woman holding and looking at a box
May 2, 2019

8 Surprising Subscription Boxes That You’ve Never Heard Of

You order stuff online. I order stuff online. We all order stuff online. But delivery notifications have ruined the delightful surprise of finding a box (no matter how mundane the contents) on our front stoop.

Enjoy that “I can’t wait to get it” feeling every month with a subscription box.Enjoy that “I can’t wait to get it” feeling every month with a subscription box.

Innovation and customization have reinstated the delivery surprise factor, with subscription boxes like Blue Apron and BirchBox. But the options don’t end there—from goodie boxes catering to beauty, healthy snacking, writing, pets, and more, it’s safe to say the magic of the mailbox is on its way back. Here are a handful of super-niche subscription boxes that may not yet be on your radar.

Cocktails and Cattails

The Dive Bar T-Shirt Club gives subscribers a monthly piece of authentic bar apparel that they can, ahem, proudly wear. Image courtesy of Dive Bar T-Shirt Club.The Dive Bar T-Shirt Club gives subscribers a monthly piece of authentic bar apparel that they can, ahem, proudly wear. Image courtesy of Dive Bar T-Shirt Club.

If you love to check out the local haunts of whichever city you’re visiting, then a monthly subscription to Dive Bar T-Shirt Club could be just the box for you. Just picture yourself strutting down your block wearing a shirt emblazoned with Oklahoma City’s Cock O-The Walk—clucking out “Cock A Doodle Brew”—or hitting the town with a tee from Monty’s Log Cabin (perched in Felton, California) that asks, “Does a Bar Sit in the Woods?” With a selection from some America’s most interesting and unusual dive bars, your T-shirt collection is about to get a major boost.

For those looking to incorporate more cat-themed swag into their life (who isn’t?), enter the CatLadyBox. Items include “Cat Mom” T-shirts, kitty-shaped ice cube trays, and, of course, the one thing every cat loves: the box it all came in. Pro-tip: upgrade to the “Crazy CatLadyBox,” which includes a few little monthly treats for your kitties, too.

Special Delivery

21bundles brings expectant mothers self-care goodies tailored to their stage of pregnancy. Image courtesy of 21Bundles.21bundles brings expectant mothers self-care goodies tailored to their stage of pregnancy. Image courtesy of 21Bundles.

For expectant mothers, a monthly arrival from 21Bundles is just the thing you need before the BIG arrival. Bulging with natural, toxin-free products from skin care to herbal tea, each arrangement is tailored to your stage in pregnancy. As your due date nears, your box will include items for the new mom and newborn, just as nature intended.

Not to be outdone, fathers can also take part in the joy of parenthood by signing up for The Rad Dad Box, a regular drop of items for daddy designed “to welcome him to fatherhood and help him bond with baby.” While many new fathers would simply prefer a set of instructions on how to properly operate their new baby, this box gets the patriarch involved right away. Baby toys and books are complemented by things like natural muscle cream to soothe achy arms after a day of lifting a fast-growing little one.

Subscribe To The World You Seek

The Introverts Retreat Box is a welcome relief for the contemplative crowd (well, not really a crowd). Created for the kind of person who desires spa treatments without the intrusion of constant over-attention, the gifts inside offer relaxing activities, books, and general solo self-care. 

Not that subscription boxes have to be all about you. A shipment from Anchor of Hope Box contains a wide range of items, from home décor to jewelry, and soaps to spices, all crafted by refugees living in America. Many have fled from regions and conditions that have left them with a sense of powerlessness and vulnerability. A subscription offers refugees a way to gain empowerment by using their skills and practicing the crafts and trades they left behind. It’s the kind of shipment that comes with an automatic return.

Crates That Are Cray Cray

A subscription to Loot Crate is your chance to satisfy your gaming and entertainment desires across many unreal universes. Image courtesy of Loot Crate.A subscription to Loot Crate is your chance to satisfy your gaming and entertainment desires across many unreal universes. Image courtesy of Loot Crate.

If you vibe with Japanese culture, then the appropriately named Japan Crate pretty much covers it. While the original Japan Crate will hit your tongue with intervals of Japanese candy, you can also opt for a beauty-themed Kira Kira Crate, the noodle sampler Umai Crate, or the kawaii-inspired Doki Doki Crate. Or just subscribe to all four, and every week of the month will feel like you can see Mt. Fuji from your house.

If you love to nerd out on, um, nerd stuff, then Loot Crate is the one box to rule them all. Packed with “Epic Collectibles and Gear,” the crate packs goodies from the gaming and entertainment worlds like Halo, Call of Duty, Marvel, Harry Potter and even the WWE. Your supply will let you inhabit the universe of your choice for a month with apparel, toys, stickers and general one-of-a-kind, must-have stuff that any true geek wants. (Or needs.)

What kind of box would you subscribe to? Tell us in the comments below!