How to deal with those unwanted Christmas gifts
CHRISTMAS presents have now been exchanged far and wide and we hope they contained everything you wished for.
But let’s be realistic - that is not always the case.
The excitement of unwrapping that gift soon turns into a fake smile as you put on your best grateful face and think where you are going to hide it.
This is often an Oscar-winning performance and your friends and family go away happy, thinking they have nailed Christmas once again.
But what do you do next with these unwanted gifts? Hiding them is an option so you can bring them out again whenever they come to visit. Let’s be fair - we’ve all done it.
However, there are other options that should be considered.
Here are nine things you can do with Christmas gifts you don’t want to hold onto after December
25.
1. Sell: For many who received an unwanted gift at Christmas, their first thought will be to post it online for sale.
There are currently more ways than ever to flog items, like ebay, Facebook marketplace and even Depop for clothes and accessories.
After the festive period is over, presents can even be sold at a good old-fashioned car boot or a specialist fair.
2. Trade: Why not step into some good old-fashioned negotiations?
Some websites and stores, particularly when it comes to electronics, technology and fashion will offer some financial compensation in return for second-hand products, or at least money off for a future purchase.
3. Refund: If a discount does not quite cut it for you, and you’re lucky enough to have a gift receipt, then presents can be easily returned to their point of purchase for a refund.
4. Re-purpose: Try to find alternative uses for a Christmas gift that you did not particularly want.
For example, a particularly ugly jumper can be effortlessly converted into pyjamas.
5. Swap: It’s definitely worth asking around if anyone else you know has any gifts they don’t want either, and asking if they’re up for swapping them with you, then you could both end up with something you genuinely want.
6. Donate: Christmas is the time for giving, after all.
A stranger could make better use of a gift that you did not want in the first place.
If you are feeling generous this festive period, then you could gift unused presents to charity.
Charitable groups, high street charity shops, homeless shelters and food banks would be willing to take in goods.
7. Re-gift: Probably the most commonly taken solution to this issue - give it as a present to someone else. Pay close attention to how your social circles mix as to not make it obvious you are giving a gift to someone else.
Save it for next year, or even use it as a last-minute option for a late Christmas present this year.
But if you do decide to hang onto any bath products until next Christmas, just make sure they’ll still be in date.
8. Bin it: If the present is genuinely useless and is just going to gather dust in a cupboard or clutter your home, you could always simply throw it away or recycle it, where appropriate.
9. Reject it: A slightly rogue option that we probably wouldn’t recommend if you value your relationships, but it’s an option at least.
If you know you do not want something, just give it back, or ask for something else in a similar price range. A brave move, we know, but we’re just putting it out there.