The Perils of Gifting: A Cautionary Tale About the Wine of the Month Club

Gifting experiences can be a delightful surprise, but as I recently discovered, not all gifts are created equal. If you’re considering enrolling a friend in a “wine of the month” club, it may be wise to reconsider.

Initially, receiving a subscription to a monthly wine delivery felt exciting. Sampling different wines can be an enjoyable journey, even if the selections range from mediocre to slightly better than average. Who wouldn’t appreciate a few extra bottles of wine, right?

However, as the months went by, this well-intentioned gesture turned into a bit of a hassle. The delivery process became cumbersome with UPS requiring a signature and offering inconvenient delivery windows that last around six hours. Each month, I found myself waiting at home for a delivery I was beginning to care less about, all for the sake of some generic table wine that didn’t truly excite me.

In hindsight, a simple gift card to a local wine shop would have been a far more thoughtful and practical present. It would have allowed the recipient the freedom to choose what they really enjoy—without the stress of delivery wait times and subpar selections.

So, if you’re contemplating an unconventional gift for a friend, think carefully and consider whether your choice will bring joy or annoyance. Sometimes, a straightforward approach is the best way to go.