What to do with Unwanted Christmas Presents
Posted: 3rd Dec 2010
In our lifetimes, most all of us will receive an unwanted present for Christmas. There are several solutions on what to do with these unwanted gifts.
The receiver can take the unwanted gift back to the shops for a return. If the present was given with a receipt, this makes returns an easier process. Without a receipt, some shops will not issue cash refunds, but will offer a credit note or the opportunity to exchange the present for a similar item in the shop. Beware, without a receipt or a gift receipt, many shops will not offer a full return price, but will give the customer returning the item a refund in the amount of the new, post-Christmas sale price on the item.
The person who received an unwanted present can sell the present on the Internet. For instance, e-bay is a popular auction site where the seller can list items for sale in auction style listings or at a fixed price. Amazon.com has a sellers' area where the individual can list the unwanted gift at a fixed asking price. There are fees to list goods on both of these sites. One can also save the unwanted present and try to sell it at a local car boot sale.
The unwanted Christmas present can also be re-gifted to another person. First, make sure any indications of the gift's second-hand nature are erased (for example, gift tags are removed), and that the gift looks in good shape, including the packaging. Repackage or wrap the gift and present it to another person as, perhaps, a belated Christmas gift. Ensure that the present is not re-gifted to the person who originally gave it, or his or her immediate family members or friends!
The receiver can also donate the unwanted Christmas present to a charity shop. If the individual provides the shop with his or her taxpayer details, the shop can use GiftAid to claim back the taxes, thus increasing the charity shop's take on the item.
If all else fails, why not have an unwanted gift exchange with friends? Invite family members or friends over for a post-Christmas unwanted present exchange gathering. Either avoid inviting the person who gave one's unwanted gift in order to avoid hurt feelings, or ensure that everyone attending has a good outlook on such a gathering and will not be offended if a gift they gave shows up at the exchange.
The receiver can take the unwanted gift back to the shops for a return. If the present was given with a receipt, this makes returns an easier process. Without a receipt, some shops will not issue cash refunds, but will offer a credit note or the opportunity to exchange the present for a similar item in the shop. Beware, without a receipt or a gift receipt, many shops will not offer a full return price, but will give the customer returning the item a refund in the amount of the new, post-Christmas sale price on the item.
The person who received an unwanted present can sell the present on the Internet. For instance, e-bay is a popular auction site where the seller can list items for sale in auction style listings or at a fixed price. Amazon.com has a sellers' area where the individual can list the unwanted gift at a fixed asking price. There are fees to list goods on both of these sites. One can also save the unwanted present and try to sell it at a local car boot sale.
The unwanted Christmas present can also be re-gifted to another person. First, make sure any indications of the gift's second-hand nature are erased (for example, gift tags are removed), and that the gift looks in good shape, including the packaging. Repackage or wrap the gift and present it to another person as, perhaps, a belated Christmas gift. Ensure that the present is not re-gifted to the person who originally gave it, or his or her immediate family members or friends!
The receiver can also donate the unwanted Christmas present to a charity shop. If the individual provides the shop with his or her taxpayer details, the shop can use GiftAid to claim back the taxes, thus increasing the charity shop's take on the item.
If all else fails, why not have an unwanted gift exchange with friends? Invite family members or friends over for a post-Christmas unwanted present exchange gathering. Either avoid inviting the person who gave one's unwanted gift in order to avoid hurt feelings, or ensure that everyone attending has a good outlook on such a gathering and will not be offended if a gift they gave shows up at the exchange.
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