As that TV show with the dragons and the ice zombies used to constantly remind us, winter is coming. With it comes the joys of freshly fallen snow, cheesy Christmas movies, and all things peppermint mocha. But winter also brings seasonal depression triggers such as shorter days, cold weather, and being cooped up at home. The winter of 2020/2021 was an especially tough one for many due to the COVID-19 pandemic and all the challenges that came with it, but some of my favorite subscription boxes delivered little surprises, comforts and self-care hacks that kept me feeling cozy, pampered and productive even during winter's darkest days. Here are five subscription boxes to consider signing up for now to help keep the winter blues at bay.
For Self-Care: FabFitFun
Image from our Winter 2020 review.
From following its spoilers and selecting my customizations, to Christmas shopping in the add-ons sale and using the products I couldn't wait to receive, the FabFitFun winter box was one of my greatest sources of joy late last year. I filled my box with both beautiful and useful items that either made for great gifts (like the cult favorite Unhide blankets), or brought a smile to my face whenever I used them (the cheerful Lily Pulitzer mugs pictured above.) Whether I was applying a Paradox Lucky Star Blemish patch to make my maskne disappear, or admiring the sparkle of my Kate Spade New York Rise & Shine Stud Earrings, FabFitFun gave me an excuse to spend much needed time on myself in between Zoom holiday parties and housebound snow days. With their new full customization option for annual members, you'll be sure to find something to brighten your winter days when this year's box comes around (and if not, you can always swap!)
The Cost: $49.99 per season
Check out our FabFitFun reviews, details, and spoilers to learn more!
For Winter Beauty Emergencies: Ipsy Glam Bag
Image from our review.
There weren't too many opportunities to glam it up last winter, with so many parties being canceled or going virtual. But that just made my Ipsy Glam Bag subscription even more fun for me, because it provided a chance to play with new looks and products without the pressure of having to wear them outside my apartment. I got more creative with my makeup when I had been in a while, and delighted my friends when I logged into our Zoom happy hour to show off my new favorite red lip crayon and shimmery highlighters. Subscribing to Ipsy also meant I never had to leave home to take care of my poor, cracked winter skin. They provided me with a new go-to hand cream from Cake Beauty, and a sheet mask for every occasion.
The Cost: $12 per month
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Check out our Ipsy Glam Bag reviews, details, and spoilers to learn more!
For Keeping Busy: KnitCrate
Image from our review.
Winter is the perfect season for getting in touch with your crafty side, whether you love to knit, crochet, paint, or sew. Picking up a craft is a great way to pass time and develop new skills when you're stuck inside. My KnitCrate subscription gave me an opportunity to stretch myself as a knitter and try new yarns and patterns that were out of my comfort zone, picking up new techniques along the way. I also added some beautiful new hand-knit hats and scarves to my collection to help keep me warm as the weather got cold.
The Cost: $29.99 per month
Check out our KnitCrate details and reviews to learn more!
For Keeping Things Cozy: Vellabox
Image from our review.
It's just not winter without scented candles to fill your home with warm, comforting aromas. If you have to stay home all the time, you might as well make it cozy! With a little help from Vellabox, I collected quite a stash of unique, hand-crafted candles from candlemakers across the country. I had a candle for every mood, which helped keep things at least smelling interesting while spending a lot of time indoors.
The Cost: $10 per month
Check out our Vellabox reviews, details, and spoilers to learn more!
For Keeping Everyone Entertained: Disney+
Image via Disney+.
Although I haven't verified this information, I've always suspected that Hollywood's awards season takes place during the winter because it's the perfect time of year to curl up under a blanket and binge watch a whole bunch of great movies and TV shows. Streaming subscriptions helped keep everyone sane and entertained last winter with a seemingly endless supply of exciting new content to get lost in. Of all the streamers my family subscribes to, Disney+ stands out for its massive library of programming for all tastes and age groups. Thanks to Disney+, I could spend a chilly day inside singing along to Moana and Tangled with my daughter, and then rush to check out the latest episode of WandaVision with my husband at night.
The Cost: $8 per month
Check out our Disney+ details to learn more.
What subscription boxes help you survive the winter doldrums? Are there any new ones you're looking forward to adding to your slate this year? Head to the comments to let us know!
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