A wish list that keeps the surprise
You write down what would suit you. People open the link and mark what they are taking — anonymously. You only see that an item is taken, never by whom.
How it works
Free. Start without signing up — an account is needed once, when the list is ready to send, so the link gets a permanent address.
- 01
Put the list together
Five items is enough for the link to work: with two or three there is nothing to choose from, and the giver ends up asking anyway.
- 02
Share the link
The address is permanent: keep adding items, the link in the chat never goes stale.
- 03
Nobody gives the same thing twice
A claimed item shows up to everyone else as planned. The name of whoever claimed it is not stored at all — not for you, not for anyone.
What a notes app does not do
A guest taps «I'll get this». Other guests see it as taken, you see nothing. No two identical gifts, and the surprise survives.
One link for every occasion. The list lives all year; by the next birthday it is already in everyone's chat.
A link or a shop next to each item. That saves the giver an hour of searching and answers «would this even fit?».
Sizes, allergies, colours, what there is already enough of at home. This helps the giver more often than the list itself.
New Year, an office party, friends meeting up: everyone writes their own and sees the rest, and the «I'm giving this» mark is hidden from the person receiving. Up to twenty people.
A second list for a shared party: salads, ice, fairy lights. Who brings what is visible to everyone at once.
How to write a list people can actually shop from
We went through more than a hundred lists people put together for a family celebration. When someone writes their own, every third item carries a brand, a model or a qualifier. When they pick from suggestions — not one does. Hence the rules.
- 1
A model, not a category. «DJI Osmo 3 Combo camera», not «a camera». If there is no model, add a qualifier: «yoga mat, non-slip».
- 2
A range of prices. From a book to electronics: there are many guests, budgets differ, and each of them needs something to choose from.
- 3
Experiences alongside things. A course, a hike, a membership, tickets. Real lists ask for them as often as for objects.
- 4
An honest line about money. «Money towards a new laptop» reads better than just «money».
- 5
Two weeks ahead, not the night before. The gift has to arrive in time. You can keep adding items later.
A hundred real wishes, from socks to an apartment — on the data page.
Read next
- Birthday giftsWhat people actually ask for — and how to find out without spoiling the surprise.
- Gift ideasForty ideas taken from real wish lists, each with who it lands for.
- 102 real wishesThe full sample of real wishes, the method, and how to cite it.
Who sees what
You see your own list and you know it has been opened. You never see the guests' marks or their ideas: that is the whole point of an anonymous claim.
A guest sees your name, the items with «where to buy», the preferences you opened up, and other guests' marks as taken — without names. They can claim an item, undo their own claim, and leave a gift idea for the other givers.
Nobody else sees the list: the page is closed to search engines and opens only through the link you sent yourself.
Common questions
The list is free — both for the person keeping it and for everyone it is sent to.
Will I see who picked a gift?
No. Neither you nor anyone else: the mark is anonymous and tied to no one. The surprise stays a surprise, and the giver has nothing to explain.
What if someone already took the gift?
The item is marked as planned, and everyone else sees that before buying. Two identical mugs is the usual outcome of a group chat without a list.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The list opens as a link in the browser — both for the person keeping it and for everyone choosing a gift.
Do I need an account?
Guests never do: the link opens in a browser and a claim needs no sign-in. You do not need one to start either — the list is put together without signing in, and an account is needed once, when the list is ready to send, so it gets a permanent address. Sign in with Google or Apple.
How many items should I write?
Five is enough for the link to work. Ten to fifteen is comfortable for a large circle.
Is it free?
Yes. Items, parties, claims — no limits. The product earns from the app, for people who want the dates of those close to them and their lists in one place; without it the list works in full.
Can I make a list for a group?
Yes: a shared party where everyone writes their own and sees the rest, while the «I'm giving this» mark stays hidden from the person receiving. Up to twenty people, plus a «bring to the table» list.
What language will it open in for my people?
Whatever their phone is set to: the list page speaks every language the site does.
After the party
The list stays at the same address, and the dates of the people close to you can live in one place in the Dualog app: three weeks before a birthday it reminds you to ask for their list.