It’s so hard to keep track of online services and subscriptions these days, but the plus side is that there’s a tool for almost everything. It’s time to send physical gifts just in time for the holidays, so below we’ve put together some of our favorite digital gifts and subscriptions, including time-tested video, music, and gaming services as well as tools for clearing your mental space and learning new skills.
There are also some subscriptions that offer constant, IRL delivery, if you think your gift recipient would appreciate the old-fashioned charm of a physical object.
The Disney Bundle
In a year where the big streaming video platforms have gotten increasingly expensive, Disney’s latest content bundle feels like a breath of fresh air. For $17 per month, you can gift your favorite TV junkie access to Disney+, Hulu, and Max (at $30/month you get ad-free playback and downloads, among other premium features). Each platform has its own benefits and special focuses, making this a package that covers a lot of ground.
Hulu is great for watching current programming from the major networks, plus it also has some original content like Only Murders in the Building and a wealth of great FX shows like The Bear and Reservation Dogs; it also has a solid rotating movie library.
Max is where you can find HBO originals like Succession, House of the Dragon, and The Last of Us, as well as classic movies like The Sopranos and The Wire.
It also has a huge movie catalog and is the only place to stream Friends. And, of course, Disney+ includes huge catalogs from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, including new movies like Inside Out 2 and shows like Agatha All Along. Overall, it’s a massive library with tons of content you won’t find anywhere else.
Headspace
Being a human in the year 2024 isn’t easy, and the Headspace app can add a little peace to a loved one’s day. It features a variety of guided meditations, including sessions for beginners as well as specific exercises that focus on reducing anxiety, learning breathing techniques, increasing your compassion, and more. However, it goes beyond meditation, with personalized content to help you manage your stress levels throughout the day through individual check-ins, meditations, and video content.
There are also yoga and fitness sessions, and parents can check out the “Mindful Parenting” category and listen to stories for their kids as well. Plus, there are sleep tools like soothing music and “Sleepcasts,” while other audio programs focus on meditating, moving more, and starting your day. For $13/month or $70/year, Headspace could be a great tool to get someone some much-needed mental peace.
Masterclass
You can almost think of Masterclass as an advanced streaming platform. Yes, it’s a learning app, complete with step-by-step instructions from A-list instructors, plus assignments that encourage trying out new skills in the real world, but it’s also a lot of fun to sit back and watch. It’s a great gift for someone you know who’s always quoting an article they just read or a documentary they just watched, but also for people who appreciate entertainment that’s a little more sophisticated than reality TV (not that there’s anything wrong with the latter).
The masterclass lineup reads like a course catalog from a legendary university: David Sedaris teaches humor and storytelling, John Legend teaches songwriting, Amy Poehler teaches improv-based life skills, Roy Choi teaches intuitive cooking. Each class is about two to eight hours long and is broken down into manageable five- to 15-minute lessons. If you follow faithfully, take notes and put effort into the assignments, you’ll do better in whatever the subject was.
But I found MasterClass also suitable for passive, sit-down viewing on the couch with popcorn in hand. Everything is beautifully shot and set to lovely music, with lots of backstory about the instructors and slo-mo close-ups. A subscription gives you access to classes on iOS and Android devices and Apple, Roku, Fire TV and Android TV interfaces.
Despite its big-name instructors and high production quality, a MasterClass subscription won’t cost you much more than standard ad-free streaming services. Gift subscriptions are bundled for the year and range from $120 for a personal account and $240 for a premium account, which allows offline access and up to six simultaneous devices. Keep an eye out: Gift packages often go on sale for the holidays.