Wishlist / group registry app recommendations?

November 29, 2015 9:42 PM

It's that time of year when my family and I trade lists of things we could get for one another if we haven't already found something on our own. We usually just do a running email thread, and it devolves into sub threads excluding the person of interest, where all the other family members claim what they're getting or have gotten for the person who isn't on the cc:list. Until of course someone (Mom) replies on the wrong thread, and spills the beans. ;)

I figure there has to be a good app for this (iOS), and google, and iTunes searching have turned up a mixed bag. Many are either - retailer specific (Target only, Amazon only ), or don't seem to be organized for groups- full of tools like budgets and checklists for you to track your own plans only, and no ability to share both wants and items acquired.

What I'm looking for is one where we can all see each other's list, and if we buy something, we can can check it off, and everyone but the person who asked for it can see that its been purchased.

I've seen one or two that sound like they're in the right vein, but as often happens with the app store- the description doesn't give enough details to justify the purchase risk, and/or the reviews are vague, and don't tell me why someone likes or doesn't like it.

I'd love to hear any suggestions to try, or cautionary tales to avoid from the mefiHiveMind, if anyone has sent ferrets down this specific rabbit hole before.

If I pull the trigger on any myself, I'll post back my intel.

posted by blackfly to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

I use Amazon because it does allow you to add things from other sites. But it sounds like you might also be sharing possible ideas for other people (i.e. your mom suggests to you something her sister might like)? I use Amazon for this too, but it's clunky.
posted by metasarah at 9:59 PM on November 29, 2015

I think Elfster would work for this! It's really meant for secret santa type things but there is a way to set up wish lists and grant people access via email. So you could set up a "things for mom" list and invite everyone except her to view it, for example.
posted by sanitycheck at 12:25 AM on November 30, 2015

I use Giftster for this - I think it covers most of your functionality and you can add a little taskbar icon to "register" gifts to your own wishlist easily as you're browsing online.
posted by oneaday at 4:31 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

We use drawnames.com for our Secret Santa. It has a wishlist function where everyone can see the others' wishlists, ask anonymous questions about items, and check off items. The person whose list it is can't see what's been checked off. I think you could use this without actually drawing names.
posted by Kriesa at 7:37 AM on November 30, 2015

Maybe Wunderlist?
I use it to share my grocery list with my spouse but you can share different checklists with others on the free version. There is a pay version but I've not needed it from a personal standpoint. I have the IOS version on my phone and it is compatible with most phones and is also web-based. It has the functionality for any kind of list function with check off functions.
posted by Kitty Cornered at 7:46 PM on November 30, 2015