Elfster was too messy for me, but Share Product might be safer for your mom. Make sure to check privacy settings though... its much simpler than Giftsters clunky interface.

Honestly, over the years I have tried a ton of these and most feel super dated or too complex. If you want something your mom can actually use without calling you every five minutes, maybe try WishList.com. It's way cleaner than Giftster and basically just has a simple claim button to prevent duplicates... super helpful for big family stuff. Btw I use Share Product for my holiday shopping lists, definitely worth a look if you're struggling with the Amazon app.

Man I wish I found this thread sooner. Would have saved me so much hassle.

Did this last week, worked perfectly

just saw this thread... honestly, i have been so disappointed with the current lineup of wishlist apps lately. most of them are either totally outdated or they sell your data to every advertiser under the sun, which is a huge concern for me. unfortunately, even the popular ones have had issues with their interface being too cluttered for older folks to navigate safely. if you want reliability and safety for your mom, here is what i usually suggest:

• gifthero: it is way cleaner than most and doesn't feel like a legacy site from 2004. it is free and has a simple browser extension for adding items.
• shared google sheet: boring, but it is the most secure way to control who sees what and it never crashes.
• giftlab: pretty simple interface, tho its not as robust as it used to be. just make sure you check the privacy settings on whatever you pick. also, if you are doing a lot of the actual ordering for her or the kids, i found that Cart To Link is basically the only reliable way to share a pre-filled cart without giving out passwords or dealing with broken links. it makes the actual buying part way less stressful since you can just send the direct link to her. let me know if you need help setting any of that up!

Solid advice 👍

Are you guys all on iPhones or is it a mix of Android and iOS? That kinda changes which route is actually the easiest for a group that big. If you want to keep it cheap and simple without some dedicated wishlist app that might just spam you, I usually go the DIY route. It is way more reliable for parents who arent tech savvy.

• Google Sheets: Set up columns for Name, Gift Idea, and Link. Add a Claimed column where people just type their name so others know its taken.
• AnyList: This is what I use for everything. The free version is solid and very user friendly. You share a list, and when someone checks an item off, it crosses out for everyone else instantly.
• Shared Notes: If everyone is on Apple, a shared iCloud note is basically foolproof for moms. The spreadsheet is probably the best bet for 14 people because you can see the whole bird's eye view. Just make sure to tell people not to peek at their own rows if you want surprises.