We exist to make the world feel a little more connected through one big collective sigh.
Welcome to the anti-gift box company, designed with all of life’s traumas in mind!
While we like a nice bouquet of flowers just as much as the next girl, who needs another reminder of all the things that wither and die in our lives?
When I was going through my divorce (Hi there- I’m Christie, the founder), I was less than thrilled by some of the the texts flying in… “Everything happens for a reason,”... “This is all part of God’s plan”... “I understand exactly how you feel…”
And honestly even MORE frustrated at the number of people who didn’t say anything at all.
Years later, I can look back and empathize with both groups of people. It’s awkward to try and come up with the right words. And it’s awkward to not say anything and kind of pretend nothing happened. But even as an empathetic person, I still am frustrated by the lack of support I felt.
I’ve spoken to other friends about what happened when they went through significant trauma in their lives. When one of my friends lost her dad in her teenage years, she said the amount of casseroles and journals she received was absolutely bizarre.
No one can eat that many casseroles.
No one except maybe those cool organizer chicks on Netflix has that much space in their freezer.
Why are so many people putting yucky mushrooms in casseroles anyways?!
How many journals do you need to remind you that “no, in fact you do NOT want to be grateful right now for all the other blessings… AND STOP MAKING ME WRITE DOWN LISTS WHEN I’D RATHER SOB IN A BATHTUB FULL OF CHAMPAGNE AND MEXICAN FOOD.”
I digress. The point is that sometimes our positive intentions don’t actually lead to a positive impact on the people we care about. We may intend to show support, but along the way miss the mark. We are here to help change the narrative from “insert painfully cheesy hallmark card cover here” to “wow- sometimes life is so fUGHed up. And admittedly there is very little I can do to make this better, but know that I’m here for you.”
Our Values
This is how we do it!
Meet the Team
Christie Heimbach: Co-Founder
Christie is a full time entrepreneur, teacher, and consultant, helping schools, businesses, and organizations ensure equity and empathy in their programming, and has most recently worked with Children Deserve a Chance Foundation, Sight and Sound Theaters, the Rural Opportunity Institute, and Haddonfield public schools.
When she’s not writing curriculum, teaching, or practicing her marketing skills, you may be able to find her on a long hike outside, studying food insecurity for her nonprofit (2 Seconds Or Less), shooting a wedding under her photography and events business (Christie Heimbach Photography), cooking award winning buffalo chicken dip, or solving a Rubik’s cube in under a minute.
Why UGH Boxes:
Because I’ve needed a service like this for myself for as long as I can remember- both as a recipient and as a customer. When I’m experiencing difficulties in my personal life, I tend to shut down and have a hard time asking for help. I’ve often felt ostracized, lonely, and frustrated at my isolation. I know my community cares about me, but I think it’s difficult to consider your peers when life moves so quickly. Similarly, I’ve had a hard time remembering to check in on my people, and I rarely know what to say. I’ve often wanted to show my love with words of affirmation and gifts, but haven’t found anything that exists that fits me and my friends sense of humor. Honestly, what drives this work is just wanting to create more connected communities because I’ve missed that in my own life.
Favorite way to unwind after a difficult day:
Rolled ice cream in a bubble bath reading a thriller or doing a crossword puzzle. And puppy snuggles!
When I’m sad, please bring me:
A card with words of affirmation. Or a home cooked meal. Or pull me out for a hike!
I wish UGH boxes was around when:
I went through my divorce. I shamed myself every single day. “You let your parents spend all that money on the wedding… But his family has been nothing but good to you… But he’s just trying to make you better…” I needed someone to tell me my decision didn’t make me a horrible person.
Favorite guilty pleasure TV show:
The Bachelor. Or Survivor… but I definitely don’t feel guilty watching that one! (If you need a good cry from falling in love with the best characters, please watch Money Heist).
Rachelle Horning: Co-Founder
Rachelle is a full time Paralegal and Photographer (who hopes one day the two will intersect and morph into a crime-scene photography career). Both career paths have led to a strong desire to create a better and more beautiful world for the people she meets.
When she isn’t living out the life of Erin Brockovich, she falls into deep rabbit holes of YouTube that convince her of two things: 1) she can single-handedly renovate her entire home, and 2) she can execute the perfect smoky eye. When those projects inevitably fail, you can find her hunting down the best new restaurant to pop-up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or trying not to get lost on a long hike.
Why UGH Boxes:
I am a pro at Amazon, yet whenever it came time to find a perfect care package for a friend in need, everything seemed to fall short. I would have these intense and deep conversations with my friends, followed by a want to send them something to show them I am there and that I care. After these conversations, a bath-bomb and facemask never seemed to convey the message I was trying to send. I carry other people’s struggles and emotions so personally, so when I feel like I don’t know how to help, it eats at me. I have come to realize, I am not the only one who feels that way. Working on this business has given me such a sense of relief knowing that we will be able to help people feel less helpless.
Favorite way to unwind after a difficult day:
“Alexa, play show tunes.”
When I’m sad, please bring me:
A glass of wine and silent company. Sometimes it’s nice to be quietly reminded I am not alone in any of the sadness I am going through. A good back tickle doesn’t hurt, either.
I wish UGH boxes was around when:
Ready for things to get heavy? When I was sexually assaulted in college. I could tell my family and friends wanted to be there for me so badly, but were not sure how to be. And months after it occurred, the support seemed to dissipate. I know, being on the other side of this, that it wasn’t because they didn’t care. It was because it can be extremely difficult to know how to be there for someone in those circumstances — where you are so afraid of saying the wrong thing.
Favorite guilty pleasure TV show:
Selling Sunsets, for sure. I say that I watch it because I love looking at the beautiful real estate, but let’s get real. I would be looking at Zillow if that were really true.