This Subscription Box Saturday, I wanted to spill the beans about another subscription-style box that I’ve tried. You know that I love Love with Food, Birchbox, Goodies and Barkbox.

But Cravebox is different.

You see, you don’t sign up to have a box shipped to you each month, like the other boxes to which I subscribe. Instead, you choose which boxes you receive. Here are the basics on how it works:

1. Sign up and create a new account. (Free)
2. If I remember correctly, you also need to include on file your shipping address and credit card info. {I’m not sure if you do this initially or after you purchase your first box.} This is the card that will be charged if you decide to purchase a box.
3. Check out the Cravebox website or elect to receive emails about upcoming boxes and what their themes are.
4. A Cravebox is available when you see, “Drawing Open! Enter Now!”
5. Take a survey on the Cravebox you are interested in and enter the drawing.
6. Wait for an email that states that you have been “selected” and to confirm that your credit card, billing address and shipping address info on file is correct. Your card will be charged and box shipped out within a few days.
7. You’ll receive a follow up email with a survey about the products you received.

It’s that easy!

Here are some other important details to note:

• You will always know the theme of the box, but never the contents.
• Boxes range $12 to $18 (including shipping). I *think* you know the cost before you enter the “drawing”.
• I’m not sure if it is a true “drawing” because I have received every box for every drawing I entered!
• Tip: If you think that you want to enter a drawing and take the survey, you may find that some of the questions sound like products that don’t apply to you. I’m thinking this may be an indication of what could be in the box. At this point, you can just decide not to enter the drawing.
• I’ve found that the value of items in the box far exceed the contents!

Now for the boxes I’ve chosen!

Coffee Lovers – $12

For a first box, this was quite impressive! If you can’t tell in the photo above, the coffee and syrup were full-sized. The coffee alone is worth about $8. What’s more is that my husband loves Tully’s coffee. He preferred it over Starbucks when he lived in Seattle. This went to good use! However, I personally rarely add flavored syrups to my coffee and even then only in a coffee shop. In addition, I don’t like the sugar free flavors. So it made a great gift for a friend!

Dog Lovers II – $13

Yes, I know, I know. My dogs are already spoiled with a Barkbox every month. But I wanted to see how it compared. I’ve already tried Pawbox and didn’t like it. And because this one was a Cravebox, it’s not like I’d be getting one every month. And this ended up being my favorite box!

What made this box the favorite for me? The BOOK!

Forget that this box was only $13 and In a Dog’s Heart retails for $15 by itself because Jennifer Arnold’s wonderful book made me fall in love with my pooches all over again. They helped me understand them a little better, too. She illustrates in such a loving way how dogs are so dependent on us and are in no way trying to run our households. How can they when they rely on us for food, water, shelter and love? I seriously want to re-read this book. I’ve dog-eared {<– please note pun!} so many pages. And I’m recommending it to everyone I know. It’s even prompted me to purchase her previous book, Through a Dog’s Eyes. It’s next on my reading list.

However, Benny had a different favorite in the box.

I gave the dogs each one of the True Chews jerky treats. But that wasn’t enough for Benny. When I got up and left the room, I must have forgotten to close the Cravebox. Because I came back into the room and found this:

Sneaky little Bear! Even though he knew he got caught, he kept going with those little Dr. Seuss/mitten paws of his. I gave in and let him.  😉

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I was a little reluctant to order the next Cravebox I’d been considering. From the title, I had no idea what would really be in the box. I thought maybe there’d be some diet or health foods because it was a box appearing right after the New Year, so I threw a shot in the dark.

Resolutions Box – $15

Contents: Mary Kay 7-Up Ten, A&W Ten, Timewise Repair Eye Cream, Metrobalance Tea Sample, Coupon for free package of Wholly Guacomole, Cocovia Cocoa Supplement, Coupon for free Smart Ones product, an assortment of five SunRype fruit bars, Zone Perfect Nutrition Bar, Pantene Moisture Whip Hair Product

We were impressed to receive full cans of soda as well as two coupons for free refrigerated and frozen products since they couldn’t be shipped through the mail. I loved trying all of these!

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And something happened with the last box I ordered. After I received the email that the drawing had closed and I would be shipped a box, they announced that they were doubling the contents!

Zatarain’s Big Game Box – $15

I wanted this box because I love cajun and creole food {and New Orleans in general}. I’ve had Zatarain’s products before and knew that I’d use whatever they had to offer for the “big game”.

So far, I’ve been very pleased with the Craveboxes I’ve received. They are now introducing Instant Boxes as well. Furthermore, I’ve received invites to Twitter parties which are open to discuss products and win prizes, too. I haven’t participated, so I can’t give you any feedback on that.

I have recently entered a drawing for Cooking Light Box and am anxiously waiting for the Book Lovers Box! Other upcoming boxes include.

AXE Hair Styling Kit

Beautiful by You

Little Ones

New Moms

I encourage you to give Cravebox a try. You don’t have to purchase anything if you don’t want to! Just check out what it’s all about. If you want to add me as your referral, feel free! My username is UncommonWine.

Have you ever given a book to read that you’d probably never pick on your own only to find yourself pleasantly surprised? If so, I want to know what it is! Please share.

Cheers~
Carrie