Box of Happies is a monthly subscription box for handmade goods. It’s a great way to discover new Etsy artisans.
The plastic boxes are always protected with lots of bubble wrap.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Box of Happies
The Subscription Box: Box of Happies
The Cost: $29.99/month for a single upcoming month of your choice (when I played with the shopping cart I was also charged tax but I think that’s because they’re in the same state I am) or $29.49 for a random box from a past month; save with longer subscriptions.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get a bonus handmade necklace in your first box!
CODE: HAPPIES
The Products: 3-5 handmade items such as jewelry, stationery, bath/body items, accessories, and more.
Ships to: US (free).
Box of Happies December 2018 Review
If you like jewelry that’s generally delicate and handmade items from Etsy and similar artisans, Box of Happies delivers those things every month. The items are also usually packaged nicely for gifting if something isn’t to your taste.
You’ll usually get a little card with basic information about the items as well as a Box of Happies business card.
Din Din Toys Rustic Candle Holder – Listed Value $4.70 (buy 30 for $106.46)
Battery Operated LED Tea Light – Listed Value $2.50
I used the information card value here because you can only buy these in bulk and they are from Latvia so due to exchange rates, the price could vary daily. Anyway, these are marketed as wedding favors and I think getting one in a subscription box is a really good way to see the quality before placing a big overseas order! It was also nice of Box of Happies to provide an LED tea light to use in the candle holder. Anyway, this is cute and would make an excellent wedding favor or table decoration if you wanted to order a lot and it fit the style you were looking for.
Hanging Magnetic Board and Magnetic Clip Set from Mary Lou’s Art – Listed Value $8 (total)
We received a different item from Mary Lou’s Art last month. If you go to her website, it is only selling paintings, not these smaller craft items. So I’m using the values from the information card again. Anyway, if there is a place you would find using magnets convenient but there is nothing magnetic nearby, hanging this on a small nail would do the trick. The clips stick very well to the board, too, so you could use them to hold pretty heavy items, even a few keys on a keyring or something.
Box of Happies Earrings – Listed Value $12
This is a jewelry-heavy subscription, usually more of a casual style of jewelry in a variety of metal tones, although these druzy-look earrings could probably work in a dressier setting as well. (These are pierced, like all Box of Happies earrings.) If you have metal sensitivities, coat the part that goes through your earlobes with some clear nail polish before use, since I really do not know what metal these are made of/plated with.
Chloe Mason Soap Company Recovering Clay Mask – Listed Value $8 (buy in full size for $15, on sale here for $12)
I’m not sure what size this sample is but it is enough to use at least twice (based on the rate I use it, anyway) and it looks a bit different from the full-size container. Anyway, I love clay masks and I found that this one drew some excess oil out of my skin without drying me out. It also has antioxidants from carrot and orange, and turmeric which may help with inflammation. Get a mixing kit with measuring spoons if you’re going to use a lot of clay masks and you’ll suddenly be much better at getting the right consistency.
Box of Happies Necklace – Listed Value $15
As I mentioned earlier, this is a jewelry-heavy subscription. In months when you receive two pieces of jewelry (which is a lot of them), it doesn’t often come as a matching set. Necklaces tend to be simple pendants on chains and you will really get a variety of styles. This one is good for wearing with a t-shirt while you’re out running errands on the weekend, I think, or at least, that’s how I will be using it.
Dressy Paper Sticky Note Pad – Listed Value $4.50
I didn’t see this exact design in the Dressy Paper Etsy store, but there are a lot of similar ones for $4.50. This is a Post-It holder although it does not appear that you can remove the pad of Post-Its when finished and replace it with a new one. This is in my purse because there are sometimes when I am out that I would like to jot something down, and now I can.
Crystal Pen/Stylus – Listed Value $8
I guess the non-writing end is the stylus? I don’t really have any need for a stylus but I guess you have that option, which is nice. Anyway, I always need pens because Angus (one of my cats) knocks them under furniture so I can never find one. We will see how long before he does that with this one. It does work well (it’s just a simple ballpoint pen) and I like the color.
Verdict: I calculated a value of about $54.97 for the December 2018 Box of Happies. That’s a good value for this subscription. The “Box of Happies” jewelry values are about the same as always and most of the Etsy prices were in line with what was on the information card. Even if you consider one or two values to be inflated, I think you’re still getting well more than $29.99 worth of value. And if something doesn’t work for you, most of the items are pre-packaged for gifting.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you subscribe today? No, your first box would be January’s. Sometimes past boxes or past box items go on sale in their shop, though.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get a bonus handmade necklace in your first box!
CODE: HAPPIES
Value Breakdown: At $29.99 for this box, you are paying approximately $3.33 per item. Alternatively, you are paying about the following per item:
- Candle holder $2.25
- Tea light $1.20
- Magnetic clips $1.91
- Magnetic board $1.91
- Earrings $5.74
- Mask $3.83
- Necklace $7.17
- Notepad $2.15
- Pen $3.83
Check out our past Box of Happies reviews or find other artisan/handmade items in the artisan subscription box directory!
What did you think of the December Box of Happies? Do you get any artisan or handmade subscriptions?
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