The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our lives in many ways, including how we celebrate special occasions with loved ones. From birthdays to baby showers or simply just because, social distancing has made it challenging to get together and give/exchange gifts with those we care about.

Goody is a new virtual gifting app that is designed to simplify and modernize the art of gift giving. It enables people to choose from a curated list of gifts which they can then send to anyone, anywhere in the United States—all they need is a phone number. No address or payment are needed upfront, making it a seamless and enjoyable experience for the gift giver and the recipient.

“I am someone who is lucky enough to have friends located all around the globe and one way I keep in touch with these people or to let them know I’m thinking of them is by sending gifts,” says Edward Lando, Goody’s co-founder and CEO. “I found myself sending them things from some of my favorite companies but the experience was always underwhelming and full of friction. I created Goody because I wanted to create a gifting experience that would both dazzle and be incredibly simple, like sending a text.”

Here’s how it works:

• Choose from a variety of offerings ranging from sweet treats and flowers to other special gift items like books. Send gifts from brands like Sugarfina, UrbanStems, Georgetown Cupcakes, and many others—all with a touch of your screen.

• When sending a gift with Goody, the recipient receives a text leading to a whimsical, digitally designed unwrapping experience that reveals the gift alongside a personalized greeting card.

• By simply inputting their address, the recipient has accepted the gift, the sender’s credit card is charged, and it's now on its way!

Recently, I had the opportunity to try Goody out for myself. After I downloaded the app, I received a text message alerting me that I had been sent a gift. I clicked on the virtual greeting card and then my gift was revealed: a Funfetti cake from Milk Bar!

After accepting the gift, all I had to do was provide my address and that was it! I was kept updated on the status of my gift via text message, including when it was out for delivery and when it had been delivered. Within two days, a fresh cake was sitting on my doorstop and ready to be enjoyed!

My experience using Goody was easy and enjoyable, and I would highly recommend this app to anyone who is looking for a convenient way to send socially distant gifts for any occasion. One of my favorite parts about Goody is that you don’t have to know the person’s address—once they receive a text notifying them of their gift, they can input it themselves. Because let’s face it, remembering and updating everyone’s address is hard enough, especially when people move multiple times.

And with Valentine’s Day around the corner, this is the perfect option for those who are unable to be with their loved ones at the moment.

“The reason people love the app is because it feels seamless, warm and fun,” shares Lando. “These are words our users use all the time. It's also incredibly personal: you see your recipient open their gift and they send you a thank you note right there in the app. It's a very intimate back and forth that emphasizes your relationship with the person. Using Goody is about keeping your relationships fully alive and rekindling others that deserve attention. Something we all need in particular during these times."

For more information, visit ongoody.com and download the app for iOS and Android Beta in the App Store. 

[App images courtesy of Goody]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk