About Elfster
Recently labeled as the Web 2.0 of Secret Santas, Elfster is the premier
online provider for group-generated gift exchanges. Elfster's mission is to
make the joy of giving fun and easy to experience, reviving time honored traditions with
new thinking and new technology. Our company's value propositions are simple — provide a service that
is easy, fun, useful, and responsible. User benefits include easy sign-up,
automated event-organization, expert gift guidance, and now, group-powered green
gifting. All for free!
What is a Secret Santa gift exchange?
A Secret Santa gift exchange is a way of exchanging gifts for the holidays that
helps add a sense of surprise and anticipation while cutting down on stress and
expenses. The group "draws names from a hat." Each person in the exchange is responsible
for buying only one gift. When you only have to buy one gift, you can find a fun and
thoughtful gift while experiencing less stress and saving money!
Where Elfster comes in
Elfster helps with both organizing an exchange and participating in an
exchange.
For organizers, Elfster helps with the logistics of determining who wants to
participate, drawing names, and communicating the names that were
drawn. All this is done while at the same time maintaining the secrecy of
who drew whom.
For participants, Elfster helps find the right gift for the person whose name
you drew. For example, you can ask your person questions (such
as "What style of music do you like?") that will help you find the
ultimate present. But you are able to ask these questions in a way that will not give away your
identity. In addition, participants can keep a wishlist to give their
Secret Santa ideas of what might be good gifts.
Getting started
Getting started is easy. Simply navigate to Elfster's
home page and click on the link that says "Sign me up!". If you aren't already registered, you will be asked to
do so. You can then begin creating your first gift exchange!
Anyone can use the site and it is available free of charge.
Why we did it
Our family has been enjoying Secret Santa gift exchanges for years. Eventually, some
inventive sorts in the family began tinkering with the process using a
little bit of imagination and some computing power. In 2004, we decided
to let anyone use Elfster because, well, why not?!!
Today over 750,000 elves (and growing) are enjoying Elfster.
We hope you have fun, too!