Last updated February 2021
Why give a straightforward present when you can give the gift that keeps on giving? We took on the challenge to test the finest luxury subscription boxes on the market: from bespoke beauty to gourmet dining and everything in between. Here’s our pick of the best luxury boxes to subscribe to today. Send one for a lockdown birthday, or just to treat a loved one (or yourself) to something luxurious during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
FOOD AND DRINK SUBSCRIPTION BOXES
PASTA EVANGELISTS – GOURMET PASTA SUBSCRIPTION
What is it? Currently stocked in Harrods Food Hall, Pasta Evangelists are experts at high-end, artisan pasta. Their gourmet pasta club delivers everything you need to make luxury pasta dishes from home.
What’s in it? Each week you’ll receive fresh pasta, sauce and garnishes; along with a recipe card. Subscribers choose from a menu of gourmet dishes each week. Over the next few weeks, options include Porcini and Wild Mushroom Tortelloni with Thyme Butter Hazelnuts and Black Truffle and Burrata Ravioloni with Truffle Butter and Toasted Hazelnuts. They also accommodate to those on gluten-free and vegetarian diets.
Our Verdict: The quality of both pasta and sauces is exceptional. Fine dining with none of the fuss.
Subscription Info: Subscriptions start from £17.90 for 2 servings. Subscribe here and get a free Aperol spritz kit your first order*.
*To get your free Aperol spritz kit, you need to click on the “Been referred by a friend?” link at the checkout and simply enter ‘Aglaia Magazine’
BISCUITEERS – BISCUIT SUBSCRIPTION
What is it? A luxury biscuit subscription box from famous biscuit makers, Biscuiteers
What’s in it? Choose from a Gingerbread Man subscription plan, a Letterbox biscuits subscription plan, or a Biscuit Tins subscription plan. You can opt for a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription. Each month you’ll receive your plan of choice, and each month a different biscuit collection is chosen for the lucky recipients. Festive gingerbread for Christmas and beautiful biscuit blooms for Spring – every season is catered for.
Our Verdict: A brilliant luxury treat for anyone with a sweet-tooth! Biscuiteers biscuits are some of the prettiest and tastiest we have ever tried, and absolutely worth the subscription plan fee.
Subscription info: Subscription plans start from £30 per 3 months. Subscribe using our link and type ‘Aglaia Magazine’ at the checkout* to get 15% off your first order.
*To get your 15% off, you need to click on the “Been referred by a friend?” link at the checkout and simply enter ‘Aglaia Magazine’
THE HONESTLY GOOD SMOOTHIE COMPANY – SMOOTHIE SUBSCRIPTION
What is it? 100% organic blend-it-yourself smoothie kits.
What’s in it? Each week you’ll receive frozen smoothie kits (which contain a mix of chopped fruit, veg, seeds and nuts) that are individually packaged and frozen. The kits are soil association certified and 100% organic.
Our Verdict: A fantastic way to incorporate organic fruit and veg into your daily routine. The variety of recipes mean you’ll never get bored and you simply need to add your choice of milk, blend and drink!
Subscription Info: Subscriptions plans start from £4.75 a smoothie. Subscribe here
LOVE COCOA – CHOCOLATE SUBSCRIPTION
What is it? A handmade luxury chocolate subscription box; set up by James Cadbury (great-great-great grandson of chocolate mogul John Cadbury).
What’s in it? Love Cocoa offer a variety of luxury, handmade chocolate bars and gifts; with flavours including Gin and Tonic and Raspberry Champagne. Their chocolate subscription allows you to select your own chocolate preferences as well as frequency.
Our Verdict: The ideal subscription for those with a sweet touch. The chocolate is of exceptional quality and vegans are also catered for extensively.
Subscription Info: Subscriptions plans start from £10. Subscribe here
COFFEE&KIN – COFFEE SUBSCRIPTION
What is it? A blend of speciality coffee and chocolate sourced from chocolatiers across the UK.
What’s in it? The box is personalised to your preferences. You’ll receive your choice of coffee beans/grounds or Nespresso-compatible compostable coffee pods and two bars artisan chocolate (again with the choice of milk, dark or mixed).
Our Verdict: The perfect box for those who take their coffee seriously.
Subscription Info: Subscriptions start from £20. Subscribe here
SPECIALIST SUBSCRIPTION BOXES
BLOOM AND WILD – FLOWER SUBSCRIPTION
What is it? Stunning, letterbox friendly blooms designed by florists to take centre stage in your home.
What’s in it? The 3 months of lux flowers plan delivers a monthly bouquet of seasonal blooms. They’re delivered in letterbox friendly boxes too meaning you don’t have to wait in for the postman.
Our Verdict: Beautiful floral arrangements that last for weeks-brightening your home and your mood.
Subscription Info: 3 months of lux flowers costs £80. Subscribe via this link and get £10 off your first order (new customers only).
WILLOUGHBY BOOK CLUB – BOOK SUBSCRIPTION
What is it? A book subscription club for those who get through books at lightening speed, or anyone who would just like some new book recommendations to get them through lockdown.
What’s in it? Choose from five different book club categories (Bespoke Book Club, Contemporary Book Club, Food & Drink Book Club, Natural History Book Club, and Children’s Book Club) and then choose whether you would like a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription. You get either six or twelve handpicked books each month depending on your subscription, and books will be tailored to your/the recipient’s book and author tastes. For every book subscription box sold, Willoughby Book Club donate one new book to Book Aid International. These donations will support the vital education and literacy development work that the charity performs in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Our Verdict: A really gorgeous and thoughtful subscription offering for literary lovers. Ideal as a special gift or as a lockdown treat for yourself or a loved one.
Subscription Info: Subscriptions start from £39.99 for six books. Subscribe here and get 10% off.
HOUNDS AND HERS/FORELOCKS AND FRINGE – PET SUBSCRIPTION
What is it? A luxury subscription box for pet owners. Hounds and Hers delivers monthly treats for you and your dog, whilst sister company Forelocks and Fringe is the equestrian version.
What’s in it? In each box, you’ll receive a mix of gifts for you (such as alcohol, herbal tea and candles) and for your animal companion (including luxury nibbles, toys and grooming products).
Our Verdict: For animal lovers who like only the best for their pets, this is the ideal subscription box. The items are all of excellent quality (think venison sausages for them and Lola Apothecary candles for you!)
Subscription Info: Subscriptions cost £40 per month for Forelocks and Fringe and £25 per month for Hounds and Hers. Subscribe here for Forelocks and Fringe and here for Hounds and Hers
BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE SUBSCRIPTION BOXES
MOI-MEME – LIFESTYLE SUBSCRIPTION
What is it? Billed ‘a dose of me time straight to your door’, Moi-Même is a curated mix of beauty and lifestyle items that can be personalised to the subscriber’s preferences.
What’s in it? The latest edition is the ‘Thrive box’, which contains a Rachel Jackson London Necklace, a gorgeous Kate Spade lunch tote, blusher from cruelty-free brand Phase Zero makeup, face serum from anti-ageing brand Nakin skincare and an inspirational self-help book.
Our Verdict: The variety of unique, luxury items means Moi-Même stands out against the plethora of regular beauty subscription boxes on the market. The element of customisation (swaps are allowed and subscribers fill out an in-depth questionnaire which Moi-Même uses to get a feel for their preferences) makes it feel bespoke and personal. Overall, this is the ideal subscription box for modern women.
Subscription Info: Subscriptions cost £54.95 per quarter. Subscribe here
COHORTED – ULTRA-LUXE BEAUTY SUBSCRIPTION
What is it? The UK’s number one luxury beauty box.
What’s in it? Each month you’ll receive a mix of high-end beauty products (usually totaling hundreds of pounds in value). Previous boxes have featured brands such as Avant Skincare, Illamasqua and Nars. We tried an exclusive Doucce box; featuring the New York make up brand’s limited edition pro palette, lipsticker, lip definer pencil, graphic eyeliner pen and mascara.
Our Verdict: Offering luxury beauty products at exceptional value (our box contained almost £150 worth of beauty items), Cohorted is a must for any serious makeup lover.
Subscription Info: Subscriptions cost £35 per month. Subscribe here
Jenna Farmer is a freelance journalist and blogger. She writes regularly for Top Sante, The Independent and Metro Online- as well as running her own blog A Balanced Belly about gluten-free, healthy travels and her pregnancy journey.
