No Excuses

Image via Wikipedia

Recently I expressed my views on the effects of Facebook on relationships, I have also been considering ending my association with the social networking site as I feel it imposes at times. That aside I feel that for birthdays notifications the site provides helpful reminders to keep you informed of your friends and families special day.

If you use Facebook for this purpose then you’ll love the new feature Facebook added today. You can now send a virtual birthday gift to your friends up to seven days in advance of their actual (listed) birthday. My friend Amanda celebrates her birthday tomorrow and navigating to her Facebook profile I was presented with the below message -



All Facebook have all the details available on Facebook Pushing Early Virtual Gifts and they note that there are two delivery options -

• Directly from your friend’s wall
• Facebook birthday e-mail reminders, which contain a direct link to send your friend an early birthday gift.

Apparently the feature is being rolled out today so if you don't have access straight away it should be available shortly.

What’s interesting, and perhaps frustratingly enticing, is the fact that your friend will see that you’ve given them a virtual birthday gift, but they won’t be able to open it until their big day. That should ensure that the birthday gal returns to Facebook ON their birthday, right? No matter which way you look at it, Facebook is taking a few extra steps to encourage more virtual gift exchanges on its social network. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Chances are if you have a friend on Facebook and forget their birthday there is no excuses now and I am sure that your friend will want an application :)