Review: Wrapp Makes Gift-Giving a Social Affair

When my roommate Nick suggested I download Wrapp, I have to admit I was skeptical. While we both share a love for social media and technology, the truth was I'd tried similar online gift-giving services before that were convenient but not necessarily fun.

Wrapp has changed my mind about giving presents online, and so much so, it is my go-to mobile app for every gifting opportunity.

Forget the trips to the mall, skip the greeting card store and stop lugging around rolls of colored paper for every holiday and occasion.

If you have an Android or iPhone device, Wrapp will save you money on gasoline and postage stamps, the need for a calendar to keep track of everyone's birthday, and space in your address book.

With just a few clicks, you are ready to send free gift cards to your favorite friends, posting directly to their Facebook Wall. Literally the most simple gift transaction I have ever made.

What You'll Love About Wrapp

What makes this app different from others of its kind is its calendar function, which automatically pulls birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, new moves and other reasons to celebrate directly from Facebook. Updated suggestions clue you in on who to celebrate and why, making gift-giving a breeze even when you might forget a birthdate or other observation.

Meanwhile, the variety of Wrapp gifts makes it an app you can use for everyone you have to shop for, including gift cards from retailers like H&M, Zappos, SpaFinder, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Sephora, Gap, Office Depot, Threadless and more.

In my first transactions, I was able to give my sister-in-law a free $5 gift from Sephora, and a one-month free subscription to The Wall Street Journal to a friend in California. It took less than five minutes for both, and my recipients expressed a lot of gratitude.

The Wrapp news feed updates you as to when your gift is received and redeemed, ensuring your Wall post is seen by its intended audience.

What makes this app even more fun is the collection of gift cards you can amass from your friends in your Wallet, making redemption easy without having to print a gift certificate. Wrapp gift cards can be redeemed in person at some retail stores and online.

Funds from your gift card are available immediately upon receipt, so there is no need for your recipient or you to delay the benefits of being a Wrapp user.

Wrapp for iPhone users have the ability to post gifts by email and iMessage as well.

Recipients must have access to a smartphone with Android or iOS in order to redeem gifts. If they do not have one, you should ensure they know someone who does so they can use the gift cards you send.