Even before the pandemic, subscription boxes were all the rage here in the UAE. And it’s not hard to work out why.
These bundles of joy take all the hassle out of having to trek the mall/supermarket/florist (delete as applicable) and offer a wide range of top-quality products delivered straight to your door.
And unlike your weekly online grocery shop, you’ll never miss out on a slot (or forget to book one – again!) as you will be sent regular boxes of goodies on a day that suits you. But if you think you’ll be forced to pay a hefty premium for such a swift, handy service then you’d be wrong.
Our team have put their heads together to come up with a selection of superb subscription boxes in the UAE that offer both great value and the ultimate in convenience. Now that really is boxing clever…
Co Chocolat
We have to doff our cap to any company that is truly ethical and seeking to do some good for people’s health at the same time. You wouldn’t ever believe chocolate could be healthy but at Co Chocolat that is undeniably the case. Inspired by their diabetic mother, Dubai-based sisters Luchie and Iman made it their quest to produce a much healthier version of that most addictive of sweet treats while also helping the struggling farmers of their native Philippines. The sibling’s Chocolate Therapy subscription service gives you the chance to recreate some of their most amazing recipes (think bars, bonbons, cookies, pastries, choco drinks and spreads). The boxes are tailored to your individual health and wellness goals, with vegans and diabetics among those catered for. We’ve never needed an excuse to buy a regular supply of chocolate. But ‘Truly Healthy’ chocolate? We’ll take a Family Box, please.
From Dhs100 a month. Visit cochocolat.com/pages/welcome-to-chocolate-therapy for more.
Hand-Tied
The brainchild of best friends and floral fanatics Preeta and Aishu, Hand-Tied promises to bring a dash of colour to your home on a weekly or twice-monthly basis. Their team of florists will lovingly handpick the latest, freshest seasonal blooms and send them out to you. Don’t worry if you haven’t got a PhD in flower arranging as each box comes with a handy guide telling you precisely how to get the best-looking bunches on the block. They will also tell you how to care for them as there are few things sadder than thirsty flowers. You can order a one-off box but for the best value (and a constant flow of floral fabulousness) then take out a subscription. Delivered either on a Sunday or Thursday you can either start your week or kick-off the weekend with a beautiful, dainty pick-me-up. Sir Elton John once spent almost Dhs1.5million on flowers in just 20 months but thankfully, Hand-Tied’s competitive prices mean you won’t be racking up massive petal debts any time soon.
From Dhs350 for a bi-monthly subscription. Visit handtiedbox.com/collections/flower-subscriptions for more.
Haul In One
Ever felt like your beauty regime is more about conformity than individuality? Well, that’s where Haul In One can seriously help you. This female-founded start-up understands that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder and wants every woman in the UAE to look in the mirror and appreciate just how uniquely marvellous they are. Haul In One appreciates and celebrates the fact each one of us is different to the next – and should keep it that way. Hence why they personalise each and every Haul Box they post to their subscribers. To make sure they can offer you a truly bespoke service, the process starts with a little form-filling. But this isn’t your bog-standard beauty bureaucracy, it’s a quick questionnaire that explores your routine (skincare, haircare and make-up) and asks you exactly what you would like to concentrate on. And as time goes by, Haul In One does its utmost to personalise the boxes, getting to know each of you as if you were besties getting ready for that next big night out together.
From Dhs247 a month. Visit www.haulinoneworld.com for more.
Hello Chef
For those of us who are not exactly naturals in the kitchen (apart from when it comes to scrubbing dishes) then Hello Chef could help you transform your mundane, bland dinner routine into something you will actually rush home for. The concept is simple: choose from the menu of up to 20 weekly recipes and have all of the ingredients packaged and brought to your door. The instructions are really easy to follow, meaning even the most inept of cooks can rustle up a hearty, healthy meal in about half an hour. Hello Chef founder Olivia Manner says she loves the challenge of coming up with her range of ‘fast-to-prepare, delicious, colourful, balanced and varied recipes’ and relies heavily on customer feedback to ensure her meal plans hit the spot. She sources her ingredients locally wherever she can and caters for all kinds of dietary and health needs. So if you’re puzzled by cookbooks and perplexed by the fruit and veg aisle, let Hello Chef clear up the confusion as you clean up every last morsel from your plate.
From Dhs347.55 a week (for two). Visit hellochef.me for more.
Jones the Grocer Cheese Club
There are so many reasons why we adore this Sydney-born café and gourmet grocery but when we first heard rumours it was starting its own Cheese Club we thought it was too gouda to be true. Giddy with excitement, we awaited its official launch with no small amount of impatience. ‘So what’s it all about?’ we hear you cry. Well, in short you will receive Jones the Grocer’s fromager’s choice of monthly cheese and accompaniments at discounted prices – all of which come with detailed tasting, storage and pairing notes. On top of that you will be given a ten per cent discount on the store’s entire range of cheeses, accessories and accompaniments as well as selected special events. You will also get first dibs on tickets to its exclusive (and thoroughly fantastic) cheese and beverage pairing nights, plus the chance to have hampers and other goods delivered to your home or office. They will even sling in a shiny new Jones the Grocer Cheese Club folder so you’ll never lose those tasting notes again. What an un-brie-lievably good idea.
Dhs200. Visit www.jonesthegrocer.com/products-c1/from-our-cheese-room-c81/boards-to-go-c84/jones-the-grocer-cheese-club-subscription-p40 for more.
Kibsons
Born in Dubai in 1980, Kibsons has evolved to become one of the UAE’s leading purveyors of fresh fruit, veg and meat. Through its network of more than 600 suppliers and business customers it is committed to keeping things local. And it distributes a whopping 150,000kg of fresh produce from its cold stores and production facilities every single day. It even offers free same-day delivery on its mammoth range of produce but if you’re stuck for dinner inspiration, that’s where Kibsons’ DIY Boxes come in very handy. Choose from the 60-plus recipe ideas and Kibsons will box up all the fresh ingredients and drive them over to you with easy to follow instructions that’ll mean even the most inept home chefs can knock out some top-notch nosh. A Sunday lunch of Zaatar Roast Chicken with a Tomato Gazpacho for starters? Yes, please! How about a Tofu Poke Bowl for that picnic in the park? Absolutely! And some energising homemade fruit juices to wash it all down with? Send us the link!
Visit www.kibsons.com/products/family/diy%20boxes.html for more.
Mama’s Box
Mama’s Box founder Chirin Khawatmi knows first-hand just how much of a weird and wonderful journey it is from the first days of pregnancy to the start of having a toddler on your hands. Speaking to friends and family during this period you will be bombarded with so many ideas for ‘must-have’ products that you’ll likely feel your head is about to explode. So Chirin came up with Mama’s Box, a monthly maternity subscription box that is handpicked by mothers based on each of their profiles and pregnancy/child development stage. A unique concept in the Gulf region, Mama’s Box is tailored to the individual needs of each of its customers and provides the perfect balance between fun and functional. And Chirin promises to throw in a little surprise every month that will make mums-to-be and young mothers smile almost as much as feeling a kick or hearing a full sentence. Each Mama’s Box contains between four and six high-quality, useful products from leading brands along with a super-cute ‘letter from baby’. And if you’re not entirely smitten, Chirin will happily swap your goodies for something else. Nice one, Mama!
Dhs275 a month. Visit www.mamas-box.com for more.
PJs Every 30 Days
Living in the UAE you tend to enjoy the finer things in life. Once you’ve been here a while, you’ll know just how much those added touches mean to you. Not a concept we would ever have envisaged but nonetheless one we are very much on board with, PJs Every 30 Days is a fabulous way to elevate your bedtime routine. Once a month you’ll be sent a box of tricks containing a fresh pair of pyjamas along with six or more surprise pampering treats. Subscription options start with the one-off box and move up to monthly rolling, (three months up front and finally six months. Not only will you have the comfiest jim-jams in the house but you’ll also have a selection of bath bombs, serums, face masks etc. to send you to bed with a knowing grin on your face. Where have you been all our lives, seriously?
From Dhs198 a month. Visit pjsevery30days.com for more.
Wear That
If your gal pals are constantly digging you out for making a fashion faux pas, maybe it’s time you hired a personal stylist. But they’re ridiculously expensive, right? Not when they’re from Wear That. It all starts with a Style Quiz that will let your new dresser know your basic sartorial preferences. Then, once you’ve paid a one-off Dhs105 your stylist will get in touch for a personal chat to further understand your needs and curate your very own Wear That box. After your hand-picked package arrives you will then have three days to decide whether or not to say yes to the dress or no to the kimono (we seriously doubt you’ll be doing the latter). Each delivery comes with ten to 12 curated pieces from designers such as Stella McCartney, Max Mara and Anine Bing. Head over to the Wear That website and you can even pick your own stylist (most helpful), each with their own distinct fashion sense from streetstyle chic to Boho glam to boss vibes. Most style bases are covered and your experts are there to rid you of those clothing calamities once and for all.
From Dhs200 per item (boxes priced to fit your specified budget). Visit wearthat.me for more.
You Beaut
No matter how many YouTube videos you watch, or ‘miracle’ products endorsed by celebrities you try getting the right type of skincare just for you can be an absolute minefield. Alexys Mackenzie was so tired of being mis-sold products (and even being told she was the wrong skin type) that she decided to take matters into her own hands with You Beaut. Her goal is, in her own words, to help people ‘find the best skincare products, achieve their skin goals and tackle their skin concerns no matter the budget, gender, or beauty preferences’. A noble pursuit, indeed, and one without any hidden agendas. Once you’ve taken a quick ‘Skin Quiz’, Alexys and her doctor-backed team of experts will match you with the most suitable beauty products, send you samples of them to try first and then guide you through what they’ve curated and how and when to use it. So whether you prefer stripped back or full-on, You Beaut should have you glowing in no time.
Prices vary. Visit www.youbeaut.me for more.
