According to the National Retail Federation, consumers in 2007 spent $24.8 billion USD alone on gift cards, illustrating a lack in giving thoughtful and personalized gifts. The joy of getting someone exactly what they want is just one of the reasons behind the launch of Webgiftr, a new social website dedicated to changing the way consumers think about giving and receiving gifts.

Webgiftr makes gift giving fast and easy by ensuring that every gift given is a gift desired. It allows consumers to exchange ideas and preferences for desired gifts by giving them the tools to identify specific products, retailers, interests, and even preferred restaurants to potential gift buyers.

“For years I’ve struggled to keep up with all the birthdays, anniversaries and other events taking place across my network of friends, family, and contacts, and knowing what people like is even more challenging,” said Jon Siegal, founder and CEO of Web Personal Assistant.

Unlike traditional gift registry and social networks that focus on just part of the gifting process, Webgiftr does everything from reminding users of important gifting events, to facilitating event planning and collaborative gift buying, and even making reservations at a favorite restaurant.

Webgiftr is also a unique social community designed with robust tools. Webgiftr’s event tools allow users to organize and promote events, and form private or public discussion groups around those events to discuss what gifts they’re giving or collaborate on a gift purchase.

According to a recent Harris poll, nearly one-third of Americans buy more than 21 gifts each year, yet 84 percent of those polled had received a gift that they did not want. This demonstrates that consumers often have a hard time identifying appropriate gifts and points to a large market opportunity for Webgiftr to help consumers make better gift choices.

Based in Santa Monica, California, Webgiftr is the first service in a series of products launched by Web Personal Assistant.