Citrus Lane Review & Coupon Code – June 2015
FYI – Citrus Lane subscriptions are shutting down. If you are looking for an alternative baby subscription box, we recommend Bluum. Check out our Bluum reviews to learn more about this subscription.
Citrus Lane is a subscription box for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. (They customize your box to your child’s age and gender). The box I’m reviewing today is for a newborn. (Gender neutral). (Our very good friends just had their baby, so I’ve been trying to get them as many helpful newborn products as I can!)
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Citrus Lane
The Cost: $29 a month (or $24 a month with 3 month plan, $21 a month with 6 month plan)
COUPON: 40% Off Your First Box with coupon code TAKE40
The Products: The best products (Toys, books, snacks, etc.) catered to your child’s age.
Ships to: US and APO, DPO addresses.
Check out all my Citrus Lane reviews and the Mom, Kids and Baby Subscription Box Directory!
Each box comes with a fold out card detailing the items included.
On My Beach Board Book – Value $8.31
Under the Nile Baby Buddy – Value $9
The crab on this cover is a felt finger puppet! And this little baby buddy is made with organic Egyptian cotton scraps, so no two are exactly the same.
Wee Gallery Stroller Cards – Value $13
I love the illustrations for these cards! One side is black and white, and the other is colorful:
Pur Lisse Lip Comfort – Value $16
There was a time when a Pur lisse product seemed to be in every other subscription box, but I haven’t received any lately, and I like their lip balm, so this works.
(And my Boom Boom Prints “Gift Card” is a $10 off coupon code. I hope someone wins the $500 coupon code!)
Verdict: This box has a value of about $46. That’s on the high-end I’d say for a Citrus Lane box, and I like that three baby items are all giftable. What did you get from Citrus Lane this month?
Written by Liz Cadman
I am starting to wonder if some companies that send the free review boxes takeca little better care in sending the review boxes versus the ones sent to us masses.
I bought a subscription for my 7 month old and 3 year old based on the reviews here.
My 7 month olds box is similar except like another reviewer I received a Knob Puzzle by Shape (vehicles themed from card it looks like some got an animals themed one) for 12 months and up instead of the buddy. Value $9.99
Some parents choose to give their kids items marked for older kids. I don’t for safety and developmental reasons and I find it problematic that a subscription box would send items for children when there could potentially be safety issues and at least potentially frustration issues for the recipient.
I received the fruit and veggies stroller cards instead of the ones pictured so it looks like subscribers will get one if this types of cards.
I couldn’t believe that the sample size PurLisse (0.38 ounces) is worth $16; however, someone is selling it for that on Amazon but also during Easter someone was selling a $2 bag of Robin’s eggs on Amazon for $10 so I guess it worth $16. I guess I can’t get past feeling like I’m holding a 99 cent item in my hands.
I too hope someone gets that $500 card. I always feel like these types of things are marketing ploys. I’d rather they have an standard face value.
The On My Beach book is very cute and my little one has already tried to eat the crab. 🙂
My 3 year olds box contained:
A Stephen Joseph fun flyer (crab design that doesn’t appear available online anymore) value $6.95 Nice well made soft Frisbee toy.
A book called: “Beach House” by Chronicle Books. Value $12.71 Amazon. Not a “bad” book but not one that has engaged my son.
Color & Shape Wallet Cards from YouGuysAreSoAwesome. Similar to the stroller cards but for an older child. Value $9.99. Really nice educational tool.
Hello Book from Hello Hanna (we gir a robot from pictures looks lijea variety sent. Ages 4 and up. This craft is too advanced for my son and while nice is not something I would have purchased because it us not developmentally appropriate. value $9.99
Barbara’s Snackimals Cereal. Value? It’s a sample size of 1.05 ounces. Online 9 ounces go for $4.99 so less than 50 cent value. My son is a picky eater and so far I can’t get him to try it. I feel like it is like the PurLisse – just to fill up the box and appear to add value.
Before I received the subscription I ordered two of the mystery boxes. They had better value; however, they fell into the same age appropriateness issues (even considering the vague age ranges in the description). There was also one gotcha. I thought I was getting an Aden & Anais blanket what I got can best he described as a handkerchief (bordering like a blanket but tiny). I should gave known better…
Verdict? I cancelled the subscriptions. There are too many ways nowadays to find out about good quality kids toys. I think with the age appropriate issues and the lack of value (when you can’t use something I don’t care if the item is $100 the value is diminished) means that I would not recommended thus subscription plan. I do believe there is more promise in the mystery boxes and I might purchase some in the future.
I just cancelled our boxes. I think this sub is good for a year and then you see variations of repeats. I can almost tell what the next box will be. Right now, we don’t need duplicates!
I’m on the fence between continuing or cancelling our Citrus Lane subscription. My little one has received three boxes so far and we’re not too impressed. We’re not huge fans of the food/snacks and honestly it feels like space wasted when one is included. As far as the value goes, I’ve personally researched each item and so far everything can be purchased for the same price outside of the subscription. However… The box design, speedy delivery and the books keep us subscribed. At least for now (:
Here is my problem with Citrus Lane – This is a “newborn” box. My son just received his 7 month box, and it was the exact same except I got a puzzle for 12+ months instead of the baby buddy. Not much customization for age happening here. I’ve noticed that with the other boxes that I’ve received too, so I’ve had to cancel. I’m finding they either send stuff that is way young or too old, and I have trouble finding the value. I’m glad other moms are enjoying it though!
I agree. I have been very disappointed with the items sent to my 5m old. I dont see customization at all at CL since the froups that receive the same items are very wide, for example: children age 3-5 receive the same box though they are far apart in development. Besides no customization, I also find many ramdom items in the box like dish soap, to me that is not something appropriate for a children’s box. I aged my kid to 13m and the box this month was alot better, so now I am debating which age to pick for the remaining boxes since the yonger ones are disappointing and the older one will take a while for my child to use the items.
Thank you for mentioning that they send out the same box for age 3-5. I have an annual subscription until September for my now 2.5 year old and I may not continue. I usually put aside and give whatever the items we don’t use as birthday gifts for my son’s friends. I also try to fill out the survey every month to voice my opinion for improvement. Some month are better than others. June was great for us: t-shirt (3T, but we have enough 2T, so will save it or gift it), Sand Toys, Goodbyn containers (set of 4) and small snacks. Valued around $40 if my calculation was right. When my son becomes 3, I might switch to craft/activity based subscriptions.