Review: January Hammock Pack-Sailing

I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Hammock Pack, a newer monthly subscription service that started in June 2012. From their website:

"Every month, you’ll receive a surprise pack filled with everything you need to take a much-needed getaway without even leaving your home. Whether it’s as simple as a movie night or mementos from that exotic vacation you can’t find the time to take. So relax and let a little “me time” come to you"

You can sign up for one month, three months or a full year subscription, each currently costs the same which is $25 + $5 shipping, for a monthly cost of $30. Payments are made through paypal and you are billed each month, and boxes are shipped mid-month.

I signed up for the three month subscription after looking at and loving all the prior boxes. Unfortunately I wasn't completely in love with the January pack. Here's how it was packaged:

Here's what was inside:

K. Batty Design & Stationary Shop, Two AHOY! note cards: These are really cute, and since they are blank instead I can see using them as cute thank you cards in the summer or just a quick note to a friend. I found these in the sellers Etsy shop $10 for a package of 15, or $1.50 each.

Toot Sweet Caramels, package of four caramels: I thought this was cute packaging and I did try a caramel and they are really good. Retail value $1.25

Everlasting Eden Bath Salts "Tranquil Waters": This is a 4oz container and the sellers Etsy site indicates "Refreshing and energizing mineral dead sea baths salts. Made with Eucalyptus Mint Essence Oils, and organic herbal peppermint." I found that the seller sold a three pack of these for $14.99, so I'm placing the retail value at approximately $5.00. 

White Apple Threads Anchor Tote Bag: Everything came packaged in this tote bag, which is noted as eco-friendly and a percentage of each sale goes to charity. While this is cute, I can only see using it as a beach bag (which I have tons of) or a grocery bag (which I also have plenty of), so that's the only reason this item isn't a hit with me. I couldn't find an accurate retail value on this, but there was a custom bag with a photo image that was $10, so I'm guessing it may be slightly less. 

Salt of the Earth Bakery; The Cookie, package of 2 cookies; This package contained two cookies which have Maldon Sea Salt Sprinkled on top. I'm a HUGE cookie/sweets fan, so of course I already tried one of these. Unfortunately I don't care for the salt and couldn't finish the one that I tried.

And here's everything together:

One thing I do love about this subscription is that many of the items are from Etsy or small businesses and I think that putting them in a Hammock Pack is a great way to get their name out and I love that these aren't items you would necessarily be able to run to the store and pick up, since they aren't local. 

Based on what I could find, the total retail value of these items is lower than the other boxes I subscribe to and unfortunately for this particular box, the items aren't ones that I'm too interested in but I still have high hopes for February and March. 

I should be receiving the Pop Sugar Must Have's January Box tomorrow, I've already read the spoilers and was kind of disappointed so I'm anxious to see what I think when I have the actual items in hand.

As a side note, I've started a "score card" on my desk top to compare my monthly subscriptions, because ultimately I only want one or two. 

Here are the subscriptions I currently have and will be comparing in February when I have at least two boxes from the first three, and one Yuzen box.

Pop Sugar Must Haves ; December- January

SeasonsBox; January-March

Hammock Pack; January- March

Yuzen- Quarterly starting with February