Treat Yourself to the Gift That Keeps on Giving
Subscription boxes galore!
July was a rough month. Whether you were researching the latest attempts to defund Planned Parenthood, considering Sandra Bland’s suspicious death in police custody, or thinking about the lion that made Jimmy Kimmel sob on TV, there were a lot of reasons to feel down. You need a vacation, but you can’t just abandon your responsibilities.
Luckily for you, I’ve got the next best thing.
It starts with a little advice from the cast of Parks and Recreation.
Treat Yourself
Once a year, Tom and Donna indulge in their very own personal holiday, aptly named Treat Yourself. Treat Yourself is a day to give in to the impulse buy, by purchasing whatever you darn well please – because you work hard, so you deserve to play hard too.
Clothes? Treat yourself.
Fragrances? Treat yourself.
Massages? Treat yourself.
Mimosas? Treat yourself.
Fine leather goods? Treat. Yo. Self.
It’s the best day of the year!
But…I Can’t.
I know. You’re busy. You don’t have time to spend a whole day at the mall. Or maybe you have the time to ‘treat yourself,’ but you don’t have the funds for full-length minks and authentic Batman suits. That’s cool. Because I’ve got the solution for both problems.
Online shopping, you ask? Oh no, you object. That’s a rabbit hole that you cannot go down. One click on Amazon.com and you’re there for the rest of the day.
Believe me, I get it. That’s why you need a subscription service.
What’s a Subscription Service?
For an average monthly fee of $20-$50, a box full of surprise presents will show up on your doorstep every thirty days. You get the joy of receiving mysterious gifts without having to wait for holidays. And considering that snail mail is practically dead, it’s extra cool to get a surprise in the mail. Remember the excitement, anticipation, and unadulterated bliss of cracking open a piñata? This is basically that – for grown-ups.
If you’re feeling really adventurous, try Blind Surprise – a subscription service which sends you a totally random surprise based on your stated interests. Or, if you want to ensure that your gifts are suited to your tastes, pick a service which caters to your hobbies. Whether you’re about that nerd life, interested in developing your international palate, or trying to perfect your selfie game, there’s a subscription service for everyone. There’s even one for the ‘Classic Man‘ in your life. 😉
Will I get my money’s worth?
It depends. With some of the boxes, you’ll take a slight loss on the value of the items in exchange for the convenience and surprise of having them sent to your home. With others, you’re guaranteed that the value of the items you receive will be higher than the price you paid for the box. So it really comes down to what you’re looking for. Just be sure to read the FAQ’s and fine print.
Where do I start?
There are entire websites dedicated to helping you find the perfect subscription service. Simply type in what you’re looking for and give one a try! So far, I’ve received one great box (Loot Crate) and another that was just OK (Ujaama Box, but I’m going to give it one more try, because, Blackness), but there are dozens more that I’m itching to get my hands on.
Have you tried a subscription service yet? Which ones did you love and hate?
Share your thoughts in the comments so I’ll know which ones to try next!
Still unsure about whether or not to give the brave new world of subscription services a try?
I’ve got three words:
