In a continuing effort to monetize its large user base, Facebook is changing their gifts feature. Previously, Facebook only offered virtual gifts, but the new gifts feature now allows users to purchase gifts online. It starts by picking out a gift for a friend, then your friend is notified and they fill out their shipping information. Facebook then delivers your gift to them.

The gifts are intended mostly for birthdays and other big events. With people being reminded of their friends’ birthdays on Facebook, they will be making it easy for people to quickly buy friends gifts. Gift options range from cookies to t-shirts and posters – smaller items. The reason for smaller gift choices is probably because this purchasing decision is relatively quick and less in depth. These spur of the moment smaller gifts also help Facebook avoid competing directly with Amazon where someone might go to make more expensive, thought out purchases.

The problem I see is that most of the fun of gift giving is seeing the surprise and joy of a friend receiving a present. This fun would be lost with Facebook gifts.