Father's Day is almost here, which means it's time to start thinking about the perfect gift for dear old dad. But, what do you get for the dad that has everything? Another tie? A bottle of cologne? That novelty beer holster?
Instead of a gimmicky t-shirt or hat that he'll wear once and then stash in the back of his closet until next year, why not give him something he can really use?
Whether he's into gadgets, grilling or fly fishing, subscription boxes are a gift-giving strategy for people who have a hard time shopping for pop.
These boxes are filled with an assortment of themed products and arrive by mail once a month for three, six, or 12 months, depending on the company.
If you only want to purchase a one-month gift or don't want to commit to a full year of deliveries, subscriptions can be canceled at any time.
—By Sarah Whitten, CNBC News Associate
Posted 2015, June 16
Lucky Tackle Box
$15 per month
Whether your father trolls for bluefish off the coast of Florida or angles for salmon in Alaska, Lucky Tackle Box is a solid monthly gift for the avid fisher.
This subscription box service hooks subscribers up with lures, baits, and tackle that fit their personal fishing styles. Three boxes are offered by the company—bass fishing, inshore saltwater, and panfishing.
Lucky Tackle Box strives to support local businesses and products made in America, according to a pamphlet included in the June 2015 panfish box.
Carnivore Club
$55 per month
Before making your dad wear those new socks, let him try sinking his teeth into Carnivore Club's monthly mailer.
Made for the meat aficionado, this box supplies subscribers with handcrafted cured meats ranging from Spanish chorizo to South African biltong.
The company is currently offering a premium edition box for Father's Day that includes its artisan meats and hand-rolled cigars. This special delivery costs $85 and is separate from the monthly subscription package.
"Your father shepherded you through your dumb young life and look at you now showing up on Father's Day with the adult equivalent of macaroni art," the service teases in a PSA-style advertisement for the product.
Bitters + Bottles
$95 per month
Bitters + Bottles calls itself the Goldilocks of spirits because it provides subscribers with cocktail ingredients that are neither too basic nor too complex.
It's a little pricey for this budget guide, but this subscription service helps consumers build a complete home bar month by month by shipping full-sized bottles and providing classic recipes, as well as tips and tricks, for the each cocktail.
Battlbox
$24.99 - $149.99 per month
For the adventurous father, Battlbox delivers a monthly kit catered to specific survival or tactical scenarios. The company provides four different options ranging from the basic package, which hosts emergency tools, to the Battlbox Pro Plus package with elite survivalist gear.
In May, the company sent items to assist survivors with the dangers associated with a shipwreck. Subscribers at the basic level were gifted a knot-tying kit, storm-proof matches, a watertight first-aid kit and an emergency whistle. The Pro packages included extras like a water-activated emergency rescue strobe and a paracord fishing kit.
The plus boxes, although more expensive, deliver a "knife of the month" in each box. These blades are high-quality and increase the bang for your buck substantially.
MunchPak
$9.95 - $39.99 per month
From Pocky packs and flavored seaweed roll-ups to Crick-ettes—yes, edible crickets—and Jammie Dodgers, MunchPak delivers candies, chips and other international snacks right to your door.
Not all of the snacks are foreign; the company also often integrates hard-to-find American snacks into the mix.
There are three options available with the subscription service including MunchPak Mini, a pack of five to six snacks; MunchPak Original, 10 or more treats; and MunchPak Family, which contains 20 or more goodies.
Nerd Block
$13.99 - $19.99 per month
Tap into your father's nerdy side with Nerd Block. The equivalent of Comic Con in a box, every month, subscribers can order one of four box options from the company.
Nerd Block Classic is an amalgamation of licensed merchandise from several genres of film, TV, video games, and internet trends. For the gaming junkie, the arcade package specializes in items from brands like Playstation, Atari, Tetris and Nintendo.
Fans of horror will enjoy Horror Block which contains merchandise catered toward cult classics like "Friday the 13th," "Halloween" and "Aliens." as well as current favorites like "The Walking Dead." The company also offers a comic book box which includes comics, graphic novels, a novelty item and a t-shirt each month.
Taste Trunk
$33 - $39.99 per month
For the grill-master fathers, Taste Trunk sells wooden trunks filled with oils, artisanal rubs and barbecue sauces. Each package includes recipe cards that recommend uses for the delivered products.
The site also offers a trunk option for the dad with a sweet tooth. The "sweet subscription" sends chocolates, cakes, and dessert sauces each month. A sampler package offers a variety of food products at a fraction of the cost.
Be warned, though, this subscription requires you to buy at least three months worth of boxes, and you have to foot the whole bill upfront. So, you know, bring the cash.
Try The World
$39 every other month
For a touch of the exotic—and delicious—Try the World offers subscribers a box from a different country every two months. From traditional Moroccan delicacies to Venetian desserts, each package is curated by a celebrity chef and includes a cultural guide with recipes.