Facebook Gift Giving

imported from my most recent Emerson Social Media blog. 

by Sherwin Su | @sherwinsu

A few months away from Christmas, Facebook begins rolling out Facebook Gifts in the past week. According to a blog post in the Facebook newsroom, this is a alternative way of celebrating special moments as you can now give real gifts to your friends. 

“Everyday, millions of people share special moments with their friends on Facebook by saying ‘Happy Birthday,’ ‘Congratulations,’ or simply, ‘I’m thinking of you.’ Now there is another way to celebrate those moments.”

Not only is this an example of perfect timing, this is definitely Facebook’s way of leveraging their massive birthday data and the spirit of gift giving into an e-commerce strategy, where the social network becomes a one-stop shop, especially for gift giving. 

What is also notable is how Gifts is branded as a ‘mobile-first’ application where buying gifts can be done anytime and anywhere so long as you’re logged in on your Facebook mobile app. It is clear that Facebook has been investing its time in determining how their users behave on the online and mobile platforms. 

Check out an article by Techcrunch on how to use Facebook Gifts.

According to the LA Times, some gifts available with this application includeStarbucks gift cards, stuffed animals and Magnolia cupcakes. One of my favorite gift items is the classy Uber car service.

If what you’re giving is a physical product, this will even come with a Facebook packaging.  

If Facebook is where everyone gathers to connect and keep their networks posted, it is definitely interesting to observe where this new application would fit in, or rather whether or not it will fit in and monetize for Facebook. 

What do you guys think of this revived Facebook application? Do you see yourself buying gifts for your friends on this social network? Is this a good move by Facebook to compensate their depressing stocks record?