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Whether you’re looking for a fun gift for someone, or want to treat yourself, subscription boxes offer fun and surprises. Subscription boxes are an e-commerce creation of the Internet that delivers a box full of gifts with a certain theme.
Most subscription box services deliver a box each month filled with gifts. Beauty boxes contain items such as skin and hair care products and cosmetics. Fitness boxes may contain gifts such as protein bars, running socks and tennis balls. You don’t know exactly what you’re getting until you open the box.
Cratejoy is a website with a collection of subscription boxes from a variety of merchants, kind of like a shopping mall for subscription boxes.
Themes on Cratejoy include:
- Beauty & Fashion
- Family & Kids
- Home & Living
- Fitness & Outdoors
- Pets
- Men
and more.
You can search Cratejoy by keyword to find boxes. Fox example, the Harry Potter collection has six different boxes, starting at $8/month.
Each Cratejoy subscription service is run by a 3rd party merchant who sets the rules for the service. Some merchants offer one-time boxes so you can send yourself or others a single box. Others require a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription.
Not all subscription boxes are created equal and Cratejoy offers reviews from customers on the website. You can see star ratings and read reviews from those who have received the boxes. Reviews can show you whether customers are satisfied before you sign up for a service.
Many subscription boxes ship worldwide and some offer free shipping. You can filter your searches to find the boxes with shipping options that work best for you.
Sample Cratejoy Boxes
If you’re looking to get a gift for someone who is difficult to buy for, you may want to check out these boxes:
JDM Accessory Vault is a men’s box filled with fashion accessories. “Get a mixture of men’s fashion accessories, ranging from watches, to ties, crazy socks, belt buckles, and more. Expect at least 3 of these every month.”
These boxes, according to the merchant, are worth $100, and are on sale now for $19.99, marked down from $49.99.
Calmbox could be a gift for your friend who is stressed. “Every calmbox is packed full of music, books, candles, personal care items, yummy snacks, motivational reminders, and so much more, to help you unwind and relax.”
This box runs $35/month with automatic renewals until you cancel.
Monthly Coloring Club is a box with coloring books which can either be on card stock and delivered, or downloaded to print out on your own paper.
Prices for coloring page downloads begin at $6/month and coloring pages on paper start at $14/month.
SWAGBox is a Christian subscription box for adults, teens and preteens. “SWAGBox is carefully and prayerfully pack with love, and 6-8 unique Christian items such as books, jewelry, accessories, music and apparel to help you grow in your faith, display your believe and to truly take your SWAG to a higher level.”
SWAGBox starts at $29.99/month.
12 Days of Deals
Cratejoy is currently offering a holiday promotion with 12 Days of Deals. Each day a new deal on a subscription box is unlocked for buyers who pre-pay for 3, 6 or 12 month subscriptions.
What Else You Need to Know
Choose Wisely. When you order a subscription box, you are purchasing from a merchant through Cratejoy. If the recipient of the gift box wants to exchange it for another, that may not be possible.
For example, if you give someone a LitJoy box, thinking they like reading books, and they want to exchange it for a Game Day box with sports gifts, that may not be possible. Think of trying to return a book you bought at a Barnes & Noble bookstore to a Dick’s Sporting Goods store.
Check the Terms. Each merchant sets its own terms, such as shipping, length of subscription, return policies, and whether one-time boxes are sold. Some merchants bill monthly while others require pre-payment.
Selling on Cratejoy
Interested in starting your own subscription box service? Cratejoy can help you get started.
Check out the Sell on Cratejoy page to learn how Cratejoy will help you set up a website, find customers and manage your business.
Your Thoughts
Have you ever tried a subscription box? Would you like to get a box with surprises each month? Would you like to start a subscription service on Cratejoy?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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Estelle says
Subscription boxes are great but curation really varies from one service to another. But when you find the right one, it’s like hitting the jackpot! I have been a happy subscriber of ChocoRush Box (www.chocorush.co) (what a surprise!) because it helps me discover chocolate I can simply not find locally.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Estelle, You’re exactly right, one person’s treasure might be another’s disappointment. That’s why reviews can be so valuable. You don’t know what you’re getting with subscription boxes so I’m really glad you found one that works so very well for you, Estelle.
LH Louis says
Love your post, but I definitely need to know more about subscription box. Well, I guess items are coming in a box and depend on what a customer choose. Anyways, keep up the great work Carolyn!
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hello LH, Yes, subscription boxes are all different, which is why Cratejoy is a handy place to see a wide variety of boxed in one place. They really do have something for everyone.
I hope you find a box you like, LH!
Ravi Chahar says
Hey Carolyn,
CrateJoy seems to be a cool place.
People are using the subscription box for many reasons. The design is always one of the important aspects.
I would love to try it.
Thanks for the info.
Have a great day.
~Ravi
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Ravi, I hope you enjoy using Cratejoy if you try it. Happy holidays!
Robin Khokhar says
Hi Carolyn,
Whenever I drop on your site, I always see new things and even this time I found createjoy which looks a great place.
So, thanks for sharing this amazing review.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Robin, I’m so glad you enjoy The Wonder of Tech and learning about Cratejoy. Happy holidays, Robin!
Barry says
Hello Carolyn,
Cratejoy seems quite impressive and I really loved it. I wish I could order it here in India. BTW I never tried any subscriptions.
Thanks
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Barry, Good news! Many of the subscription boxes ship worldwide. So I hope you find some you would like to send, or get for yourself!