The group chat for gift givers
A shared chat on your wishlist so everyone giving a gift can sort things out in one place — invisible to the recipient in surprise mode.
New: on a new wishlist the chat starts off. You switch it on in the settings — see below.
No more scattered group threads. With the built-in chat, everyone giving a gift can sort things out right on the wishlist.
Switching the chat on
A new wishlist starts with the chat off, so your list stays tidy. To switch it on:
- Open your wishlist
- Go to the Settings tab
- Turn on Group chat
- Save — from now on the chat sits under the wishes
While it is off, visitors see no chat at all.
What it is for
The chat answers questions like:
- Who is buying the gift?
- Should we chip in together?
- Who is picking it up?
- Has anybody got a card yet?
All in one place, instead of spread over messenger apps, email and text.
Where to find it
Once you have switched it on, your guests find it like this — on a private list there is none:
- Open the wishlist through the share link
- Look underneath the wishes for the chat
- Write a message
Everyone who opens the wishlist sees the chat — except the person being given to, while surprise mode is on. They do not see it at all.
Who can use it
If you are giving a gift
- Read messages and write them
- The first time, you are asked for a name
- No account needed — your name is remembered in your browser
If you are organizing
- You see every message
- You can answer and keep things moving
- Ideal for answering questions from the people giving gifts
The person being given to
- With surprise mode on: does not see the chat
- Without surprise mode: sees every message, as long as the chat is on and the list is not private
Writing a message
- Scroll to the chat
- Type your name the first time
- Write your message
- Send it
Your message appears for everyone straight away.
Live updates
The chat updates by itself:
- New messages appear on their own
- Nothing to refresh
- Everyone sees the same thread at the same time
Making the chat useful
If you are giving a gift
- Ask before you reserve
- Offer to chip in together
- Work out who hands the gift over
Like this:
Anybody want to go in on the laptop together?
I am buying the book — who is getting a card?
When are we meeting to wrap everything?
If you are organizing
- Say hello
- Answer questions quickly
- Explain how the handover works
Like this:
Hi everyone! The party is on Saturday at three. Please drop gifts off with me by half past two.
For the expensive one, please chip in a share rather than reserving the whole thing — I will buy it.
Common questions
Does the recipient see the chat messages?
Only while surprise mode is off. With surprise mode on, the chat is invisible to the person being given to.
Can I delete a message?
No, a sent message stays. Think before you send.
Are chat messages emailed out?
No. The chat lives on the wishlist. No email notifications go out for chat messages.
Do I have to sign in to chat?
No, no account needed. You give a name, and your browser remembers it.
How many messages can I write?
As many as you like over the life of the list. There is one small brake: after about ten messages in five minutes you are asked to wait a moment, which keeps the chat from being flooded. A single message can run to 1,000 characters.
Are messages kept?
Yes, every message stays as long as the wishlist exists.