Monthly Surprise Boxes

Giraffealaff · January 2014

So I stumbled upon this thing called Citrus Lane. Apparently it is a subscription service where you receive a box filled with 4-5 items that are selected according to the age of your child. Usually they include a toy, a book, a food type item, a gift for mom, etc. I am really interested in signing up for this, but I wanted to know if any of you have previously used a service like this? I have looked and found great reviews, but I'm leery of partnered websites and the like, so I'd rather hear it from a group of ladies who I can trust the word of.

TL;DR:

- have you used a monthly surprise box subscription service before?

- Was it Citrus Lane or another one?

- Would you recommend it?

sdlaura · January 2014

A friend of mine has given me a BirchBox subscription a couple times as a gift. It includes cosmetics, hair products, and other personal care stuff. Honestly I think I am too boring and set in my ways with my hair and makeup routine, so I ended up not using most of the stuff.

magentawarped · January 2014

I don't know what company it was, but my friend did this with her baby. She said half the stuff was crap she'd never use, and the other half wasn't worth the cost. Like I said though, I don't know the company, so Citrus Lane might be better.

Madelyn0713 · January 2014

I used Birchbox for awhile. I enjoyed it and found some products I really loved and went on to purchase.

jdubh · January 2014

I found a blog one time that did monthly updates on what was in the box...I think I found it on Pinterest. Maybe you can search there to find some "real" reviews.

Giraffealaff · January 2014

@sgrray929 Hopefully whatever it is is much better than what Brad found in the box!

spicysurro · January 2014

I got Birchbox, and I just cancelled after a couple boxes had just crap I don't use. I also get Ipsy, which is strictly makeup things. Im interested in the responses for Citrus Lane as well.

namanning · January 2014

I did naturebox for a few months! They send healthy snacks in the box monthly and they are advertising that soon you will be able to pick what you receive if you find favorites. The snacks were all very tasty but I started getting behind on finishing them all before the next box arrived so I have dropped it for now. If you find them on Facebook I think you can get a discount on your first box and you can even order a family sized box with bigger bad to fit the family! I have also considered signing up for barkbox which is a monthly box for your pet dogs I believe. Treats toys etc.

ShePersisted · January 2014

SgrRay929 said:

I don't know if I could do it for the sheer fact that I know I wouldn't be able to avoid a terrible, annoying Brad Pitt "What's in the box?" impression every month upon its arrival and would have to smack myself.

@SgrRay929 Haha that made me lol so hard

TalkativeMama · January 2014

I have subscribed to several beauty boxes but after about a year I came to the conclusion it is actually cheaper to buy what I need and splurge from time-to-time on things I want. The samples were sometimes good but mostly junk or too small to really appreciate. Not sure about the kiddie box but I for one am over these boxes.

Giraffealaff · January 2014

So far what I have seen: The boxes will range (obviously) from so-so to SUPER OMG AMAZEBALLS. So it's hit or miss, but I suppose in all reality it is expected. So far I haven't seena box review where what you get is less than the cost of the boxes. In all honesty, it seems like you wind up with 50%-100% times the value you paid for it.

I guess right now they have a trial going on where you can get a box for free by using the code: FREETRIAL.

So yeah, I'mma bite the bullet and do it.

BzeetyD · January 2014

"Surprise box" is the term we use at my workplace to describe the feminine hygiene box in the bathroom stall. "Monthly" adds some very relevant sass.

Giraffealaff · January 2014

BzeetyD I was wondering when someone would throw something in about THAT "monthly box".

1linedrawing · January 2014

SgrRay929 said:

I don't know if I could do it for the sheer fact that I know I wouldn't be able to avoid a terrible, annoying Brad Pitt "What's in the box?" impression every month upon its arrival and would have to smack myself.

this made me me love you even more.

RondackHiker · January 2014

I've considered doing the dog version of this, the "bark box". I haven't even considered it for my son. I may be a bad mom, or a GREAT dog owner.

Scottnsaranhenri · January 2014

I got a Bluum box once & wasn't terribly impressed, but I've been eyeing Citeus Lane. I did use Kiwi Crate for a year with my son. He L.O.V.E.D. it. I stopped when he started preschool in September & he still asks if he can do a Kiwi project. They were really great. If anyone has kids 3 yrs & up I highly recommend them. They send you everything you need to do fun educational projects with your kids.

MoxyByProxy · January 2014

I have been getting a box from citrus since october. As one of the pp said.. its really hit or miss. Some times the stuff is really great.. other times.. im left feeling like.. wtf?!

I am giving it a couple more months to decide if I want to cancel.

I also get a box for suprise ride (which is prerty cool but they are pricey and my ds didnt like it as much as I thought he would) and I have gotten birch box which I hated and one call the little black box which had all hand made crafted items.

Its really dependant on what your style and budget is.

Missy0483 · January 2014

It lets you "personalize" it before ordering. Like if you like trendy styles, preppy styles, stripes, solids, etc. So you have to be really specific apparently.

I'd rather just pick my own clothes for LO, I'm a little too OCD to let someone else decide what I'd want haha.

Giraffealaff · January 2014

Scottnsaranhenri said:

I got a Bluum box once & wasn't terribly impressed, but I've been eyeing Citeus Lane. I did use Kiwi Crate for a year with my son. He L.O.V.E.D. it. I stopped when he started preschool in September & he still asks if he can do a Kiwi project. They were really great. If anyone has kids 3 yrs & up I highly recommend them. They send you everything you need to do fun educational projects with your kids.

I have a while to go before that point, but I'm still Very interested. *googles Kiwi Crate*

littlepig2 · January 2014

@bookshelves I feel the same way! plus I'd feel guilty throwing the items away so they'd just create clutter.

@rondackhiker I heard really good things about the bark box! I'd rationalize it by saying dogs don't understand "I'll be right back, I'm just running an errand!" poor sad eyes get me every time.

spicysurro · January 2014

@Rondackhiker....I did Barkbox back in the day when I had my boxer...it was great!!! Well worth the money.

MissDemeanor · January 2014

I love getting mail, especially packages, and after all this baby stuff arrives, I might get bored. I'm kind of liking the idea of a surprise package once a month. Plus my mail man is hot.

Giraffealaff · January 2014

MissDemeanor said:

I love getting mail, especially packages, and after all this baby stuff arrives, I might get bored. I'm kind of liking the idea of a surprise package once a month. Plus my mail man is hot.

LOL. I would suggest checking out this site:

https://boxes.mysubscriptionaddiction.com/

It's list like, ALL of the boxes on the internet. Some of them are really cool. Others are just completely Out Of Control.

mdr619 · January 2014

I'm with @bookshelves. Not interested in more stuff coming into my house. My H is a borderline hoarder and I'm very anti-stuff. Anything I can do to avoid more clutter!

HummingbirdMama · January 2014

Also did Glossybox for awhile but was thoroughly disappointed because while they say you can specify preferences to suit your particular style/types for hair, skin, etc. the function NEVER worked and I kept getting crap that didn't apply to me. I called, emailed, spoke to "customer service" on several occasions and the issue was never resolved. So I ended up with products that had no value whatsoever for me. I think over the 6 month subscription, I used maybe 25% of what they sent (and I hate perfume, which they sent WAY too much of). Definitely look into reviews and customer service before jumping in.

Giraffealaff · January 2014

golfergirl08 - IKR. I didn't even really know that this was a thing until yesterday.

funny bunny · January 2014

Bookshelves said:

The idea of adding more stuff to my house every month makes me kind of twitchy, TBH. I feel like Christmas/birthdays are enough. I like to simplify! #fwp

This is me as well!

nikkks84 · January 2014

i got citrus lane box for 2 months.. and then cancelled it.. coz half of the stuff i didnt use or my DS didnt care for it.. i would much rather buy the stuff and toys after researching them.. not worth it in my opinion.. but you can try for yourself for a month or two and decide for yourself

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