Dear Cash Queens

I plan to start my Christmas shopping this weekend but I’m worried about what happens if any of my family need to return or exchange anything I buy them.

I’m not exchanging presents with some of my family and friends until early in the New Year.

How can I ensure that they don’t get stuck with items that maybe don’t fit or are duplicates?

I can’t afford to waste money at the moment so all this is a bit of a worry. stores offer an extended refunds policy. Marks & Spencer, for example, which offers a standard 35-day refunds policy, is more generous over Christmas. It says items bought from October 4 to December 8 can be returned up to January 12, 2019.

It also prints the latest return date on receipts.

John Lewis is similar – shoppers can return any gift bought between October 21 and Christmas Eve up until January 28, if it’s unwanted or unsuitable.

Argos offers a 30-day returns policy on most items, except food and some jewellery. Over Christmas it extends this policy so that purchases made between October 11 and December 25 can be returned up to January 25. Meanwhile, Boots has extended its 35-day refunds policy. Any Christmas gift bought from October 18 with a gift receipt can be exchanged or credited to a Boots gift card at the current selling price until January 27.

Make sure you double-check the returns policy before you buy, and get gift receipts to give to family and friends so it’s easier if they need to return something.

Q