MyIrelandBox Subscription Box Review – November 2016

MyIrelandBox is a monthly subscription box that sends you a selection of unique Irish gifts, crafts, housewares, or beauty products straight from Ireland. Each month, you'll receive one or more items totaling at least $45.00.

This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

The Subscription Box: MyIrelandBox

The Cost: $45.00 a month + shipping per month, 3-month prepay ($135, which accounts for $45/box + $31.50 shipping), or 6-month prepay ($247.50, which accounts for $41.25/box + $63 shipping). 

ACTIVE DEAL: Get a bonus gift in your first 3- or 6-month subscription box! No coupon needed - just use this link.

Products: Irish-made gifts, crafts, housewares, and beauty products

Ships to: US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and Taiwan

Check out all our MyIrelandBox Reviews and the Women's Subscription Box Directory!

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The box always comes with lots of information about the makers behind the items in the box.

This tidy little bag was the first thing I found inside the box.

Cupán Tae Heart Shaped Tea Ornament - Value approximately $10.77 USD

Inside the bag is this cute little ornament and a card from the creator, Maple Tree Pottery. The heart is ceramic, with letters and designs that were pressed into the clay before being painted. "Cupán Tae" means "cup of tea" in Gaelic—that little phrase is the only overtly Irish part of this ornament, which I think is neat. (It's a more subtle way to show off your heritage or love for Irish culture.)

The ornament has a cute, rustic feel to it—it's a little more country than my tastes usually run. Luckily, it's almost the holidays, and I can think of plenty of folks who would appreciate receiving this handcrafted ornament as a gift. Speaking of the holidays, I also like that this ornament could be right at home on a tree, or hanging year 'round in a kitchen.

Double Oven Gloves - Value approximately $22.61 USD

This item is sort of like if oven mitts had a baby with a scarf—it's one big piece with pockets to slip your hands in on either end. I like that the print is a bunch of little Irelands, though I like each of the individual Ireland patterns so much that I kind of wish the oven mitt was covered entirely in one of them (the beige style with the little blue flowers is my fave).

I was curious as to how these mitts would work. I tried them while doing some Thanksgiving cooking. They protected my hands just fine, but they weren't the easiest to work with. You don't have a thumb to work with, so it's hard to get a good grip on what you're picking up (for me it was a casserole dish in the oven). And I found the extra, in-between fabric to be a little clumsy. I think these mitts are more decorative than practical, but they are handy in a pinch!

The Dublin Cookbook - Value approximately $15.89 USD

This cookbook was created to raise money for the Temple Street Children's University Hospital, a medical center in Dublin. Inside, there are recipes from actual restaurants across Dublin. There are multiple international cuisines represented, and the recipes cover everything from appetizers to desserts.

I also love that the book is spiral bound so that it lays flat on your counter as you cook. Hardbound spines look really classy, but I always end up needing a paperweight (you know, something sophisticated, like a box of butter or a rolling pin...) to hold the pages open and steady.

Each section comes with some illustrations by real kids. Cute!

This isn't an item you can find on Amazon or in any major retailers, so it feels particularly special. I'm used to Irish cookbooks filled with traditional Irish recipes, but this one offers a neat way to experience what it's like to eat your way through the modern food scene of Dublin!

Verdict: I liked this month's MyIrelandBox, though I might not keep all of the items for myself. As usual, the items are really unique and go beyond the world of shamrocks and such. The value of the items totals around $49.00 USD, which hits above the $45.00 price point. One thing I've noticed the MSA community talk about is how after the cost of shipping, this box ends up being pretty expensive for what it is. I completely feel that. I think this box is best for people who are really passionate about Ireland, and the delight of getting something actually from Ireland adds an extra, intangible value that makes the box worth the cost. If you're just looking for some handcrafted gifts and housewares, but aren't particularly passionate about Ireland, this box probably isn't the most cost-effective.

What do you think about the November MyIrelandBox?