Modern Love Box is a subscription box curated for couples. Each box aims to help long-term relationships nix boredom and keep that intimate, romantic spark alive.
(FYI – not all the contents of the box are suitable for viewing at work. Some are adult products. Just a heads up!)
They describe their expert-curated boxes as "monthly boxes of luxury items and activities meant to enhance meaningful experiences and promote overall relationship success." The activities and items are all purposefully gender non-specific—same-sex couples and heterosexual couples can enjoy this inclusive box all the same!
Note that this is the last monthly box before Modern Love Box shifts to a quarterly subscription. (The spring box will ship out in March.) As of writing this review, though, you can still nab this specific box as a one-time purchase!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About The Modern Love Box Subscription
The Subscription Box: The Modern Love Box
The Cost: $47.78 per quarter + shipping (Information on the site says the cost is about $54.00 per quarter, but my total charge for the box + shipping—which was $7.48 for me in Pennsylvania—was $55.26)
The Products: Luxury items and activities for adult, long-term couples meant to inspire intimacy and excitement. The items are curated by relationship experts and appropriate for all kinds of couples (heterosexual, same sex, etc.).
Good to Know: It looks like the Modern Love Box has shifted from a monthly to a quarterly plan. The next box will arrive in Spring of 2018.
Ships to: Continental US only.
The Modern Love Box "Good Morning" December 2017 Review
As mentioned above, this subscription is making the jump to a quarterly plan in 2018. This box is apparently the last monthly shipment—the next box that'll be shipped out will arrive in March (then June, September, and December). You can read all of the details in the letter above, or on their site.
Each box comes with a thorough, sharply designed booklet that walks you through a date night (complete with opportunities to communicate as well as some playful activities). The theme of this month's date is "Good Morning". When I found out the theme, I was expecting something like a pancake-cooking adventure. But I was surprised (in a good way) to find out that this box had slightly... sexier plans for this A.M. date.
I usually like to get as specific as I can about what my partner Alistair and I think about the items that we get in our boxes, but I might be a liiiiiittle less in-depth in this review, haha! I can say that the second he found out what was in store in the box, Alistair's eyebrows shot up. If I recall correctly, his quote was something like, "Oh, woooooooooooooow!"
A few caveats and a bit of context before we begin:
Remember, of course, that this box is for committed couples who've been together for a solid amount of time. Personally, I think (consensual! safe!) physical intimacy can be as important as intellectual and emotional intimacy in maintaining a fulfilling, strong relationship. That said, I also honor how that's not the case for everyone! For me, a more hands-on activity (nudge nudge, wink wink) is a welcome thing that feels right in my relationship. If that's not for you, that's totally cool! I would just say that this particular box might not be up your alley if that's the case.
I also recognize that what constitutes a fulfilling "physical connection" means different things to different people and couples. For some folks, it's cuddling on the couch or giving one another an A+ shoulder massage. For others, it might be sex of one kind or another. Everyone's different, and in my perspective, as long as you're getting the kind of love you need, it's the right kind of physical relationship. I was thinking about that idea when reading through the activities that are listed out in this booklet. It's pretty clear that they're pushing for straight-up sex, but sometimes they try to keep the messaging vague enough that different couples with different desires can take things in the direction that's right for them. (For example, they talk about using the bullet—oh yeah, there's a vibrator in this box—to simply "awaken parts of each others' bodies." Which parts? Up to you!) That said, I'd again caution that if you're not 100% ready to potentially venture into sexier territory, this might not be the right box for you.
Simply Gum Mints, 1.1 oz. - Buy a pack of 6 tins for $15.99
The first few "steps" in the date are all about sleeping in, having breakfast or coffee in bed, and just taking it easy. Wow, it's been so long since I've woken up slowly and lazily on my own accord. It sounds weird, but having an excuse (even if it's the card from a subscription box) to work a slow morning into my schedule is like, the best gift ever.
Once you and your partner are awake and somewhat alert, your first task is to "freshen up". I thought this was a cute little to-do—morning breath is real, folks, and it honestly does make me feel a little more confident about canoodling when I'm not worried about how my breath smells. These mints are the first item refreshing item the box provides. They're Kosher, vegan, gluten-free, GMO-free, and have a relatively mild minty flavor that's pleasant, rather than overpowering. I also think it's nice that they come in a tin, so you can easily keep them sitting in the drawer of your nightstand.
Swipes Lovin Wipes Towelettes, 45 count - Retail Value $4.99
I'm not sure if these wipes were intended for use before or after the morning's activity, but I'd say they could come in handy in either situation! It's not the most glamorous thing, but hey, some regions of the body can get a little sweaty overnight (say, if you fall asleep in that pair of particularly non-breathable leggings...), and it can be nice first thing in the morning to do a little refresh, especially if there's a potential that somebody might get... y'know... up in your business. So props to this box for including these eco-friendly, unscented wipes, which are safe to use on those more precarious locations, for that purpose.
Of course, these wipes come in handy after any hanky panky, too. I like that the label says they're flushable and dispersable plus sewer and septic safe. So any time during this date when you or your partner wants to freshen up any ol' part of the body, you. Are. Set!
Sliquid Soul Moisturizer, 2 fl. oz. - Retail Value $12.00
If you find yourself feeling awkward at any time during this date, especially if/when you bring out this bottle of moisturizer/massage oil/lubricant, I highly recommend breaking the tension by saying the word "Sliquid" in a really over the top Rico Suave voice. Instant giggles.
I will say that this clear, clean, vegan, cruelty-free oil is probably best for massage purposes, though the card insinuates that it can be used as a personal lubricant. It doesn't seem to stick around in the way more lubricants tend to—I put a dime-size amount in my palm and rubbed it around just to see, and it absorbed much like a facial oil might. It did make my skin feel great, though! And I appreciate that they chose something that was so natural and hypoallergenic. This box has a pretty good track record of opting for natural body products, which I like.
Bijoux Indiscrets Sweet Vibrations Bullet - Retail Value $15.55
And now for the piece de resistance... the vibrator! This little gadget is about the size of a tube of lip balm and has a velvety smooth coating to it. There's just one setting that's controlled via the button on the top, and it is powerful stuff! I appreciate that it's such a discreet product—it's easy to hide away if you have kiddos or nosy roommates, and if someone did see it, I don't think they'd bat an eye (it almost looks like a spare battery pack or some kind of random beauty product). The package notes that it's latex-free, for those with allergies, but before you go too wild, know that it isn't waterproof. It does come with the battery included, though!
Once you've had your version of a romantic, physically intimate morning, the box calls on both partners to express three things that they're grateful for and set one intention for the day. (Hint hint: It's extra nice to make one of those things you're grateful for something about your partner. Just sayin'...) Once your day is done, the box asks you to come together again and go through this card of communication activities. I really appreciated the questions about prioritizing having fun (in both sexual and non-sexual ways) together. Alistair and I are two busy bees, and sometimes we get lost in our schedules. Most of the time we spend together ends up being in big groups (going out to dinner with friends, etc.), which is kiiiind of time together but not quite as intimate as we both ideally like. So it's nice to have the chance to recommit to the kind of together time and physical intimacy we want out of our relationship and to do it in a positive, conversational way. Because it's the card bringing it up, neither one of us has to feel the pressure of starting that conversation.
(I'd also say that while this card is explicit about sex, I think a little wordsmithing could make the questions applicable to couples who aren't sexually active/who prefer a different version of intimacy, too. What do you think?)
Oh, and there are journaling prompts, too! This subscription really recommends journaling feelings and observations after each date, so that you can self-reflect (and share those reflections with your partner, if you want).
The Verdict: I'm no prude, but I definitely blushed a bit being like "Look what we got, honey!" That said, I'm really grateful to Modern Love Box for attending to all the different aspects of a relationship, from the physical to the emotional. I love that they include communication exercises in each box, in addition to whatever the central date activity is. I think my immediate nerves about this particular activity were in response to other "sexy" gift boxes and products I've seen over the years, which can be kind of corny or even intimidating. But I liked the thoughtful, respectful way this box presented this physical activity—the climax (pun intended) of the date happens three steps in, after you've spent time getting cuddly and just being comfortable together, and the action is immediately followed by a gratitude exercise to help you connect on an emotional level. Even the idea of making this a morning activity put the whole thing in a different perspective. It wasn't like "Oh yeah, baby! Things are gonna get STEAMY!" The box seems to be trying to build a far more comfortable, well-rounded experience that was enriching, but also fun.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes! This particular box is still available as a one-time purchase here! If you sign up today for the quarterly subscription, your first box will be the Spring box arriving around March 18-23.
Value Breakdown: This box cost me $55.26. That means that the average cost of each of the four products in the box would be $13.82. Going by the retail values I was able to find, you can already see that the average cost is probably a little high for most of the items I got. Of course, that value doesn't address the more intangible value of the communication activity, journal question, and the date plan. I do feel like the communication questions (and the gratitude sharing exercise) were the most valuable aspects of the box. This subscription probably isn't going to get you any major deals on the items inside, but I don't mind that, as I don't think that's the goal. If you're willing to sit with each box and engage with the relationship-building experiences it provides, I think it can be a really valuable subscription.
Check out all of our The Modern Love reviews and more date night subscription reviews in our Subscription Box List!
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