Subscription Box Gift Guide :: Ideas Moms Will LOVE on Mother’s Day

A monthly box of goodies, just for you? The world of subscription boxes hooked me last summer as soon as my very first package arrived. As a stay at home mom with three small children, I’d neglected to update my collection of makeup and skin care, so I was looking to try some new things for myself.

Once I received my first subscription box, I was ready to try more. I was so excited about it, I started a personal blog to review subscription boxes. The name, Crazyboxlady, was suggested by my husband. It’s been a great hobby and I’ve really enjoyed reviewing and writing about the products I’ve received.

So, when your husband asks what he and the kids can get you for Mother’s Day and you can’t think of anything, have them take you out for brunch, and ask for a subscription box! There are literally boxes for all sorts of interests. The least expensive subscriptions start at around $10 a month, and special edition boxes can run a couple of hundred dollars.

Here’s a rundown of some of my favorites:

Birchbox

One of the original beauty discovery boxes, Birchbox is $10 a month, and each box contains a mixture of skincare, hair care, cosmetics and extras. A big bonus of Birchbox is their online shop. Subscribers can review the products in their boxes and receive points towards purchases in their shop. Birchbox often offers discount codes for items in their shop, and they also release limited edition boxes throughout the year.

ipsy

Founded by beauty blogger Michelle Phan, ipsy’s main focus is on makeup products. Like Birchbox, it’s only $10 a month. Rather than boxes, subscribers receive bags, which are filled with 4-5 items. These items are usually a mixture of deluxe sized samples and full sized products. ipsy is a great way to try new colors and products! The value of the bags are always over $10, and while I don’t love all of the products every month, it’s definitely worth the money.

POPSUGAR Must Have

For $39.95 per month, POPSUGAR Must Have is an eclectic mixture of items. Past boxes included exercise balls and dvds, exclusive jewelry, fashion accessories such as scarves and purses, and makeup. Items always retail for well above the $39.95 monthly price.

graze

graze is a snack subscription box. The company was founded in the UK, and some of the snacks reflect this (flapjacks and Hot Cross Yum are two that come to mind). Subscriptions start at $6 a month. graze allows the subscriber to “love, like, try, or trash” each of the snacks, so if you receive something you really dislike, you can “trash” it and never receive it again. I love my bi-monthly graze boxes, and rarely share!

Julep

Julep is a subscription box consisting mainly of nail polish, but they have recently added more makeup to their monthly selections. Subscribers take a quiz to determine their color selection profile, and you can select from the products they recommend or choose from the different collections offered that month. Julep often offers “mystery boxes” if you’re not ready to commit to a regular monthly delivery. Subscriptions are $19.95 a month.

Love with Food

This subscription box is filled with unique snacks that are organic and GMO free. In addition to their focus on health, Love with Food also donates a meal to someone in need for each subscription that they send out. Boxes start at $10 per month.

Treatsie

Treatsie’s mission is to discover small batch sweets. For $15.95 + $4.95 shipping, subscribers receive 7-8 sweets, including chocolates, caramels, brittle and other candies. Treatsie insulates their packaging, so when your package arrives in the heat of a South Carolina summer, your monthly surprise won’t be melted when you open it!

Mercobox

The founders of Mercobox want their subscribers to shop local. This box, which is based in Utah, is beautifully curated and the contents vary. Subscriptions start at $19.95 plus shipping. There are other subscriptions that focus on specific areas of the country, such as Our Local Box (Kentucky), Georgia Crafted and Made in Michigan.  *Note:  As far as I know, there is no subscription box specific to South Carolina products.

There are subscription boxes for dog owners, cat owners, gamers, and knitters (not to mention all of the subscription boxes aimed at parents of young children). There is quite literally something for everyone. Here’s my warning, however, once you get started, it’s hard to stop!

Ever thought about subscribing to a monthly box of goodies for yourself or for a friend?  Have you tried any of these mentioned or others?  Let us know your thoughts in the comments!