British Boxes Review: January 2015 (Male)

I was very excited about British Boxes getting started and I ordered both a Male and Female box immediately. Although I was disappointed in my Female box, I completely understand that this is a brand new box. I also understand that British Boxes isn't a big company and is hoping to grow. While I would be reluctant to pay what I did for the Female box without some changes again, I found the Male box to be more aligned with my expectations. I was also an early subscriber and in the little bit of time between the Female and Male box, there was definitely improvement.

My box, very nicely wrapped again, was destroyed this time as well. Since I've seen this from several boxes, I don't think it has anything to do with British Boxes. I guess it's what you deal with when ordering from overseas, or really anywhere. Sadly, though, it did damage the items inside this time.

Several of the items were repeats from my Female Box, including the Fish 'n' Chips snack, cheese pack, tea bags, and tea light candles. The tea and snack make total sense, although the tea lights probably don't belong in a box geared towards men. Yes, it's a bit sexist, but I just can't see too many guys getting excited about tea lights. However, the snack and cheese were quickly devoured by my husband, so no complaints there! There was also a small jar of jam, which will definitely be used.

This time, the tea came with a really cute travel mug, which sadly was completely cracked in transit. I love the pattern - it feels old-fashioned, but I won't be able to use the mug. I could possibly pull the design out and add it to a different tumbler, though. I think this was a nice touch, including the tea within the mug, and it is a big change from the bags just loose like in the Female box.  

My favorite part of this box was something that really spoke to the idea of a British box, I think, and I love that it was Liverpool-focused, rather than more London items. When people think of the UK, they always think London. While I love London, I really enjoy all the areas I've visited and I would love to see the entire country represented. This is the kind of item I was hoping for in my female box - magnets of Liverpool (specifically Beatles-oriented locations). Although I'm not a huge Beatles fan (I don't dislike them, but I wouldn't say I'm anything more than neutral about them), I love seeing a little bit of the UK - especially a city that doesn't usually get included in British gifts - in this box. These went on the fridge and were a big hit!

If the boxes are heading in this direction, I think this will be a great subscription and I'm looking forward to seeing British Boxes succeed.

Update March 6: Now that I've had time to process and given the nature of companies such as French Box, I feel that I cannot list British Boxes on our current list with confidence. This box was not the best quality although it was new but there's been no communication or activity on their social media since sending the first month. I feel disheartened at what appears to be a poorly devised plan at best, and a quick scam to make some holiday cash at worst.

British Boxes Review: January 2015 (Female)

Please note that as of March 6, I do not feel ethically able to recommend this subscription. While I gave them the benefit of the doubt for their first month, it appears they haven't done any follow through and I personally feel scammed. I am not sure if this was amateur business planning or a deliberate attempt to sucker people out of money but the only way to improve and succeed is to keep moving forward. Disappearing is reflective of poor ethics.

When I heard there was a new subscription box called British Boxes, I texted Crafty and told her I needed to sign up. Then I told my husband, and both agreed that it was definitely the box for me. I love all things British - music, TV, culture, literature, art, etc. I knew this was a new subscription box and they might have some kinks to work out, but I was willing to dive right in! I ordered both a male and female box as soon as the website went live.

This is a tough review, because I had such high expectations, and that's a lot on a brand new company. There were things that were done well, and things that maybe need work in the future. However, I am curious to see where they go with the feedback they get and with the ideas they have in place. (I also don't think they expected the reaction they received and were probably pleasantly overwhelmed!) I tend to feel like a first box from a brand new company gets a little more room for improvement than something like Loot Crate, which has major buying power and partnerships to work with when planning a box.

The box came beautifully wrapped and labeled in brown paper and string, but either my local post office or the customs people were not very careful with my package and it looked like someone has stomped all over it. This happens a lot with international shipments and I really wonder what happens from country to country, because a lot of care was clearly put into wrapping this and then... well, this:

Destruction aside, there was a handwritten thank you note on top, which was a really cute personal touch. Unfortunately, I felt like the personalization kind of ended there. Not all subscription boxes are customized and there really wasn't a place to give any personal info about yourself, so I didn't really expect this to be. However, I think in future boxes, I would like either customization or a theme, so that the items feel a little more linked than just being British.

There were definitely some traditionally British items included, such as tea (can you imagine a British box without tea?), Fish 'n' Chips snack crackers (basically like our Goldfish), a sample of Marmite (normally I would be disappointed in the size, but it's Marmite, so not this time), and a bit of Cranberry Wensleydale (one of my husband's favorite cheeses). I would have preferred some information on the teas and candles, either through an info card or with packaging, as it felt a little random. I was also slightly worried about the cheese because the packaging was bare and it's a dairy product.


The box also contained some tea light candles, and beauty products. The lotion is anti-aging cream (seriously, I am never going to get away from this, am I? I guess women must stress about wrinkles 23 hours a day or something given how many boxes warn us about aging skin!), so I probably won't end up using it, but it's a British brand. I also received a really nice color nail polish that, although made in France, is sold through Boots, which is pretty darn British.

Overall, I think it was an okay box, but I think I was expecting something else maybe? The Male box is on its way, so maybe that will be more what I was thinking. I probably expected a lot of Sherlock things and a Dalek or something, which makes no sense as British people obviously do a lot more than watch TV. I'm looking forward to seeing what they have planned for February; maybe now that Hershey's has betrayed us all and is breaking its contract with Cadbury, I can get some Cadbury chocolate through British Boxes. Or Milky Bar.

I will say, though, that I am so unbelievably grateful I was not sent prawn crisps. I don't even pretend to understand that. :)