Budget Subscription Boxes
November 22, 2017 8:02 AM Subscribe
What are subscription boxes that are under $30 and preferrably under $20 a month that you find are worth it even at that price as gifts?
I'm already a fan of raw spice bar and subscribed to graze several years ago, but their price has increased since then so I'm sure if there has been a change in actual quality. I'm looking to buy gift subscriptions for friends/family so any theme is fine. I just want some ideas of what you've liked, or ones that you didn't think were worthwhile or that have had a change in quality.
I'm already a fan of raw spice bar and subscribed to graze several years ago, but their price has increased since then so I'm sure if there has been a change in actual quality. I'm looking to buy gift subscriptions for friends/family so any theme is fine. I just want some ideas of what you've liked, or ones that you didn't think were worthwhile or that have had a change in quality.
I gave a friend a Mistobox subscription, and it was very well received. (Disclaimer: I am not a coffee drinker and cannot comment on the qualify of their goods, but the recipient cared about coffee a lot and seemed happy.)
posted by buxtonbluecat at 8:13 AM on November 22, 2017
posted by buxtonbluecat at 8:13 AM on November 22, 2017
I had a sprezzabox subscription for a while, and the boxes always seemed to be worth it.
posted by mumkin at 8:23 AM on November 22, 2017
posted by mumkin at 8:23 AM on November 22, 2017
Boxycharm is great for makeup and skincare, at $21. It sometimes has a waitlist but is open right now.
Also My Subscription Addiction has best of lists and tons of reviews.
posted by CheeseLouise at 8:39 AM on November 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also My Subscription Addiction has best of lists and tons of reviews.
posted by CheeseLouise at 8:39 AM on November 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
ArtSnacks - $24 a month. I received a 3 month subscription as a gift. I was impressed by the art supplies and the community around the box. I wouldn't want to get it for a year, but it was a fun treat for my birthday.
posted by Squeak Attack at 8:50 AM on November 22, 2017
posted by Squeak Attack at 8:50 AM on November 22, 2017
I will keep renewing Sephora's Play box for the high end makeup and skin samples. I will not be renewing Birchbox this year because it is far behind the quality and variety of the Play box for the same price of $10/box.
posted by RoadScholar at 9:05 AM on November 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by RoadScholar at 9:05 AM on November 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
If you have an outdoorsy friend, maybe try Cairn?
posted by extramundane at 9:19 AM on November 22, 2017
posted by extramundane at 9:19 AM on November 22, 2017
I'm a member of Cat Sticker Club and Feminist Sticker Club. They are $3.50 a month and $3.00 a month, respectively. You get one sticker from each club a month, by a new artist. Not super pricey, but a really cool surprise each month!
posted by itsamermaid at 9:41 AM on November 22, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by itsamermaid at 9:41 AM on November 22, 2017 [11 favorites]
Scribe Delivery is FANTASTIC for those of us with serious journal/pen/paper addictions. I find it usually contains what I pay for it in terms of retail value.
I have also enjoyed Yogi Surprise, though it's a bit out of your stated price range.
posted by pixiecrinkle at 10:33 AM on November 22, 2017
I have also enjoyed Yogi Surprise, though it's a bit out of your stated price range.
posted by pixiecrinkle at 10:33 AM on November 22, 2017
Sorry that should say "contains well beyond what I pay for it." Bad edit.
posted by pixiecrinkle at 10:42 AM on November 22, 2017
posted by pixiecrinkle at 10:42 AM on November 22, 2017
If you have an outdoorsy friend, maybe try Cairn?
Seconding this. Cairn box has been fantastic.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 11:53 AM on November 22, 2017
Seconding this. Cairn box has been fantastic.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 11:53 AM on November 22, 2017
I recommend Barkbox for anyone you know with little barkers. Their boxes always have fun themes, and the toys are really high quality. You're welcome to MeMail me if you want a Barkbox referral.
posted by meese at 12:00 PM on November 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by meese at 12:00 PM on November 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
Amoda Tea's monthly box is $20 CAD, so currently about $15 USD. I've been subscribed for over a year now and I love it. Great variety and packaging, and the staff are very responsive and helpful.
posted by capricorn at 12:42 PM on November 22, 2017
posted by capricorn at 12:42 PM on November 22, 2017
There are several available at Loot Crate that are below $20 per month.
Loot Crate Crates
posted by teabag at 1:16 PM on November 22, 2017
Loot Crate Crates
posted by teabag at 1:16 PM on November 22, 2017
Well I looked; there's actually only 2 below $20 and a few more below $30
posted by teabag at 1:17 PM on November 22, 2017
posted by teabag at 1:17 PM on November 22, 2017
Bobcat In A Box can be set to any amount of money. The bot shops for you based on your preferences and how much money you give it, and sends the recipient random surprises throughout the month. You can set it to spend its "allowance" all at once or set it to send the most packages it can find for the money.
posted by blnkfrnk at 4:12 PM on November 22, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by blnkfrnk at 4:12 PM on November 22, 2017 [4 favorites]
D.rip, formerly Drip.fm, is a subscription service for digital art, directly from artists (and record labels?*). Monthly subscription charges vary by creator, and range from $3 to $55, from my casual browsing of the new site. What you receive in return also varies depending on the creator, and now is the introductory "founding member" phase, which might offer something different now than it will in month's time.
* Drip.fm was founded as a way to directly support indie record labels and get everything they produce in a month digitally, plus some subscriber goodies every now and again, but it looks like the new d.rip will focus on "creators" instead of labels, and it's honestly unclear if you can even still subscribe to labels on the new site.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:58 PM on November 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
* Drip.fm was founded as a way to directly support indie record labels and get everything they produce in a month digitally, plus some subscriber goodies every now and again, but it looks like the new d.rip will focus on "creators" instead of labels, and it's honestly unclear if you can even still subscribe to labels on the new site.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:58 PM on November 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
I have given subscriptions from Love With Food to several people--they all loved them. Reasonably priced ($7.99 or $16.50/month depending on number of snacks or $19.99 for gluten free; free shipping), can cancel any time, & they donate a meal to a hungry kid with every box sold. Here are some past boxes to give you an idea of contents.
I had an Ipsy subscription for awhile. It was fun, but you end up with products you don't use plus it comes in a zipper make-up bag, so you end with a lot of those, too. Seemed to result in a lot of clutter. It is $10 a month. Not exactly high end, but Walmart has a quarterly subscription beauty box for $5. It often has large sample sizes.
I gave a Sock Fancy subscription, too--it was a big hit. One pair a month is $11; 2 pair is $19.
posted by Nosey Mrs. Rat at 9:33 PM on November 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
I had an Ipsy subscription for awhile. It was fun, but you end up with products you don't use plus it comes in a zipper make-up bag, so you end with a lot of those, too. Seemed to result in a lot of clutter. It is $10 a month. Not exactly high end, but Walmart has a quarterly subscription beauty box for $5. It often has large sample sizes.
I gave a Sock Fancy subscription, too--it was a big hit. One pair a month is $11; 2 pair is $19.
posted by Nosey Mrs. Rat at 9:33 PM on November 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
SKOSHBOX!
posted by wittgenstein at 1:49 PM on November 24, 2017
posted by wittgenstein at 1:49 PM on November 24, 2017
Came here to Nth Sephora Play - it's by far one of my best uses of $10 each month for the variety and quality of makeup/skincare/haircare products I get.
posted by jouir at 8:49 PM on November 26, 2017
posted by jouir at 8:49 PM on November 26, 2017
filthy light thief: it's honestly unclear if you can even still subscribe to labels on the new site.
Update: Christopher Willits is the only artist or label currently on Drip.fm who has moved to d.rip.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:05 PM on November 27, 2017
Update: Christopher Willits is the only artist or label currently on Drip.fm who has moved to d.rip.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:05 PM on November 27, 2017
Outdoor Project has a list: https://www.outdoorproject.com/blog-news/give-gift-keeps-giving
posted by gloturtle at 3:22 PM on December 7, 2017
posted by gloturtle at 3:22 PM on December 7, 2017
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posted by something something at 8:11 AM on November 22, 2017 [3 favorites]