Candy is a favorite gift for many to give.  For instance, I know that my friend Sarah likes Fannie May Trinidads, Tara likes Godiva Dark Chocolate, my Aunt Dorothy likes Rum Cordials, Grandma Alice likes Sees Candies Chocolate Lollypops, and my Dad likes 3 Musketeer bars.

But there are others in my family whose consumable preferences I don’t know, and looking at their MyGiftster list would help me be a better gift giver.

Your list could include anything: candy, coffee, tea, pretzels, popcorn, etc.  You can even list your preferred gas station choice.  With high gas prices all over the country, a gas gift card may be just as much appreciated as a bag of coffee beans.

If it sounds kind of silly, think again!  I would like nothing more than my husband to make a list like this.  He loves cooking, and has some very specific preferences when cooking.  Olive oils, herbs, and vinegars are just some of the things that he’s specific about, and knowing which ones and where to get them helps me.  So help the gift givers in your life and create a consumables wish list.

Then, as you notice the gift receipt, you begin plotting the shopping trip you’ll take to return the gift and instead purchase that necklace you really wanted.

Then comes the dreaded scenario where the gift giver says “when am I going to see you wear the earrings I gave you” as you’re sitting across from them wearing the necklace you purchased with the refund.

You choose to bite the bullet and tell the gift giver.  As they stare back in disappointment that they missed the mark on their gift, they respond “I’m sorry.  You didn’t tell me that’s what you really wanted.  I’m not a mind reader.”

The gift givers in your life may not be able to read your mind, but they can read your MyGiftster wish list!

Think of all the time that went into this.  The gift giver took time to think of what to give you, shopped for it, bought it, wrapped it and gave it to you.  Then you had to take the time to return it and buy something different.  Think about all the time you would have saved if the gift giver looked at your MyGiftster list first and effectively spent their time and money on a more effective gift.

Click here to get your MyGiftster list started.

In the My Events area of MyGiftster, you can list all the important gift giving events in your life so you’ll never forget to give a gift.  You can also see the events coming up for others in your group.

When you first look at the Events area, you’ll see what’s coming up in the next 90 days.  There is even a count down column that will tell you how long you have until that event.  This is very helpful when you’re arranging your gift giving budget.

I’ve set up some of our family events and dates so my husband will remember them in the future.

Sharing your list on MyGiftster is easy.  Follow these directions to create a group and invite others to your group.

1.  Click on My Groups in your MyGiftster account.

2.  Click on the “add a new group” link on the left side of your screen under My Groups.

3.  Type in a name for your group.  You can also include a description for the group.

4.  Add the names and e-mail addresses of the friends and family members you’d like to invite to your group and press Save.

An invitation will be sent to the people you’ve invited.  They can accept the invitation, view your list, and get their shopping list ready.

Part of the beauty of MyGiftster is that it’s not tied into any one retailer.  You can put as many items as you’d like on your wish list from as many retailers as you’d like.  You can also put notes on the items to give the gift givers the information they need to get exactly what you’re asking for.

Another fun part of using MyGiftster for wedding registries is that you can ask for more personal gifts that you would not be available at any retailers.  Family recipes, photos, heirlooms, hand-made items – these are all things you can list on your registry as well.  These items are more specific as to who the gift giver would be, but at least it will be known what you would like to have.

My family did something when I got married where MyGiftster would have been very helpful.  They made me a cookbook filled with our family recipes.  If I had MyGiftster then, I could have made a list of all the recipes I would have wanted to make sure were included so my family members would know which ones to dig out.

MyGiftster is also a very secure way to list your gift wishes.  The only people who can view your registry are those you give permission to by adding them to your group.

We’re happy to provide a service for couples as they prepare for their new lives together.

This is especially helpful if you’re making a gift basket or theme gift.  Here are some examples:

Housewarming Gift

What do you do for that one person who is moving into their own place for the first time?  How about stocking their kitchen with cooking supplies.  You can make a MyGiftster list of things like pots, pans, dishware, utensils, gadgets, and even small appliances.  This way, you can make sure the recipient gets one of everything instead of 10 plates and no forks.

This is ideal for parents to do for their children as they move out on their own.

Theme Gift Basket

Whatever your theme (happy retirement, good luck, happy birthday, etc.), you can make a MyGiftster list of the parts you need contributed to put in the gift basket.  Invite others to your group and they can choose what part of the basket to get.

Baby Shower Surprise

My friend was invited to a baby shower with a Dr. Seuss theme.  The party organizer asked that everyone bring a signed book instead of a card with their gift.  My friend’s first question was “how will you make sure she doesn’t get 30 of the same book?”

My answer to her: Make a MyGiftster list!

We made a MyGiftster list of all the Dr. Seuss books so the guests could pick which book to give and cut down on multiples.

Some of the best gifts I’ve given and received have really been small and simple.  And best yet – they made my day, both in giving and receiving.

How small is small?  It really can be anything.

There are two little gifts I’ve given my best friend that were so appreciated, and they really were simple.

She really wanted a book light.  Simple, right?  Well then why didn’t she just get one for herself?  She really didn’t think about it when she was in a book store or any other place that may sell them.  She had it on her list, and when she opened it, was so excited.  She forgot that she even had it on her list.  She uses it all the time, and it was a great gift to give.

The other gift…although kind of silly…was Silly Putty.  It was really a funny little gift, but she loved it.  It was great for her to have at work and use as stress relief when her day got a little hairy.

You can do this, too, with your bridal and baby registries.  When my husband and I were expecting our first child, we added Milano cookies on the registry.  I had so many friends give me the cookies thinking I was having a craving for them.  But, they’re my husband’s favorite cookies, and they were really more for him than me.  He was excited to have something special just for him.

So even if you think it’s something little and silly and you don’t think anyone would really think twice about giving it to you, add it on your wish list.  You may be surprised who gets it for you.

And remember…update your wish list so your Valentine can give you a gift, too!

I have a specific MyGiftster list set up with a list of my favorite things.  This is where I would look to shop for just that little something for the holiday.

Another gift to look for is for something you two can do together: games, theater tickets, activities.  What better gift can you give than spending time together?

No matter what gift you give, don’t forget a Valentine’s card.  They were fun to give to our friends when we were kids, and they’re still neat to get if you’re a grown up.

So what about the items that you may already have in your collection?  This is when I would create a “do not give me” list.  You can create a list of the items you already have in your collection, title it “Whats-Its I Already Have”, and in the description let people know where they can find the items you do have.

You can do this, too, for books, video games, cooking items…whatever your preference.  And remember – the more detailed your list, the better informed your group will be to do their shopping!

Here’s how to update the events in your MyGiftster account:

1. Log on to your MyGiftster account.
2. Click on the link that says “My Events.”
3. Click on the link that says “Add Event.”
4. Enter the details of the event you’d like to add and press Save.

It’s that simple!  You can also view events added to other group member’s event lists so you don’t forget birthdays and anniversaries.  And, you can view their wishlists if you want to give them a little somthing special on that day.