I seem to recall in the early days of Facebook (you may know it as the “Dislike Ages”), there used to be a way to “send” someone a pixilated image of a flower or cupcake or some such via a wall post for their birthday, anniversary, or just because.

Of course, it’s the thought that counts and it was clearly economical (read: free), but those “gifts” were kind of a bummer since… to my knowledge… this is no good way to EAT a pixilated image of a cupcake and therefore it defeated the purpose.

Gee, I wonder why people don’t do THAT anymore?

I haven’t really thought much about giving anyone anything other than “truth sandwiches” via Facebook. Then, I was asked to try a new social gifting service called Embly and I’ve started gifting REAL flowers and cupcakes via Facebook… and make-up and shoes and steaks…

Finally a gift giving service via social media that’s not just free and easy to use, but actually FUN and very much real!

What is it?

Embly is an invitation-only online service that alerts you when something significant is happening in your friends’ lives and then allows you to send them a little something via Facebook, email, or through Embly’s mobile app (Available for free on iOS devices; Android coming soon)

It’s a one-stop social gifting service that lets you celebrate the special moments in your friends’ lives instantly!

How does it work?

Okay. So like you, I received an invitation to try Embly. I signed up and linked Embly to my Facebook profile.

Embly reminds me that it’s my friend and fellow blogger Amy’s birthday tomorrow. (Say “Happy Birthday” to Amy from Using Our Words!)

I click on Amy’s profile picture and it brings up a slew of gifting options:

Notice that lots of the gifts are FREE thanks to partnerships Embly has created with these retailers. There is no cost to ME to send these very real gifts to Amy. It doesn’t even have to be her birthday. I can send them at any time.

But let’s say because it IS her birthday, I want to spend a bit more on her, which she totally deserves for being super awesome and stuff. I can do that too!

When I scroll down the page, I find other gift cards which I can pay for. Embly suggests a $25 gift card from either SpaWish or Zappos or Wine.com, which she would adore, I’m sure. Once I click on one I can just as easily add more money to the gift if I like, up to $75 for a total of $100.

Then, I write her a personal message, specify the date to send my gift to her (either instantly or on her exact birthday), and share it with her by either posting it on her Facebook page or sending her a private email.

I’ve also just invited her to join Embly so she can spread the love to others just as easily.

How is it free?

This was a big question for me. Embly works directly with retailers to offer special free (to you) or paid digital gift cards for every possible occasion. And their list of partners keeps growing rapidly!

It’s the retailers who are offering the gifts through Embly, so it’s free to you (and your friends) to “gift freely”. If you want to increase your gift, you can also buy your friends a gift card from any number of Embly’s other retailer partners. And to make it even easier, Embly will not only alert you about an upcoming special occasion in your friend’s life, they’ll recommend the perfect gift with a range of options to help you celebrate the occasion.

Rather than pour their marketing dollars into coupons or promo codes, marketers turn those funds into free gifts offered through Embly to reach their best customers (and new ones too) directly through word-or-mouth and the people who know them best—their friends!

Over the next few months, Embly will be working with a ton more retailers, both online and “brick-and-morter” establishments. So check back early and often to see what’s new.

There is also an Embly mobile app that allows you to send gifts via smartphone. So you won’t have to wait until you are home, in front of your computer, and on Facebook to send something special. You can do it… the moment the mood strikes you… wherever you are… with just your phone. Brilliant!

Try it now with an Exclusive Offer

For the next two days, I’m offering an exclusive invitation to sign up and experience Embly for yourself with a $25 gift for stationery at Minted.com (limited to 300 invitations)

Minted offers top quality designs from a global community of independent artists and designers. Their fresh, modern, and delightful approach to art is reproduced on all sorts of stationery, décor, and keepsake items, and is not found anywhere else!

Embly is bringing you an exclusive opportunity to be among the first to get access to their invite-only service. You’ll get $25 for Stationery at Minted when you click my link and join Embly. You’ll then be able to send the same Minted gift to up to 20 of your friends, as well as begin sending a host of other gifts for all occasions. When you give a gift to a friend, she will also get access to Embly, too.

A little gift from me to you and from you to whomever you like and then whomever they would like! Let’s start of LOVE CHAIN! An Embly love chain!

Disclosure: I am principal and co-founder of Splash Creative Media. We are proud to working together with Radiate PR to spread the love for Embly to our readers, fan, and followers. This is an exclusive opportunity to be among the very first try Embly, which is *by invitation only*. The invitation is limited to 300 users through this offer, and participants will get full access to Embly’s social gifting service ongoing.

The Minted gift offer expires 30 days after being sent. Offers can only be given to a single user once regardless of who sends it, but can be gifted to up to 20 different friends.

The thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and opinions of Embly, Splash Creative Media, Radiate PR, or Minted.