GiftLog - Gift Tracker
GiftLog is a notebook for gifts. Every time you give or receive something, you note the gift, the person, the date, the occasion and any thoughts, and you can attach a photo. Gifts you gave and gifts you received are kept on separate tabs, so it is easy to look back at either side.
It helps with the questions that come up every year: What did I give my sister last birthday? Who sent flowers when we moved? Have I already given this friend a scarf? Is there someone who has given me several presents that I have never thanked properly? It is also handy for writing thank-you notes after a wedding, a baby shower or a big birthday, when many gifts arrive at once.
A Statistics screen counts your exchanges and shows who you swap gifts with most often and which occasions come up most, plus a timeline of recent gifts.
The app runs entirely in your browser. What you enter is saved only on this device.
How to use GiftLog
- Choose a tab. Use the Given and Received tabs at the top of the Gift Record screen. The tab you are on decides where a new entry goes.
- Add a gift. Tap the + button. Enter the gift name, the person (Giftee for gifts you gave, Gifter for gifts you received), the date and the occasion, such as Birthday or Anniversary.
- Add notes and a photo. Write anything worth remembering in Notes/Impression, for example their reaction or a size. Tap Add Image to attach a picture of the gift from your files, then tap Save.
- Look up a gift. Tap any card in the list to see the full record with the photo, person, date, occasion and notes.
- Edit or delete. From the detail screen, use the edit button to correct anything, or delete the record after confirming.
- Check the statistics. Open Statistics from the bottom bar to see how many gifts you gave and received, a balance bar, a ranking of people and occasions, and a timeline of the latest gifts.
Features
- Separate lists for gifts given and gifts received
- Gift name, person, date, occasion and free-text notes
- Attach a photo of each gift
- Detail view with edit and delete
- Totals of gifts given, received and overall
- Balance bar comparing given and received
- Rankings by person and by occasion
- Timeline of the ten most recent gifts
- Data and photos saved in your browser, no account
Gift-giving habits worth keeping
Why a written record helps
Memory is unreliable for gifts. Over a few years it is easy to give the same book twice, forget who sent a present, or lose track of an aunt's favourite flowers. A short record turns each exchange into useful knowledge for next time: what someone liked, what fitted, and what was already given.
Write a gift idea down when you hear it
People mention things they want all year round, often months before an occasion. When a friend admires something or says they need a new teapot, note it straight away. A quick note in the notes field of a past gift for that person, or a reminder elsewhere, saves a last-minute rush and leads to more personal presents.
Thank-you notes
After an event with many gifts, such as a wedding, a birth or a graduation, record each gift and who it came from as you open them, before the cards get separated from the presents. Etiquette guides commonly suggest sending thanks within a few weeks, and mentioning the specific gift and how you will use it makes a note feel sincere.
Reciprocity without keeping score
In many cultures gifts create a gentle expectation of returning kindness. In Japan, for example, okaeshi is a customary return gift for gifts received on occasions like weddings or births, and it is often around a third to a half of the value of the original gift. Elsewhere the custom is looser. A record of who gave what helps you respond appropriately, but the aim is thoughtfulness, not matching every present item for item.
Plan around recurring occasions
Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, Mother's and Father's Day, housewarmings and retirements come round predictably. Looking at the occasion ranking shows which ones take up most of your gift-giving, which can help with budgeting and planning ahead. Keeping the occasion names consistent, such as always writing "Birthday" rather than a mix of spellings, makes the rankings more accurate.
Frequently asked questions
Where are my gifts and photos stored?
Only in this browser on this device. There is no account and nothing is uploaded. Clearing browser data, using a private window or switching browsers or devices means you won't see your records.
Can I record how much a gift cost?
There is no separate price field. If the value matters to you, add it in the notes.
Can I take a photo with my camera?
On the web, Add Image lets you choose an existing picture. On a phone browser, your device may also offer the camera as a source.
How are people counted in the rankings?
By the name you type, ignoring capital letters. Use the same spelling for each person so all their gifts are counted together.
Does GiftLog remind me of birthdays?
No. It records gifts but does not send reminders or keep a calendar of upcoming occasions.
How is the web version different from the phone app?
Recording, photos and statistics work in both. The iPhone and Android apps keep your records on your phone, which is convenient when you are shopping; the two do not sync.
Limitations of the web version
- No price or value field (use notes instead)
- No reminders for upcoming occasions
- No search or sort options for the lists
- Data and photos stay in one browser and are not backed up
Phone app
GiftLog is also available as an app for phones and tablets: