How to set up a family gift list people can actually use.

Step by step

Make the list, check it, and send it

The setup is short. Most of the value comes from adding a little context now so relatives do not have to guess later.

1. Step 1

   Create the list

   Open Gift Lists, choose Create gift list, and give it a clear name such as “Jamie’s Birthday.” Add the recipient and date so everyone knows who and what the list is for.

   Good to know: The title is required. The recipient and date are optional, but they make a shared link much easier to understand.
2. Step 2

   Choose what guests can check

   Under “Things they already have,” select the collections that are useful for this event. A child’s books, playroom toys, or art supplies are good places to start.

   Good to know: You need at least one collection before creating a Gift List. Only select collections that are relevant to the person receiving gifts.
3. Step 3

   Add the details people usually ask for

   Write a short host note, then add current interests, useful sizes, price guidance, and anything you would rather avoid. These details give people room to choose without starting another text thread.

   Good to know: A useful note can be as simple as: “No gifts needed, but if you’d like ideas, here are a few things Jamie would enjoy.”
4. Step 4

   Add five to ten gift ideas

   Include a mix of prices and types of gifts. Add a product link when a specific version matters, and a short note when any similar option would work.

   Good to know: Gift ideas stay separate from the things your family already owns. They are not added to your catalog unless you receive and keep them.
5. Step 5

   Preview the guest page

   Use Preview guest page before sharing. Check that the note feels friendly, the links work, and the list gives enough direction without feeling like an assignment.

   Good to know: Our Trove’s readiness checklist shows whether you added ideas, preferences, collections, a preview, and a shared link.
6. Step 6

   Share one private link

   Send the same link to relatives and friends. Guests can see ideas, claim a gift, and check an off-list idea against the selected collections without creating an account.

   Good to know: The list is unlisted. You can reset the private link or turn sharing off whenever you need to.
7. Step 7

   Update the family catalog afterward

   After the celebration, review purchased and received gifts. Add the items you kept to the right collection, skip anything that did not arrive, then archive the list.

   Good to know: This last step is what makes the next birthday or holiday easier: future duplicate checks start with an up-to-date catalog.

What guests can do with the link

The guest page keeps the useful parts in one place. Nobody needs to download an app or make an account before choosing a gift.