How to Hint at a Gift and What to Write to Guests

The best hint at a gift is a clear answer: when someone asks what you'd like, name one or two things, or send a short wishlist with one friendly line. Below are five honest ways to hint, and short texts to copy for family, friends, a party invitation, money, "no gifts, please" and the thank-you afterwards.

wishdo editors November 11, 2026 5 min 4
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Who wrote this. The wishdo.io team, so the examples use wishdo. It is free: it handles no payments and takes no commission. Every button and setting we name was checked against wishdo on 11 November 2026.

Five honest ways to hint

  1. Answer the question. "Oh, nothing" is the worst hint there is. Name one or two things and where to find them.
  2. Mention it when it comes up. "My headphones have finally died" over dinner is a hint and a fact. Once is enough.
  3. Share what you like. A shop-window photo with "isn't this lovely?" shows your taste.
  4. Keep a list and say it exists. An online wishlist opens from one link, and gifts on it can be reserved, so nothing is bought twice.
  5. Tell one go-between. A sister or a best friend gets asked anyway.

Skip weeks of hints, sulking when one is missed, and hints at things far beyond the person's usual budget.

Create a wishlist

Add products from any shop or write an idea without a link.

Make your birthday wishlist

Ready texts to copy

Swap [link] for your list's link. Not sure what to put on the list? See what to put on a wishlist.

To a partner

  • "You keep asking what I'd like for my birthday. No riddles this year: it's all here [link]."
  • "I've been looking at these boots for months. Black, size 39. Consider this less a hint than a request."

To parents and grandparents

  • "Mum, you asked what I'd like, so here it is in one place: [link]. The size and colour are under each gift."
  • "Grandad, anything from this list would make me happy: [link]. If it won't open, ring me."

To a family chat

  • "Hi everyone! A few of you asked about Christmas, so here's my list: [link]. Press Reserve on what you choose and nobody doubles up."
  • "Sam's birthday is on Saturday! A few gifts on his list are still free: [link]."

To friends

  • "You keep asking what I want, so here it is: [link]. Anything from the cheap end is perfect."
  • "Going in together? The record player is on my list: one of you can reserve it for the group."

In a party invitation

  • With a list: "Mia is turning 6! Join us on Saturday 12 June at 3 pm. Gift ideas, if you'd like them: [link]."
  • With a list: "Gifts are completely optional. If you'd like to bring one, the list on this page shows what's still free."
  • Without a list: "Just bring yourselves. If you'd like to bring something, Alex loves books and board games."

Money towards a goal

  • "I'm saving for a bike, so money towards it would be the best gift. If you'd rather give a thing, there's a short list too."
  • "Instead of several small presents, could we all go in together on one bigger one?"

On wishdo, put the goal on your list as a wish with the "Price" of one share and turn on "Several people can reserve it". Guests reserve a share and give you the money themselves; nothing is paid through wishdo.

"No gifts, please" or a charity instead

  • "No gifts, please. Having you there is the present."
  • "If you'd like to mark the day, a donation to the local animal shelter would make me very happy."

Thank-you after the party

  • "Thank you for the headphones! I've worn them every day since Saturday."
  • "Thank you all for coming and for the lovely gifts. Mia hasn't got off the scooter since."

On wishdo, mark a gift "Fulfilled" when it arrives: you see who reserved it, if anyone did, and a thank-you card opens with a "Say thanks" button.

How to share the list with these texts

  • A link. On your list, press "Share" to copy the link. With "Who can see it" set to "By link", anyone with the link can open the list, and anyone signed in can reserve without following you. With "Everyone", only followers you have accepted can reserve, unless you turn on "Allow reservations for everyone" in "Settings" → "Page access".
  • Relatives without an account. By default, reserving needs an account, and wishdo accounts are for people aged 16 and over. Set "Reservations without registration" to "Allowed" in the list's "More settings", and they can reserve straight away. Such a reservation holds for two weeks, or until two weeks after the party for guests you invited. Signed-in people can then reserve without following you too.
  • An invitation with the list attached. In the list's "⋯" menu, press "Invite guests" (the list needs an "Event date" of today or later and can't be "Only me"). Guests answer "Going", "Maybe" or "Can't go" and see the "List of gifts" with "Choose a gift". To reserve, they need an account, unless you allowed reservations without registration. With an "Everyone" list they also need to follow you, so "By link" suits an invitation best.
  • A child's party. The list lives on your account: in its "More settings", set "Who the gifts are for" to "For someone else" and add the child's name.
  • A QR code for a printed card. In the invitation, press "Invite guests", then the QR-code button next to "Share".
  • Keep the surprise. Turn on "Surprise mode" in the list's "More settings", and you won't see what's reserved. More on who sees what: how gift reservations work.

First list? Read how to make a wishlist. Getting married? The wedding wishlist guide has words for guests and gift money.

Frequently asked questions

Not when they've asked, or when gifts are expected anyway, as at a birthday, Christmas or a wedding. Send it as an answer, and add that anything is welcome.
Say what it's for in a sentence or two and leave room for a card or a thing. "I'm saving for a bike" lands better than "cash, please".
Thank them as warmly as everyone else. A list helps people who want help; it isn't a rule.
Two to four weeks before a birthday or Christmas, or with a party invitation. One short reminder a week before is fine.
Share a list people can reserve from. On wishdo, a friend presses "Reserve" and others see "Reserved". You see which gifts are taken, but not by whom.

Create a wishlist

Start with a few wishes at different prices. You can add or change them at any time.

Make your birthday wishlist

Make your Christmas wishlist

Build your own wishlist Add wishes from any store and share one link. Free.
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