscriber cover. From £5, hearstmagazines.co.uk

Heading into its 20th Christmas, the Ottolenghi team has put together a range of hampers to suit all tastes and budgets. Our favourite is ‘Christmas in a Bag’, which is packed with delicious goodies, including rosemary and spiced nuts, Brunsli stars, cheddar and pistachio biscuits, preserved lemon and chilli olives, Christmas shortbread snowflakes and strawberry woodland meringues. In short, everything you need to host an excellent festive party. £110, ottolenghi.co.uk