Giver guide

Giving a gift from a DreamList

You don't need an account or a password. Just your name and your email. Here is everything, one big step at a time.

Making a list of your own? See the full DreamList guide.

1

Pick a gift

2

Reserve it

3

Buy it anywhere

4

Click "Yes" in your email

Total paperwork: your name and email. Once.

How to reserve a gift

1

Open the list

Open the link you were sent. It looks like www.dreamlist.com/for/…

2

Click the gift's Reserve button

It's the small aqua button with an arrow, in the gift's bottom-right corner (see the picture).

3

Fill in the short form

Type your first and last name and your email. Change the Quantity if you're giving more than one. A Gift Message is optional.

Already bought it? Tick I've already purchased this.

4

Click "Reserve & Buy at Store"

You'll see Reserved! If the gift has a store link, the store opens in a new tab so you can buy it there. You're welcome to buy it anywhere you like.

That's it. The gift is now hidden from other givers, so nobody buys the same thing.

If you click a gift's picture or name instead, the store opens in a new tab, and the Reserve form waits for you back on the list.

Your next gift is even quicker

After your first reservation, DreamList remembers your name, email and gift message on that computer or phone. The next Reserve form is already filled in for you.

Check the gift message before you click. It may still say "Happy birthday" from the last gift!

On a different computer or phone, you'll type them once more.

Cash gifts toward a big dream

Some wishes are savings goals, like a trip or college. They show a progress bar instead of a Reserve button.

  1. Type an amount in the Contribute box and click the arrow next to it.
  2. Fill in your name, your email, the amount and a message. Click Contribute.
  3. Check your email. It tells you how to send your gift, for example a PayPal or Venmo link, or where to mail a check. DreamList never handles the money.
  4. After you've sent it, click Yes in that email.

If the instructions aren't in your email, reply to that email and ask.

Other kinds of wishes

Gift tags (giving trees)

The gift ideas on a tag are links. Click one to search for it at a store. Then come back and click Reserve on the tag.

"Search at" links

Gifts without a store link show Search at: Amazon | Target | Walmart | Ebay. Pick a store to look for it there.

Help, activities and causes

Babysitting, a zoo day, a donation: reserve them just like a gift.

"Leave a Note if you buy a gift"

This item is a whole list on another website. Open it and buy there. Then come back, type your name, email and a message, and click Send Note & See The List, so they know whom to thank. We don't send an email for these.

Your email is your remote control

Right after you reserve, we email you the details. Keep that email. It has two links:

Yes

"I bought it and sent it (or gave it)." The wisher will know to look out for it.

No

"I changed my mind," or "it's out of stock." The gift goes back on the list for someone else.

Either link takes you to DreamList, where you'll see a thank-you message.

We don't tell the wisher when you change your mind. Your secret is safe with us.

Ticked I've already purchased this? The gift is marked as purchased right away, and the No link still lets you undo it.

Where do I send it?

The wisher decides where their address shows:

In the Reserve form

Look for Address for shipping.

In your email

It arrives right after you reserve.

Just ask

If it isn't shown, your email says to reply and ask. Some wishers ask us to check with them first, and we do that before sharing it.

Also check the list page for delivery notes and deadlines.

How to tell it worked

Right after you reserve, a Reserved! message asks you to check your email.

Later, on the same computer or phone, the gift you reserved shows a green note:

See all your gifts in one place

  1. Make a free DreamList account with the same email you used to reserve.
  2. Click the link in the welcome email to validate your email.
  3. On your Dashboard, open Reservations and look under Items You have Reserved.

Every gift you've reserved on DreamList is there, even the ones from before you signed up.

Why validate? So nobody else can sign up with your email and see your gifts.
Create your free account

Little messages you might see

"The quantity you are reserving is more than the remaining wished quantity…"

You're reserving more than they asked for. Click OK to go ahead, or Cancel to change the number.

"Oops! Just moments ago this item was reserved by someone else."

Someone beat you to it. Great minds! Refresh the page and pick another gift.

No email from us?

Check your spam or junk folder. Still nothing? Write to support@dreamlist.com.

Questions? Email support@dreamlist.com and we'll help.

Make your own list: read the full guide

Achieve Dreams Together

"I wish this page could ... " (send us your thoughts!)

DreamList is the first free, privacy-first, ads-free collaborative online wishlist and registry designed for families by families.

Unlike a regular registry, your dream lists can link to any retailer, wish list, registry, experience, activity, or a larger pursuit, so loved ones know what is truly meaningful to you. Then, they can reserve a gift or contribute a partial ammount towards your bigger dreams and bring them closer to reality with every special occasion. Manage dream lists in private or as a team. Create pages previewing multiple wish lists with one link for grandparents, gift drives, or organizations. Share one link with family, that they can refer back to for every special occasion, for life!

Foundations, charitable organizations, schools, and disaster recovery teams also use DreamList to direct goodwill to hundreds of families at scale since Hurricane Harvey, also for free.

We are successful only when you are, and that makes all the difference!
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