On Thursday, popular social network Facebook announced the launch of its new gift-giving service – dubbed Facebook Gifts – which will enable the users to send real-life gifts to their friends.

The new ‘Gifts’ service, which marks Facebook’s foray into the e-commerce market that is largely dominated by Amazon, has initially been rolled out to a selected subset of Facebook users in the US; and, as users start sending gifts to one another via Facebook in the coming months, the service will be launched to some other countries.

Gift notifications will be accompanied with virtual cards, and will appear on the right side of users' Facebook pages; giving the users a reminder about their friend’s approaching birthday, wedding or other such event.

To begin with, the gifts which users will be able to send to the friends through Facebook will chiefly comprise presents that cost less than $50, such as gourmet ice cream, flowers, Andy Warhol prints, spa packages, and organic dog toys.

Complete with Facebook-branded gift packing, with special paper, wrapping, stickers, and a hard-copy notecard, the real-life gifts sent via Facebook will appear as wrapped surprises on the Timeline or inbox of the recipient. Once the gifts are opened, the recipient will have the option of choosing any specific color, size or flavor; and will be required to enter a shipping address for the delivery of the gift.