What to do with unwanted Christmas gifts
While we all know that it’s the thought that counts and we appreciate receiving gifts, sometimes there’s a gift you know you will never use. We hope you got everything you wished for this Christmas but, just in case you didn’t, here are a few ideas on how to put the item to good use.
Return
Although shops are not obliged to return or exchange an item unless it is faulty, most will do it as a gesture of goodwill. Without the receipt, it is likely that you will be offered an exchange or credit note rather than a refund but this will still allow you to choose something more to your taste. Remember to keep the packaging intact if you intend to return a gift; particularly with gifts like CDs and DVDs, which will not be accepted as returns once the cellophane wrapping has been removed. You should also bear in mind that while many retailers will offer a return or exchange on an item with no receipt, but will do it at the last selling price. If you find that your gift has made it into the Boxing Day sales, you’re likely to be offered less than full value for it.
Sell
Online marketplaces such as eBay, Amazon and Gumtree see a huge increase in transactions just after the Christmas period; an estimated 1 in 10 Christmas presents were unwanted last year. If you don’t want to travel into town to try to exchange an item without a receipt, or would prefer to sell it on to someone who really wants it, selling it online can be a great option. More specialist sites such as Music Magpie and Green Metropolis are worth a look when it comes to selling CDs, DVDs, games and books.
Re-gift
Even if a gift isn’t to your own taste, chances are you know someone who will love it. If this is the case, put it away in a drawer to re-gift at a later date. A word of warning – stick a note to the item with the giver’s name written on it so you don’t commit a massive faux-pas!
Charity
Giving unwanted items to charity is a fantastic way of both clearing your house of unnecessary clutter and doing some good. Remember that the better the condition of the item, the more the charity shop will be able to sell it for, so keeping packaging intact and labels attached can make your donation even more of a help. Some charity shops have rules about what they can and cannot accept so it is always worth phoning in advance before you make a trip.
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