Subscription boxes are the ultimate “try before you buy” experiences. There are the heavy hitters that have been around for a long time like Birch Box for beauty, Curlbox for the naturalistas and my personal favorite Cocotique for beauty products for women of color. Subscription boxes have become quite the business; so much that major brands are including these box sampling programs as part of their marketing budget and brands like Essence Magazine, Sephora, Target and Walmart are creating their own subscription boxes to get in game. These boxes are carefully curated with a specific target audience ranging across industries from wine sampling to healthy snacks.
The exploration of new brands, independent product creators are able to showcase a variety of products that fit within a specific lifestyle market. Excitingly, Caribbean subscription boxes are also on the rise. For many of us you may think, “Why would I need a box like this, when I can just wait until I visit home and stock up?” There are plenty of reasons boxes like these appeal to Caribbeans in the diaspora.
Gift giving – Some of these boxes make great gifts for family, friends, college students, or a boss or client you want to share your Caribbean heritage with.
Local products – Explore other local products from the Caribbean that aren’t mass produced or sold. While some of us in metropolitan areas have access to these items, many are limited, why not have products delivered to your door step regularly?
Buy Caribbean – Support Caribbean business owners by valuing their products enough to pay for them (yeah, I said it!)
Here are a list of 5 Caribbean subscription boxes you should try:
Callaloo Box is a monthly subscription box filled with Trinidad & Tobago inspired spices for your kitchen! The spices come in full sizes, not samples, which is great because you can use them a few times. The great thing about Callaloo box is if you run out of products you can re-stock through their site directly for specific products that come in the box.
Braata Box creates custom gift boxes that celebrate and show love. Gifts for all occasions. Everything 100% made & sourced in Jamaica.
Tabanca Box is a subscription box service from the Caribbean catering for the Caribbean Diaspora – bringing the Caribbean to your doorstep. Offering Caribbean snacks, sauces, souvenirs, spices and breads.
Sugar Plum Box is a beauty and lifestyle box based in Jamaica. Mixing local, regional and international brands. Love the items in the gift box? You can also purchase some through their online shop!
Abuela Mami is a food specialty box contains 4-9 items of hand-picked Cuban culture goodies. Boxes can include kitchen tools, games, snacks, sweets, coffee and more! We send ‘Cuban’ products that are manufactured by US Companies in Miami, Florida. We also include products from the Americas and Europe. (ie, the ‘Cuban Cafetera’ is actually an Italian coffee/espresso)
Straight from Yard – Kerry of Carry on Friends interviewed Straight From Yard creator Shelly-Rae James on the COF Podcast. Here you’ll find some of the finest handcrafted Jamaican products available for purchase and some are exclusively available at Straight from Yard. Our artfully presented Gift Crates bring the best of Jamaica to you; from our exquisite products to the beautifully handmade wood crates.
Mikelah
Mikelah is a Caribbean Culture expert, curating the bridge between the Caribbean and its diaspora. A CUNY Baruch College graduate with a BBA in Marketing. With previous experience with Caribbean lifestyle brands such as VP Records, Tempo TV and JAMROCK Magazine. Currently serving as a digital marketing maven by day, while continuing to collaborate with Caribbean brands.
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I like the idea of trying before you buy. I had never heard of subscriptions boxes before:) These look promising. Maybe I’ll get a box for my parents. They love the Caribbean and I”m sure they would love the products and info! Great tips!
You left out Jacarepackages. Thanks for the list!