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It's become an ongoing joke in my house that I've spent the last year checking the mail semi-obsessively. What can I say? Even in the best of times, winter tends to make me feel dreary and lonely—and nothing brightens up a day more effectively than a letter or a package.
Luckily, you don't have to sit around waiting to get something fun in the mail. Set yourself up with a subscription service, and you'll always have a new surprise coming. There are subscription services for hobbies, wine and spirits, pets, and even cheese. Yes, there’s a lot to browse—but to help you sift through them, we've gathered together some of the top-rated subscriptions on Cratejoy. Cratejoy is a service that allows anyone to set up a subscription box and is home to hundreds of themed boxes you won't find anywhere else. We sifted through the sea of subscriptions and found 20 doozies, from boxes that teach you how to make your own cocktails to those that show you how to create magic. Check out some of our favorites below.
1. For those who are looking for an escape
What better way to celebrate the pandemic mid-winter feeling of being trapped in the house than with an escape room?
Cratejoy’s top-rated escape room box offers a new set of puzzles every month, each one centered around a different global city. Subscribers say the boxes are challenging enough to fill an evening and family-friendly as long as the kids are patient. The company behind it, Finders Seekers, estimates that every puzzle box will take about 2-4 hours to complete, and reviewers say that’s accurate—some fans enjoy the boxes so much they spread the puzzle across several nights to make it last longer.
Get the Finders Seekers - Escape Room Game for $25
2. For the proud plant parent
Skip the inconvenience of searching for specialized soil and plant food.
Plant Club boxes include a new live plant each month, along with everything you need to keep it happy and healthy—soil, planters, instructions for care, and anything else that a particular plant might need. Reviewers love that they don’t have to bother tracking down plant food or specialized soil separately, and report that the plants arrive in great condition. This box focuses mainly on houseplants, so be careful if you’re ordering for a home with cats and dogs—this service cannot currently guarantee that every plant is pet-friendly.
Get the Plant Club box for $36/month
3. For those who could use a ray of sunshine
A self-care box with Christian undertones.
The Hopebox is all about quintessential self-care. Items include things like candles, scrubs, aromatherapy, jewelry, and books intended to be uplifting and encouraging (or, you know, hopeful), with a new supportive message included every month. While reviewers say most items are secular in nature, it’s worth mentioning that this box serves its self-care with an undercurrent of Christianity, and you might see an occasional item featuring a Bible verse. If that’s not for you, no worries—there are plenty of other highly-rated self-care boxes that Cratejoy subscribers love.
Get the HopeBox for $50.99/month
4. For the crafty grownup
It's not craft night unless there's a fire hazard.
When you hear the term arts and crafts, you might think of pom poms and popsicle sticks—things that are undoubtedly fun, but are also a little bit reminiscent of an elementary school sleepover. This subscription will completely change that. Each box comes with a craft project catered towards adults (although kids might also enjoy it with some supervision). Past boxes have included crafts like wood burning, building a wine caddy, DIY candles, and even clockmaking. If you’re hoping for a craft box that’s more pointedly family-friendly, check out the popular Green Kids Crafts box, which combines crafting with science.
Get the Adults & Crafts Crate for $30/month
5. For the one with all the luxe stationery
It's never too late to perfect your penmanship.
It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since I’ve sat in a classroom—every fall, I still get the impulse to rush out and buy a massive collection of school supplies. If you, too, still nurse a passion for crisp paper and fresh pens, you’ll probably love the Cloth & Paper subscription box. Different tiers from Cloth & Paper will send you boxes including luxe paper, pens, pencils, organizational tools, and plenty of other back-to-school basics: think appointment slips, planners, moshi tape, and more. Reviewers say the items are high quality, unique, and totally worth it if you’re already obsessed with office supplies.
Get the Cloth & Paper box for $16.33/month
6. For the true crime addict
Perfect for the Reddit true crime solver in your life.
The Deadbolt Mystery Society box is one of the most popular subscriptions on Cratejoy, bringing together some of the best elements of a subscription service: excitement, surprise, and a sense of mystery. This is a puzzle box, but with a narrative focus. Each box presents a crime which players must then solve with clues and puzzles (similar to one of our favorites, Hunt a Killer). Since every case is totally self-contained, you don’t need to worry about catching up or missing a box. Reviewers say it’s a great choice for a multi-hour date night or an exciting game night with friends.
Get the Deadbolt Mystery Society Monthly Box for $21.67/month
7. For the sticker lover
You'll never run out of places to stick these funky stickers.
Stickers are delightful—and so is this sweet subscription box that will keep you rich in stickers perfect for collaging, journaling, decorating letters, or just sticking to everything you own. The Stickii Club offers three different boxes to appeal to different aesthetics: the Cute Pack, the Vintage Pack, and the Pop Pack. Every box comes with six sheets of stickers and at least two other stationery items. Reviewers love the fun stickers, noting that they are always charming and true to theme.
Get the STICKII Club box for $10/month
8. For the jewelry fashionista
Take a look at reviewer's photos to see if this box caters to your taste!
The MintMONGOOSE jewelry box stands out for its attention to detail, impressive price, and consistent quality. It’s also nicely customizable—you can specify whether or not you want to receive earrings, and request jewelry in silver, gold, or rose gold tones (or specify that you'd rather be surprised). If you’re as picky about your jewelry tones as I am, you’ll appreciate that this box actually caters to real jewelry wearers. Every box comes with three items, making it a steal at under $13 a month. According to reviewers, the pieces feel much more expensive than they are and translate easily between casual and formal wear.
Get the mintMONGOOSE Jewelry Subscription for $12.99/month
9. For the discerning snacker
This snack box definitely beats scrounging through the pantry for months-old granola bars.
Honestly, if I could only get one kind of delivery for the rest of my life, it would be packages of food. The SnackSack keeps your pantry full with 11-15 snacks per box, and provides plenty of options to suit gluten-free and vegan diets. SnackSack promises to bring healthy and unique snacks to the forefront—no more repetitive rice cakes or popcorn bowls. As a heavy snacker while working from home, I’m a big believer in having plenty of food on hand that you actually want to eat. SnackSack promises to make that easy.
Get the SnackSack box for $24/month
10. For the adventurous tea sipper
Winter's not over yet—still plenty of cold nights to curl up with a cup of tea.
The Simple Loose Leaf Tea subscription box is exactly what it says on the tin. You can choose between a box that focuses on black teas, green teas, or herbal teas, or opt for the sampler box to get one of each. Each tea is pre-tested and hand-selected, and subscribers say they’ve found lots of new favorites this way. Just as exciting, a subscription like this will have you trying teas you might otherwise never bother buying—as long as you get a loose leaf infuser first!
Get the Simple Loose Leaf Tea box for $9/month
11. For the expecting mama
This box makes a thoughtful gift for anyone waiting to meet their little one.
If there's ever a time a sweet and personalized self-care kit is well deserved, it's during pregnancy. Expecting parents often spend so much time, energy, and money on the little one—it’s only fair to also give yourself a nice gift or two. We've tested this subscription, and confirm that it fills this role admirably, easing pregnancy with a totally customizable collection of gifts. Past items include anti-nausea teas, belly oils, and indulgent moisturizers. If you’re looking for a gift for a soon-to-be parent, this is a choice that could last their entire pregnancy.
Get the Oh Baby Boxes for $35.99/month
12. For the aspiring mixologist
This cocktail subscription will take Netflix night up a notch.
You don’t need to go out every week to try cool new cocktails. The Shaker & Spoon box is designed specifically for staying in, offering all the ingredients you need to mix new drinks, minus the booze itself. Each box comes with three unique recipes and enough bitters, syrups, and garnishes to craft four drinks per recipe. You get the chance to experiment with flavors without searching for speciality ingredients, so you can try mixing up something new and avoid shelling out for an obscure ingredient that you’ll never use again.
Get the Shaker & Spoon box for $40/month
13. For the one who knows how to take care of themselves
Self-care is one of the most popular categories on Cratejoy, but this one rises to the top.
There are a lot of self care boxes on Cratejoy, but this is definitely one that rises to the top. The TheraBox gets an edge on the competition by putting a special focus on therapist-approved self care activities. Every box includes a new activity, selected by licensed therapists, to increase calmness, mindfulness, and general wellbeing. In addition, you can expect a collection of more typical stress-reducing items, like body care products, aromatherapy, mindfulness journals, and treats.
Get the TheraBox - Self Care Subscription Box for $30.99/month
14. For the science geek
If dissecting an owl pellet is your idea of an amazing date night, this is the box for you.
This is definitely one of the more unique subscription boxes we’ve seen. The science-themed Matter box includes six to eight scientific items, like fossils, historical artifacts, stones, and the tools you need to explore them. It offers unique, bite-sized science lessons to nurture your inner nerd. Subscribers are quick to mention how cool and unusual the contents tend to be, and celebrate the opportunity for hands-on learning.
Get the MATTER box for $39.98/month
15. For the magic-maker
A subscription to encourage your inner mystic.
Who knew that Cratejoy was such a promising place to find Wiccan, Pagan, and new age materials? The Tamed Wild box is one of the most popular, offering a curated selection of crystals, herbs, teas, and lifestyle items. It also offers a monthly lunar ritual, and encouragement to help nurture a Wiccan practice. Like the spiritual focus, but hoping for something focusing more heavily on self-care? The Goddess Provisions box is another smash hit.
Get the Tamed Wild Box for $20
16. For the one who seeks novelty in the bedroom
A sex toy grab bag might be a risk, but subscribers say it pays off.
This top-rated subscription box encourages subscribers to skip the sex shop and embrace exploration. Boxes include all kinds of items to promote sexual pleasure—like sex toys, lubricant, accessories, and steamy games. Reviewers say the products exceed expectations, and many mention that they received items that they never even knew existed. With different boxes catering to couples and singles, this subscription should keep things exciting no matter who you are.
Get the Mystery Pleasure Box for $24.99/month
17. For the one who loves young-adult novels
A subscription service to get you lost in a new world.
This box, highlighted in Oprah Magazine and as one of Cratejoy’s top book subscriptions for two years running, definitely knows its audience. The box comes with a new hardcover young-adult (YA) book each month, emphasizing diverse authors and stories. It also includes a variety of complimentary artisan goods, like themed pieces of clothing, candles, and home goods. With active social media pages, this box also offers something invaluable—the opportunity to connect with other YA fans in a fun, friendly space.
Get the SpearCraft Book Box for $25/month
18. For the CBD-curious
Try out hard-to-find CBD products and find what works for you.
CBD products have never been more popular, but that doesn’t always mean they’re easy to find. Hemp Crate Co brings a diverse collection of CBD products to your door, covering everything from sleep aids and post-workout balms to pet products and tasty treats. Reviewers say the boxes offer impressive value for products that are often pricey, and that the distributors do a great job making each box feel personalized and selected with care. Most boxes also come with educational material, so even if you’re new to using CBD, you’ll understand exactly what you’re enjoying.
Get the Hemp Crate Co box for $31.67/month
19. For the one who dreads visits from aunt flo
Ride the crimson wave in comfort.
I love the idea of a subscription box for your period. It’s the worst time of the month to realize you’ve run out of important products, and the best time of the month to receive a little extra pampering. This subscription doesn’t just focus on your period itself, but also on the weeks before and after. Boxes come with two pairs of undies, self-care or home good items, sweets, and pads or tampons (you can specify which you’d prefer). If you don’t need period products, no problem—you can opt out, and receive an extra lifestyle item instead.
Get the Rose War Panty Power box for $25.20/month
20. For the jerky connoisseur
You'll never be able to eat drug store jerky again.
I’ll say it again: there’s no beating a reliable delivery of delicious snacks. This premium jerky subscription makes a unique and thoughtful gift for your favorite carnivore (and yes, that includes yourself). Although most of the jerky is beef, the team says that they aim to include more unique picks like venison, bison, and turkey every couple of months. According to the reviews, the jerky is excellent—and so is the support team and speedy delivery time.