The Christmas gift list, done right.
Who's left, how much to spend, what you've already got: six steps to reach Christmas Eve with every gift under the tree, and no last-minute rush.
Half an hour now,
zero stress in December.
It's the same every year: by mid-December you realize you forgot your aunt, you've spent more than planned, and the perfect idea for your brother was in a phone note you can't find.
A good Christmas gift list fixes all of that. Start with the budget: decide how much to spend overall and split it across people.
| Person | Relationship | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Mom | Family | $60 |
| Alex | Partner | $80 |
| Sam | Friends | $25 |
| Office Secret Santa | Work | $15 |
| Total | $180 |
How to make
a gift list.
Start with names, not gifts: family, partner, friends, coworkers. Grouping them helps you not forget anyone.
A total amount, then one per person. The simplest way to avoid a nasty surprise in January.
The show they mentioned, the perfume that ran out, the new sport: write it next to their name right away.
With a few alternatives you can choose by price and availability. Save the store link.
Idea, to buy, bought, wrapped, given: you instantly see who's left and how much you've spent.
In the family, avoid duplicates and split group gifts. Ideas for someone should never end up in front of them.
When
to start.
The earlier you start, the calmer you choose and the less you spend. Here's how to spread the work across November and December.
- 01Early November: people, budget and Secret Santa
- 02Mid November: ideas for everyone, watch Black Friday
- 03Early December: online orders
- 04Mid December: last in-store gifts and wrapping paper
The most common
mistakes.
- Keeping the list scattered across notes, chats and screenshots.
- Not setting a budget per person: small purchases add up fast.
- Forgetting people you rarely see: grandparents, godparents, faraway friends.
- Buying the same gift twice in the family because nobody knew what the other had bought.
Elfo is the free iPhone app that does all of this for you: people and what they like, each person's budget, gift ideas suggested by Elfo, the status of every gift and how much you've spent. Share lists, split group gifts and run Secret Santa, while ideas always stay hidden from the person they're for.
Everything
you wanted
to know.
How do you make a Christmas gift list?
Write down the people, set a budget for each, note what they like, add two or three ideas per person and track each gift (to buy, bought, wrapped) until it's given.
How much should I spend on Christmas gifts?
It depends on your total budget: decide the overall amount first and split it across people. For coworkers or Secret Santa, $10–25 is usually enough.
Is there an app for a Christmas gift list?
Yes, Elfo: it's free on iPhone and keeps people, tastes, ideas, budgets and gift status together, with shared lists and Secret Santa.
How do we avoid buying the same gift twice in the family?
Share a list so everyone sees what's already been bought. In Elfo, ideas for someone are never visible to them, even if they're on the list.
Christmas is 52 days away.
Elfo is already at work.
Start today, and reach Christmas Eve with every gift under the tree.
Download Elfo for iPhone