Elfster

Elfster
Web address http://www.elfster.com
Commercial? No
Type of site
 social shopping, social networking, wishlists
Registration not required
Available in English
Owner Peter Imburg
Launched 2004

Elfster is a social networking website for wishlists and gift-giving, and a free online organizer for "secret Santa" style gift exchanges. [1] The website’s features include a universal wishlist, an anonymous Q&A section, personalized gift recommendations, activity updates, and forum discussions. [2]The company is headquartered in Delaware, United States.

History

Elfster was founded by software engineer Peter Imburg in 2004 after hearing about the difficulty his wife and sister had when trying to organize a Secret Santa for their family.[3][4]

In November 2011, the website reached 2 million members. In Christmas of the same year, the Elfster Facebook App was launched for mobile device users. The app also serves as an extension of Elfster.com’s service.

Services

Elfster can be used to create wishlists and organize online gift exchanges. Users can find friends in Elfster, and follow their wishlists. Items can be added from any site online, and with the Elfster mobile app, bar code scanning allows items to be added on the go. When organizing an online gift exchange, Elfster draws names randomly and allows users to ask their draw partner questions anonymously - maintaining secrecy in a "high-tech way".[5]


Elfster provides a series of tools for organizing secret gift exchanges such as automated event-organization, name pairing,[6] draw restrictions,[7] gift guidance, wishlists, and anonymous questions and answers.[8]

Elfster helps with the logistics[9] of determining who wants to participate, drawing names, [10] and communicating the names that were drawn, while identities remain secret[11]

In December 2009, Elfster collaborated with Claire's to create Secret Santa Circle,[12] a temporary Secret Santa website for the jewelry retailer.[13]

In November 2010, new features were added including trending gifts, activity updates and the ability to suggest and share gift ideas.[14]


References

  1. ↑ Christmas apps and accessories for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch December 24, 2011
  2. ↑ Secret Santa Goes Digital with Elfster December 13, 2010
  3. ↑ USA Today, USATODAY.com - 'Secret Santa' exchanges made easier online, December 13, 2005
  4. ↑ Smart Planet, Elfster: Secret Santa Now Web-Enabled - SmartPlanet, December 8, 2009
  5. ↑ PC World, Today @ PC World Secret Santa Gift Swap Goes High-Tech, November 22, 2004
  6. ↑ Martha Stewart, Easy Christmas Crafts, Homemade Gifts, Gift-Wrapping Ideas - Martha Stewart, November 1, 2009
  7. ↑ Mashable, Top 5 Secret Santa Sites to Give Back and Save Money, November 25, 2008
  8. ↑ Mashable, HOW TO: Put Secret Santa Online, November 8, 2009
  9. ↑ Families.com, Elfster.com: Your Online Secret Santa Helper - Computing - Families.com, November 28, 2007
  10. ↑ Theme Party Ideas at the Vivant September 25, 2013
  11. ↑ Killer Startups, Elfster.com - Secret Santa Goes High Tech | Visit elfster.com, December 16, 2007
  12. ↑ Kidz World, , December 1, 2009
  13. ↑ New York Times, Secret Santa Sites Offer Another Way to Save on Gift Giving - NYTimes.com, December 1, 2009
  14. ↑ Bonjour Events, Elfster: When Secret Santas Need an Elf  - Fresh Event Tips -, November 2, 2010

External links


See also

Secret Santa

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