Elfster: The Secret Santa App Reviews

by Citygrl00

Used this last 2 years for our gift exchanges and started to this year, but after the recent update, it is full of bugs. I can’t get past the loading screen and everyone else in our exchange can’t login or gets stuck on the loading screen as well. What’s the point of Elfster if it’s useless at the holidays. We’ve used this app for years but it’s so frustrating right now, 1/2 the group has already said there is no way we are using it again. It’s a shame that the update has so many glitches and was rolled out right before the busiest gift exchange time of the year. If my parents call me or my siblings again to let us know Elfster doesn’t work, I might actually cry. Come on this app, let’s get an update out ASAP to fix what you guys broke.

by MLP225

Elfster had a great idea with terrible execution. The group I was trying to join gave me their exact group name exactly with capitalization, etc. I cannot locate it after many days and hours. Where is the search function? It’s either hidden or doesn’t exist. Or its search parameters are primitive. This is an unfriendly platform. It doesn’t even meet search parameters for 1990. I’d give it 2 stars if it was difficult, but possibly able to navigate. But it’s not. I’d give it 3 stars if my generation could navigate, but it might be difficult for the elderly. 4 and 5 stars don’t depend on usability - they have higher bars to meet.
So Elfster earns less than 1 star for someone who grew up with computers in the 70’s, coded for over 25 years.
* Anyone creating a list may have a different experience.

by Gogabbygo

I’ve been using this app every year for a Christmas gift exchange since 2014. I like that I can create a wishlist for myself and for my son. It also is very easy to start a gift exchange. The ux has improved but the functionality hasn’t changed much.

One function is actually worse now. I can view my friends wishlists just fine but when I click the link to “view/buy” an item, it doesn’t take me to the page to buy it. It just reloads the wishlist item on this app. Now I have to copy & paste the title of the wish list item to the other website to buy the item and hope I find the right item. VERY INCONVENIENT!

by Atatheaternearu

We have been using Elfster for the past few years and it works out great for drawing names and not getting the same ones each year with the in-laws and extended family. Great place to store wishlists people can see for even Birthdays.

Unfortunately, since the most recent update on iOS we have a huge problem. Not all gifts that have been marked purchased are showing as being purchased on the iOS version. My wife has a non iPhone and they show up just fine on her version of the this app app. Anyway, I see major issues coming with duplicate gifts this year. :(

by DelEagleEye

The pros:
- Love the idea of making wish lists and sharing
- Great that I can add any wish from any source (when it works)
- Visual design is delightful and friendly
- Lots of functionality (although buried and hard to use)

Needs some work in terms of design and performance:
- Loading animation when you open Elfster is kinda silly.
- Adding links as wishes needs help. You should be able to add a photo to any wish you make and photos should be automatically pulled as well as other metadata
- Getting to and from your wishlist should be way easier
- Adding wishes in general should be way easier (the grandparents will not be able to, I can already tell)
- Navigation needs a lot of streamlining. It’s all over the place.
- The fact that you can follow anyone without restrictions feels like a privacy issue
- Privacy settings are buried and completely off as default. Please tell me no one can see my address unless I opt into sharing it…right?

by Mel_la

I have used this app for the past four years. I absolutely loved it and would have given 5+ stars. It’s great when it comes to excluding certain people in picks and the ease to set up. What I am ultimately disappointed in is that I can’t use my exchange from last year, although maybe I can but without a help button who knows. This means I have to add all the people from last year and they have to add all their info in again! Also, my biggest gripe is that I have invited 17 people but it shows 0 INVITES. I have a few elderly people that I was allowed to accept their invitation for them and just let them know who their secret Santa was…. Not sure how to handle that this year but will not use app again unless they correct this issue. There are too many apps out there.

by Lynxx__

sometimes it’s just difficult to use Elfster . I’ve tried writing a simple word or item to put on my lists but it always makes me put a link. another annoying feature is that on a phone (at least on iphone xr ios 14) you can’t see the description of the wishlist if it’s too long. the description will cut off and the info can’t be seen. other than that it’s a great app and pretty useful except for the fact you have to make an account and follow someone to mark something as purchased.

tldr: it’s annoying a good amount but a useful app

by SnowElf_9978

Overall pretty good! Some minor glitches that came up: (1) I gave this app access to my contacts to make things easier for me to invite , but strangely this app could only see some contacts and not others. I double checked and they are all in my contacts, but for some reason this app couldn’t see half of them. (2)There doesn’t seem to be a way to add a link for the wishlist on the iPhone app as you can on a computer, so I’ll have to jump onto the computer to add those links, (3) Elfster froze a couple of times and had to be shut down.

Other than those issues, it’s a cute and handy app!

by The Magster💋

Elfster is a dream to wish lists! I love the functionality that it gives gift buyers to see what’s still available to purchase versus what hasn’t been purchased yet (and how that is conveniently disguised from the gift seeker). The only things I’d like to see improved are the availability of pictures for gifts that are added with a copied link and a direct link to the product for gifts added with a copied link. It either doesn’t show a picture of the product or it doesn’t appear to be an accurate picture. It also appears that you can’t just click the link to go to the website. You have to copy and paste it into a browser, which isn’t hard, but it’s inconvenient, especially when gifts you find through Elfster will allow you to click the link and go directly to the product. Those improvements would boost my rating to 5 stars.

by RenKizdelk

This is our 1st year taking this app out for a spin and so far so good. Previously we used Checked Twice but had to switch because Elfster didn’t work as well.

The one thing they included that we wish this app had is the ability to suggest a gift for friends for other friends to see. It could either be kept secret from the recipient as a surprise gift or left public for the recipient to see the suggestion. This is especially great when kids are part of the exchange. We hope you’ll consider it!

Other than that there is definitely a learning curve for using this app but we are starting to get the hang of it.

by Nerise95

Great app. I love that I can organize everything. I can find people easily. But only if they also use Elfster .

What would make Elfster way better is if there were a way to share my wish list with people who do not use Elfster . If someone asks me what I want, and they don’t have Elfster , it’s a hassle to get them that information especially if they want specifics. Color, size, style, ect.

Also a general information section would be nice. Call it a profile. That has my favorite food, color, number, maybe my size, and favorite brands. Hobbies. And things I don’t like. That would also be cool. That way if the shopper has something that’s not on my list they could figure out if it’s something I will like.

by Crlreese

Sometimes the site is hard to navigate. And some issues develop from the website versus Elfster . Was having issues with drawl names commonly repeating the same names from the past. Also when looking at a wish list, it doesn’t seem to show on Elfster when the wish list was posted so you don’t know if it’s from past years or current. Sometimes it seems finicky in creating groups and joining exchanges. We had to redo it a couple times because something had a glitch. Right now somebody that I normally can see wish list for I can’t. I’m not sure what the issue is exactly but it just seems like a finicky system

by MNswe

Update: I figured out the issue is that the iPhone default browser must be set to safari. I had set mine to chrome, and this was causing the issue. I’ve updated my rating to reflect this.

I have used this app for years and have loved it! For some reason this year the wish list portion keeps crashing on my iPhone. It won’t allow me to open the link to view/buy. Sometimes after being idle it will say there’s a problem with my log-in, but not allow me to click to enter log-in info. Force close doesn’t help, and I have to uninstall and re-install. Please fix these new glitches! Good news is web interface works just fine.

by Emn3260

My friends and I have been using this app to do our secret Santa exchange for the past 4 years. It’s super convenient that it draws for you and you can set up rules like who shouldn’t get who (if someone has a spouse). It also has the Wish list feature where people can add to a wish list that you can see so that you don’t have to guess what they would like. You can also see other people’s wish list in case you’re wondering what someone else might like who you didn’t draw but still want to get something for. Love the convenience of this app!!!

by MaryMaryBoBerryFeeFiFoFerry

this app makes my favorite game of the season - Secret Santa - easy and fun for everyone involved. They’ve thought of every possible problem, and SOLVED IT. Long distance isn’t a problem, late joiners are easily accommodated, communicating with other players is anonymous, and adding great items to your wishlist couldn’t be easier. I also love that this app works online and in Elfster , with all capabilities available on both platforms. I’ve never used another secret Santa app and I never plan to - this app has it all and I can’t recommend it enough.

by Ash Cardenas

It’s suppose to be a dream, gets everything in One place does the drawing for you and keeps it a secret. Let’s you make a wishlist and you can buy things for others in your party.

One thing I do not like and it became very annoying is when you are adding something to your wishlist and use the ‘copy and paste a link’ option, you cannot add a picture and if you try the ‘write in your wish’ option you cannot add a link, the second you add a link it turns it into the ‘copy and paste link’ option and removes what ever title or picture you have. So essentially you either have a picture with no link in your wishlist or a link with no picture

by Nene4488

this app is perfect for secret santa, especially in times on COVID when you can’t meet up to draw names from a hat. The only problem I’ve found with Elfster is that when I add items from another app using the share link the items says they’ve been added, but then when I open the this app app and look at my wishlist the items aren’t there. It could just be taking a while for the list to update, but you would think after one day it would show on the list. Other that that glitch I really enjoy Elfster and the interface is really user friendly.

by Liikethemdeals

this app has made a family tradition stay strong. I’m a fam over 30 immediate fam members. To coordinate a fam gift exchange could be a challenge. The times we are together we enjoy each ither so much we forget to draw the names! 😂 I discovered this app who does it all for us! Draws the name, helps you with wish list & online shopping! Thx for providing the convenience to be able to spend our time doing the things we enjoy, time with family! Thank you for the gift of time! 🙏🏼❤️

by Bbthms56

Our family has used this app website for past 4 years for our family Christmas exchange. It is quite easy to navigate. It’s great to get someone what they really want and to see there joy getting the things they want. It helps to eliminate the guess work out of getting a special gift. It’s also easy to adjust to changes when some family members drop out. This site is also helpful for birthdays too, just look at what someone’s wish list for a gift they want.

by I Don't Z

This game is a really great game. It allows me to connect with my family and exchange gifts with each other. There is one elf leader that draws names. Everybody (including the elf leader) gets people (out of the people your doing it with) that they have to buy a gift for off of their wish list. Example: I buy a gift for someone else and they don’t know it’s me. Someone is also buying a gift for me but I don’t know who they are. At the date that the elf leader put it to to exchange gifts everyone says who they were buying gifts for and we enjoy our gifts while eating delicious food.

by Kate123sherman123

The website was working fine, but then when I downloaded Elfster and tried to sign in, it told my my password was incorrect, even thought I JUST created my password. I reset my password anyways, and was very careful to make sure I typed exactly what I meant. I then went back to Elfster and it STILL said my password was incorrect. After a few more tries I was locked out of my account for an interminable amount of time. Elfster seems to be a great idea, it’s a shame that I couldn’t even use my account.

by LADYRED427

My family has been using this app for Christmas for many years. We all love it. Elfster can use some TLC. I downloaded it for quick access but it’s not working the way the site does. I have two child accounts set up and it only gives me access to one. Also, my wishlist is showing me the items that have been purchased from it. So now I know exactly what I’m getting for Christmas. Luckily, I’m emotionally mature and my husband needs all the help he can get for holiday shopping. Otherwise, this may have ruined Christmas!! Definitely removing Elfster and logging in direct to site moving forward.

by Lmcnulty

Elfster started off great when I downloaded it to use for a gift exchange with a group of friends. Now not so much. Within the last 2 weeks, it wouldn’t allow me to mark items off my secret Santa partners list, no big deal as I can keep track of what I bought. When I was looking at her list, it would say her items were added by me and lists my shipping address. Now I can’t see the lists at all. And I know others in my group are having the same issue.

by Tjack322

For the most part, Elfster works very well. We have used it for our family secret Santa gift exchange for several years. This year, however, there were a few glitches with items on wish lists being marked as purchased and then later showing them as not purchased so we had several people receiving duplicate gifts. Hopefully, this problem will be resolved.

by QdudeyQ

Elfster is amazing we’ve been using it for years!! I’ve introduced a lot of other people to it and now they use it often!

—this happens to some people’s list each year, on Elfster the whole list doesn’t show up but shows up fine on the website so if you only use Elfster it seems like your person has no wishes—

by Wadupfooz

I have been using this app for a few years now. It’s great on everything except I would love to be able to add my own screenshots or saved photos to links. Most of the pics that show up with the links are inaccurate. I see there’s another option to upload photos, but then you can’t add the link. Please provide an option with a combo of the two.

by Cstilley

Love Elfster and the idea of it all. Although there seems to be a bug that won’t allow you to view the other persons gift items. I hope they can fix it because going through a chrome browser makes it a little harder to find the same gifts as the one described in the application.

by Shskfnfneksnd

Please allow photo uploads so items that are added to the wishlist that is unable to generate a picture of the item can still be uploaded manually from our phone photo gallery. That way people can see what the item looks like instead of a generic genie lamp when the product photo fails to generate on this app. Hope you will implement this on the future update to both the desktop and app version. Thank you! :)

by Dghcfhjvc

If you have a family where it’s hard to get everyone together for pulling names this is what you nee. And it’s packed with awesome things like you can prevent certain people from drawing certain people and each person can make a wish list just check it out. It’s amazing.

by Rmb254

My cousin recommended my family to use this for our big group Secret Santa last year and it was truly such a hit! Everyone got exactly what they wanted because they put out a list for everyone to see. I can also see this being very useful for a gift list or general wishlist for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, etc. Highly recommend!

by MalGal4

Elfster is great! My friends, family, and I love using it! There is just one little thing that I wish would change. In the wishlist area, it is sorted into categories like “women’s items, and men’s items”. While this is a good way of sorting clothing, it’s not the most efficient for everyday items. Like, why do coasters have a gender?
Anyway, I hope my feedback was helpful👍😁

by Bowchap

I know there’s a talent to thinking of your people and trying to guess what the perfect gift will be for them. There’s an art to it and it’ll always be the best way to gift...when you hit it right. HOWEVER...it can be so difficult to get the most ideal gifts that your people really do like and will use. this app helps you get it right without fretting. We love the gift exchange feature that assigns you as someone’s elf...

by Romeche

Our family started using several years ago. It is now a tradition for the adults to use to pick a gift for the selection they got for the year. It is also great for the kids gifts they are wishing for their children to receive.

by Skittles:D

I found this app just searching for a way to match Secret Santa names virtually and got so, so much more than I bargained for! Elfster is really amazing and has so many great features. I’m keeping my wishlist updated through this app from now on - whether it’s for Christmas, my birthday, or just things I’m planning to buy myself in the future!! Just one of the great features on this app. Major kudos to the developers on this one