Facebook PixelThe MSA Team's Subscription Box Favorites for December 2020! | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

The MSA Team’s Subscription Box Favorites for December 2020!

Christen Russo
ByChristen RussoJan 25, 2021 | 18 comments

Overall Favorites

Welcome to our monthly post highlighting our favorite discoveries from a variety of outdoors, beauty, food subscriptions – and more. Here are our favorite subscription box items from December 2020:

Lindsey's Favorite:

 

The Item: Atlas Coffee Club’s Columbia La Plata

The Cost: $14 per shipment + $4.95 shipping

From: Atlas Coffee Club 

ACTIVE DEAL: Use code MSA50 to Save 50% off your first subscription purchase
CODE: MSA50

Why I love it: I’ve tried a fair number of coffee subscriptions in my day, and this one blew my socks off. First of all, Atlas is laser-focused in their approach: they only feature one coffee every month. They source their beans from high-quality micro-lots, and they’re committed to sustainability. Farmers are always paid a fair wage that’s above market value, which helps stabilize supply chains to ensure great beans will continue to be grown for years to come. I really appreciate this ethical approach, but for me, a coffee subscription is only ever as good as the coffee. And Atlas’ coffee is exceptional. The Columbia La Plata I received in my December shipment is some of the best I’ve had in months. The beans were perfectly roasted, and the flavor was awesome— smooth, subtly complex, a little bright, and just plain delicious. I finished the bag in record time, and I miss it already.

Read our December Atlas Coffee Club review & more reviews by Lindsey!

 

Ragan's Favorite:

 

The Item:  Blum Toasty Almonds, Cinnamon Spice

The Cost: Buy a 5-flavor variety pack for $31.96

From: Vegancuts Snack Box

Why I love it: Although this was a little bit of work to prepare, it was kind of fun to shake the almonds in the container provided for microwaving.  These ended up being pretty tasty, too, and they were good the next day, which was nice – sometimes microwaved snacks are really *not* good the next day (like stale popcorn...) but this worked.  These would be good to put out at a family gathering once COVID-19 is under control, or maybe also for a movie night (though you probably don't want to eat the whole container yourself – it's like 6 servings).

Read our December Vegancuts Snack Box review & more reviews by Ragan!

 

Megan's Favorite:

The Item: Blüh Alchemy Active Relief Body Oil

The Cost: $68.00

From: Boxwalla Beauty

Why I love it: Where do I even start? The scent, the hydration, the way it makes my legs feel! This stuff is a dream. My legs break out when I use lotions, but oils have been a godsend. This one has a warm and earthy scent with notes of wood and holy basil. I love to use it right out of the shower and before bed and the fragrance is so relaxing.

Read our December Boxwalla Beauty review & more reviews by Megan!

 

Carlos's Favorite:

 

The Item: A Die Hard Christmas Book and Ornament

The Cost: $12.69 for the book (The Ornament is an exclusive)

From: Geek Fuel

Why I Love It: To settle it once and for all if Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Here is a holiday retelling of the movie’s plot to the tune of “'Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The book is pretty faithful to the movie. So beware, it’s not exactly a children’s book. Geek Fuel subscribers were also treated to an exclusive Christmas tree ornament of John McClain in an air vent.

Read our December Geek Fuel review & more reviews by Carlos!

 

Becca's Favorite: 

The Item: Entire Universal Yums Box, all contents

The Cost: $25

From: Universal Yums

Why I love it: We are Universal Yums obsessed in my house, and I love the variety of snacks from different countries that they send out in December. The pamphlet is filled with interesting facts and trivia, and it is an entire experience diving in and tasting the varying treats. We always look forward to receiving this box!

Read our December Universal Yums review & more reviews by Becca!

 

Abby's Favorite:

The Item: greenUP Box, all contents

The Cost: $39.95/month + $3 shipping

From: greenUP Box

ACTIVE DEAL: 10% off of your first quarterly box
CODE: MSA10

Why I love it: I absolutely loved this month's curation! Each item replaced something of mine that I use every day showing me that yes, it is possible (and easy!) to reduce the use of plastic in even the simplest of items. Plus, these items look and feel a lot cooler than your everyday grocery finds. Often you'll receive something in a subscription box that is good for a few uses and then you toss it, but everything sent from greenUP is reusable and of excellent quality. It was a great box to ring in 2021 and inspired a resolution to consciously cut down on plastic consumption.

Read our December greenUp Box review & more reviews by Abby!

 

Brandi's Favorite:

The Item: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren 

The Cost: $28.00

From: Book of the Month

Why I love it: I have been in cheesy Hallmark movie mode and I wanted a nice easy read that would keep that vibe going and this book really delivered! I loved the fun concept and that it revolved around the holidays, plus I’m a sucker for a good romance, especially one between long-time friends (why is that always so exciting?). I really enjoyed getting lost in this book for a few days!

Read our December Book of the Month review & more reviews by Brandi!

 

Jessica's Favorite:

The Item: Christophe Robin Regenerating Hair Mask with Prickly Pear Seed Oil

The Cost: $71 for 8.33 ounces

From: The Birchbox Treat Your Hair Kit (no longer available - see other Birchbox Discovery Kits here)

Why I love it: It is rare that a hair mask impresses me- especially when the instructions say things like “apply a small amount" and only leave in for a few minutes. My curls are temperamental, dry beasts, I tell you! And yet, this mask soothed and nourished my curls straight into submission, leaving me with hydrated and shiny locks that honestly left me feeling a bit dumbfounded. I go through so much deep conditioner and hair masks that the price of this is hard to justify, but man is the full-size version of this on my wishlist.

Read our Birchbox Treat Your Hair Kit review & more reviews by Jessica!

 

Naomi's Favorite:

Affirm YoSelf Script Bracelet Demo for Brown Sugar Box December 2020

The Item: Izzy & Liv “Affirm YoSelf ” Script Bracelet

The Cost: Listed Value $15.00

From: Brown Sugar Box

ACTIVE DEAL: Save 20% off your first box!
CODE: FIRSTTIME20

Why I love it: I was never that person who was into “positive thinking” or “morning affirmations” — well, 2020 changed my mind. I have seen how important positivity and self-image are. I love this bracelet not only because of its beautiful silver-plated shine and delicate chain but also because of the positive, elevating affirmation “Brown Skin Beauty” in elegant script lettering. If I have learned one thing in life it is that even if no one else is around to say it, YOU need to remind yourself of your power. You are beautiful, you are intelligent, you are strong. Yes, that’s right, girl, I’m talking to you.

Read our December Brown Sugar Box review & more reviews by Naomi!

 

Julie's Favorite:

Image via Calm.

The Item: Calm digital subscription

The Cost: $59.99 per year

From: Calm

Why I love it: During a recent bout of insomnia (thanks, 2020!) I downloaded and subscribed to the Calm app at 2:30 one morning (insert laughing/crying emoji here). While it may have started as a last-ditch effort to get some much-needed rest, this app has proven useful in so many ways. I love the soundscapes and sleep stories for winding down at bedtime and often use the music function while I'm editing or writing as engaging background noise (I love that there are so many options without distracting vocals). As someone who used to meditate regularly but fell out of the habit, I'm excited to use Calm's guided meditations as well.

Julie subscribes to Calm on her own—would you like to see us review it? Read more by Julie here.

 

What do you think of our favorites for December? And what were your favorite discoveries?

Christen Russo
Christen Russo

Hi there, I'm Christen. I am all sorts of things:

🌳 a writer who loves to convey feeling

🌲 a mother who wants to have just as much fun as my kids do

🌳 an outdoors-lover who's achieved #1000hoursoutside with my family

🌲 a low-maintenance self-carer

🌳 a general hungry person with an unstoppable sweet tooth

You'll find me collecting stationery and squirreling away stickers, riding bikes and swimming with my family, creating outfits in colors and silhouettes that make me feel amazing, wearing big earrings, drinking beer and asking my husband to feed me harmonies to sing, taking my vitamins, living for dancing to live music, roping everyone into a craft, being human and vulnerable, and celebrating the phenomenon of being alive.

...and doing it all with energy, delight, and jokes along the way.


Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

18 comments

SquirrelyGirl

Hey Jessica they have that hair mask in the FFF add on sale right now for $24!

Reply ButtonReply

Diane

Yes, “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie. The book sounds funny.

Reply ButtonReply

Snow

If I could just preach from my soap box for a minute, the whole reduce one’s plastic consumption is something I can completely get behind, but I think it’s unconscionable for all these (profitable) companies that produce goods using tons of plastic to shove it down on us with us having very little choice in the matter. For example, almost everything in a grocery store is wrapped or contained in plastic. We don’t have a choice in this matter, we have to buy those items in order to eat. With all our advances in technology you’d think someone would come up with a better way to manage all this one time use plastic. Funny we can get a vaccine for covid (distribution is another topic however,) but we can’t figure out how to contain a pint of strawberries without using plastic. Just saying.

Reply ButtonReply

Abby Holsinger

I 100% agree with you. Our local grocery stores are the same way, and like it or not, we have to patronize to eat. This pandemic has caused takeout to be our only option, too, so if we want a night off in the kitchen, the amount of disposable plastic is also triggering. Very frusterating!

Reply ButtonReply

Christen Russo

I think about this all the time, Snow! I do a lot of grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s and love it for a number of reasons but really dislike how most of their produce comes in plastic bags. I have some research to do (I’m not sure what the deal is with availability/cost effectiveness/etc) but I would love to see an increase in bioplastics in products we buy for everyday use.

Reply ButtonReply

katie

I have seen that Calm App on instagram and it really does look interesting.

Reply ButtonReply

Inkchick

I love that Bluh Alchemy Body Oil! I completely understand it being a favorite!!!

Reply ButtonReply

Vic

Random question — under the headline of this article, where the 8 pictures are shown, does anyone know where the knife came from in the upper left hand corner of the set of pictures? My dad is a knife collector and that one looks really interesting. Was it included in a sub?

Reply ButtonReply

JoJoB.

Vic, that knife is in the Terra box from Bespoke Post. It is one of many awesome knives they carry. I got my husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law each a different Damascus Steel blade from there for Christmas.

Bespoke Post is a subscription box that is $45 (plus tax and shipping) monthly but if you are only interested in buying one box you can purchase it as a nonmember for $55. Or you can sign up for the subscription and cancel after one month to get the $45 price. Bespoke post works like a lot of other subscription boxes where you are charged $45 at the first of the month. They show you the box you will receive for the month but if you don’t want that specific box you can swap for one you do want or skip the month completely with no penalties. You have until the 5th to swap or skip. If you do neither you will be charged and the box they chose for you will ship.

If you have a knife lover in your life as you mentioned I would highly recommend checking them out. When you go to Bespoke Post I believe you have to make an account ( as in just your name and email address, no other information is required and at that time) in order to search all of the boxes. If you don’t see this exact knife featured all you have to do is go to the Search feature and type in Terra and it will pop up. I suggest typing in the word knife as well to see the other items available too. Hope this helps!

Reply ButtonReply

Vic

JoJoB — thank you SO much for this info. Very helpful. I was able to find the box with the exact knife shown above. And this is a great subscription for my dads upcoming birthday. Thank you for taking the time to respond!!!

tpop

It’s from the “Terra” box on Bespoke Post.

Reply ButtonReply

Kerry

It’s from the Terra box on Bespoke Post. Bespoke is the best!

Reply ButtonReply

Vic

Kerry and Tpop — thank you so much!

Jennifer

I bought the Dia Hard poem book for my husband for Christmas, and it’s hilarious. Though I had a hard time convincing my three year old I couldn’t read it to her when daddy accidentally left it downstairs. It was really well done, with a lot of memorable quotes from the movie worked in.

Reply ButtonReply

MrsLittle

I really want to try those almonds, but I just can’t justify the cost

Reply ButtonReply

Kay

If you do an online search for “DIY spiced roasted microwave almonds” tons of sites pop up with ideas 🙂

Reply ButtonReply

MrsLittle

Ooh, good idea! Thanks!

Ragan

Yeah, and they are not really any cheaper on Amazon. It does not appear that any physical stores carry them right now? Best bet is to watch the Vegancuts store for special edition food boxes that may include them.

Reply ButtonReply