Weekly updates

What's new in Cuchumbo

A short note every week on what changed for the people who organize, join and exchange gifts here. The newest week comes first.

Popular gift ideas

Gift ideas picked to match the season. As an Amazon Associate, Cuchumbo earns from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon in a new tab.

  1. Clearer words in every language

    We reread Cuchumbo from top to bottom so it sounds like one friendly voice, whichever language you read it in.

    • Every page, in all fourteen languages, now speaks with one clear, friendly voice.
    • If you take a long break while creating an exchange, what you typed is still there when you come back.
    • Old links to our guides now take you straight to the right page.
    • Links in reminder emails keep working all season long.
    • And this page: a short note every week about what's new.

  2. A wish list for the whole group

    Everyone's hints in one place, a new way to balance the draw and guides for more countries.

    • The exchange's wish list: everyone's hints on one page the organizer can share with the group.
    • New option: balance the draw by gender, as far as the group allows.
    • After you join, your hints are shown back to you, so you know they were saved.
    • Sign-in links last longer, and asking for a new one no longer cancels the first.
    • New guides to the tradition in Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, Spain, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and Guatemala.

  3. Notes, pictures and a proper ending

    The biggest week so far: more ways to invite, more say over the draw and a warm goodbye when it's over.

    • Write a note and add a picture to your exchange: every participant sees them on their page and in every email.
    • Invite with a ready-made WhatsApp message, a QR code for the room, or a post on Facebook, X or Instagram.
    • Keep two people from drawing each other, add people who have no email address, and bring in latecomers even after the draw.
    • Friendly reminders the day before and on gift day; participants can switch them off, and write to the organizer.
    • Mark the exchange as finished: everyone gets a thank-you, and a keepsake card of the exchange to save and share.

  4. A home page that says it plainly

    The first page you see now explains Cuchumbo in a few lines, without the fine print.

    • The home page says what Cuchumbo is and how it works, and the old About page now lives there.
    • We say it plainly in every language: Cuchumbo is free, and stays free.
    • Cards and lists fit neatly on every screen, whatever the text size.

  5. One menu for everything that's yours

    Your exchanges, the guides and your preferences now live in one place.

    • One menu, “My exchanges”, gathers your exchanges, a new one, the guides, notifications, language and appearance.
    • The guides have a page of their own, with every article one tap away.
    • Plainer words at every decision, and image descriptions in your language.
    • Renaming a participant now tells you it worked.

  6. Easier to read, day and night

    We went over every colour and every screen size so the site reads well for everyone.

    • Stronger contrast in every colour, so text is easier to read.
    • Themed exchanges keep their festive colours in dark mode too.
    • Budgets in currencies without cents, like yen, now show the right amount.
    • The menu on phones opens and closes smoothly.

  7. Next year starts with one tap

    Small changes that make the whole season smoother, from the draw to next year's exchange.

    • “Repeat next year” sets up next year's exchange with the same group in one tap.
    • A checkbox asks you to confirm before the draw, so nobody draws the names by accident.
    • On your phone, send the invitation link straight to your favourite apps with the share button.
    • Dates read the way they do in your language, and each participant's page recalls the gift day and the budget.

  8. A new look, with the warmth of paper

    Cuchumbo got a fresh design, and a way to see how the draw works before you start.

    • A new design inspired by paper and print: warmer colours and clearer pages.
    • A short interactive demonstration shows how the draw stays secret, before you create anything.

Popular gift ideas

Gift ideas picked to match the season. As an Amazon Associate, Cuchumbo earns from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon in a new tab.