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Perfect package: Subscription box services far more diverse than just book and wine of the month clubs
Sure, shopping out in the real world can be fun, but who hasn't dreamed of the luxurious ease of having a team of experts at their beck and call to choose all the right items with none of the mental heavy lifting?
In the last five years, the internet has seen an explosion in the number of automated delivery services that assemble boxes of items handpicked for their subscribers. Record, wine and book of the month clubs are nothing new, but this new wave of subscription services leverages the ubiquity of the internet to cater to the needs of everyone from lovers of vino and fans of fancy socks to avid readers and armchair travelers.
Hundreds of such programs are now available, but here's a handy guide to a few of the more popular offerings in a variety of categories.
SNACKING
Love With Food
* Cost: $8-$20 a month, depending on type of box chosen and duration of a prepaid subscription (up to one year)
* What that gets you: A themed box packed with eight to 10 organic or all-natural snacks that are unique or hard to find. Alternative subscriptions include a deluxe box ($16.50 per month) with twice the snacks and a gluten-free box ($19.99 per month) with curated gluten-free snacks. As an added bonus, Love With Food donates at least one meal to a variety of food banks for every box sold.
* Website: lovewithfood.com
Mouth Popcorn Every Month
* Cost: $37.50 a month, three-month prepaid subscription
* What that gets you: Three full-size bags of popcorn "expertly curated by [Mouth's] tasting team." Past picks have included sriracha and sea salt, bacon-studded caramel and white-pepper Parmesan.
* Website: mouth.com
Universal Yums
* Cost: $13 for a single month; $13-$14 for three- and six-month prepaid subscriptions
* What that gets you: A package including five or more snacks (12 or more in the deluxe Yum Yum Box) chosen from a new country each month. Recent boxes have included snacks from Poland, Korea, Turkey and Colombia.
* Website: universalyums.com
FASHION
Trunk Club for Men/ Trunk Club for Women
* Cost: Varies, depending on what items you decide to keep
* What that gets you: After completing a quick survey of measurements and style leanings, you are paired with a "stylist" who will call to discuss your needs. After the discussion, you'll receive an email with selections designed to suit your desired look. Change out what you don't like on sight and, once the package arrives, try everything on, keep what you want and send back anything off the mark, free of charge.
* Website: trunkclub.com
Sock Panda
* Cost: $10-$19 a month, depending on number of pairs and duration of a prepaid subscription (up to one year)
* What that gets you: Stylish and suave or daring and bold socks featuring designs by Sock Panda for the sole purpose of "mak[ing] people say wow." For each subscription, Sock Panda donates socks to homeless shelters, low-income senior centers and underprivileged classrooms.
* Website: sockpanda.com
MeUndies
* Cost: $12-$26 a month, depending on style of underwear and duration of a prepaid subscription (up to one year)
* What that gets you: A monthly delivery of a single pair of underwear featuring a new, limited-edition design made from silky beechwood modal yarn. Styles range from men's boxers and briefs to women's boyshorts and thongs.
* Website: meundies.com
MUSIC
Vinyl Me, Please
* Cost: $23-$27 a month, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (up to one year)
* What that gets you: A special-edition, curated vinyl LP pressed exclusively for members, members-only pricing on other albums and gear, free music downloads and an original 12-inch-square art print and custom cocktail pairing, specially chosen to compliment the music. Recent record selections include Weezer's "Pinkerton," Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" and Wilco's "A.M."
* Website: vinylmeplease.com
Turntable Kitchen Pairings Box
* Cost: $25 a month; recurring monthly until you quit
* What that gets you: Everything you need to create a musical-culinary experience, including an exclusive 7-inch vinyl record featuring a new and upcoming artist, a digital mixtape, one to two premium ingredients, three seasonal recipes and tasting notes.
* Website: turntablekitchen.com
The Music BoxThe Music Box
* Cost: $12-$15 a month
* What that gets you: The basic plan includes two albums by featured bands selected for you based on musical interests expressed during sign-up, as well as extra swag such as stickers, downloads, keychains and wristbands. The deluxe bundle also includes a monthly compilation CD featuring a variety of artists.
* Website: themusicbox.cratejoy.com
BOOKS
Chroma Club
* Cost: $6.50-$8, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (up to six months)
* What that gets you: A new, nine-page or longer coloring book printed on eco-friendly paper and featuring designs by independent artists for colorists both beginner and advanced.
* Website: chroma.club
OwlCrate/Uppercase Box
* Cost: $28-$30 a month, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (up to six months), plus shipping
* What that gets you: A "magical box" stuffed with a highly anticipated young adult novel, three to five themed "bookish keepsakes" such as jewelry, totes, snacks, pins, etc., as well as exclusive items from publishers and authors. Recent books included "Everland" by Wendy Spinale, "Flawed" by Cecilia Ahern and "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner.
* Website: owlcrate.com
Quarterly Company Savor the Dark Book Club
* Cost: $40 a month, plus shipping, three-month subscription
* What that gets you: A book selected by an expert curator and signed by the author plus bars of Ghirardelli dark chocolate selected to pair with the literary selection and overarching theme. Each package includes a note explaining each month's selections.
* Website: quarterly.co/products/ghirardelli
PERSONAL GROOMING/MAKEUP
Dollar Shave Club
* Cost: $1-$9 a month; plus shipping for two-blade razors; four- and six-blade varieties ship free
* What that gets you: A monthly shipment including three razor heads equipped with two, four or six blades. Each subscriber is sent an on-the-house handle in their first shipment, and subscribers can upgrade or downgrade their razor's blade count at any time for free.
* Website: dollarshaveclub.com
Birchbox
* Cost: $10 a month or a yearly subscription for $110; recurring monthly until you quit
* What that gets you: A personalized box with five product samples from hair care and cologne to makeup and shave creams, chosen for you based on an online beauty profile. Subscriptions available for men and women.
* Website: birchbox.com
Ipsy
* Cost: $10 a month or a yearly subscription for $110; recurring monthly until you quit
* What that gets you: A stylish makeup bag packed with five women's cosmetics - deluxe samples and full-size products - worth, on average, $53 and tailored to your individual needs and style.
* Website: ipsy.com
GEEK CULTURE
1 Up Box
* Cost: $12-$13 a month, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (up to six months), plus $7 shipping
* What that gets you: A box stuffed with six to eight pieces of pop culture swag worth at least $40, including a "guaranteed exclusive epic T-shirt." Selections include action figures, books, plush toys and clothing. Past themes include "legend," "nightmare," "galaxy" and "power."
* Website: 1upbox.com
Loot Crate DX
* Cost: $42-$45, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (up to a year), plus shipping
* What that gets you: "An epic assortment" of curated geeky, pop culture memorabilia selected around a monthly theme and worth at least $100. Selections range from vinyl figures and clothing to art prints and messenger bags. Recent box themes include "dead," "versus," "invasion" and "quest."
* Website: lootcrate.com
Betoyo Bento
* Cost: $24-$28 a month, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (up to six months), plus $5 shipping. No extra charge on international shipping.
* What that gets you: A wrapped, Japanese bento-style box packed with a curated selection of four to six goodies associated with Japanese anime and manga, including at least one figure in each shipment, guaranteed.
* Website: betoyo.com
KIDS/TEENS
Tinker CrateTinker Crate
* Cost: $13-$20 a month, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (up to three years)
* What that gets you: A package designed to help kids ages 9 to 16 to discover and learn more about science, engineering and technology through hands-on activities. Each package includes materials and detailed instructions for completing a creative STEM-centric (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) project and a tinkering magazine. Sample projects include a ping-pong trebuchet and homemade zoetrope.
* Website: tinker.kiwicrate.com
Green Kid Crafts
* Cost: $18-$20 a month, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (up to a year)
* What that gets you: A themed package with all the materials necessary to complete five to eight individually packaged, hands-on projects designed to inspire kids to pursue science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Past boxes have covered topics such as geography, ocean science, robotics and volcanoes. Designed for ages 3 to 10.
* Website: greenkidcrafts.com
Le Petit Matisse Art Adventure Box
* Cost: $21.50-$25, a month, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (up to a year)
* What that gets you: A package full of all the natural, non-toxic art supplies your child needs to complete an "art adventure" activity focused on a specific geographic region. They'll be joined each month by a new collectible, kid-sized version of famous artists from around the world.
* Website: le-petit-matisse.cratejoy.com
WORLD CULTURE
Escape Monthly
* Cost: $50 a month, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (3-, 6-, 12-month)
* What that gets you: A "vacation in a box" with luxury goods selected from a new location each month, including exotic foods and spices, bath and beauty supplies, jewelry and clothing. Each pack also includes a travel guide with tips and local secrets for planning an actual getaway. Recent months have featured gifts from India, Vancouver and Puerto Rico.
* Website: escapemonthly.com
Try The World
* Cost: $29-$39 a month, depending on duration of prepaid subscription (up to a year)
* What that gets you: A chance to "discover the world through food" via a package containing chef-curated selections of items from a new city or culture every month. Each box also includes a culture guide with the story behind each item's inclusion, recipes and tips for best experiencing each cuisine appropriately.
* Website: trytheworld.com
Little Passports
* Cost: $12-$18, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (up to a year), plus $3 shipping per package
* What that gets you: A package containing everything you need to stoke your child's love of travel and appreciation of world cultures. Boxes are available with goodies for various ages (3-5, 6-10 or 7-12). The first month of each subscription includes a special case packed with a large map, field guide or activity booklet and other goodies. Subsequent packages include additional activities, souvenirs, trading cards and various memorabilia based on a new location or theme.
* Website: littlepassports.com
PETS
BarkBox
* Cost: $20-$29, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (up to a year)
* What that gets you: A themed box including four to six handpicked treats, toys and other gizmos for the dog in your life (no cats allowed). Recent box themes have included "The Harvest," "The Wintry Mix" and "The Barklyn Hipster." Allergies and other unique needs are taken into account.
* Website: barkbox.com
Surprise My Pet
* Cost: $24-$37, depending on the size of your dog or the number of your cats and duration of a prepaid subscription (up to a year)
* What that gets you: A monthly container full of gifts for your special furry someone (dogs and cats). After detailing your dog's size or the number of cats in your keep, a box will arrive each month with healthy treats and handpicked toys just for them. Each treat and chew is inspected for safety before shipment.
* Website: surprisemypet.com
My Purrfect Gift Box
* Cost: $31-$34, depending on duration of a prepaid subscription (up to six months)
* What that gets you: Three to five full-size "paw-some" gifts for your feline friend, including treats, healthy food, fashion accessories and toys, all handpicked and frequently made by cat-loving artisans. Boxes occasionally include gifts for owners - only cat mamas catered to at the moment, though.
* Website: mypurrfectgiftbox.com
WEIRD/MISCELLANEOUS
Mystery Box
* Cost: $49 a month, recurring monthly until you quit
* What that gets you: A box each month filed with "random and unique items" acquired from personal collections, storage units, estate sales, auctions and other sources from around the world. Each box is guaranteed to contain items worth more than the subscription cost.
* Website: mysteryboxshop.com
Dive Bar Shirt Club
* Cost: $22-$24.50, depending on shirt size, prepaid subscriptions available up to a year
* What that gets you: Satisfaction for your deep-seated desire to have a shirt from dive bars the world over. Each shipment includes an authentic T-shirt from "the best of America's most interesting and unusual bars" and a card with details about the selected watering hole. Only the best dives and coolest designs are chosen by the Dive Bar Crew, according to the website.
* Website: divebarshirtclub.com
S.E.R.E. Box
* Cost: $8.50-$29.50 a month, depending on which level you choose and the duration of a prepaid subscription (up to four months)
* What that gets you: S.E.R.E. stands for Store, Equip, Rescue and Evade so you get everything you need to be prepared for well, anything. Each box contains a variety of gear and food designed for use when outdoors or in a survival situation. Shipments contain items packaged together around a theme. Recent themes include "water," "survival," "fire," food" and "protection."
* Website: www.serebox.com
Contact Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6205. Follow him on Twitter at @PhillipsCTFP.