Magazine Subscriptions As Gifts?

I have never given anybody a magazine subscription as a gift but I feel that it is a good idea for those loved ones who love to read. The problem with my family is that they don't like to read anything that is in the form of a magazine subscription. At least not that I know of anyway.

 

Wow, I like that idea! I think it's absolutely brilliant, and as I'm sure you've guessed, I've never done it. I come from a family of readers, and I know my mum and dad would appreciate something like this. I'm also an avid reader, and read every single day, and if someone gave me a subscription to one of my favourite magazines, I'd be over the moon. By the same token, I'd love it if someone gave me some Amazon eBooks as a gift. I'd say if you know your loved ones like reading, and if you know their preferred publications, run with it

 

For some people it's a great idea, the problem afterwards is the renewal and the constant mailers to persuade you to carry on. Most of my friends move around so a physical subscription isn't ideal, but an online one is much better. Now that we have choices, I do prefer online subscriptions for convenience, but I do like print copies. I used to hoard them, and when I moved I had to get rid of half of my magazines.

I think certain magazines like cooking or hobby based ones are much better, but subscriptions are not as popular as they used to be a decade ago.

 

Unless someone expressly asks you for a magazine subscription as a gift, I wouldn't choose that ever as a gift! It's so impersonal and boring, not to mention nowadays not that many people read paper magazines anymore. I could be wrong and think that only because I myself would hate that as a gift and never actually read paper mags anymore. But it would be my opinion!

 

I guess that's why you'd have to be absolutely certain the person you were buying them for would really appreciate it. It won't be for everyone, for sure.

I too would prefer online versions. I had a huge stack of 2013 magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, Elle and Elle Decoration because I used to get them free at work. I was gutted because I had to chuck over half of them when I moved countries because they were taking up too much space in my shipping

 

Yes, I like to keep glossy magazines. In the end I kept Vogue, Harpers and some magazines first editions. I had to bin all the others because I just had to. Some editions of Vogue can be sold for a good price, so I have kept them in that hope that they will be worth something one day.

My aunt did buy me a subscription of Vanity Fair and while it was fine, it was not my magazine of choice.

 

OMG Theo, my heart's bleeding right now LOL Among my huge stash that I got rid of were quite a few Vanity fair and Vogue issues, some of which i hadn't actually had chance to go through. I'm absolutely gutted I couldn't take them. They actually went to waste as I had to bin them too. I really would ideally have preferred to at least donate them to a charity or doctor/dentist's.

 

I think that it would certainly be a good gift, but you would have to ensure that the person in question would like the gift that you were giving to them. If the magazines are just going to pile up without even being read then there wouldn't be all that much point in having them, however if it is a topic that an individual has an interest in then yes, I think that it would be more than worth it.

 

I think giving a subscription as a gift is a good idea although most people are reading magazines online. There are people in assisted living homes that would love to have a magazine to thumb through as an activity. Having a magazine to cut up for crafts or pictures that can be put on the wall as decoration is also a good idea to have a magazine delivered to a place like a senior care home.

 

I have never given out a magazine subscription and I don't think I would now since most people around me have already stopped buying and reading printed magazines, but I agree that it's probably not such a bad gift to give or receive especially if the one receiving it is an avid reader and has already stated that they don't want large gift items. I would be a little hesitant with my friends and relatives but if they specifically have that personality then I would be a lot less hesitant.

 

My kids have been on the receiving end of magazine subscriptions. They got them as Christmas presents. They really enjoyed getting a new magazine every month. It's like the gift that keeps on giving. I would love to get a magazine subscription as a gift but I find that with everything available online people don't think about hard copies any more for books or magazines. I personally still enjoy turning pages when I read. I love the feel of the glossy pages of a magazine.

 

I'd be delighted with a magazine subscription, providing it was a magazine I actually liked. @purplepen88 is right, they are a gift that keeps on giving. It's lovely to come home from work to find a new magazine to read.

 

Yes, I got one for my son. He says he likes it as he reads it when he is on the train going to work. I also liked that when I subscribed he got a free hat, so it was kind of like a little extra within the gift. One caveat know your audience though.

 

I haven't received or given any kind of magazine subscription, but I think if the person in question loves to read up on a certain topic then it would be the ideal gift to give them, even if there is a wealth of information already found online. I would not mind giving one away if I have a voucher and I have no use for it.

 

Like most of you here, I have never given magazine subscriptions as gifts but it most certainly can be a good gift choice. There are some magazines which the recipients can learn much from, Health and fitness magazines for example.

I'm thinking that making a donation in this person's name could be a great Christmas gift for them. Get the recipient a charity gift card. They'll use their gift to make a difference . . .