Three Subscription Boxes To Love

All of us could use a little help now and then.  I’ve recently been introduced to three cool, new “delivered to your door” concepts that offer to make your life a little easier.  The first will appeal to the “gifter” in you – the person who is responsible for finding unique, memorable gifts for friends, family, clients, and so on.  The second will make dinnertime a snap and the third promises to make you a hero to any young people in your world. 

1.  Georgia Crafted is a monthly subscription service featuring 4-5 carefully-curated products made by artisans from all over Georgia. Each box includes full-sized products like food, bath & body products, music, stationery, art and more.  Boxes are only $29.99 per month (includes FREE shipping). Think of it like shopping your local farmers market, but with no perishable food. 

Recently featured artisans have included Atlanta Honey Company, Chocolate South and Revive Bath and Body.

Cobb resident and mother of two, Erin Zwigart created Georgia Crafted to help promote local artisans and the concept of shopping local.  I’m thrilled to help a local mom with her business concept, but truth is, I just think it’s a GREAT idea.  I loved the Georgia Crafted boxes so much, I gave some as holiday gifts for colleagues and, recently, as a thank you gift to friends who grew up in Atlanta, but now live on the other side of the country.

2.  Blue Apron is a meal delivery service that does the meal planning – and shopping – for you!  For just $59.99, Blue Apron will deliver three perfectly planned meals to feed two adults directly to your door.  That’s just $9.99 per person per meal!  But, I can personally verify that it’s plenty to feed two adults and one 6-year-old!  In fact, during the recent Snowmageddon, one Blue Apron meal fed my family of 3 plus one stranded friend! 

I learned of Blue Apron from the same friends on the other side of the country to whom I sent the Georgia Crafted boxes. She had been using it for a few months and highly recommended. Our first delivery included Chicken and Brocollini, Moroccan Beef Tagine and Pan-Roasted Hake – all of it fresh, interesting and up to the standards of my foodie family. You just select from meat and fish or vegetarian and then sit back and wait for delivery.  However, once you sign up, you are sent a box and charged each week unless you remember to select “skip this week” or cancel entirely.

NOTE: Gilt City is offering a discount on the first box for new clients only.  $39 for three meals for two… a  35% discount.  Good through Feb. 13, 2014 only. 

3.  Little Passports is a subscription box for children.  I haven’t ordered it yet personally, however, I know several families with older children who love it. The stories feature a boy and a girl and each box follows their adventures while traveling.  You can select the USA edition to learn about two new states each month or the World edition to learn about a new country each month.  Each monthly package brings goodies like maps, stickers, activity books, access to online games and activities.  What a great way to get children excited about geography, learning new cultures and customs and the sheer joy of travel!