If you're looking for a new little pick-me-up, try one of these subscription services
Subscription boxes are a great way to explore new cuisines, trial those beauty products you've been eyeing up, or even test your mixology skills.
I've scoured the internet for the best subscription boxes currently available to order online, including everything from tea and coffee, biscuits to have with your tea and coffee, and biscuits for dogs and cats. Check it out.
Best Food & Drink Subscriptions
Candy's Cupcakes
Treat yourself (or a very lucky loved one) to a monthly subscription of tasty cupcake creations and other baked treats designed to satisfy those sweet tooth cravings. Each box includes six exclusive flavoured cupcakes and a selection of baked items such as cake in a jar, cookies, donuts and brownies.
Available from £120 (3 months pre-paid) at candyscupcakes.co.uk
Earth & Wheat Wonky Bread Box
Described as 'the world's first wonky bread box', this subscription provides you with high-quality loaves, crumpets, pitta breads and the like whilst also tackling food waste and donating to charity at the same time. You could say it's the best thing since sliced bread.
Available from £7.99 per box at earthandwheat.com
Siprano Alcohol Free Wine
Unlike other brands that offer a wide range of alcohol-free products, Siprano focuses exclusively on curating a list of the best of the best. A unique on-site quiz matches customers to wines that suit their taste, allowing them to subscribe to receive 1 to 4 bottles of non alcoholic wine delivered straight to their door each week.
You can also gift a subscription box to a lucky friend or family member, meaning they'll receive one bottle of wine every month for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. Wine not eh?
Available from £14.98 per week at siprano.co.uk
Sakura Co
Explore the authentic flavours of Japan with a Sakuraco box. Each box includes a delightful array of Japanese snacks like refreshing Matcha Genmaicha, Peach Konjac Jelly, Pear Gummies, and special artisanal items.
$32.50 per month (12 month subscription) at sakuraco.com
Bird & Blend's Tea Tasting Club
The absolute wizards of tea that are Bird & Blend Tea Co. produce over a 100 flavours of tea, including creative flavours like Chocolate Digestives to Birthday Cake and Pina Colada to Cherry Cola Bottles. This fun subscription box allows you to explore the world of tea, one whacky and wonderful flavour at a time. Who doesn't love a good cuppa?
£9 per month at birdandblendtea.com
Sweet Hamper Company Medium Box
Each candy-filled box contains a different selection of sweet treats to get the taste buds tingling; from classic retro sweets like Fried Eggs and Rainbow Drops, to fizzy favourites like Haribo Tangfastics and Stinger chews. No two months will be the same with this one.
£16.50 per month at sweethampercompany.co.uk
Calm Cocoa
Chocolate fanatics who are looking to unwind will love this one. Each month, you'll receive a different flavour of hot chocolate, as well as meditation cards to sip along to. On the final month of your six month subscription, you'll be able to choose your favourite flavour to indulge in once again.
From £42 (3-month subscription) at calmcocoa.co.uk
WowzaBox
Ok, you don't subscribe to this one...but it's so good I couldn't leave it off the list. Besides, once you've had one WowzaBox, you won't want to stop.
Joshy Jin, a Chinese chef on a mission to revolutionise how people experience authentic Chinese cuisine, has built the ultimate cook-at-home box for fans of Asian recipes. WowzaBox delivers fresh, restaurant-quality ingredients straight to your door with easy to follow recipe videos.
Various prices at wowzabox.com
Batch Coffee
Buying for a coffee fan (or just someone who spends hours by the kettle to avoid working)? Give the gift of a coffee subscription, showcasing some of the best beans from around the world, put together down the road in Cheshire. With two different subscriptions to choose from, Batch tailor their services to both coffee experts and novices.
From £15.50 a box (12 boxes) at batchcoffee.co.uk
Beer52
If you haven't heard of Beer52 yet, where have you been? This craft beer subscription sends exclusive, small-batch beers selected by experts straight to your doorstep to sip and sample. As well as some cracking bevs, each box includes the UK's number one craft beer mag Ferment and a couple of tasty artisan snacks. Cheers to that!
From £27 a month at beer52.com
Crafty Nectar
Into your craft cider or looking for a new fermented apple fix? Why not try six of the best ciders in the UK to get your mouth watering? Each month Crafty Nectar selects a different theme - it's the perfect way to taste great new ciders each Month.
From £28 per month (six bottles) at craftynectar.com
Kwiketo
Fancy a treat that fits in with your diet? Each and every month, Kwiketo will send you a box of keto snacks and low-carb goodies from different brands around the world. Discover tasty and healthy snacks that help you stick to your goals whilst still enjoying all the same great flavours.
From £9.99 a month at kwiketo.com
OddBox
Too odd? Too many? Or too good to waste? OddBox ensures that beautiful beetroots and tasty turnips don't end up in the bin just because they don't look as pretty as the supermarket standard. With four sizes of fruit and veg boxes to choose from, you can pick between weekly or fortnightly deliveries. That's one great way to get your five-a-day.
From £17.99 at oddbox.co.uk
Enchanted Drinks
Want bar quality cocktails without having to leave your home? Look no further. Enchanted Drinks' cocktail box delivers deliciously fun cocktails to your door every month, carefully curated and designed to look as great as it tastes.
From £20 per month at enchanteddrinks.co.uk
Whey Better
Described as 'the love-child of your favourite protein bar and traditional chocolate bar' Whey Better is the UK's first functional chocolate bar; protein packed, no-added sugar and vitamin infused. If you're looking for a healthier sweet treat option, give this a go.
From £26 at wheybetter.co.uk
The Biscuit Baron
Who doesn't love a biccy? Each month The Biscuit Baron subscribers will receive a selection of specially imported biscuits from a different mystery country. Included in each box is a jam-packed magazine full of facts, puzzles, recipes etc.
From £19.99 at www.thebiscuitbaron.co.uk
HelloFresh
Cooking from scratch doesn't have to be a pain in the backside. Thanks to HelloFresh, you can enjoy fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and delicious recipes delivered straight to your home as early as tomorrow. Sack off the supermarket meal deal and try one of these dishes for size.
From £10.80 per box (new customer deal) at hellofresh.co.uk
Best Wellness & Self Care Subscriptions
Wyld Herbs Sea Moss Mix & Match Bundle
Looking to pack more vitamins and minerals into your diet? Wyld Herbs customers can 'choose from a selection of sea moss flavours and then have the bundle delivered monthly on a subscription basis. Flavours include raw honey, turmeric and ginger, strawberry, blueberry bliss and more.
From £12.76 at wyldherbs.com
Ginger & Turmeric Zing Shot
Ginger and turmeric are renowned for their health benefits, but getting these ingredients into your daily diet can be a struggle. Thankfully these tasty and effective shots of ginger, turmeric, black pepper and lions mane are available in powder form - just add juice, give it a shake and enjoy. This subscription box will be renewed and sent straight to your doorstep every four weeks.
From £18 per month at www.gt-zingshot.com
SheSpot
Every season, subscribers can enjoy a curated selection of full-size sexual wellness products, customised to suit your personal taste and preferences. The team of experts handpick the best products of the season, including premium products from both well-known and emerging brands that are all focused on women.
From £70 per season at shespot.co.uk
TreatBox
Wellness isn't just for the body - it's for the mind and soul, too. TreatBox offers lifestyle subscription boxes, designed and hand-wrapped to give you the perfect pick-me-up at the start of each month. Each month there's a unique theme that changes completely. It's a letterbox-friendly package that encourages you to be kind and take some time to yourself.
£18 a month at treatboxuk.com
Best Beauty & Skincare Subscriptions
GLAMOUR Beauty Box
Want the best beauty products on the market but don't know where to start? GLAMOUR's Beauty Box gives you editor-approved skincare, makeup, haircare and fragrances worth over £200 (including six full-sized products) for less than twenty quid. Your skin will be glowing in no time.
From £16 per month (billed annually) at shopglamour.co.uk
Grüum
grüum is a Manchester brand that’s on a mission to make skin and hair care a little more friendly, not only for you and your pocket, but for the planet too. With less nasties and more friendlies, they make products for happy skin, healthy hair and a happier world. Right now, Premier Club Members can claim a free skincare bundle worth £32 - click the link below to find out how.
Get your first box FREE* from premier.confidentials.com
*Just pay for delivery.
Secret Scents
Looking for your new favourite fragrance but don't want to commit to a full-sized bottle until you're 100% sure? Or perhaps you're new to perfumes and aftershaves and you fancy some inspiration? These fragrance discovery boxes are a great way to explore scents in an affordable and fun way.
Use code 'CONFIDENTIAL50' for 50% off your first box.
From £13 a month at www.secretscentbox.co.uk
Best Subscriptions for Kids
Mysteries in Time
Explore the fascinating world of history through engaging activities, puzzles and time-travelling stories that will transport you back to times gone by. Each pack will ignite your child's love for learning.
From £12.95 per pack at mysteriesintime.com
Wee Bookworms
Each book subscription is carefully chosen to match the recipient’s age and interests, from newborn to primary school age. Wee Bookworms also offers specialised subscriptions, including a Birthday subscription and a subscription for children with special educational needs. Their mission is to foster a love of reading in children.
Little Crafters Box
Does your little one love to create and build things? Every monthly box has an overarching theme and boxes are available in three different difficulty levels. Families can order a single box or combine multiple boxes for even more creative fun.
From £27.99 per month at littlecraftersboxes.co.uk
Bookabees
Another great book subscription service for kids, Bookabees offers subscriptions for 1, 3 or 5 books per month. Each book is tailored to your child's reading age and capabilities and comes with fun activities and stickers designed to excite and inspire a love for reading.
From £6.99 per month at bookabees.com
Best Subscriptions for Pets
Gus & Bella
Do you and your cat do everything together? Well, now you can share a subscription together too thanks to Gus & Bella's subscription for feline friends and their owners. Each box has gifts for cat lovers and gifts that cats will love. Purrfect!
First Box £23.03 (30% off) and then £32.90 thereafter at gusandbella.com
Black Fief
Does your pooch deserve a pampering? The Black Fief monthly surprise box for dogs contains different toys and treats to keep your dog happy, healthy and engaged. Products have been hand selected and tested by the top dogs (no, seriously) to guarantee your pup is getting the best products.
£23.99 per month at blackfief.co.uk
Other great subscription boxes
Kawaii Box
Kawaii-fy your life with a box of thoughtfully curated adorable items. Your box can include anything from stationary to plushies, Japanese candy to keychains and more. Shipping is free and your first kawaii subscription box will arrive within 2-4 weeks after you place your order.
From $29.90 per month (12 months) at kawaiibox.com
Beards & Daisies
Not sure which plants to choose for your home? A monthly subscription of houseplants will do just the trick. Subscribers will receive a plant from Beards & Daisies collection of rare, unusual or simply stunning indoor houseplants along with a perfectly fitting plant pot.
From £30 per month at beardsanddaisies.co.uk
Teatime Bookshop Wine & Book Box
What's better than unwinding with a great book and a glass of wine? Teatime Bookshop's Wine & Book Box offers the delightful addition of a hand-selected bottle of wine to accompany your read for the month. It's ideal for those who love to unwind at the end of the day.
Select one or two books per month with a bottle of wine, a bookmark, postcard and some chocolate, delivered every month.
From £27.99 per month at teatimebookshop.co.uk
Interestingly Different
Interestingly Different works in partnership with Nickel Support; an organisation that works with over 120 adults with learning disabilities. Each product in this selection box is lovingly handmade by the team of trainees. Boxes include items like jams and chutneys, teas and biscuits from six amazing social enterprises.
£45 from interestinglydifferent.co.uk
Does your subscription box deserve a spot on this list?
Let me know - email me at harleyy@confidentials.com
Read next: Top tips for solo travellers at Manchester Airport
Read again: The Art School celebrates 10 years with a series of events
Get the latest news to your inbox
Get the latest food & drink news and exclusive offers by email by signing up to our mailing list. This is one of the ways that Confidentials remains free to our readers and by signing up you help support our high quality, impartial and knowledgable writers. Thank you!
Join our WhatsApp group
You can also get regular updates on news, exclusives and offers by joining the Manchester Confidential WhatsApp group.
