Queen of bargains

If you receive some presents you don’t want this Christmas, here’s what you could do with them

Whether it’s a scarf you can’t stand or a gadget you’ll never use, if you open a gift on Christmas morning that you don’t like or don’t want – don’t worry! You can take action…

Try taking it back

Returns policies will differ by retailer, so check their terms – you may find they are more generous over the festive period.

You’ll often need proof of purchase, so if you don’t have a gift receipt you’ll need to contact the person who bought it for you.

However, if you don’t have a receipt – or don’t want to ask for one – it’s still worth trying to take the item back. You may find some stores are more relaxed if you just want to exchange it.

Flog it

If you’re tempted to sell your unwanted item and use the cash for something you really want, you’re not alone. Last year, ebay said the most popular time to start listing unwanted presents online is 29 December and that 9pm-10pm that night is the best time to sell as searches peak.

Find a new home

You could get rid of unwanted presents by re-gifting them to someone else. But to avoid any embarrassment, make a list of who gave you what before putting the items away, then add a note to each one with the giver’s name. Or, donate the gift to a charity shop. Turn to page 58 to see our debate on re-gifting Christmas presents