Hey Everyone, I wanted to talk about Elfster.com as it's pretty much the perfect gift exchange site for the current times. (Not sponsored, I just use it religiously.) In case you haven't heard of it, I've used it for years for gift exchanges (especially when everyone got sick of white elephant prank gifts) and I use it in conjunction with Amazon wishlists. Between those two and I've managed to streamline my gift giving process. (Really great for family and friends out of town or where it can be difficult to coordinate.) Here's the breakdown.
1) It's free, sign up with email.
2) Everyone else that is participating needs to sign up as well.
3) As the coordinator, you need to set up time/date to exchange gifts. I do a couple virtual gift exchanges with girlfriends or crafty groups, 2 sets of fam and can have several going at the same time.
4) Draw restrictions. (Are like the app face tune, use sparingly.) The coordinator (and only the coordinator) can set up restrictions as to who gets who. Basically if you have a couple and you don't want them to get each other, (cuz that would be boring) you can restrict them from drawing each others names.
5) Have everyone make wishes! This is the best part. You can easily add to your wishlist from Amazon, or any other site and it will link to your wishlist with a photo and current price. Also, you can see what other people in your friend circle have wished for to get ideas/inspiration. They also have a great suggestion section based on the most popular items that year, Oprah's list, men, women, kids, you name it! It's best to get some wishing done before drawing names but not necessary.
6) Once everyone has signed up you can schedule the site to draw the names or choose to press the name draw button manually. Either way it does all the work for you. Once the names have been chosen, you'll receive an email revealing who your secret santa is.
7) If your pal hasn't selected anything, you can poke them, ask a preselected question or message them a question directly about what they like. (This is all done anonymously.)
8) Buy the present and have it shipped to their door! Really simple. (Just a warning, if you are doing multiple exchanges, you can run the risk of getting the same present if the gift giver doesn't check off that the gift has been purchased.) I know it takes some of the magic out of that but I did get two ninja blenders and it's a pain in the butt to do returns. Amazon offers gift packaging but not everyone does, so just make sure you gauge well when the present should arrive or have a mailing cut off.
That's it! Super easy. Feel free to reach out with any questions. I'm going to include some of my wishes (I'm an Amazon affiliate and may receive a credit from the links I post) and these are really just fun things I wouldn't normally buy myself. Maybe it will inspire you to start your own wishlist!
1) Sweetened loose leaf tea drops: I like tea and adorable packaging. https://amzn.to/2VCGlJO
2) The Unoffical Disney Parks Cookbook: Because who's done with Disney recipes yet? https://amzn.to/36H8jdQ
3) May Cause Side Effects: Played with friends at the beach last last summer. Super hilarious funny game, on sale right now too! https://amzn.to/36H8jdQ
4) Travel Jewelry Case/Organizer: I don't wear much but it's pretty for my little things. https://amzn.to/3lA4gEc
5) Fairy Nightlight Lantern craft kit: Arts and crafts and nightlight, I'll take it. If I was a kid, I'd ask for all these things! https://amzn.to/36CO80w
6) Star projector night light: This may or may not be for me. https://amzn.to/2L3sSIR
7) Perler Harry Potter fuse beads kit: No explanation needed! https://amzn.to/2L3sSIR
8) 101 improve games for children and adults: Improve thinking and communication skills with fun! https://amzn.to/3om9FjT
9) R2D2 instant pot: Cooking fun for everyone! Join the massive instant pot community on Facebook for recipe ideas. https://amzn.to/3g6nYGC
10) Floating baby yoda chia pet: Because not only is "The Mandalorian" so are plants, all the plants. https://amzn.to/3qAr3Uj
11) Personal blender: Probably highly unnecessary but I'm not gonna lie, I'm intrigued. https://amzn.to/39GfxjX
