Birthday Wishlist: How to Create a List of Items You Actually Want
Mar 20, 2025
No matter how many times you hear the words ‘what do you want for your birthday?’, it’s hard to have the right answers ready. So, next time someone asks, why not point them to your birthday wishlist?
A birthday wishlist is a great place to curate all the items that catch your eye, so that your friends and family can get you things you actually want this year! Just remember to add items that span a range of price points, so nobody feels pressured to spend more than they want to.
Why having a birthday wishlist is important
You want to be sure that everyone is on the same page when your birthday rolls around this year, so a birthday wishlist is a must.
Receiving mountains of unwanted gifts is hugely wasteful. Not only is it a waste of your loved ones’ hard-earned cash, but it’s also bad for the planet.
Just think: you’re receiving brand-new items that are likely to get thrown away after barely any use!
Instead, a birthday wishlist can help to ensure you only receive things for your birthday that you actually want. This means you’ll put all the gifts you receive to good use. And it also means your friends and family can avoid the stress of trying to second guess what you want for your birthday.
Ultimately, it’s good for your loved ones and good for you. They’ll know exactly what to buy to put a smile on your face. And you can enjoy opening gifts that are right up your street when your big day arrives!
What is the meaning of a birthday wishlist?
A birthday wishlist is essentially a list of items that you’d like to receive for your birthday.
To make a birthday wishlist, technically all you need is a pen and paper. But then you’ll have to worry about spelling mistakes and crossings out. Plus, you’ll struggle to share it with more than one person – and that’s assuming you haven’t lost it yet!
This is why nowadays, most birthday wishlists are completed online. With Moonsift, creating a birthday wishlist is quick, easy and (most importantly!) free. Which brings us onto…
How to make a birthday gift wishlist
The best way to make a birthday gift wishlist is to sign up with Moonsift.
Our universal ‘save’ button allows you to add items from any store in the world. Then, just share it with your friends and family with one simple link so they can see exactly what you’re hoping to unwrap this year.
With ‘registry’ mode, your loved ones can mark items off and easily leave a gift message – all without you seeing what’s been bought and by who. Until you choose to reveal all on the big day, of course!
But things don’t have to stop there once your birthday’s out of the way – Moonsift is also a great place to create a Christmas wishlist or even a baby registry if you’re expecting.
What should I put on my birthday wishlist?
If you haven’t put together a birthday wishlist before, you might be wondering what kind of thing should go on there. Here are some tips to help.
Add things you wouldn’t buy yourself. Instead of just adding items that you need, be sure to consider items that you want. That way, you can enjoy feeling truly spoilt on your big day.
Don’t include anything inappropriate. Think about who you’re going to be sending your wishlist to, and make sure you don’t add anything that will embarrass them. In other words, avoid the sexy underwear if you’re going to be sending your list over to your parents!
Include items at a range of price points. Be sure to add items that span a range of price points. That way, people can choose how much to spend on you, and nobody’s pressured into spending more than they’re comfortable with.
Pick 10 to 20 items. Adding around 10 to 20 items is generally a good shout. That way, your loved ones will have some choice but not so much choice that they feel overwhelmed. Equally, it’s important that you actually want everything on there.
Add things you’ve come across throughout the year. Start your birthday wishlist as early as possible and every time you see something you like online, add it to your list. That way, you won’t be left racking your brains a month before your birthday – plus, you won’t end up spending money on things your loved ones could get you for your birthday instead.
Top 10 items to include in your birthday wishlist
The best items for you to include on your birthday wishlist will depend on your likes, dislikes, hobbies and interests. However, if you add each of these 10 ideas to your wishlist, you’ll be sure to receive a variety of gifts that you’ll love.
Something to wear
Something to read
Something to eat or drink
Something for your home
Something for your favourite hobby (eg. sports gear or a new musical instrument)
An experience
A voucher (eg. for a meal out, beauty treatment or massage)
A donation to a charity of your choice
A subscription (eg. newspaper, magazine, flowers or coffee)
Financial contributions
If you create your birthday wishlist on Moonsift, you’ll be able to add details of a cash fund for your friends and family to contribute money towards instead of physical gifts. It’s a great way to collect contributions towards a bigger purchase, like a car or a big trip!
Birthday wishlist ideas
Need a bit of inspiration when it comes to filling up your birthday wishlist? Here are some ideas.
Experiences. Consider memorable experiences you’ll be able to look back on fondly – ever fancied a hot air balloon ride, for example? Or a quad biking session?
Charity donations. Is there a charity close to your heart? You might like to ask your loved ones to give a donation instead of a gift.
Replacements for your old or outdated belongings. Take a look through your belongings and make a note of anything old or outdated that could do with replacing.
Gear for your hobbies. Do you have any hobbies or interests that you need gear for? For instance, if you play tennis, a new racket, tubes of tennis balls or tennis clothing could all be added to your wishlist.
Subscriptions. You can get subscriptions for pretty much anything these days. A few ideas include a flower, magazine, coffee or book subscription.
Vouchers. Do you have a favourite restaurant or coffee shop? Consider asking your loved ones for a voucher so they can treat you to a meal.
Financial contributions. If you’re saving up for something big, like a holiday or a car, you could ask your loved ones to chip in to help you towards the cost. With Moonsift, you can now add details of a cash fund for people to contribute money to instead of physical gifts.
What are the most popular birthday gifts?
If you’re on the hunt for things to add to your wishlist, it might be worth considering some of the most popular birthday gifts for giving and receiving. They include:
Flowers
Plants
Candles
Alcohol
Chocolate
Blankets
Socks
Books
Diffusers
Jewellery
Stationery
Mugs
What is the 5 gift birthday rule?
The five-gift rule is a way of buying gifts that’s designed to curb overspending, reduce stress and boost contentment when it comes to occasions like birthdays. And it can be a useful trick when you’re thinking of items to add to your list.
The five-gift birthday rule is centred around the idea that you should receive:
Something you want
Something you need
Something to wear
Something to read
A special gift (often interpreted as something to do, like an experience)
Although you won’t be able to control exactly what you get bought for your birthday, it’s a good idea to include a variety of items on your wishlist that span each of these five categories.
By setting your wishlist to ‘registry’ mode on Moonsift, your friends and family will be able to see what gifts you’ve been bought (although you can choose not to find out yourself until the big day rolls around!). So, if you tell them about the five-gift rule, they can choose their gifts wisely to make sure you receive presents that span all the categories.
Tips for creating the perfect birthday wishlist
When you come to put together your birthday wishlist, there are a few general rules you should follow.
Include items that span a range of price points. This will ensure that nobody is forced to spend more on your gift than they feel comfortable with.
Add things you want, not just things you need. That way, your birthday will be a whole lot more exciting. After all, what are birthdays for if it’s not treating yourself?!
Be specific. A vague request like ‘a new bag’ leaves plenty of room for error. Moonsift lets you link directly to the exact item you want, from any store in the world, so everyone’s on the same page.
Think about who’s buying your gifts. If you’re going to be sending your birthday wishlist to your boss, avoid adding lingerie or an ‘I hate my job’ mug, for instance!
Include roughly 10 to 20 items. Then, you can make sure you actually want every item on your wishlist while still giving your loved ones plenty of choice.
Start your wishlist early and add items as you come across them online. That way, you won’t be left racking your brain the month before your birthday. Moonsift’s universal ‘save’ button makes adding items on the go oh-so-easy.
How do you start a birthday wishlist on Moonsift?
To start your birthday wishlist, simply sign up to Moonsift. Then, enjoy using our universal ‘save’ button to add items to your wishlist each time you come across something you like online.
Send the link to your family and friends and they’ll be able to see the items you’re hoping to receive in one simple click. Not only can they mark items off so that you don’t have to worry about receiving the same thing twice. But they can even add a gift message.
Oh, and don’t worry – you can choose not to find out what’s been bought or by who until later. That way, you get to be surprised on your special day!
How to share your birthday wishlist with friends and family
It can feel awkward asking people for gifts, but we promise there’s nothing to feel embarrassed about! Here are a few general tips to help you share your birthday wishlist worry-free.
Send it to people who you know will buy you a gift. If someone buys you a birthday present every year, it should be fine to ping your wishlist over to them uninvited. But if someone doesn’t usually buy you a gift, it’s better to wait until you’re asked. Which brings us onto…
Wait to be asked. If you’re not sure whether or not you should send your birthday wishlist to someone, wait until they ask what you want for your birthday. That’s your cue to pop your wishlist over!
Send it out in good time. Don’t wait until your birthday month to pop over your birthday wishlist. Instead, send it over a month or two in advance. That way, anyone who’s super organised won’t have already bought your gift!
How to share your wishlist from a birthday wishlist website
If you use a birthday wishlist website like Moonsift, sharing your wishlist with your family and friends will be quick and easy.
Instead of having to write out what you want into a message for everyone individually, you can simply send them the link to your birthday wishlist. That’s right, you just have to ping over one link, and your loved ones will be able to view everything you’re after with one quick click!
Why using a birthday wishlist website is beneficial
There are so many positives to using a birthday wishlist website. Here are the benefits to creating a birthday wishlist on Moonsift:
Keep track of everything in one easy-to-manage place
Acclaimed for its clean design
Avoid duplicate gifts by setting your wishlist to ‘registry’ mode
Link directly to the items you want
Save items as you discover them online with our universal ‘save’ button
Share it with anybody with one simple link
Add items from your mobile and desktop
Add details of a cash fund
And best of all? You get all of that for free!
The top birthday wishlist websites available
There are lots of birthday wishlist websites to choose from. However, the best gift registries for creating a birthday wishlist include:
Amazon’s Registry
Pros
A large selection of items on Amazon
Keep track of who buys each gift
Easy shipping!
Cons
No cash gift function
Only allows Amazon.com items
Does not allow third-party wishlist integration
180-day return policy
MyRegistry.com
Pros
No purchasing fees
Barcode scanner for adding items in-person
Allows third-party wishlist integration
Cons
Clunky, difficult-to-navigate design
2.9% fee for all cash gifts
Return policy for third-party purchasing is unclear
Gift Whale
Pros
Allows items from any retailer
Free & unlimited
Send thank you notes directly from GiftWhale site
Cons
Clunky, hard-to-use interface
No cash gifts or fund
Return policy for third-party purchasing is unclear
No flexibility for gift delivery date
Moonsift
100% free!
No fees or product mark-ups ever
Adaptable program lets you curate your registry to your specific needs
Flexibility to add products from any store in the world directly from the retailer’s website
Desktop plug-in and iOS app allow you to access Moonsift at home and on the go
One shareable link for sending your registry anywhere it needs to go
The ability to add your payment and delivery info
Sleek design that is easy to navigate and nice to look at!
Visitors to your Moonsift wishlist can:
View the requested gifts and details like price, images, and retailer in one place
See which gifts have already been purchased
Send money instead of a gift
Purchase gifts from any retailer they choose, they are not limited to the retailer listed on the registryThese websites all allow you to add items from anywhere on the web (although Amazon is focused largely on its own items). And you can also use them to create wishlists for any occasion. So, once your birthday is out of the way, you can go on to create a Christmas wishlist or, if you have occasion to, even a baby registry or wedding registry.
However, Moonsift is a cut above the rest. It’s free, it lets you add details of a cash fund, it’s easy to navigate and it has both a desktop plug-in and iOS app available. Oh, and it was even designed together with stylists and interior designers, so it looks great too!
Step-by-step guide to creating a birthday wish list on Moonsift
If you’re ready to create a birthday wishlist, what are you waiting for? Follow these simple steps and your birthday wishlist will be ready to share before you know it.
Sign up
Pin our browser extension/plugin to your toolbar on desktop
Download our app on your phone
Give your Christmas wishlist a name
Start saving items to your list
And that’s it! You’re ready to start sharing your wishlist with your family and friends with one simple link.
Remember, Moonsift lets you add items from any store in the world. By downloading our app and getting our browser extension, you’ll be able to save items you like straight to your list wherever you’re browsing – whether that’s on your phone or laptop. Just get started to see what everyone’s banging on about.
