There are subscription boxes for sweets, beauty products, wine, hair products, crafts, gin and more, and the latest on the block is The Secret Book Box, a fantastic themed monthly book box for kids between five and 12 (there are four boxes available – boys 5-7, girls 5-7, boys 8-12, and girls 8-12).

Co-started by writer Mellissa Delport, The Secret Book Box enjoys a new theme each month, and boxes are made up according to that theme. In its inaugural month, The Secret Book Box's theme was Hocus Pocus, and my son got a whole lotta magic in his package for boys 8-12.

Each box contains one age-appropriate, new-release book, plus 4-5 bookish goodies guaranteed to delight and surprise your child.

Every month a new theme is announced and you can decide if you would like to purchase a box in that month's theme. You pay per box, and you're not tied down to bundled subscriptions, nor will your purchase be automatically renewed.

For November, you can expect the theme "Heroes and Villains" (R340), while December's will be a deluxe Christmas box (R400).  Boxes are delivered to your door in South Africa, and there's a shipping fee of R55. Orders close on the 15th of each month.

I love how these boxes nurture and promote reading and reading activities, and I love that their once-off offerings make them easy to buy as birthday presents and Christmas gifts.

For more info and to see what's new, follow The Secret Book Box on Facebook.