Host guides · 4 min read
Building a list guests love to shop
The lists that do best are easy to browse: a good spread of prices, a clear set of favourites, and nothing out of stock. Here's how to get there without spending hours on it.
Add from any store
Paste a product link from any shop into your registry and TheBowList fills in the name, picture and price. For even faster adding, put the add button on your browser's bookmarks bar (or use our Chrome extension) and click it on any product page.
- Canadian stores are tagged on each gift, and items that ship from the US get a heads-up about shipping and duties.
- Add a note for anything with a size, colour or model number guests need to get right.
Already have a list somewhere else?
If you've started a list on Amazon.ca, MyRegistry or another site, bring it over in one go with Import. You pick which gifts to keep, then check prices and quantities.
- Import a list once, then add new gifts on TheBowList so everything stays in one place.
Mix your price points
Aim for something at every budget. A rough spread that works well: about a third of gifts under $50, a third between $50 and $150, and the rest above. Group gifts and funds cover the big-ticket wishes.
- Add more gifts than you have guests. Guests like choice, and the popular ones go fast.
- Set “how many” for things you want more than one of, like towels or place settings.
Flag what you love most
Mark a few gifts as “Most wanted” and they rise to the top of your page. Categories like Kitchen or Nursery help guests browse longer lists.
- Keep “Most wanted” to a handful. If everything is a favourite, nothing is.
Let us watch prices and stock
TheBowList checks store prices and stock every day, and you can run a check yourself from your gift list. If something goes out of stock or the price changes, you'll see it on the gift so you can swap it out. Prices you typed yourself always win.
- Give your list a quick look a month before the event and again a week before.
Ready to try it?
Open your registry to put this guide to work. Everything here is free.