Subscription Boxes: The Hottest Craze For Last Minute Christmas Gifts
Subscription boxes are the latest hot craze for last minute gift giving. Looking for a special gift for the woman in your life? How about for that unusual guy? Even your pets? You can find subscription boxes that will be the perfect gift for any occasion.
Some of the earliest home delivery subscriptions were the milkmen, delivering milk to your doorstep every week, and the Columbia Record Club, with their large selection of musical choices. We’ve come a long way since then.
Birchbox started the recent trend of subscription boxes five years ago with their beauty and makeup box. They soon added a men’s box as well and have grown their business to a value of $64 million last year, reports CNN Money.
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Many companies have since jumped on the bandwagon, following the same basic premise. First you pick out a theme, decide your price, and pick your products for the box.
The cost and quality of the boxes can vary quite dramatically. Some are filled with low-quality samples, whereas others are quite high-end. The range of interests filled by the subscription services is growing monthly.
To keep up with all the new services, there is now a website called My Subscription Addiction devoted exclusively to reviewing the various subscriptions. It is your one-stop shopping for subscription boxes. You can even sign up for free or low-cost boxes just to try them out. In addition to in-depth reviews, the site also includes available coupons, the ability to list items for swap and subscription links. It provides everything you need to make a good decision about which subscriptions will work for you.
Gift Subscription Boxes You Might Like
Yuzen
You can purchase a gift box containing eco-friendly beauty and skin care products for one month ($36) or a year of four seasonal boxes. This box smells good before you even open it.
Cate & Chloe
Receive two hand-picked pieces of jewelry each month with this subscription, plus bonus items every once in a while. First you take their style quiz so that the picks are customized for you. Sign up for a discount off the $39.99 price by subscribing for longer terms, up to 20 percent off for a year.
Recently
This isn’t really a box, but it is a pretty cool subscription. For $8.99 a month, the smartphone app selects the last 100 photos in your phone. You can edit them if you wish, but you don’t have to. You simply hit publish, and you will receive in the mail a magazine of your photos. What a great way to keep your family up to date with your life.
LootCrate
This mystery crate is for the geeks, gamers, and pop culture fans in your life. For $13.95 a month plus shipping, you will receive five to seven items, such as collectables, T-shirts, and toys. You can also order a three, six, or 12-month plan for lower pricing and extra goodies.
Dozens of different subscription packages are targeted toward dogs and cats. There is even a horse box available.
BarkBox
Choose a surprise selection of “all natural treats and super fun toys” for your pooch for a month for $39. The price goes down if you choose a longer subscription of three, six or 12 months. The “paw-picked” theme varies each month.
MeowBox
This “purrfect gift for any cat” is available for one, three or six months, starting at $32.95. It includes five to seven toys and tasty, nutritious treats, customized for your kitty.
No matter how late you are in your Christmas holiday gift selections this year, you can choose a subscription box and still be on time.
[Photo By YuriyZhuravov/Shutterstock]
