All that said, it's old news and old hat and to those of us who are getting just plain 'old', it's done and there's something new on the scene; the baby box.
Once again, an idea that started in Europe and has made it's way to our humble, little island; this time offering a monthly subscription box of 'baby essentials'. As a mum, this now excites me more than a box aimed just at myself, and I think that the majority of parents will agree. Being a mum is a huge sacrifice and you do tend to stop focussing so much on yourself, it's nice to have treats, yes, but I'd much rather spend my disposable income on my children than myself because their happiness is my everything. That said, the new boxes on the scene do promise to include treats for Mum and Dad too so hooray for that! I love a treat!
The obvious advantage to a monthly subscription service is that as a busy mum to one or more, the best products on the baby market suitable for your child are being delivered strait to you, negating the need to shop, price-compare and stress! I need that in my life! Need. Do you hear me? Need!
There are two big names on the block and here's a quick round up of what they each have to offer!
Originally a European brand (Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria), they've hit the United Kingdom, launching last week with their boxes from new baby up to two years of age, saying they target the contents to your 'stage of motherhood'. They promise to provide a variety of luxury products from the United Kingdom for you and your baby at a cost of £25 per month (including delivery) with the contents averaging a retail value of around £70 with 7-10 items per box. They also plan to have themed seasonal boxes throughout the year.
Nonabox are currently offering 20% off when you sign up online as well as a free Cloud B Sheep Aroma pillow worth £16 to the first 1000 subscribers.
Image curtesy of Nonabox.
Sassy Bloom is a British brand (whose first customers were Wills and Kate) who also intend to launch this month. With prices starting from £22.15 per month (with free postage), Sassy Bloom promise to deliver a specially tailored 'sassy box' monthly to you with contents aimed specifically at your child's age across a range of luxury brands in development, nibbles and practicality from around the globe as tried by their panel of mothers and babies! It's not just branded baby goods either, there'll be treats for parents too as well as personalised gifts. The brand vows to bring to you the 'latest and greatest', in tried and tested products of the baby world elite! Each box guarantees a retail value of upwards of £30 in retail value with 5-6 items per box.
Sassy Bloom are running a competition on their website at the moment to give away a generous twelve month subscription to one person! They're also giving away five monthly boxes and promise a complimentary box with every twelve-monthly subscription.
Image curtesy of Sassy Bloom.
I'm not here to tell you which box to subscribe to because to be honest, both excite me in a way that handbags and blushers once did!
Unlike beauty boxes, it is a much quicker moving market. Children grow quickly, but there are constantly more being born to replace those who have grown up and new products with modern designs being released constantly whereas there's only so many sample lipsticks and hand creams one person can own (seriously, I had such a stash of it all from beauty boxes, I was giving it to my friends)! Because of this, I'm confident that the baby box will be huge and will be staying!
If you're really not sure but would like to try, you could buy one as a gift for an expectant friend as they would make a wonderful present for a new-mum or mummy-to-be! Look out for reviews coming soon...
If you've got your mitts on one of these boxes then lucky you, what did you think? Please let me know!
Clare