Okay, so I know subscription boxes are all the rage. I already receive and regularly review both Citrus Lane and Bluum boxes. But I have to admit that I am a big enough fan of those that I was willing to try another one: Stork Stack. Stork Stack is a little different from the other two. From what I can tell from their previous stacks, there seems to be very little brand overlap between Stork Stack and the other, more well known child subscription boxes. This is what I experienced in my first box as well, receiving brands I had never received from either Citrus Lane or Bluum, while those two often overlap in brands and products. The other difference is that they are slightly more expensive than the other, two, at $27.99 per month versus $24.95 per month for Bluum, and as low as $21 per month (with a six month subscription) for Citrus Lane (NOTE: Citrus Lane has recently increased their per month pricing to $29 per month!). They also do not offer a discount when you order 3, 6, or 12 month subscriptions like the other companies do, and instead send gratis boxes to children in need, which is a nice touch. Last month was severely disappointing, and I told myself that if this month was terrible as well, I would discontinue my subscription.
I intend to review my Stork Stacks based on value and usefulness and be as helpful as I can to you consumers out there! This month my daughter received a gender neutral box for an eighteen month old.
1. Good Morning Bluebird from Parragon
Price: $6.99
Status: Great
Comments: So much for very little brand overlap! I’ve gotten books from Parragon in my Bluum boxes before. That aside though, I love to get books in subscription boxes, as Baby Girl can’t get enough of them. This is a nice sturdy board book, it’s pretty, it feels like spring, and I know it will be a big hit.
2. Flatopus from North American Bear Co.
Price: $16.99
Status: Meh.
Comments: This is a well made, sweet stuffed animal, but what kid actually needs a stuffed animal? Baby Girl doesn’t even play with stuffed animals outside of her teddy, so they just sit around my house taking up space. It really is nice though.
3. Wacky Wash Mitt from Rich Frog
Price: $6.62?
Status: Meh
Comments: I have to admit I guessed on the value of this particular item because mine didn’t come with a mini mitt, so I subtracted a third of the cost from the $9.95 they sell the adult and mini mitt pair for on the website. That aside, this is a sturdy wash mitt, it’s cute, and it fits the “spring” theme that seems to be dominant in this box. I don’t think I have any use for it though, since I’m just fine using wash cloths and Baby Girl actually really loves bath time, so I don’t need a duck washcloth to convince her or make it more fun.
Price: $4.99
Status: Meh
Comments: It looks like buggylove is changing it’s branding, as I couldn’t find this product on their website at first. After reading all the labels, it appears to be the same as their Organic Multi-Purpose Cleaner, only in an 8 oz bottle with a pump sprayer instead of a 16 oz bottle with a trigger sprayer (hence the price difference, if you clicked on the link and noticed). I’m not sure that I will actually use this, as I’m not a fan of the organic orange smell, and I have a set of cleaning supplies I rather like, but you never know.
5. Oatmeal Cranberry Bar from Credible Cravings
Price: $3.00
Status: Meh
Comments: Once again, a “mom” item. I just don’t get excited for stuff they reportedly put in these boxes for me. As mom stuff goes though, I do prefer it when they’re edible. I’ve already eaten this, and it seems a bit expensive for what it is, and it really didn’t even taste that good. The KIND Bar last month was way better.
Summary: So was it worth it? I wasn’t blown away by this box, but I feel like it was a come back after the horror show that was last month’s box. As far as value goes, the total value of the box was about $38.59, up against a purchase price of $25, so not bad at all, actually. Even when you subtract the stuff I won’t use, I’m still over the purchase price. I still feel like this subscription is on probation though. We’ll see how next month goes, but it may be canceled if it doesn’t go well.
Happiness is Now 