Which wishlist tool works best for sharing lists with family?

Question

I am honestly about to pull my hair out trying to figure this out. Every single time a birthday or a holiday comes around my sisters and my mom start texting me asking what I want or what my kids want and I end up sending like twenty different links from different websites and then half the time they cant even open them or someone else already bought the thing and we end up with two of the same lego sets. It is just such a mess and I feel like I am failing at being organized. I tried to look for some kind of app or website but I am so bad with technology and everything I find looks like it is for professional wedding planners or something super complicated.

I tried using that Amazon list thing once but my mom hates shopping on Amazon because she wants to go to the local toy store or use other websites and the Amazon thing wouldnt let me add stuff from the small boutique shop down the street here in Seattle. Is there something that just lets you put everything in one spot regardless of where it comes from?? I just need it to be simple. Like really simple because if it has too many buttons my dad is just going to give up and send a check which is fine I guess but the kids really want actual presents to open.

My budget for this is basically zero like I dont want to pay a monthly fee just to tell people what I want for my birthday lol. I just want something where I can maybe click a button and it saves a picture and a price or something? Or maybe I have to type it all in? I dont even know how it works. I am sorry if this is a really stupid question and everyone already knows the answer but I am just so lost and frustrated with the constant texting back and forth. What is the easiest tool for this that wont make my brain explode or confuse my 70 year old parents?

DonerDays · Accepted Answer

I would suggest being careful with apps that track too much data. I had a real nightmare with Elfster because my mom kept getting confused by the marketing emails and ads...

Elfster: Popular but way too much clutter for seniors.

Amazon: Easy but wont let you add local items.

a free wishlist site: Safe and simple for my dad, tho lacks the fancy social stuff.

CanadianClassic · Answer

Re: "> Amazon: Easy but wont let you add..." - totally feel that pain! I tried the same thing a few years back for my sons first birthday and it was a total disaster. My mother in law literally cried because she couldnt figure out how to mark things as bought on the site I was using then. It was a paid app too which felt like a scam since it barely worked! Since then I moved to my current setup which is a totally free site I found through a mom group. It changed everything! The best part was when my tech-phobic dad actually used it to buy a specific bike from a local shop without calling me five times to confirm the color. Seeing that "purchased" badge pop up without me doing anything was the highlight of my holiday season! No more double legos is a miracle... Its just so great when things actually work for free and dont drive everyone crazy. Its fantastic!

LynxLookout · Answer

Regarding what #4 said about ^ This. Also, I actually disagree with going...

I definitely agree that those massive, dedicated platforms are usually way too much. I've been so happy lately using Share Product because it is totally free and doesn't have all those confusing bells and whistles that make my parents give up and just send a check. Here is why it has worked so well for me:

It is a simple browser extension, so you just click it when you see something you like on any website, even the local toy stores.

It saves the price and picture automatically, which is a lifesaver for my disorganized brain.

There are no monthly fees or hidden costs, so it is perfect if you are on a budget like I am. I used to use the Amazon tool but it is so annoying how it blocks other shops. This one is way more flexible and it is honestly so satisfying to see everything in one spot. Tbh, it is the only thing that stopped my mom from calling me every five minutes to ask for links. It is definitely worth a look if you want something that just works without the headache.