There’s nothing better than opening the mailbox and finding a fun surprise each month—something other than bills or junk mail.
Subscription boxes are packages available in countless areas of interest that are delivered to your home each month filled with goodies.
Treat yourself to your favorite box, or gift a subscription to anyone on your holiday shopping list!
NatureBox
What’s inside: Want new healthy snack ideas? NatureBox arrives at your doorstep each month stuffed with five bags of nutritionist-approved snacks (15-20 servings per box). All snacks are free of high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, trans fats and artificial sweeteners, flavors and colors.
Find everything from Peanut Butter Nom Noms to Chia Seed Crackers to Cinnamon Spiced Granola. There are tons of snacks available, including plenty of tasty vegan, dairy-free and non-GMO snacks.
How it works: Sign up online, and use the coupon code MAKEITBETTER to receive 50 percent off your first box. Once you create an account and log in, you can either select the snacks you want to try each month or be surprised when the box arrives.
Cost: $19.95/month; free shipping; recommend a friend to NatureBox and receive a $10 credit on your account.
Bonus: These snacks give back! NatureBox donates funds and healthy snacks to WhyHunger and community-based organizations to help feed low-income children and families.
Birchbox
What’s inside: This monthly beauty box introduces you to the latest beauty, grooming and lifestyle products. Your Birchbox will include everything from the latest lipstick and nail-polish hues to fragrance samples and hair accessories.
How it works: When you sign up, you’ll be asked to fill out a profile with information on your hair, skin type, beauty concerns, style, etc. to ensure that the perfect products show up at your door. Find something you love in your box? Snag the full-size product in the Birchbox shop. Each time you shop, leave feedback or refer a friend, you’ll earn points toward future products.
Now, there’s even a Birchbox for men—great for the guy who wants to look good without all the extra effort.
Cost: Women’s subscription: $10/month; men’s subscription: $20/month; free shipping
BarkBox
What’s inside: Give your furry friend some love with this box of toys, treats, bones, gadgets and more. Each box contains a combo of four to six items that will get your pooch’s tail wagging. Products are carefully researched and selected to ensure you receive the healthiest, highest-quality treats. All items are tested and approved by Scout, an adorable miniature Schnauzer and “head of research and development.”
How it works: Visit their website, choose your dog size and plan, and await your package in the mail (they’re shipped out on the 15th of every month).
Cost: $29/1 month; $72/3 months; $114/6 months; free shipping
Bonus: BarkBox helps pups in need! They donate at least 10 percent of profits to shelters, rescues and animal welfare organizations to help keep all dogs safe, healthy and happy.
PopSugar Must Have Box
What’s inside: This box is jam packed with the hottest products in food, fashion, fitness, beauty, home, entertainment and more. We love it because you get a ton of stuff for the price and most items are full size. Past boxes have included things like jewelry pieces, workout DVDs, stemless wine glasses, cozy scarves, newly released books, healthy snacks and cool new products (like the Bentgo lunch box in the August box). Most boxes contain five to 10 full-size products and a snack or two.
How it works: Head online, pick your subscription plan and enter your information to sign up.Check out their blog and peek inside past boxes to get a feel for the types of products included.
Cost: $35/1 month; $95/3 months; $190/6 months; $380/1 year; free shipping
Kiwi Crate
What’s inside: Switch off electronics and put the kiddos’ imaginations to work. This craft crate arrives with materials and inspiration for two to three educational projects that encourage open-ended play, and a kid-friendly magazine to learn more about what you’re making. Past crate themes have included: Dig into Dinosaurs, Colorful Inspiration and Growing Gardens.
How it works: Visit their website, choose your subscription plan and enter your child’s birthday and gender to ensure you receive the most developmentally appropriate projects. Opt to add extra materials or crates to your order for siblings during the checkout process.
Cost: $19.95/1 month; $59.85/3 months; $110/6 months; $203.40/1 year; free shipping. Add extra materials for a “no-fight” crate for an extra $9.95 each month.
Other boxes worth checking out:
- Spicy Subscriptions for couples
- Bulu Box for health nuts
- Citrus Lane for babies and moms-to-be
- Umba Box for fans of the handmade movement
