• Bookmark

    Elfster

Elfster

Write a Review

Overview

Elfster has a rating of 2.8 stars from 125 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Elfster ranks 2nd among Christmas sites.

  • Shipping
    4
  • Returns
    4
  • Quality
    10
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 11.1%
Positive
1
Neutral
0
Negative
8
View ratings trends
1
See all photos
How would you rate Elfster?
Top Positive Review

“Excellent customer service”

George T.
12/1/18

I have a few computer challenged friends in my gift exchange. Elfster's online chat answers every question immediately for them. The site is fantastic so easy to navigate and makes getting worthless, thoughtless gifts a thing of the past.

See positive reviews
Top Critical Review

“Terrible - doesn't work”

S M.
12/4/23

Only 1/2 of the people receiving the invitation could join. It says 9 accepted but that's 9 invited. Many of us could not accept or go beyond this screen. So much trying and trying to make it work. A complete waste of time. And thanks for all the spam that you get once you make an account. I can see the invite but can't join or see who's joined. Below it says I'm not participating. All the clicks and trying never got it to work. And the admin had no luck either.

See critical reviews

Reviews (125)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (43) gift exchange (30)
Thumbnail of user lauram594
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 21st, 2018

This site is helpful for organizing a gift exchange and has many great features. However, the site is not necessarily user friendly and I got multiple questions from participants in my exchange. The live chat person was friendly but did not fix an issue I was having

Thumbnail of user alanw206
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 26th, 2018

I'm kind of inexperienced in the Elfster department and contacted their customer service through their chat. Luckily, Pinky the Elf was there to help me. She answered all of my questions and was so cheerful! Thanks again, Pinky!

Thumbnail of user ccx2
Wisconsin
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 17th, 2018

I a not tech savvy so when I started using this web and app, i had nothing but issues and duplicate entries of people on my lists, different emails with same people. It didn't sync up correctly. Customer Service Live Chat helped immediately and understood exactly what the issues were without me having to explain anything. This is what I call a great awesome app to use.

You can exclude emails of a certain family from picking their own.
You can pick every year from this app and it would know not to pick the same people within the previous year the 2nd time around.

It's an awesome app.

Thumbnail of user christinas265
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 22nd, 2018

The person or "elf" that was assisting me was amazing. Actually helped me resolve my issue, but was professional, witty, and kind as well. I wish all customer service workers were as great at elfsters. Turned an issue that was very frustrating into a pleasant experience.

Thumbnail of user jonr128
California
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
December 3rd, 2018

I highly recommend for your gift exchanges. They make everything so easy and organized. They also have good gift recommendations. Makes gift exchanges fun and easy to do. The chat support feature is also great. They answer fast and take care of any issues right away

Thumbnail of user kekes5
Canada
1 review
2 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 12th, 2018

Elfster is a great service This year will be my third holiday exchange with elfster and they have yet to disappoint also their customer service is wonderful easy to use and was able to answer all my questions in a short time thank you jewel the elf and all the members of elfster

Thumbnail of user ellent54
New York
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
November 19th, 2018

I had a bunch of problems with my Elfster page- old wish lists on top of others, and wrong email address, etc! Pinky fixed it all quickly and cheerfully, as a GREAT elf should! Thanks very much, Pinky! She shoud get SIX stars!

Thumbnail of user maeveo3
Ireland
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
October 15th, 2021

I had an issue with some of the exchanges that I set up for our families (forgot to include someone and also forgot to put restrictions after the names had been drawn)
I was in touch with Holly on the chat and she was so so helpful! She was really efficient and quickly rectified everything
Thanks again

Thumbnail of user debarw
Georgia
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 21st, 2018

Had problems logging in and used help desk and they resolved the issue is less than a minute. This is a new website we are using for a family Secret Santa and I think what Elfster is providing is a great idea for families and friends that is a fun way to get ready for the holidays.

Thumbnail of user juanm775
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 8th, 2021

I have used Elfster for a few different exchanges, both local and virtual exchanges. The platform made everything so easy, and the work that has been put into it over time continues to make it better and better. The support team is also easy to work with, and very helpful.

Tip for consumers:
If you are doing any testing to get used to the platform and functionality before re-drawing and doing a group exchange, create a separate exchange once you're ready to go to prevent any issues with cached entries when you re-draw.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user marip20
Georgia
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 28th, 2018

Chantalle The Hot Cocoa Elf - was so helpful in getting my issue resolved! Very patient and thorough! She's a great elf and exceeded my expectations of making sure that the customer is satisfied. A wonderful asset to Elfster!

Thumbnail of user shanem364
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 30th, 2021

I set up my first Elfster secret Santa for my team and I messed it up pretty badly with several people listed twice, ect. Well Emma the sled elf saved the day with her kindness, patience and great service. All is now well and Christmas is saved!

Thumbnail of user anaib1
Guatemala
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 27th, 2018

I've been using Elfster for quite sometime now, mostly as a participant. But, now I've been the Admin in the Gift Exchanges. Ran with a problem, and the customer service where there to help! It was quick and easy.

Thumbnail of user leanas1
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 27th, 2018

I organized our group of friends' Secret Santa for our kiddos. First time we set up our kids' profiles. It was quite confusing on how to go about it. Most of us didn't know we had to be on our kids' profile to accept the invitation to the exchange and a host of other issues. HOWEVER, I contacted their Help desk online. Jewel the Elf saved the day! She was very fun, friendly and most of all HELPFUL! She took care of all 6 issues we had and she did it while having great spirits and great customer service skills. We gave her a round of applause! TY, Jewel!

Thumbnail of user paulb1054
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 30th, 2018

Was having trouble joining an exchange that a co-worker had set up. In the end it turned out the organizer had sent the wrong invitation link out. Elizabeth resolved the problem in minutes, and explained what needed to happen to fix it for the others in the group, including sending a link to the correct invitation. Very efficient and helpful.

Thumbnail of user katrinad31
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 26th, 2018

I have used elfster for years. I organize secret santas, participate in it for myself and my kids. I had a problem merging accounts and managing the accounts of the kids.The rep made it so easy via chat.

Thumbnail of user denisem316
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 17th, 2018

Wonderful customer service on the chat. My elf helper was able to assist me with acct and getting me back in. It was painless and so simple cuz basically she did everything in a matter of minutes. Thanks!

Thumbnail of user kellym455
Colorado
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 30th, 2018

I made a few mistakes setting up my exchange and Meghan McJingle helped me get it all straight! Yay! She was awesome and the app is so much fun! And the organizer does not pick names - it's all anonymous and it works great! Thank you!

Thumbnail of user helend46
Texas
4 reviews
7 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 12th, 2018

FINALLY a website that draws names in a way no one can figure out. I won't mention the other website, but when you had a person's name... the next year that person had YOUR name... so it was easy to figure out who had who. I love the look of the website and that they have online chat if you have a question.

Thumbnail of user florad4
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 27th, 2018

Your elves have always been there to help... to my satisfaction :): ) This is my second or third time to chat and they always have answers for my queries. Would definitely recommend this to families and friends. Thank you.

Thumbnail of user michelej49
Pennsylvania
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 30th, 2018

I was going around in circle trying to figure out how to do something, and getting quite frustrated. I saw the chat option, and within the most 1 minute, I was happily navigating my way in Elfster.
Thank you so much Sparkle!
You are the best and so so so helpful!
Michele

Thumbnail of user wy8
California
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 12th, 2018

I have used Elfster for three years now. I was having a problem and Pinky the Elf was great in helping get it fixed. Our famiily loves the ease Elfster has made it for us all to do an exchange and it has really taken all the stress out of our holiday. I'm very happy I found your site. It has allowed us to give our gifts and get back to the real meaning of the Christmas Season!

Thank you Elfster for this special gift you have given to our family!

Thumbnail of user kindalld
Illinois
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
December 3rd, 2018

I actually came across this site thanks to a friend. Make secret santa exchanges MUCH easier, so that husband can't get paired with wife, ect. Plus, my family lives all over, so an electronic secret santa that remained secret was a HUGE plus! Not to mention the Wishlist feature that is connected to Amazon. When I had a question, Pinky the Elf not only answered it with great patience, but also made me feel better when I had that DUH moment. LOVE IT! Will use this every year.

Thumbnail of user kaylas104
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 25th, 2018

My family and I wanted to do a Secret Santa this year so we went to the Elfster site! We have a large family so we wanted to be sure none of the immediate families got each other. Jewel the elf was SO nice and EXTREMELY helpful! She answered my question quickly and effectively. Will definitely be using Elfster again in the future!

Thumbnail of user jessicag296
New York
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 18th, 2018

We had some issues with the site, and I went on their chat to rectify it. Awesome customer service, they went right in and fixed all my problems. Super easy chat and friendly tech. Thank you so much!

Sitejabber for Business

Gain trust and grow your business with customer reviews.

From the business

Free secret santa generator. Easy to use gift exchange app to organize office parties, family or friends events online.

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user charlesc197
Charles C.

How do I know I can trust these reviews about Elfster?

  • Sitejabber’s mission is to increase online transparency for buyers and businesses
  • Sitejabber has helped over 200M buyers make better purchasing decisions online
  • Suspicious reviews are flagged by our algorithms, moderators, and community members
Have a question about Elfster?