Above : Ipsy specializes in cosmetics
Above : Fab Fit Fun sends a variety of items Below : Bark Boxes are filled with treats for your pup like Dollar Shave Club . With a busy schedule , it ’ s easier to come home to fresh groceries at my door after work , instead of having to make an extra stop on the way home .
I recently signed up for the FabFitFun box , and I ’ ve been eyeing the Board Game Bento for a few months now . These boxes fit the discovery category . I don ’ t really need an array of eye shadows , or the most gorgeous ModCloth scarf or a new board game , but these items are fun to open , fun to try and well , why not ?
CityCrate Windsor is focused on the discovery category - helping locals discover the small businesses that Windsor has to offer .
“ Our boxes will contain a lot of local crafters , retail stores like BBbranded , restaurants , escape rooms and more ,” said Justine . “ There are so many amazing small businesses in our area with great products and services to share . I have no doubt that it ' ll be a breeze to fill the box with fantastic products every month .”
Something like the Bullymake Box - a dog treat and toy box for “ tough chewers ” serves both discovery and convenience purposes . My 18-month-old , 90-pound puppy goes through toys faster than you can imagine , and I haven ’ t opened the cupboard to find I forgot to buy more treats in over a year . I might not have chosen the treats or toys that come - giving it a discovery element , but watching the dog try to break through the cardboard is fun in and of itself .
CityCrate ’ s local focus also boosts the community you live in .
“ It ' s the gift you give yourself that supports your community at the same time ,” said Justine .
In addition to a local box , there are other subscription boxes which give back or support different organizations . One such box is the Love With Food box , which delivers healthy snacks to your door each month . For every box you get delivered , Love With Food donates a meal to a child in need , including to local food banks , Feeding America and The Global Food Banking Network . Other boxes focus on fair-trade or cruelty-free items , donating portions to humane societies , museums , educators or sourcing their items from sustainable and ethical production facilities or small businesses .
I ’ ve used three things from my 8-10 item FabFitFun box in the four days since I got it in the mail . It came with a nail polish I ’ ll likely never use , but I ’ m sure I have a sister or friend who ’ d love it . The downside to subscription boxes can be that you ’ re not picking and choosing which items are coming in your box , so you might end up with things you may not use .
On the other hand , you might end up with things you love but never knew you wanted . I recently got a skin peel ( what the heck is a skin peel ?) that I ’ d never think to try , but I did and it was awesome .
Laryssa Brooks , a Windsor local , treated herself to a FabFitFun box for her birthday .
“ I ' ve seen ads for it for about 2 years and I ' ve wanted one for a long time ,” said Brooks . “ I always like everything that ' s in it , unlike most boxes where I only like a couple things they send out each month .”
Brooks has a number of magazine subscriptions delivered regularly , but she hadn ’ t purchased a subscription box before .
“ I like that you save , try new things , and get a nice surprise to cheer you up every so often during the year ,” she said . If it goes well , Brooks will continue her FabFitFun subscription .
Children can get in on the subscription box trend too . KiwiCrate is a company focusing on hands-on fun for kids , offering different boxes for