Use DOUZO to create a wish list of gifts from any store and even offers of help

Are you a fan of the Amazon wish list but sometimes find the choice restricting? Would you like to give an offer of practical help such as babysitting or contribute  towards a larger gift? I have just come across DOUZO which helps you do all that and more. 

See below for details of how to get 15% off the cost of setting up your first DOUZO list.

www.douzo.co.uk  is a website where people can make and share wish lists.  It was started last year by two friends, Melita and Matt, after they made a site for a friend’s wedding.  They had found that there were just two types of gift list: people could register with a particular store or charity, or they could ask for money contributions towards, say, their honeymoon or a big present.  These options felt frustratingly restrictive.  Melita and Matt wanted to take away the limits of where you could shop and what you could give.  They also wanted to offer the possibility of giving time and effort instead of packaged presents. 

 Melita tells more about what they offer. 

How does it work?

DOUZO lets people put all kinds of gift on the same list.  These could be presents from any supplier, money contributions, and offers of help.  For you as the giver, DOUZO connects you to the supplier and you buy directly from them, either in person or online.  If you choose to give money, it goes directly and immediately to the recipient.  Nothing is taken from what you give.  

Weddings and special celebrations aren’t the only times when a list can be useful.  The flexibility of a DOUZO list means that it can be used to organise events, to gather things that are needed for a community project or for someone who is moving away from home.  

How can it help?   

Giving to others

It can be difficult to know what to give as presents, particularly if friends and family aren’t local.  Nieces, nephews, children, and grandchildren grow up so fast and often seem to have so much.  Putting money in a card can feel too impersonal.  Buying a gift can be a risk that it’s not the right thing or that it’s something that they already have.  If they make a list, you can choose something that they really want.  They can include presents that you can buy where ever you live.  If you give money, the list shows you what it’s going to be spent on.  They can also ask for things that might cost little but still mean plenty – such as time spent babysitting, helping with DIY, or filling the freezer with some home-cooked meals.  They can ask someone to manage the list on their behalf to keep the element of surprise.  (I’ve done this for my teenagers at Christmas, for example.  They made their lists themselves, but only I could see who had chosen a present for them.)

Helping others give to you

Perhaps you have a wedding, a special anniversary or a big birthday to celebrate?  Many people balk at the idea of asking for gifts but friends and family can be very grateful for suggestions. Using a list that isn’t tied to a store lets you suggest presents that you’d really value.  You could suggest things from independent retailers – like The Future Perfect Company – or you could ask for donations to a favourite cause or some pledges of time or help.      

As an example of using DOUZO for an event, it was recently my parents’ ruby wedding anniversary.  With my brothers and sisters, we used a list to plan their party.  We listed all the things that would help.  Friends and family picked what they could do.  Some chose to bring items of food for the buffet, to help with setting up and clearing away, taking photographs, arranging flowers, lending tablecloths and crockery, transporting guests who couldn’t stay to the whole party…  It was a great way to organise the many offers of help.  Some guests asked what Mum and Dad would appreciate as a present so we added some suggestions for those too.   

Find out more

You can find DOUZO at www.douzo.co.uk to see more information and explore example lists. 

For 2011, Melita and Matt are kindly offering 15% off the cost of setting up a list for customers of The Future Perfect Company.  Use the code FUTUREPERFECT when you check out at www.douzo.co.uk to get your discount. 

So give it a try and let us know what you think.