Holiday Gifts That Keep On Giving

December is a joyous month filled with food, fun, and gifts galore. Then January comes along, and suddenly it's back to the everyday routine without a single surprise on the horizon. But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are five ideas for gifts that keep on giving long after the holiday decorations have come down.

For the reader

Magazines may be down, but they're not out (yet). Encourage a hobby, healthier eating, or a more fashionable lifestyle for under $20. That's a whole year of reading for less than the cost of a single hardback bestseller. 

If the gift getter has a mobile device, consider buying them a digital subscription to save on clutter and trees. Many popular magazines such as Car & Driver, Smart Money, Rolling Stone, and National Geographic are available through Zinio or iTunes. For those who like to keep up with current news, go with a digital subscription to The New York Times, which is currently offering deals on 12- or 26-week gift subscriptions that include both internet and either smartphone or tablet access.

For the foodie

Top on the list of edible treats is the Foodzie Tasting Box. Each month, a box arrives filled with samples of finely crafted artisan foods from small businesses all around the country: bacon jam from Skillet Street Foods in Seattle... fruit and nut crostini from Anjou Bakery in Washington... pistachio and almond nougat from a Frenchman living in Vermont. These delectable morsels are made from the best ingredients without any preservatives, coloring, or additives. 

For the adventurous chef, opt for a Foodzie Cooking Box, which comes with a selection of spices, oils, and baking ingredients. They may come from small batches, but they're big on taste. 

Gift subscriptions are available in two-, five-, or 10-month plans ranging from $59.90 to $299.50. 

For the TV and movie lover

For just under $100, you can buy a one-year gift subscription to the streaming portion of Netflix. The gift package includes unlimited access to Netflix's online TV and movie library, but it does not include the DVD-by-mail program. For about the same price, you can also give a year of Hulu Plus. In addition to thousands of movies, Hulu offers access to full seasons of many current TV shows, along with hundreds of popular classics. 

iTunes allows you to give a season pass to any of the TV shows it carries. Pay up front and the gift recipient will get the new episode delivered to his device shortly after it airs. 

For the ladies

Almost nothing says "I'm thinking of you" more than a delivery of fresh flowers. FTD and ProFlowers both have subscription plans ranging from around $150 for three months and up to $500 for a full year. If you have a gardener on your gift list, ProFlowers offers a bulb plan, too. 

If your lady is crafty, hook her up with a scrapbook kit subscription. Each month, companies such as Little Red Scrapbook send out a box of coordinated materials, including paper, stickers, embellishments, and ribbon. No design talent needed; simply add your photos to the mix and you get the perfect scrapbook page, every time.

For the men

How about a beer of the month club? Ale in the Mail sends out a sampler kit each month that includes three bottles of four different brews. The program runs $22.95 a month plus shipping, with plans ranging from three to 12 months. There are some legal restrictions on sending alcohol to folks due to varying state laws, so make sure to read the fine print before buying.



The gifts that keep going... and going... and going... 

We haven't even scratched the surface of the subscription gift field; these are just a few of our favorites. Look for monthly clubs that deliver cigars, chocolates, fruits, or candy. Look at the huge variety of digital subscriptions to music sites like Pandora and Rhapsody, or spring for monthly access to an online game or social network to give the gift of hanging out together online if you don't live nearby.

Subscriptions are an excellent way to make the spirit of the season last all year long. Best of all, they're some of the easiest last-minute gifts, since all you have to do is fill in the online order form, and the gift company does the wrapping and mailing for you. Not that we're suggesting you intentionally turn "Oops!" into "Awesome!" -- but it is a nice side effect.